The race for the Donegal League Premier Division title has taken a new twist after Fanad United moved two points clear at the top of the table.
Arthur Lynch’s side beat Cappry Rovers 2-1 at Cappry Park on Sunday.
It means they move ahead of Kilmacrennan Celtic who were held to a draw by Kildrum Tigers on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, Lagan Harps are celebrating this evening after clinching the Division 2 title following a 3-0 win away to Gweedore United.
And Gweedore Celtic are promoted back to the Premier Division following a win over Drumkeen United.
Round up
Friday, March 31st
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Kildrum Tigers . . . 1, Kilmacrennan Celtic 1
(No Report Submitted)
Saturday, April 1st
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Dunlewey Celtic . . . 1 Kildrum Tigers Reserves . . . 2
Kildrum started the game brightly and scored from a penalty after three minutes when the Dunlewey keeper was deemed to have fouled the Kildrum attacker.
They managed to add another goal before half-time to go in two up at the break, though they should have been more ahead.
Dunlewey came out for the second half and with the wind at their backs, started the better creating more chances. The hosts pulled a goal back when Dillon Mc Fadden scored from 25 yards into the top corner.
Dunlewey pushed for an equaliser but Kildrum held out to take the three points home after surviving the last fifteen minutes of the game having had a man sent off.
Cappry Rovers Reserves . . . 1, Donegal Town Reserves . . . 4
This game was reversed to the Hospital Field in Donegal Town.
Donegal Town went one up in the opening ten minutes through Noel Gavigan. Donegal had a lot of possession in the first half but Cappry defended really well and the score remained 1-0 at half time.
Donegal started the second half well and stretched the lead to 2-0 through Gavigan again. Donegal Town then added another two goals with David Graham getting both.
Cappry never gave up and pulled one back through Eoghan Wright with a neat finish to the corner.
Copany Rovers . . . 1, Arranmore United . . . 4
(No Report Submitted)
Glencar Celtic . . . 9, Glenea United Reserves . . . 0
(No Report Submitted)
Oldtown Celtic . . . 5, Drumoghill F.C. Reserves . . . 0
Oldtown controlled possession in the early stages but struggled to break down a well-organised Drumoghill defence.
They did make the breakthrough when Joe Friel produced some nice footwork in the box before finishing into the corner. Sean Cleary soon doubled the lead by breaking the offside trap and slotting past the advancing Drumoghill keeper.
Cleary then immediately added his second and Oldtown’s 3rd, this time rounding the keeper to add to the lead. Cleary completed his hat-trick for the second week in a row early in the second half, heading home after good work down the left-hand side from Paddy Mc Laughlin.
Kevin Mc Grath added a 5th with a well struck effort from the edge of the area.
Drumoghill pushed to get back into the game but the Oldtown defence were well marshalled to hold on to a clean sheet.
Strand Rovers . . . 2, Keadue Rovers Reserves . . . 2
Despite wintry conditions in Strand Park there was a great show of support for both sides in this weekend’s local derby.
After eight minutes a throw-in taken by Matthew O’Donnell came off the Keadue defender back to Cain McGee who scored at the second attempt. Five minutes later a foul gave Strand a free kick, much to the disappointment of the Strand management team and supporters who believe it should have been a penalty, the Keadue defence stood tall to prevent Strand doubling their lead.
Oisin McKelvey levelled the scoreline with a long-range free-kick and that is how they stood when the half-time whistle sounded.
The second-half saw Strand Rovers almost take the lead when an excellent shot from Jordan Saville from outside the box was saved by Keadue keeper Caolan Bonner.
Strand tried hard to regain the lead, they went close from a header from Matthew O’ Donnell that went just over the bar. They finally took the lead in the 84th minute when another throw-in from Matthew O’ Donnell bobbled around in the box before Jordan Saville tapped it over the line.
Their lead was short-lived as another free-kick from Oisin Mc Kelvey found the head of Martin Ferry who restored parity. With only minutes left to play both teams pushed hard to get that winning goal. It wasn’t to be however, and they shared the points.
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Drumbar United . . . 1, Fintown Harps AFC . . . 5
(No Report Submitted)
St. Catherines Reserves . . . 1, Castlefin Celtic Reserves . . . 0
St. Catherines continued their recent good form with a narrow, hard earned, win over Castlefin. The first half was a largely forgettable affair with few chances created and it only came to life shortly before half time when JP McGuinness twice went close for the home side and Daniel Foy had an attempt on target for the visitors.
The Saints started the second half brightly and scored the decisive goal in the 50th minute. A long ball played forward found Paul Murrin who outpaced the defence and finished low into the corner.
Two minutes later he beat two defenders but his shot was brilliantly tipped round the post by Reece Gallagher.
Castlefin were still in the game with Dean Kelly orchestrating matters in midfield and they had several half chances before almost drawing level on 75 minutes. Cathal Kennedy was played through and with only the keeper to beat he put his shot wide of the post.
The home side had a chance to seal the game when Paul Murrin’s shot was tipped on to the bar shortly before the end. They managed to see out the final few minutes and maintain their promotion push.
Best for St. Catherines were James Callan, Christy Cunningham and Aaron Byrne with Dean Kelly and Darren McBride best for the visitors.
Referee John McGlanaghey.
Swilly Rovers Reserves . . . 1, Ballybofey United Reserves . . . 2
(No Report Submitted)
Sunday, April 2nd
Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division
Bonagee United . . . 3, Glenea United . . . 0
Lee McMonagle for the home side saw his strike from 30 yards just go wide of the post in the first minute.
The home team took the lead on three minutes when Aidy McLaughlin won the ball in midfield, he sent Aaron Wasson clear down the right and his cross into the box was hammered home from 15 yards by McLaughlin.
The visitors had a great chance to score on five minutes but Jamie Doherty shot over from the edge of the box.
The home side got their second on seven minutes when Aaron Wasson broke clear down the right wing and his cross into the box went in off the back post.
On twenty minutes a free kick, wide on the left, for the visitors, was crossed in by Shane Coll and Calvin Murray headed wide. The visitors came close to scoring on 27 minutes when Ciaran Coll saw his strike on goal go over the bar from the edge of the box.
Coll had a great strike from the edge of the box on 42 minutes well saved by Cian in the home goal. Darren Mc Geever came on as a sub for the visitors and he had a few good chances.
The home team got their third on 75 minutes when Cian in the home goal found Paddy Mc Gowan with a long kick out which he headed on to Aaron Wasson who shot home from just inside the box.
Referee: Mick Lagan.
Cappry Rovers. . . 1, Fanad United . . . 2
Fanad United have returned to the summit of the Premier Division after coming from behind to win away at Cappry Rovers.
The hosts took the lead on the half hour via a strike from Conor Doherty and Fanad replied courtesy of an effort from Eoin Logue moments before the interval.
Patrick Carr netted a towering header just minutes into the second half to claim the three points that has put Arthur Lynch’s side two points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.
Castlefin Celtic . . . 2, St. Catherines . . . 0
Castlefin secured all three points in a closely contested affair with St. Catherine’s on Sunday. A second half brace from JP Malley saw the home side secure a much-needed victory. A fully deserved victory for the hosts who went close from Emmet White, Ronan Tourish and Malley all before Malley’s double.
Rathmullan Celtic. . . 3, Keadue Rovers . . . 0
A perfect afternoon for football at the seaside saw Rathmullan scoring three unanswered goals to claim maximum points against a visiting Keadue side that will rue their profligacy in front of goal.
The first half was an even affair with both sides looking to get the ball down and play on a perfect Flagpole surface. Rathmullan led thanks to Oisin Mc Menamin’s cool finish beyond the half-hour, with Shaun Gallagher denying Keadue an opener with a superb one-handed claim on the goal-line before that.
Eamonn Sheridan’s side attacked the town end after the interval and doubled their lead with a superbly crafted move finished by Reggie Miller on 53 minutes, with the lively Mark McAteer getting the goal he craved on 83 minutes to seal the win.
Keadue had plenty of chances of their own but a failure to trouble the scorekeeper cost them dearly on the day.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore Celtic . . . 5, Drumkeen United . . . 0
After seven seasons in the First Division, Gweedore Celtic gained promotion to the Premier Division with this victory over a gallant Drumkeen who find themselves going in the opposite direction, having finished at the bottom of the division.
The game was put beyond Drumkeen as early as the fifth minute when the home team raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of goals from Ciaran McHugh and Thomas Diver.
Na Ceiltigh, inspired by this start, went in search of further goals to maintain their promotion push and by half time they were in a comfortable position leading by five goals. Much of the inspiration was supplied by team captain Ciaran Mc Hugh who hit two early goals and finished the game with a hat-trick.
The third of his goals was the pick of the bunch when he volleyed Ryan Greene’s cross to the back of the net from twelve yards. Energetic midfielder Liam Wiggins finished the scoring with a thirty-yard strike to leave Gweedore five ahead at the break.
The second half was a tamer affair with Gweedore dominating possession but they found Drumkeen in no mood to let them increase their goal tally.
With news of Milford’s defeat at the hands of Swilly coming through at the final whistle Na Ceiltigh could celebrate promotion to the delight of players, supporters and the management of Paul Rua Mc Bride and Paul Lynch in their first season in charge. Gweedore had fine performances but the stand-out performance was that of captain and hat-trick scorer Ciaran Mc Hugh.
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. v Donegal Town – match postponed
Letterbarrow Celtic v Convoy Arsenal – match postponed.
Letterkenny Rovers . . . 3, Raphoe Town . . . 0
Letterkenny Rovers finished off their league campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Raphoe Town at Leckview Park.
The hosts opened the scoring inside the opening fifteen minutes when a neat interchange between Danny Hall and Jordan Nugent resulted in Hall smashing the ball into the net past former Rovers’ goalkeeper Aaron Hepburn.
The Raphoe netminder did well a couple of minutes later with a smart save to deny Luke Parke while at the other end Oisin Kelly stuck the wall with a free-kick from just outside the box.
Parke was again denied by Hepburn on the hour mark before Rovers doubled their lead on 65 minutes. Substitute Moukthar Bouasrea fed the ball through to Hall who produced an accomplished finish from close range for his second goal of the game.
Rovers wrapped up the victory courtesy of a Gareth Temple piledriver with just a few minutes remaining on the clock.
Referee: Con McLaughlin
Swilly Rovers . . 5, Milford United . . . 0
Swilly Rovers put on an impressive performance to secure a 5-0 win over Milford United as they completed their league campaign unbeaten with 17 wins and a draw.
Kyle Black, who has been in fine form throughout the season, added to his tally with three clinical finishes. Corey McCahill was also exceptional on the day, scoring two goals to contribute to Swilly’s victory.
Milford United showed glimpses of their ability in the first half, playing some good football and pressing hard. However, they were unable to break through Swilly’s defence, marshalled superbly by Ciaran Kelly, who stood firm to keep a clean sheet.
Milford’s best chance came in the 80th minute when Gary Merritt’s free-kick produced a brilliant save from Swilly’s goalkeeper Barry Gallagher who parried the ball out and then blocked Cathal McGettigan’s rebounded effort.
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Gweedore United . . .0, Lagan Harps . . . 3
This game played in perfect conditions in Gweedore saw the visitors claim the three points they needed to win the league.
Gweedore on a recent bad run gave away three very soft goals in the opening half to see this game slip away in the early stages.
Lagan got off to the best possible start when they scored in the 3rd minute following a defensive error that saw the ball fall to Travis Crawford who scored. In the 23rd minute Lagan made it 2-0 following another defensive error that was excellently finished by Matthew Doran.
On the stroke of half time Marty Brogan scored a powerful header from a corner to make it 3-0 at half time.
In the second half the home side, left with a mountain to climb, pressed the game and played well with all the possession in the Lagan half. However, they couldn’t find the breakthrough their play deserved. It was a case of too little too late for the home side who have one game left against Ballybofey in a winner takes all game for the play-off spot in this division.
Well done to Ernie and Lagan on the league win.
Referee: Diego Rainey.
