The following are all the reports, results and fixtures from the Donegal League for this week.
Saturday 25th February 2023
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Cappry Rovers Reserves 4 v 0 Copany Rovers
Cappry started the game well and hit the crossbar early through Kyle O’ Meara. Cappry did take the lead when Kyle O’ Meara scored from outside the box with a fine effort. Cappry then doubled their lead through Dylan Ramsey. Copany were dangerous on the break. Cappry were well on top in second half and added a third through Sean Payton. Cappry then added a fourth late on when Liam Gallagher finished from inside the box. Two Team Performances
Donegal Town Reserves 1 v 3 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 1 v 3 Glenea United Reserves
Glenea got off to a flying start and were two up in the first five minutes on very sunny day at “The Moss”. Drumoghill got one goal back through a penalty from James Gillen. It was 2-1 at the break. Drumoghill put the pressure on in the second-half and had a few chances but Glenea broke and got the 3rd with ten minutes to go. Drumoghill showed plenty of fight but was just not their day. Great team performances from both sides.
Dunlewey Celtic 2 v 1 Strand Rovers
Dunlewey started brightly and took the lead after 5 minutes when Brendan Mc Geady sweetly struck a free kick. There were chances for both sides in the first half with Strand forcing a top class save out of the Dunlewey keeper Daniel Roarty who saved a free-kick which was destined for the top corner. Strand pulled one back after Lennon Cowley pounced on a loose ball to bring the sides in at 1-1 at half time. There were more chances for both sides in the second half but Dunlewey edged it with a well worked goal after a great run from Conor Mc Mahon down the left flank who squared the ball to Eamonn Mc Bride to finish well. Dunlewey had a couple of more chances to seal the game but between the Strand backline and a bit of misfortune and the ball hitting the crossbar, the hosts couldn’t get that third goal. Strand put in a big push towards the end of the game, they themselves testing the woodwork. A tightly contested game with the hosts prevailing for a big three points. Final score, Dunlewey Celtic 2-1 Strand Rovers.
Glencar Celtic 0 v 5 Keadue Rovers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Oldtown Celtic 4 v 2 Arranmore United
Oldtown prevailed in a tightly contested battle at the Letterkenny Community Centre. Arranmore got out of the traps and had an early opportunity from the penalty spot but the resulting kick was fired over the bar. They did take the lead when a long range free-kick from Damian Webber found the net. This spurred Oldtown in action and they got back on level terms before the break when Gerard Patton headed home a Luke Nelis corner. 1-1 at the break. Oldtown took the lead early in the 2nd half when Anthony Brown fired home from distance after a short corner. The game remained tightly contested but Oldtown added a 3rd when Tommy Mc Laughlin’s shot was parried to Anthony Brown who squared the ball to Sean Cleary to finish. Cleary added a second and Oldtown’s 4th getting on the end of a Drew Connolly cross. Arranmore pushed to get back into the game and got a consolation when Paul Early fired home. A great contest with team performances from both sides
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Ballybofey United Reserves 0 v 1 Fintown Harps AFC
Fintown come out on top in a very entertaining game in Dreenan. There wasn’t much between the two sides in the first half with both teams playing some nice football. It was Fintown who had the first real chance of the game when a goal bound effort from outside the box was saved by Joe O’ Donnell. Ballybofey had a good chance to take the lead when Colin Kearns swung in a dangerous cross towards Leo Mc Aleer who’s header was straight at the keeper. Barry McGhee then just missed the target and Leo Mc Aleer got on the end of an Aaron Mc Auley header but the angle was too tight. It remained scoreless at the interval. Both teams came out strong in the second half and it was Fintown who had the first effort but again it was well saved. Fintown then took the lead from an inswinging free-kick when Ethan O’ Donnell rose highest and scored with a bullet like header. Ballybofey where playing some great football and won a free-kick on the edge of the Fintown box. Darren Bonner riffled a low shot towards goal but the visiting keeper was there to save. Fintown created two further goal scoring opportunities but failed to take either. Fintown held on despite a valiant effort from Ballybofey who probably deserved a point from a well contested affair.
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 2 v 3 Drumbar United
Drumbar left Park View on Saturday with maximum points after completing a stunning comeback. Castlefin raced into a two-goal lead, Daithí Gordan scoring direct from a corner and Radbh slotting home after good work from Reece Gallagher. Drumbar pulled one back through Andrew Monaghan and second-half goals from Dylan Mc Hugh and Corey Simms completed the comeback.
Cranford United Reserves 3 v 2 Swilly Rovers Reserves
Cranford started the game, which was reversed to Swilly Park, quickly and had a few chances in the first 10 minutes through Andrew Kelly but he couldn’t score. Andrew Kelly then got the breakthrough after 25 minutes when he scored with a great right-footed strike from 25-yards into the roof off the net. Cranford remained the better side for the remainder of the first half but conceded a sucker punch with one minute remaining to leave it 1-1 at half time. Cranford went 2-1 ahead with a superb volley from Eoghan Kelly. But Cranford then fell asleep and allowed Swilly to score straight from the kick off. Cranford pushed hard for the winner and had big chances fall to Donal Sweeney, Paddy Mc Geever and Andrew Kelly with the Swilly goalkeeper saving them all. Andrew Kelly then scored a screamer with two minutes remaining for a well-deserved three points.
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 1 v 4 St. Catherines Reserves
St. Catherines deservedly took all three points against the home team on Saturday to move them into third place and with a hope of promotion. The home team rarely threatened in the opening exchanges and they were two goals down at half time, both goals came courtesy of Darragh Murrin who outpaced a static defence in the thirtieth minute to finish well past Joe Mc Gee. Five minutes later he repeated this feat leaving the defence trailing in his wake to calmly slot the ball to the net to give his team a two-goal half-time advantage. Whatever chance there was of a second-half comeback the away team made sure it would not materialise when Calvin Mooney scored five minutes into the second half. Gweedore upped their game after this goal but they never threatened the Catherines’ goal and with Aaron Byrne marshalling the defence and Conor Knox dictating in midfield it was a frustrating day for Na Ceiltigh. Gweedore did score from the spot with fifteen minutes remaining when Liam Wiggins converted after James Gallagher was brought down but Catherine’s responded almost immediately when John Curran, on as substitute, rifled to the net from six-yards. Liam Wiggins tried hard for Gweedore with Murrin outstanding for the away team.
Referee: Marty Mc Garrigle
Ramelton Mariners 0 v 3 Milford United Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Sunday 26th February 2023
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Glenea United 0 v 5 Rathmullan Celtic
In fine conditions, it was the away side that came out in top in this clash. In a tight first half chances were at a premium with Joe Coll making a good save from Ronan Moran after 20 minutes. Calvin Murray saw his effort on 25 minutes come back off the crossbar. In the second half Rathmullan took the lead on 50 minutes when Mark Mc Ateer got free down the left and his cross was turned in at the back post by Kevin Doran. Rathmullan extended their lead on 55 minutes when David Miller’s shot from the corner of the box
found the far corner. Glenea tried hard to get back into the game but were unable to create any clear cut chances. As the home side pushed forward in the last 15 minutes Rathmullan punished them with further goals from Mark Mc Ateer on 78 minutes and 88 minutes. Best for Glenea were Joe Coll and Shaun Curran while Kieran Gorman and Eoin Sheridan were best from Rathmullan. Referee: Mick Lagan.
Kilmacrennan Celtic 3 v 0 Cappry Rovers
Kilmacrennan are back joint top of the league after well-deserved victory at Letterkenny Community Centre. They took lead on 14 minutes after great cross from Paul Bradley from right wing was slotted home by Daire Mc Daid. Mc Daid was unlucky 5 minutes later when his effort hit crossbar. Kilmacrennan held that lead until the interval. On 47 minutes Paul Bradley was tripped inside the box and Daire Mc Daid scored the resulting penalty. On 60 minutes that man again clipped the crossbar when connecting with a good through ball from Bradley. Cappry pushed hard but the Kilmacrennan defence where well organised through Ryan Shields and Chris Flanagan and they kept clean sheet. On 80 minutes Cappry had a man sent off for an off the ball challenge and Ryan Shields ran the length field beating three Cappry players and crossing to the veteran striker Philip Buchannan who tapped home from three yards. Best for Kilmacrennan were Daire Mc Daid and Ryan Shields and Jamie Murray was best for Cappry. Referee: Dessie Mc Laughlin.
St. Catherines P v P Bonagee United
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Letterkenny Rovers 2 v 0 Letterbarrow Celtic
Letterkenny Rovers defeated Letterbarrow Celtic 2-0 in a high-noon start at the Aura Centre on Sunday afternoon. Rovers started the brighter and had a goal ruled out for offside after just three minutes when Patrick Gahir fired home. They did take lead on 20 minutes when Tony Duffy headed home Luke Parkes’ corner. Jordan Nugent then came close while Parke forced a good stop from Cathal Charlton in the Letterbarrow goal. Letterbarrow were reduced to ten men on 40 minutes after Cathal Lowther was red carded before Nugent thought he had scored but referee Seimi Ferry ruled the ball had not crossed the line while Parke rattled the woodwork. Nugent and Gahir both extracted fine saves from Charlton in the opening stages of the second half while James Gallagher cleared off his line as Letterbarrow’s Christy Mc Laughlin thought he was about to level. Darragh Morrison came close before Duffy scored another header on 80 minutes as Rovers completed a 2-0 win.
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Ballybofey United 9 v 1 Dunkineely Celtic
Ballybofey got off to a great start when Damien Glackin played a lovely ball through to Mark Griffin who riffled it into the back of the net to give United the lead. Dunkineely then had a chance to level not long after but Christy Patton was there to deny them with a good save. Niall Mc Closkey made it 2 when he scored a cracker from 20 yards out. Mc Closkey was then the provider for the third as he danced through the Dunkineely defence to square it to Glackin who had an easy finish to make it 3-0. Ballybofey made it 4-0 five minutes into the second half when Mark Griffin drilled his effort into the top corner. Shortly after, Griffin played through Daithí Mc Mahon who finished well at the near post. Jude Patton made it six when he cooly slotted home from the penalty spot. Paddy Hannigan then got himself on the score-sheet after Michael Lafferty’s great through ball. Dunkineely got themselves a conciliation goal when they headed home from a free kick. Glackin got his 2nd of the day when he headed home from a sublime cross from Hannigan. Ballybofey got their 9th when Jude Patton provided a defence-splitting pass to play Hannigan through to get his 2nd of the day.
Cranford United 1 v 1 Gweedore United
A share of the spoils in Cranford Park. Cranford came out of the blocks fast and took the lead through a great finish from Jamie Hunter. Cranford continued to create chances and missed multiple chances to extend their lead and would regret those misses later in the game. Gweedore came out stronger in the second half but struggled to break Cranford down. They got the equaliser with 10 minutes to go with a freak goal. A share of the spoils makes the league table too close to call with three matches to go.
Curragh Athletic 2 v 2 Deele Harps
The game started with both teams playing some good football throughout the half with few chances to show. At half-time it was 0-0. The second half started as the first finished with both teams going at it.
Curragh secured the breakthrough goal with John Anthony Chambers slipping Bob Mc Shane through on goal. His effort was parried but fell to Feddy who made no mistake in slotting the ball into the net. This was closely followed by Yayha Ahmed scoring with screamer into the top corner from 30 yards. Then on 71 minutes Sean Mc Gowan pulled one back through a penalty. Deele were playing with a new-found belief and scored with a great finish from a short corner by Scott Macbeth. Neither team could find a winner and the game finished 2-2.
Drumoghill F.C. 3 v 0 Whitestrand United
Drumoghill cruised to a deserved three points with this solid display against Whitestrand United. Liam O’ Donnell strikes in each half, sandwiched by another Lee Smyth goal, ensured the home side ran out winners. The visitors though were well in the game throughout but just couldn’t find a way through a resolute Drumoghill defence which had Dylan Mc Elhinney impressing at the back. Drumoghill had the best of the opening periods and went ahead when Liam O’Donnell held off Shaun Paul Gallagher and found space to fire his team ahead. Whitestrand did offer a threat on the counter-attack with Reece Thompson and Keelan Kerr catching the eye, but Bogle and Mc Elhinney were quick to snuff out any clearcut openings. At the other end, James Tourish was equally impressive keeping the lively Lee Smyth in check.
The second half began with both teams knowing that the next goal was going to be crucial. It was the home side that grabbed it. Lee Smyth came closing to getting it but a terrific point blank save from Declan Brogham kept him out. The reprieve was only temporary though when Smyth found space moments later on 51 minutes to drive the ball home from 12 yards after good work from David Gethins. Drumoghill now had control of the game and continued to look for another, but Tourish and Paddy Walshe were impressive in eradicating any danger. The home side though did find their third goal and it was Liam O’ Donnell who got it, driving home a 90th minute penalty after a foul had been committed inside the penalty area.
Referee: Barry Hunter.
Lifford Celtic 2 v 5 Lagan Harps
Lifford got off to a good start and took an early lead with a great ball through to Shay Lindsay who made no mistake finding the net. It wasn’t long until Lagan found an equaliser from a free-kick from outside the box. Lagan took the lead with a mirror-version of their first goal to lead mid-way through the half. Lifford started getting on top again and a lovely ball over the top saw the Lagan defender on his heels and Shay Lindsay came out stronger to loop the keeper from outside the 18yard box. Lagan, with a great bit of work down the left, and a great cross into the box, caught Lifford napping at the back took the lead. The second half was scrappy enough but Lagan were dominant and scored two more goals to round the tie off 5-2.
Ulster Junior Cup
Castlefin Celtic 2 v 3 Aileach F.C.
Aileach advanced to the final of the Ulster Junior Cup after defeating Castlefin Celtic at Park View. The Donegal League side began the brighter and took the lead when an Emmett White shot flew into the net off the post. However, the visitors responded, Tommy Mc Monagle volleyed home at the back post. Jordan Duffy and Aaron O’ Hagan both had chances to restore the lead for the hosts. In the 35th Aileach took the lead when Aaron Nash squared to Darren Mc Monagle who slotted into the net. In the second half Aileach increased their lead when Gavin Doherty headed home at the back post after a corner. Castlefin got a lifeline when Duffy finished well after a knock down by Sean Ferry. Castlefin piled on the pressure and Matthew Gallagher produced a point blank save from Gavin Sweeney.
Results Week 24
Saturday 25th February 2023
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Cappry Rovers Reserves 4 v 0 Copany Rovers
Donegal Town Reserves 1 v 3 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 1 v 3 Glenea United Reserves
Dunlewey Celtic 2 v 1 Strand Rovers
Glencar Celtic 0 v 5 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Oldtown Celtic 4 v 2 Arranmore United
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Ballybofey United Reserves 0 v 1 Fintown Harps AFC
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 2 v 3 Drumbar United
Cranford United Reserves 3 v 2 Swilly Rovers Reserves
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 1 v 4 St. Catherines Reserves
Ramelton Mariners 0 v 3 Milford United Reserves
Sunday 26th February 2023
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Glenea United 0 v 5 Rathmullan Celtic
Kilmacrennan Celtic 3 v 0 Cappry Rovers
St. Catherines P v P Bonagee United
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Letterkenny Rovers 2 v 0 Letterbarrow Celtic
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Ballybofey United 9 v 1 Dunkineely Celtic
Cranford United 1 v 1 Gweedore United
Curragh Athletic 2 v 2 Deele Harps
Drumoghill F.C. 3 v 0 Whitestrand United
Lifford Celtic 2 v 5 Lagan Harps
Ulster Junior Cup
Castlefin Celtic 2 v 3 Aileach F.C.
