The following are all the reports, results and fixtures from the Donegal League from the weekend and looking forward to next weekend.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Cappry Rovers Reserves 0 v 2 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
This game was played on Friday night in the Aura. It was Kildrum who took the lead when Keelan Gillian opened the scoring in the first half. Kildrum then doubled their lead when Michael Ayton finished off a good team move. Cappry almost got a goal back when a good move saw Karl Mc Glynn have his effort saved by the Kildrum keeper. It was an entertaining game, both teams had chances to score in the second half but neither managed to covert. Two team Performances
Saturday 18thFebruary 2023
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 1 v 3 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Drumoghill welcomed Keadue Rovers to The Moss. The game started well for the home side who dominated the first twenty minutes. A long clearance from the visitors then should have been dealt with comfortably but the forward raced past and made no mistake to make it one nil. On thirty minutes the visitors doubled their lead with a shot from distance which caught out the home side’s keeper. Then the visitors got a third just before the break and that’s how it stayed until half-time. The second half saw the home side push hard to get a goal and they got it on seventy minutes when the defender brought down the forward in the box and the home side were awarded a penalty which was cooly slotted home to make it three one. The home side fought hard to reduce the deficit and were unfortunate not to score but it finished 1-3 to the visitors. Team performances by both teams. Referee: Marty Mc Garrigle.
Glencar Celtic 6 v 2 Dunlewey Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Glenea United Reserves 1 v 1 Arranmore United
(No Report Submitted)
Oldtown Celtic 15 v 0 Copany Rovers
Oldtown enjoyed a comprehensive victory over a youthful Copany side at the Letterkenny Community Centre. Luke Given in the Copany goal kept the scoreline from being in the high twenties with some fantastic saves and he was also unlucky with a few of the goals, getting a hand on a few of the shots.
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Ballybofey United Reserves 1 v 1 Milford United Reserves
Ballybofey started the game on the front foot and were unlucky not to go in front when Colin Kearns played the ball across to Aaron Mc Auley who’s effort crashed off the crossbar. Barry Mc Ghee then came very close from a free kick. Milford took the lead midway through the first half when a lofted free-kick was headed on and the attacker took the ball down nicely and finished into the corner of the net. Ballybofey kept creating chances with Conor Doherty, Barry McGhee & Aaron Mc Auley all playing well. Milford went into the break one up. Ballybofey, who were playing against the wind in the second half, came out strong and where once again unlucky when they had an effort cleared off the line from a corner. Milford made use of the wind and found themselves in on goal but the shot was well saved. Ballybofey kept knocking on the door and were rewarded when Conor Doherty played through a lovely ball to Barry Mc Ghee who made no mistake and tucked it away in the corner. Ballybofey’s tails where up and they pushed for the winner with both Karlos and Aaron coming close in the final five minutes but it wasn’t to be and it finished all square.
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 5 v 1 Swilly Rovers Reserves
Castlefin secured a comfortable home victory over Swilly on Saturday. A brace from Daithí Gordon and a Reece Gallagher goal had the hosts ahead at the interval. In the second half further goals from Rabeh & Gallagher gave the home a side a comfortable lead. Castlefin kept creating chances but were unable to add to their tally. Swilly converted a consolation goal late on.
Cranford United Reserves 1 v 2 Fintown Harps AFC
Fintown came out winners from Cranford Park, a win that keeps them out in front in the title race. Fintown took the lead after 10 minutes with a good finish from a tight angle. Cranford responded well and were unfortunate not to equalise from a couple of headers from Paddy Mc Geever. Cranford came out strong in the second half and had Fintown penned in and got their equaliser from Eoghan Kelly who scored from the spot. Cranford pushed on in search of the win and forced the Fintown keeper into two very good saves. They were caught up the field however as Fintown broke and scored the winner with five minutes to go.
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 2 v 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Joey Gillespie capped a man of the match performance with the winning goal for Gweedore Celtic eight minutes from time on a rain drenched night at An Screaban. Up until that moment Kilmacrennan, who are vying for top spot in the division, had created the better chances but some fine saves from Joseph Mc Gee and solid defending from Gillespie and Brendan Coll kept the score at one each heading into the final minutes. Gweedore hit the front in the twentieth minute when a clearance from a defender hit the inrushing Neil Doran and ended up in the back of the net. The away team responded well and equalised before the break when Gary Mc Gettigan took advantage of loose defending in the six-yard box and finished to the back of the net. The second half saw veterans Phil Buchanan of Kilmacrennan and Colin Ferry of Na Ceiltigh causing both defences problems. Young Conor Gibson was a constant threat to Gweedore with his mazy runs and it took a double save from Mc Gee to deny him his goal. With time running out Gweedore forced a corner from which Joey Gillespie scored with a header following Aodhan Mc Garvey’s pin point cross to secure the points for the home team. Stand out performers for Na Ceiltigh were Padraig Gallagher, Joseph Mc Gee and Joey Gillespie whilst Conor Gibson shone for Kilmacrennan.
Referee: Seimi Ferry.
Ramelton Mariners 0 v 1 St. Catherines Reserves
(No Report Submitted(
Sunday 19th February 2023
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Glenea United 0 v 2 Fanad United
In windy conditions both teams found it hard to get the ball down and play. Playing against the wind in the first half Fanad found the ball holding up for them. Their first chance came when Darren Mc Elwaine put a cross into the box but Eddie O’ Reilly failed to get a connection. Fanad got their first of the day when Eoin Logue broke and played a ball across the 6-yard box for the incoming O’ Reilly to score. The game settled again but the strong breeze behind Glenea resulted in many of their forward passes going out of play. The second half was presenting the same problems as the first as both teams tried their best to create chances against the elements. Fanad got their second late in the second half when O’ Reilly found himself free in the Glenea box and finished into the bottom corner with the aid of the post. Glenea battled hard to get back into the game but 2-0 to Fanad is how it ended. Good team performances from both sides in tough
conditions. Referee: Vincent Mc Laughlin.
Keadue Rovers A v A Castlefin Celtic
(No Report, Match Abandoned)
Kildrum Tigers 1 v 0 Cappry Rovers
(No Report Submitted)
Kilmacrennan Celtic 2 v 0 Bonagee United
(No Report Submitted)
St. Catherines 2 v 1 Rathmullan Celtic
A windy Emerald Park was the venue for this mid-table encounter which turned into a quite scrappy affair as both teams needed the three points badly to get themselves away from the relegation zone.On 6 minutes and against the run of play the home side snatched an early lead as poor defending from the Rathmullan centre half allowed Cian Kennedy to nick the ball off his toe and shoot low and hard past the away keeper.Rathmullan were the physically bigger of the two sides and were winning all the aerial battles, hitting the woodwork twice from corners but it was a mistake from the home keeper that gave them their equaliser just 3 minutes after The Saints had taken the lead. Kevin O’ Donnell caught Michael Mullen unaware as he blocked the home keeper’s attempted clearance and the ball broke favourably for him to slot home for one each. The score reminded level at half time and with the wind at their backs for the second half St Catherines started to control the game. They got their just reward on 75 minutes when Darragh Murrin beat the away defence for pace as he latched on to a low through pass and calmly slotted past the keeper for a 2-1 lead.The home team defended well to see the game out for a vital 3 points in the context of the table.Odhran Mc Guinness had an excellent game in the middle of the park for The Saints and was pivotal in securing the win.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.0 v 3 Gweedore Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Letterbarrow Celtic 1 v 2 Drumkeen United
Letterbarrow’s bogey streak against Drumkeen continued in Tymeen with the away side taking the three points. Letterbarrow started strong and soon went one up when Lorcan O’Donnell headed home a great cross from Nathan Maxwell. Drumkeen started the second half strongest and brought the game back to evens with 10 minutes to go. They eventually nicked a winner with only minutes to spare. Referee: Tony Mc Namee.
Letterkenny Rovers 1 v 1 Donegal Town
Letterkenny Rovers and Donegal Town played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Leckview Park Astro on a windy Sunday afternoon. Donegal had slim hopes of promotion but they were all but dashed when they conceded an 89th minute equaliser having played against ten men for the final quarter of the game. Donegal we’re the better side for the opening period and came close on several occasions with Killian Faulkner particularly lively for the visitors. Stephen Graham headed just over while a series of Eoin Slevin corners were proving a handful for the home defence. Donegal took the lead on 26 minutes when Faulkner teed up Ronan Mc Hugh who finished neatly past Blake Forkan. Leon Doherty and Conor O’ Donnell had a couple of half chances as Donegal led at the break. The second half started in similar vein and Donegal hit the post through Ruairi Mc Laughlin before Rovers were reduced to ten men on 67 minutes with the sending off of Oran Winston for a second caution. It was the home side though who responded the better throwing the kitchen sink at their visitors and had two good shouts for penalties which were waved away by referee Patrick Martin while Patrick Gahir forced a good stop from Ryan Haughey. Rovers levelled on 89 when a Luke Parkes free kick deflected into the path of David O’ Donnell and he blasted home. Rovers almost won it late on only for Parkes free kick go agonisingly wide of the post.
Milford United 2 v 1 Convoy Arsenal
(No Report Submitted)
Swilly Rovers 5 v 0 Raphoe Town
Swilly Rovers continued their recent good form with an impressive 5-0 victory over Raphoe Town. Swilly dominated the early stages of the match with Tyler Durning and Shane Mc Namee both being denied by smart saves from Aaron Hepburn in the Raphoe goal. However, Mc Namee’s super strike on 22 minutes put Swilly ahead. Just six minutes later Ian Ward fired home a wonder goal from 30-yards to make it 2-0. Kyle Black added a third just before half-time with a delightful lobbed effort. In the second half Swilly continued to dominate and Black scored his second of the match on 65 minutes from close range. In the final minute, Oisin Coyle started and finished off a fine Swilly move to make it 5-0.
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Deele Harps 3 v 3 Drumoghill F.C.
Deele welcomed Drumoghill to Deele College for a game that was played in very windy conditions. Lee Smyth opened the scoring on 20 minutes when he cut in from the left and rifled home from 20 yards. The wind was causing havoc and when Richie Moore’s header carried onto the bar and Lee Smyth headed home the rebound to double the away side’s lead on 24 minutes. In a game of two halves Deele got back into it when David Arthur’s goal kick went all the way through and over the keeper on 55 minutes. Liam O’ Donnell had a goal ruled out for offside on 61 minutes. Deele equalised on 66 minutes when Paul Lynch struck a sublime free-kick which struck the bar and Shane Gallagher headed home the rebound. That’s the way it stayed until injury time when Liam O’ Donnell scrambled home from close range to score an apparent winner but Deele had other plans and Ryan Mc Colgan crossed deep and there was the returning Scott Macbeth who powered home a header to make it 3-3. Team Performances. Referee: Paul Murphy.
Dunkineely Celtic 2 v 5 Cranford United
(No Report Submitted)
Gweedore United 3 v 1 Curragh Athletic
(No Report Submitted)
Lagan Harps 2 v 1 Ballybofey United
Lagan picked up another three vital points with a hard-fought win over Ballybofey United. Lagan with the wind at their backs started on top without creating any clear chances. They took the lead on twenty-five minutes when Ross Hamlyn scored a free-kick from the edge of the area. Ballybofey came more into the game as the half wore on. They equalised on thirty-five minutes. Jude Patton reacted first when the ball came back off the post to finish well. Ballybofey went close again when Niall Mc Closkey hit a low drive from twenty-five yards but Michael Toner did well to push it round the post. Lagan regained the lead on fifty-five minutes. Matthew Doran won the ball in the Lagan half before going on a great run. He then squared the ball for Joe Mc Carron who finished well. Lagan went close again when Kenny Doran crossed but Ross Hamlyn’ s header was well saved. Ballybofey were reduced to ten men but kept pressing forward. Shaun Mc Gowan was just too high from a corner and Ciaran Quinn did well to block a shot from Jude Patton. Lagan created a few dangerous breaks while Michael Toner saved from Paddy Hannigan before pulling off a great block from Mark Griffin. In a really competitive encounter Ruan Mc Connell, Josh Hay and Taylor Cassidy were best for Lagan while Shaun Mc Gowan, Jude Patton and Mark Griffin were best for Ballybofey. Referee: George Clinton
Whitestrand United 2 v 2 Lifford Celtic
Whitestrand welcomed Lifford Celtic to Mc Garvey Park on Sunday. The game started with intent and the teams shared goals for the early score to be 1-1. Whitestrand were playing very well and had chances to go in front. Paddy Walshe hit the bar and Michael Sweeney had a chance also. Lifford were hanging on and took a 2-1 lead when Shea Lindsey hit on the break. It was disappointing for Whitestrand to go in at the half-time whistle 2-1 down. Whitestrand started the second half on the front foot and the manager made substitutions at half-time which were making a difference. Gerard Mc Ateer was making an impact down the right-hand side and almost scored the equaliser. The equaliser came when Michael Sweeney was taken down in the box and he dusted himself down to hit the ball high to the keeper’s right. Whitestrand had chances through, Mc Ateer, Daibhid Lynch and Sweeny looking to complete his Hat-trick to win the game but dogged defending left the home side having to accept the point
Ulster Junior Shield
Clonmany Shamrocks 1 v 1 (a.e.t.) Strand Rovers
(Strand Rovers won on penalties 4-3)
Strand Rovers of the Donegal Junior League left it late against their Inishowen League opposition, Clonmany Shamrocks, but it was the men from the West of the County who prevailed on Sunday afternoon. Trailing by a single goal with only ten minutes remaining in normal time, Strand found the equaliser that forced extra-time and then penalty kicks. A superior showing from twelve-yards meant the Rovers would return victorious from their trip to the North of the County.
Friday 17th February 2023
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Cappry Rovers Reserves 0 v 2 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
Saturday 18thFebruary 2023
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 1 v 3 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Glencar Celtic 6 v 2 Dunlewey Celtic
Glenea United Reserves 1 v 1 Arranmore United
Oldtown Celtic 15 v 0 Copany Rovers
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Ballybofey United Reserves 1 v 1 Milford United Reserves
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 5 v 1 Swilly Rovers Reserves
Cranford United Reserves 1 v 2 Fintown Harps AFC
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 2 v 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Ramelton Mariners 0 v 1 St. Catherines Reserves
Sunday 19th February 2023
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Glenea United 0 v 2 Fanad United
Keadue Rovers A v A Castlefin Celtic
Kildrum Tigers 1 v 0 Cappry Rovers
Kilmacrennan Celtic 2 v 0 Bonagee United
St. Catherines 2 v 1 Rathmullan Celtic
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.0 v 3 Gweedore Celtic
Letterbarrow Celtic 1 v 2 Drumkeen United
Letterkenny Rovers 1 v 1 Donegal Town
Milford United 2 v 1 Convoy Arsenal
Swilly Rovers 5 v 0 Raphoe Town
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Deele Harps 3 v 3 Drumoghill F.C.
Dunkineely Celtic 2 v 5 Cranford United
Gweedore United 3 v 1 Curragh Athletic
Lagan Harps 2 v 1 Ballybofey United
Whitestrand United 2 v 2 Lifford Celtic
Ulster Junior Shield
Clonmany Shamrocks 1 v 1 (a.e.t.) Strand Rovers
(Strand Rovers won on penalties 4-3)
FIXTURES