Friday 20th January 2023
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves P v P Cranford United Reserves
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Saturday 21st January 2023
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Arranmore United 0 v 2 Oldtown Celtic
Arranmore and Oldtown played out a well contested battle in good conditions at Rannagh Park.
Oldtown took the lead on 15 minutes when a ball was played through to Kevin Mc Grath who finished well.
After a mix-up in the Arranmore defence Brendan Green prevented a 2nd goal from going into the bottom corner with a good save.
Shortly before the break Damian Weber hit the bar with a long-range strike. On 60 minutes following on from a penalty box scramble, Kevin Mc Grath got his second goal. Arranmore had some chances on the counter-attack near the end of the game but were unlucky not to get a consolation goal. Referee: Seamus Ferry
Copany Rovers P v P Cappry Rovers Reserves
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Glenea United Reserves 1 v 0 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
Glenea reserves picked up another 3 points with a hard-earned victory over Drumoghill. With a tricky crossfield breeze both sides were slow to settle into the game and it wasn’t until 15
minutes that Glenea had the game’s first real effort when Stephen Doakes has his effort well saved by Ryan Lockhart. The home side continued to press for the opener and went close with efforts from Cathal Mc Geever, Calvin Murray and Seamus Doogan.
As the half progressed the away side came more into the game but were finding it difficult to create any clear-cut chances against a resolute home defence.
Glenea opened the scoring on 35 minutes when Calvin Murray converted a penalty after he had been fouled in the box. In the second half Drumoghill started strongly with Willie Ramsey and Phillip Gallagher driving them on as they pushed hard for an equaliser.
But similar to the first half they found it hard to get an effort on target with young David Mc Cormick having their best chance when he was put through but saw his effort go over the bar.
Glenea tried to extend their lead but saw their efforts well dealt with by the away keeper. Best for Glenea were Shaun Mc Garvey & Aron Bowyer, while Chris O’Donnell & Willie Ramsey were best for Drumoghill. Referee: Sean Ferry
Keadue Rovers Reserves 0 v 1 Glencar Celtic
Glencar Celtic emerged victorious from Central Park with a 1-0 win over the hosts in a scrappy game where chances were at a premium. It took a while for the game to settle down. After fifteen minutes Keadue had the first opening when Aidan Yank Boyle found himself in a good position but scuffed his shot.
As the half went on Glencar started to assert themselves, aided by a fairly stiff breeze, and just after twenty minutes should’ve been ahead but the shot at an empty goal went over the bar.
However, within ten minutes, they would make amends when the ever alert Pajo Rafferty capitalised on a defensive error and took it round the keeper to slot home perfectly to give the visitors the lead.
Back came Keadue with a good response with Aidan Yank Boyle, Jordan Doogan and Luke Neely combining well up front. In the second half, aided by the wind, Keadue, with a few early substitutions did force Glencar back. Aidan Yank Boyle forced the keeper into a notable save.
They continued in that vein, with plenty of set pieces and balls into the box, but they were dealt with by a well marshalled Glencar defence. Despite more Keadue substitutions, giving more pace to the attack, the best chance fell to Michael Greene, whose free kick in the eighty fifth minute, drifted inches over the bar.
In the end Glencar got a deserved victory to bring them closer to the top of the table, while for Keadue it’s been a disappointing new year with one point from three games.
Best for Glencar were Liam Paul Ferry and Peter Doherty, while best for Keadue were Aidan Yank Boyle and Aidan Brennan. Referee: Rory O’Gorman.
Kildrum Tigers Reserves P v P Donegal Town Reserves
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Drumbar United P v P Fintown Harps AFC
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Ramelton Mariners 2 v 6 Gweedore Celtic Reserves
This game was switched from Kerrykeel to Whitestrand due to the weather. The Mariners started the better and deservedly took the lead through Niall Curran after great work from both Brandon Wilkie and Vinny Mc Laughlin. Gweedore levelled soon afterwards when a mix-up in the Mariners’ rear-guard sent Cronan Mc Fadden through for his first of four goals.
Gweedore got another quick goal that left them ahead 2-1 into the break. Gweedore started the second half better and three goals in a five-minute spell had them 5-1 ahead. Niall Curran got one back for the Mariners to give them some hope for a comeback but Gweedore held firm and got a sixth before the end. Man of the Match was Cronan Mc Fadden with four goals. Colin Ferry and Shane Donnellan also netted for the visitors. Niall Curran got the two Mariners’ goals.
St. Catherines Reserves P v P Castlefin Celtic Reserves
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Swilly Rovers Reserves P v P Ballybofey United Reserves
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Sunday 22nd January 2023
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Bonagee United 3 v 2 Kildrum Tigers
The first real chance of the game fell to Lee Mc Monagle on sixteen minutes when he shot wide from the edge of the box. Mc Monagle then saw his shot from fifteen yards save by O’ Donnell in the visitor’s goal. Mc Monagle did score on twenty-eight minutes when his shot from forty yards flew into the bottom corner of the net. Harkin, in the home goal, made two good saves from Darryl Brown on thirty-three and thirty six minutes from shoots from the edge of the box.
The home side should have scored on thirty-eight minutes when Peter Carr squared the ball into the box but Aiden Mc Laughlin shot wide from twelve yards. Chris O’ Donnell in the visitor’s goal made a great double save on forty-two from Lee Mc Monagle and then Aiden Mc Laughlin. The visitors levelled on forty-four minutes when a cross by Gavin Mc Gee was headed home by Matthew Crossan.
The visitors came close to scoring on forty-nine minutes when a good effort by Brian Breslin just went over the bar. The home side got their second on fifty-five minutes when the ball broke to Peter Carr on the edge of the box and his strike flew into the top corner of the net. Harkin in the home goal then made a great one handed save from William Lynch. It was two goals each on sixty-eight minutes when the ball fell to Daniel Coll who hammered home from ten yards.
The winner for the home side came on eighty-eight minutes when Jordan Gallagher crossed the ball into the box from the wing it was headed on towards the back post and in came Glen Rainey to head home from three yards. Team effort by both sides. Referee: Mick Lagan
Cappry Rovers 3 v 1 Keadue Rovers
(No Report Submitted)
Fanad United 1 v 0 St. Catherines
Fanad United maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a hard fought 1-0 victory over St Catherine’s at Traigh-a-Loch on Sunday. The game was played in ideal conditions and both sides attacked from the start.
In the 10th minute, Ryan Cunningham came close to opening the scoring for St Catherine’s when his well hit free kick went just wide. Five minutes later the same player fired over the bar from just inside the box. Fanad started to come into it more and Eddie O’ Reilly seen his header fly just wide of the post from a Keelin Mc Elwaine cross. In the 25th minute it was Fanad who took the lead.
Keelin Mc Elwaine chased down a Darren Lynch ball and his first time cross was met by Eoin Logue who’s superb diving header found the bottom corner. Just before the break Fanad came agonisingly close to extending their lead when an Eddie O’ Reilly corner broke to Darren Mc Elwaine but his shot crashed off the crossbar.
The second half didn’t provide much in the way of goalmouth action but both sides continued to play some excellent football. In the 55th minute, Declan Mc Garvey fired an inviting cross into the box but Eddie O’ Reilly just failed to connect. On the hour mark, Ryan Cunningham was unlucky to see his shot from distance go just wide of the Fanad post.
St Catherines did come very close to an equaliser with 15 minutes remaining when Christopher Murrin crashed a header off the bar from a corner. The final chance of the game fell to Fanad’s Patsy Friel but his shot was well blocked by Kyle Mc Geoghan. Referee: Allister Gourley
Rathmullan Celtic 1 v 2 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Kilmacrennan came to the Seaside with the objective to put their title challenge back on course against a Hoops side on form with the visitors securing a deserved victory.
Gerard Mc Grenaghan’s Kilmacrennan side dominated the first half and we’re unlucky not to take the lead on 25 minutes when Ryan Mc Daid saw his header from a corner somehow cleared off the line by the impressive Reggie Miller at the post.
Their talismanic forward Daire Mc Daid had a stunning strike that went inches wide of the Hoop’s post on 29 minutes but the striker was on hand on 31 minutes to head home a fine Paul Bradley corner for a deserved lead.
The second half was much more competitive and credit to Sheridan’s Hoops for upping the tempo particularly through Ronan Morris in midfield and Kevin ‘Shaky’ O’Donnell. Their efforts were duly rewarded in what was a breath-taking goal with Morris playing a defence splitting pass to Hoops maestro Oisin Mc Menamin, the striker Cooley chipping the ball up before heading over the advancing Kilmacrennan keeper Shane Graham to score a masterclass goal and level proceedings.
The joy for the Hoops was short lived as Kilmacrennan restored their lead on 59 minutes when Michael Mc Laughlin through calmly put them ahead again. The Hoops battled to come back again and were unfortunate not to level when left back Miller went on a mazy run from defence through the midfield before unleashing a venomous strike from 35 yards.
Kilmacrennan saw the game out to seal a win which puts them hot on the coattails of leaders Fanad United. Morris, O’ Donnell and Mc Menamin impressed for Sheridan’s Hoops with Kilmacrennan completing their tough task as a team with distinction. Referee: Gerald Devine
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Convoy Arsenal P v P Letterkenny Rovers
(No Report, Match Re-Fixed For Tuesday 24th, K.O. 7p.m., Orchard Park, Convoy)
Donegal Town 4 v 1 Letterbarrow Celtic
Donegal welcomed Letterbarrow to the Hospital field on a perfect day for football. “Town” took the lead through good work by Joe Mac Intyre, Glenn Harron and Robbie Murphy who finished well. Joe was again influential when he passed to Eoin Slevin who made no mistake.
Keeper Charlton then made an excellent save to deny Joe. Stephen Graham capitalised from a cross finishing with a strong header. Another good cross was deflected in for an own-goal. Letterbarrow never gave up and got a consolation goal. Two team performances. Referee: Diego Rainey.
Drumkeen United 0 v 1 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
St Patrick’s Park was in great shape for the visit of Kerrykeel on Sunday afternoon. Played in unusually mild weather for January, this game probably won’t linger long in the memory but the visitors will be very happy to have gone home with all 3 points.
Drumkeen dominated the opening half hour without creating any clear-cut chances but then slightly against the run of play they found themselves a goal behind. Kerrykeel were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Drumkeen penalty box.
Drumkeen Goalkeeper Cormac Mulraine made a great save from the free kick but unfortunately for him and Drumkeen the ball landed at the feet of Kevin Loughery who slammed the ball home from close range. Drumkeen tried hard to get back on level terms before half time with Mickey Black and Niall Bonner both having shots on goal.
The visitors themselves nearly added a second but Marty Mc Ateer saw his shot go narrowly wide of the Drumkeen post. Drumkeen started the second half well and were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty early in the second half. Niall Bonner stepped up to hit the penalty but saw his effort saved by Kerrykeel Keeper Shaun Friel.
As the second half wore on Drumkeen continued to press for an equaliser without unduly troubling keeper Friel in the Kerrykeel nets. Kerrykeel did seem to be getting a little nervous as the second half ended. Drumkeen tried their best but they were unable to create a real goal scoring opportunity and maybe claim a share of the spoils as Kerrykeel hung on for the all-important win and the 3 points.
Raphoe Town 0 v 2 Milford United
It was a tight affair in the first half with both teams having very few chances. Milford got the breakthrough early in the second half to make it 1-0.
Raphoe battled hard to get back into the game and had some good chances but could not get the ball in the net. Milford wrapped it up 3 minutes from the end when they scored their second and the game finished 2-0
Swilly Rovers 3 v 0 Gweedore Celtic
Swilly Rovers secured a crucial 3-0 victory over Gweedore Celtic in a fiercely contested match. The home team went ahead on 18 minutes when Ryan Mc Daid released Conor Gormley who scored from close range. Gweedore’s Michael Mc Kelvey made a superb save on 30 minutes to deny Shane Mc Namee in a one-on-one situation. In the second half a clearance by Conor Doogan was blocked by Kyle Black and the ball reached Corey Mc Cahill who finished clinically from 12 yards.
The huge Swilly crowd in attendance urged the team forward throughout the match and were rewarded on 75 minutes when Shane Mc Namee weaved past three defenders and crossed for Ciaran Kelly to finish in style. The win puts Swilly Rovers three points ahead at the top of the league while Gweedore Celtic look like strong promotion contenders.
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Dunkineely Celtic 3 v 3 Deele Harps
(No Report Submitted)
Ulster Junior Shield
Aileach F.C. 1 v 1 Strand Rovers
(Strand Rovers won 4-2 on penalties)
(No Report Available)
FAI Junior Cup
Ballynanty Rovers 5 v 0 Castlefin Celtic
(No Report Available)
Ulster Junior Shield
Cranford United 1 v 2 Clonmany Shamrocks
(No Report Available)
Greencastle F.C. 5 v 4 Gweedore United
This game reversed from Maginn Park to Gweedore saw the visitors advance to the semi-final in a high scoring encounter. United got off to a good start and pressed Greencastle. In the 6th minute a very good move saw Shaun Mc Fadden round left back Oisin Mc Elhinney to finish well past Evan Davenport to make it 1-0 to the home side. Greencastle equalised in the 11th minute through Kyle Harkin who rounded two defenders to finish well into the bottom corner.
In the 25th minute, following a Gweedore corner, Greencastle, on the break, with great advantage play by referee Mick Lagan took the lead when a good pass by Ronan Farran put Ronan Doherty clear and he slid it past Matthew Harkin in the United nets to make it 2-1.
In the 32nd minute Gweedore drew level when a cross from the right wing by Ciaran Mc Fadden fell to Mark Mc Fadden who finished well into the top corner from close range. In the 36th minute Greencastle went ahead again when a beautiful lofted pass from Christy Hegarty was met by Ronan Farren whose header lofted over Harkin and into the net for 3-2.
The home side got back on level terms in the 41st minute when Stephen Doyle Mc Fadden slotted the ball into the top corner following good play by the home side. It was a very even start to the 2nd half with both teams battling hard. In the 65th minute Greencastle scored from a corner after United didn’t clear their lines.
In the 77th minute Kyle Harkin stepped up to score an excellent free kick into the top corner to make it 5-3. The home side tried to get back into the game with good chances through Ethan Harkin, Ciaran Mc Fadden, Niall Friel and Darren Ferry but were unlucky not to convert on each occasion.
In the 91st minute Darren Ferry tapped in from close range follow an excellent cross from Padraig Mc Fadden to make it 5-4 at the final whistle.
United will see this as one that got away when they consider the poor goals conceded in this one whilst Greencastle went home happy after a very entertaining game in front of a good turnout.
Referee: Mick Lagan.
Redcastle F.C. 3 v 1 Whitestrand United
(No Report Available)
Fixtures
