The following are all the reports, results and fixtures for the Donegal Junior League from the past week.
Wednesday 31st August 2022
Brian Mc Cormick Cup
Gweedore Area
Group A
Gweedore Celtic 1 v 2 Glenea United
Glenea came to An Screaban for their first outing in the Brian Mc Cormick Cup and new manager Anthony Mc Cafferty saw them take full points against their old rivals. The game swung from end to end but gradually the away team gained superiority with John Mc Fadden and Cathal Mc Geever causing the home defence a lot of problems with their direct running. Glenea spurned several chances before taking the lead midway through the half when a long ball caught Gweedore napping and Calvin Murray nipped in for a good finish. Michael Mc Kelvey and his defence worked hard thereafter to keep the score to a minimum at the break. The second half saw a much-improved Gweedore team and with Cian Mc Bride to the fore they started to put Glenea under more pressure. With Sean Coll dominating in the defence ably assisted by Joe Coll in goals they made sure that Gweedore were kept at bay. Chances fell to Thomas Diver and Cian Mc Bride but they could still not find the equaliser. With twenty minutes remaining Calvin Murray scored a second goal after turning the defence and rounding the home keeper. Na Ceiltigh did not give up and the impressive performances of youth players Caolan Laux, Darragh Mc Gee and Adam Mc Geever made sure Gweedore stayed in the game till the final whistle. They scored in the eighty ninth minute when Cian Mc Bride’s effort from an acute angle came off a Glenea defender. Cian Mc Bride had a chance in the fifth minute of injury time but his effort was well saved by Coll to make sure of the points. An entertaining match between both teams with Cathal Mc Geever and Sean Coll impressive for Glenea and Cian Mc Bride, Liam Mc Fadden and Darragh Mc Gee outstanding for Na Ceiltigh. Referee: Dessie Mc Loughlin.
Group B
Kilmacrennan Celtic 6 v 0 Cranford United
(No Report Submitted)
Lifford Area
Group A
Lagan Harps 2 v 0 Drumoghill F.C.
Lagan came out on top in the local derby, a scrappy encounter, with little football played. After a nervy start, Lagan took the lead on fifteen minutes when Ryan Mc Connell headed home a Joe Mc Carron corner. Drumoghill responded with efforts just over from Colm Gordon and James Gillen. Lagan keeper Michael Toner then did well to beat away a long ball that took a bad bounce in front of him. Drumoghill’s Roy Duffy then pulled off two good saves from Joe Mc Carron, one from a free and the other a shot from a narrow angle. The second half continued in the same vein with Conor Doohan shooting just over for Drumoghill. He then forced Michael Toner into a good save with a shot from a narrow angle. Damien Nelis replied for Lagan but Roy Duffy beat away his volley from close range. Lagan’s Josh Hay then headed over when well placed. Lagan grabbed the second on seventy minutes from another corner. Ciaran Quinn forced the ball home at the back post. Drumoghill pressed hard at the end with Lee Smith and Karol Mc Ginley going close. Lagan stayed solid at the back. For Lagan, it was a team effort while Roy Duffy, Colm Gordon and Dylan Mc Elhinney stood out. Referee: Barry Hunter.
Voodoo Venue Cup
Area 4
Kildrum Tigers Reserves 3 v 2 Oldtown Celtic
In an electric start Kildrum’s Brian Coll majestically picked out Gareth Colhoun who skipped past the last defender with ease before being taken down and a penalty was awarded. Frank Mc Brearty stepped up to hit the penalty and the keeper made a fantastic save down to his left but Mc Brearty reacted quickest and slammed home the rebound. The second goal of the game went to Kildrum also after some neat play in midfield by Christopher Cronin found Reece Duncan with a sublime ball with the outside of his boot and Duncan cooly slotted the ball into the net to give the tigers a two-goal cushion. Oldtown scored against the run of play to halve the deficit and go in at half time only one down. The 2nd half started in a hard-fought fashion and neither team gave away much until Luke Nelis scored with an attempted cross that deceived the Kildrum goalkeeper. Both teams were going gung-ho for the winner and it came after great work from Daniel Clarke who was unlucky not to score himself after an Oldtown defender stopped a clear goal on the line with a deliberate hand-ball and a 2nd penalty was awarded to Kildrum. Up stepped Mc Brearty again who made no mistake with his first attempt this time when he cooly sent the keeper the wrong way in the battle of mind games. Kildrum held firm to finish the game deserved winners. Team performances from both teams with Kildrum’s extra bit of class proving the difference on the night.
Thursday 1st September 2022
Voodoo Venue Cup
Area 2
Donegal Town Reserves 4 v 0 Drumbar United
(No Report Submitted)
Saturday 3rd September 2022
Voodoo Venue Cup
Area 1
Glencar Celtic 3 v 1 Swilly Rovers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Milford United Reserves 2 v 4 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
On a damp day in Milford visitors Kilmacrennan came out of the local battle victorious. The first half provided much entertainment with end to end play but no luck for either team getting on the score sheet. Milford’s keeper Matthew kept Milford in the game with two incredible saves from the penalty spot. The second half provided even more entertainment with an array of scores from both teams with Kilmacrennan getting the win in the end.
Ramelton Mariners 2 v 4 Cranford United Reserves
On a wet miserable day for football it was the visitors who left Kerrykeel with the three points. Cranford took the lead from the penalty spot mid-way through the first half. Their second came when a long ball through the middle, caused havoc in the Mariner’s defence. Cranford striker Paddy Mc Geever rounded the keeper and slotted home the visitor’s second. The Mariners continued to push and pulled one back from a corner. Shane Fisher swung in a corner which landed at the feet of Vinny Mc Laughlin who finished from the edge of the area to end the first half. The Mariners started the second half brightly and got an equaliser when Brandon Wilkie was fouled inside the area and Shane Fisher slotted home the resulting penalty. With the home side pushing for a lead goal it was the visitors who got it when a corner whipped to the back post found a Cranford head. The home side continued to push and Cranford sealed their victory with an impressive counter attacking move.
Area 2
Copany Rovers 1 v 2 St. Catherines Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Area 3
Glenea United Reserves A v A Arranmore United
(Match Abandoned, No Report Available)
Keadue Rovers Reserves 2 v 3 Strand Rovers
Strand Rovers emerged victorious in this local derby on a wet day for football at Central Park. Keadue started the better and the first chance of the game fell to Luke Neely, who was played in by Jack Doherty, but he shot wide. After ten minutes Strand had got on top and David Mc Carron had two chances within a minute of each other. Keadue had a chance on twenty minutes through Aidan Yank Boyle who shot wide and the game gathered in pace. On thirty minutes a fine run by Pauric Neely saw him shoot just wide. Keadue conceded when Strand were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, David McCarron made it 1-0 to the visitors. They could’ve been further ahead only three minutes later, Leo Bonner fired over from the edge of the area. Two minutes into the second half, Keadue were level, from a right sided corner, Luke Neely volleyed home. Only eight minutes later, Keadue took the lead, good work from sub Ryan Connors led to a run from Jack Doherty who beat the keeper from close in for 2-1. On the hour mark, Shane O’Donnell hit the post from a corner. The visitors again stepped up the tempo and began to take control of the match. On sixty-three minutes David Mc Carron went close again from a defensive mix up. They levelled on sixty-nine minutes when a cross from the right led to David McCarron once again volleying home from close range. Keadue made some positional changes and had a decent period about ten minutes from the end with a great chance falling to them when Luke Neely played a ball through but Ryan Connors couldn’t beat the advancing Timoney in the Strand goals. Neely was close again a minute later with an effort that just didn’t have the power to beat the keeper. Strand re-gathered in the last few minutes, forcing Keadue back and with a minute left Matthew O’ Donnell floated a shot, which looked like a cross, but evaded the keeper to give the visitors the lead, which they held onto for the three points and a deserved win. Overall, a decent game in which David Mc Carron, Shane O’ Donnell and Odhran Gallagher did well for Strand while for Keadue Luke Neely, Yaroslav Vovk and Michael Greene did well. Referee: Trevor Hay.
Area 4
Ballybofey United Reserves 2 v 0 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Ballybofey United Reserves got their first win of the season on Saturday at Dreenan and it was a well-deserved victory. They started on the front-foot from the first whistle and their early attacking passages came on the right-wing where Michael Scully was proving a handful for the visitors. He had already set Conor Mc Glynn up before finding Colin Kearns on five minutes to opening the scoring. Mc Glynn’s effort had narrowly shaved the Castlefin post. At the back Mark Mc Bride and Gavin Doherty dealt well with anything Castlefin threw at them. Joe O’ Donnell made a decent save from a free-kick while the performances of Kieran Thompson and Oran Gallen gave the home side encouragement as they went in ahead at the break. Castlefin were much improved in the second half and on sixty-five minutes, again, O’ Donnell had to be at his best to save at full stretch and maintain the Ballybofey lead. They got the assurance goal on eighty-five minutes when Shane Carlin finished off a move which, like so much of his side’s play, was channelled down the right-wing. A very impressive display for the hosts while credit to Castlefin for battling to the end.
Cappry Rovers Reserves 1 v 1 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
The home side could have taken the lead in the opening minute when the lively Sean Breen was put through on goals but he was denied by the Drumoghill goalkeeper. Both sides had half chances before Drumoghill took the lead at the midway point, forward Liam O’ Donnell was set free and made no mistake in slotting past the outrushing keeper Dylan Doherty. The young Cappry side didn’t drop the heads and continued to create opportunities, Tommy McNulty coming the closest in the second half when he curled his shot narrowly wide. Cappry got rewarded for their pressure when an excellent cross from Ryan Mc Gee was met by a bullet Sean Breen header to level the game at 1-1. Both teams had chances to snatch a winner in the last few minutes but they couldn’t be separated.
Sunday 4th September 2022
Letterkenny Area
Group A
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 0 v 6 Rathmullan Celtic
It was always going to be a tough one for the ‘71 with Premier League side Rathmullan coasting to an easy win. The hosts are finding it tough at the moment with players missing but with a full squad available hopefully in time for the League they will soon find their form. Goals today for Rathmullan were scored by Ronan Morris x 2, Kevin O’ Donnell x 2 and Eoin Sheridan x 2.
Whitestrand United P v P Fanad United
(Match Rescheduled For Monday 5th September)
Group B
Bonagee United 2 v 4 Letterkenny Rovers
On three minutes a Jack Dwyer strike from the edge of the box went over the bar. The home side took the lead on seven minutes when Aaron Wasson scored. On ten minutes a good strike on goal went just wide of the post from Leon Doherty. The visitors levelled the game on twelve minutes when a long ball over the top fell to Jordan Nugent and he scored from ten yards. The visitors had a great chance to go in front on twenty minutes when a cross into the box by Nugget fell to Darragh Morrison but he put the ball wide of the post from five yards. Two minutes later David O’ Donnell shot over the bar from fifteen yards for the visitors. The home side took the lead on twenty-five minutes when Wasson crossed the ball to the back post and Jordan Gallagher headed home from five yards. Jack Dwyer had a good strike on goal three minutes later but it went wide. The sides were level on forty-three minutes when a Gareth Temple cross from the left into the box was hammer home from six yards by Darragh Morrison. One minute later Rovers took the lead when Nugent picked the ball up outside the box and his strike from the edge of the box found the back of the net. On forty-six minutes Nugent again broke from midfield, beat three defenders, but his strike on goal from fifteen yards went wide of the post. Gareth Temple saw his strike for the visitors go wide on fifty minutes. The visitors made it four on fifty-seven minutes when a ball in from the right broke to Nugent and he shot home to get his third. A free kick by Jordan Gallagher on sixty-five minutes fell to Aiden Mc Laughing at the back post but his touch went wide of the post. Wasson for the home side should have scored on seventy-three minutes when he broke clear but his strike from fifteen yards went wide. The home side were reduced to ten when a defender was shown a red card for a tackle and was adjudged to be the last man. Both sides kept attacking to the end but produced nothing to bother either keeper. Team efforts by both sides. Referee: Allister Gurney.
Milford United 0 v 4 Swilly Rovers
Victory for the Ramelton men in this local Derby played at a sun drenched Swilly Park before a large crowd. Both teams were minus some regulars but the Ramelton men proved to be too strong in the end. Marty Mc Daid released Ian Ward and he put Swilly ahead with a cool finish on 15 minutes. Conor Gormley with a superb through ball released Kyle Black and he produced a clinical finish from ten yards. It was one way traffic at this stage as Caelan Mc Gettigan in the Milford goals produced some stunning saves to deny Black, Ward and Gormley. In the closing minutes of the first half Swilly’s Ryan Mc Daid hit the bar with a sweet strike. It was three on 61 minutes when the impressive Ian Ward teed up Kyle Black who finished well. A thirty-yard screamer from Dylan Hegarty on 64 minutes completed the scoring. Milford were depleted but though fought hard and Mark Flood’s effort went just over on 70 minutes.
Donegal Area
Group A
Donegal Town 9 v 0 Dunkineely Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Letterbarrow Celtic 0 v 4 Cappry Rovers
In a game that was reversed to Cappry Park it was Cappry who started the better and had a few chances to open the scoring but were unable to take any of them. Letterbarrow grew into the game and as the half wore on they forced the Cappry keeper into a couple of fine saves. Cappry started the 2nd half strong and took the lead when Dean O’ Donnell squared to Conor Laverty who finished well from inside the box. Cappry doubled their lead a few minutes later when Conor Laverty finished off a good Cappry move. Letterbarrow, to their credit, kept going and had a couple of chances to get a goal back. Cappry added a third when Dean O’ Donnell fired home from outside the box. Cappry wrapped up the scoring when Jack Long tapped a fine Cappry move in the 80th minute
Group B
Curragh Athletic 1 v 3 St. Catherines
St Catherine’s took an early lead when Josh Maxwell scored from a corner. Maxwell doubled their lead on 28 minutes when he capitalised on a turnover and coolly slotted home. Curragh got one back before half time from a JP Malley penalty after Shea Mc Menamin was fouled in the box. Curragh pushed hard for an equaliser but couldn’t unlock a well organised defence. In the 75th minute Shane O’ Brien saved a Josh Maxwell penalty to keep Curragh in the game. Eoin Love secured the win for St. Catherines with a well taken goal on the 85th minute. A hard-fought game. Best for St Catherine’s: Josh Maxwell. Best for Curragh: Shane O Brien. Referee: Tony McNamee.
Drumkeen United 1 v 5 Ballybofey United
(No Report Submitted)
Gweedore Area
Group A
Gweedore United P v P Gweedore Celtic
(Match Rescheduled For Monday 5th September)
Group B
Cranford United 0 v 2 Keadue Rovers
Keadue left Cranford Park with the victory in perfect conditions. Keadue had most of the ball but found the Cranford defence hard to break down and were only feeding off half-chances. Cranford nearly took the lead after 30 minutes when Danny Mc Bride’s perfect volley was heading to the top corner but was denied by a great save. Keadue took the lead with a couple minutes left of the half from a header from a free kick. The second half was a close encounter with Keadue having most of the ball again. Danny Mc Bride was unlucky as his strike just went over the bar. Keadue secured the win with 10 minutes to go when the Cranford defence fell asleep and the striker was played in to score.
Lifford Area
Group A
Raphoe Town 5 v 1 Convoy Arsenal
(No Report Submitted)
Group B
Kildrum Tigers 3 v 0 Castlefin Celtic
First half goals from Darryl Brown and James Connolly saw the home side take a two-goal lead into the half time break. Castlefin came out bright in the second half, manager Raymond Foy made some tactical changes as they tried to get themselves back in the game. Kildrum held firm and in particular a fantastic save from new man Chris O’ Donnell to deny Jordan Duffy. Kildrum made it three with just 20 minutes remaining and ended the game as a tie when Charlie Shovlin scored a fantastic free kick.
Results Week Two
Wednesday 31st August 2022
Brian Mc Cormick Cup
Gweedore Area
Group A
Gweedore Celtic 1 v 2 Glenea United
Group B
Kilmacrennan Celtic 6 v 0 Cranford United
Lifford Area
Group A
Lagan Harps 2 v 0 Drumoghill F.C.
Voodoo Venue Cup
Area 4
Kildrum Tigers Reserves 3 v 2 Oldtown Celtic
Thursday 1st September 2022
Voodoo Venue Cup
Area 2
Donegal Town Reserves 4 v 0 Drumbar United
Saturday 3rd September 2022
Voodoo Venue Cup
Area 1
Glencar Celtic 3 v 1 Swilly Rovers Reserves
Milford United Reserves 2 v 4 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Ramelton Mariners 2 v 4 Cranford United Reserves
Area 2
Copany Rovers 1 v 2 St. Catherines Reserves
Area 3
Glenea United Reserves A v A Arranmore United
Keadue Rovers Reserves 2 v 3 Strand Rovers
Area 4
Ballybofey United Reserves 2 v 0 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Cappry Rovers Reserves 1 v 1 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
Sunday 4th September 2022
Letterkenny Area
Group A
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 0 v 6 Rathmullan Celtic
Whitestrand United P v P Fanad United
Group B
Bonagee United 2 v 4 Letterkenny Rovers
Milford United 0 v 4 Swilly Rovers
Donegal Area
Group A
Donegal Town 9 v 0 Dunkineely Celtic
Letterbarrow Celtic 0 v 4 Cappry Rovers
Group B
Curragh Athletic 1 v 3 St. Catherines
Drumkeen United 1 v 5 Ballybofey United
Gweedore Area
Group A
Gweedore United P v P Gweedore Celtic
Group B
Cranford United 0 v 2 Keadue Rovers
Lifford Area
Group A
Raphoe Town 5 v 1 Convoy Arsenal
Group B
Kildrum Tigers 3 v 0 Castlefin Celtic
Fixtures Week Three
Monday 5th September 2022
Brian Mc Cormick Cup
Letterkenny Area Group A
Whitestrand United v Fanad United (K.O. 6.30p.m.)
Gweedore Area Group A
Gweedore United v Gweedore Celtic (K.O. 7.30p.m.)
Wednesday 7th September 2022 K.O. 6.30p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Cup
Gweedore Area Group A
Gweedore United v Glenea United
Gweedore Area Group B
Kilmacrennan Celtic v Keadue Rovers
Voodoo Venue Cup Area 1
Swilly Rovers Reserves v Ramelton Mariners
Saturday 10th September 2022 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Voodoo Venue Cup
Area 1
Cranford United Reserves v Milford United Reserves
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves v Donegal Town Reserves
Area 2
Drumbar United v Fintown Harps AFC
St. Catherines Reserves v Donegal Town Reserves
Area 3
Arranmore United v Dunlewey Celtic
Strand Rovers v Glenea United Reserves
Area 4
Castlefin Celtic Reserves v Cappry Rovers Reserves
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves v Kildrum Tigers Reserves
Oldtown Celtic v Ballybofey United Reserves
Sunday 11th September 2022 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Letterkenny Area
Group A
Fanad United v Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Whitestrand United v Rathmullan Celtic
Group B
Milford United v Letterkenny Rovers
Swilly Rovers v Bonagee United
Donegal Area
Group A
Cappry Rovers v Donegal Town
Letterbarrow Celtic v Dunkineely Celtic
Group B
Ballybofey United v Curragh Athletic
Drumkeen United v St. Catherines
Gweedore Area
Group A
Glenea United v Gweedore Celtic
Group B
Keadue Rovers v Cranford United
Lifford Area
Group A
Drumoghill F.C. v Raphoe Town
Lagan Harps v Convoy Arsenal
Group B
Lifford Celtic v Castlefin Celtic