Here are all of the results and match reports from this weekend’s Donegal League action.
Saturday 9th December 2023
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Arranmore United P v P Glenea United Reserves
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Fintown Harps AFC 3 v 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
In cold and wet conditions at Páirc Acla Fintown and Kilmacrennan played some great football. There were some great chances for both sides but it was Fintown who had the better chances with Jamie Mc Monagle going close, denied by Niall Regan in the Kilmacrennan goal who was having a stormer. Aaron Mc Glynn of Fintown got taken down in the box and a penalty was awarded on 15 minutes. Young Jamie stepped up but put too much power on it and it went over the bar. Aaron Mc Glynn was causing serious problems for Kilmacrennan’s defenders and on 25 minutes he got the ball to his feet and took on the defence on his own and hit a unreal shot with his left foot to the top corner putting Harps one up. Kilmacrennan fought hard to get back into the game but John Molloy and Leo Mc Loone were firm in the Fintown defence. The 2nd half started great for Fintown with a great move from Keelan Mc Monagle and Steve Boyle finding Aaron Mc Glynn who made no mistake from six yards out. Paddy Molloy freshened things up with Ethan O’ Donnell and Sergi coming off the bench. Ethan with his first touch found the net with a great header at the back post from a great free kick in from Keelan Mc Monagle. Harps were looking good but Kilmacrennan got back in the game on 65 minutes with a great strike from outside the box and a slight deflection off Michael Doc putting Karl off. Fintown held firm to see out the game and secure the much needed three points. Referee: Con Mc Laughlin
Keadue Rovers Reserves 1 v 1 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
Keadue Reserves finished up their calendar year with this tough but fair draw at Central Park in very challenging conditions with wind and rain throughout. Kildrum were the brighter starters to the game, with Keadue content to hit on the break using their pace on the wings and up front and they were finding gaps on the right wing to fire in crosses but at no threat to the Keadue defence. The home side came into it more before the half hour with Aaron Neely’s shot easily saved while two minutes later Daire Gallagher found some space but his shot was well saved. Kildrum went ahead on forty minutes when a cross from the left wing seemed harmless enough but a lack of communication in the Keadue defence led to a defender poking it past the keeper at the near post. However, the visitors lead was short lived as Keadue equalised one minute before half time when a shot from Daire Gallagher was well saved but Jack Ward slid in bravely at the near post to beat the keeper. Early in the second half, Keadue made a sub and a few positional changes but it was Kildrum, similar to the first half, who had the better openings and forced Caelan Bonner into a few saves. After the hour mark, with a few more subs, Keadue began to boss possession and push the visitors back with Peter Mc Gee proving prominent just behind the front two. Despite having lots of possession and set pieces it was Kildrum who came closest to scoring late on with a header which just looped wide of the far post. Keadue kept pushing in the final few minutes but to no avail so it was points shared between both sides. Best for Kildrum were Aaron Temple, Frankie Mc Brearty and Josh Martin, while best for Keadue were Oisin Mc Kelvey, Daire Gallagher and Peter McGee. Referee: Sean Ferry.
Oldtown Celtic 2 v 2 Glencar Celtic
The local derby ended in a draw thanks to a last gasp equaliser from Oldtown’s Drew Connolly. The game got off to a fast start when Kevin Mc Grath dispossessed a Glencar midfielder and his shot tested Decky Mc Dermott in the Glencar goal and Mc Dermott then produced a magnificent save from Tommy Mc Laughlin’s follow up. Mc Dermott injured himself in the process and back-up keeper Aidan Simmons entered the fray and Oldtown should have taken the lead when Luke Nelis rounded the keeper but made the decision to pass the ball across with the goal at his mercy. Glencar then had a chance to take the lead but Conor Mc Brearty’s effort was saved by Gibson in the Oldtown goal to keep the game level. Glencar were then indebted to sub keeper Simmons when Anthony Browne had a go from distance. The ball took a deflection and Simmons somehow got a touch to put the ball over the bar. It remained scoreless at the break. The second half began with the first goal going to be crucial and it fell the way of Glencar when some neat passing sent Conor Mc Brearty free and he made no mistake providing a fine finish. Oldtown struggled to break-down a well organised Glencar defence who added to their lead when a loose Oldtown pass allowed Paddy Collins to slip Pajo Rafferty through and he make no mistake burying the chance from inside the box. Gibson the made a save to keep it at 2-0. Oldtown looked on edge but were handed a lifeline when Tommy Mc Laughlin’s free kick found Kevin Mc Grath whose over-head kick ended up in the bottom corner. Game on with ten minutes to go. Glencar defended bravely, getting blocks in when Oldtown where pushing. The leveller came with the last push of the game when a corner fell to Connolly at the edge of the box and he rifled home to share the spoils. Referee: Marty Mc Garrigle
St. Catherines Reserves 5 v 2 Cappry Rovers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Strand Rovers 1 v 1 Donegal Town Reserves
Horrible conditions in Strand Park for our last game this year before we break for the Christmas season. Both teams had a few chances to score but couldn’t find the finishing touch but it was Donegal Town who took the lead after Strand made two mistakes in defence and the ball fell to their winger who finished it expertly into the top corner to leave the score at 0-1 at the end of the first half. Strand came out the better team in the second half, creating a few chances and finally got the equaliser when Ryan Brennan was taken down by the Donegal Town keeper in the box and a penalty was awarded. Strand’s Matthew O’ Donnell placed it low into the left corner and made the game 1-1. Both teams pushed for the winner but no team could get the breakthrough and the game finished 1-1 which would be a fair result for both teams. Referee: George Clinton
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Ballybofey United Reserves P v P Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Copany Rovers P v P Swilly Rovers Reserves
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Cranford United Reserves P v P Gweedore Celtic Reserves
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Dunlewey Celtic 1 v 2 Drumbar United
Wet miserable conditions in Glentornan Park for this top-4 clash heading into the Christmas break. Conditions made it difficult to play in but the hosts started well after going ahead from a corner on 5 minutes when Lorcan Gallagher nodded home. Drumbar came right back at Dunlewey and pulled a goal back through Tom Daly who struck well at the front post to pull the visitors level. 1-1 the score at half time.
Drumbar came out strong again in the second half looking to create more chances and found it difficult between last ditch defending and the conditions. They won a penalty which the Dunlewey keeper saved well. However, from the resulting corner, Drumbar went ahead when a scramble in the box resulted in Dunlewey conceding an own-goal. Dunlewey tried to get back into the game but Drumbar defended well and thwarted every attack. They looked to catch Dunlewey on the break but the game finished 2-1 to Drumbar to put them ahead of Dunlewey in the league standings.
Milford United Reserves P v P Ramelton Mariners
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Bonagee United Reserves P v P Drumkeen United Reserves
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Erne Wanderers 7 v 0 Gweedore United Reserves
Erne welcomed Gweedore United Reserves to the lakeside on Saturday afternoon. Erne playing with the gale force wind took the lead after 5 minutes as Philip Patton sent a pile driver to the back of the net. It was 2-0 soon after with Adam Mc Glone scoring another cracker. The lads kept knocking on the door and a minute before halftime JC Mc Garrigle finished well after a great through ball from Baz Mulligan. The second half started with Gweedore pinning Erne back and only for Peter Boyle in the Erne nets making 3 unbelievable saves the score remained 3-0. With Jack Gallagher and Harry Howarth causing havoc on the wings it wasn’t long before Jakub Naperski scored the fourth after great work from Jack Gallagher. Philip Patton added his second before Harry Howarth got the sixth. Jakub added the 7th just before full time after great work from Gearoid Gallagher. Best for Erne were Aaron Cullen and Dylan Gallagher with Peter Boyle outstanding in nets. Team effort from Gweedore who were unlucky not to have scored today. Referee: Seamus Mc Groary
Letterkenny Rovers Reserves 6 v 1 Lagan Harps Reserves
Letterkenny Rovers grew in strength in a convincing 6-1 victory against Lagan Harps who battled hard until the end, making Rovers work for their goals. The game kicked off with Lagan Harps applying early pressure, testing the defence of Letterkenny Rovers. Within the first 3 minutes a moment of tension arose as Pavel Shevanink played a dangerous ball across his own 18-yard box, but Lagan’s Ross Hamlyn couldn’t capitalize. Fifteen minutes in, Letterkenny Rovers found their rhythm with a brilliant ball from James Barlow Gallagher to Conor O’Donnell, resulting in a shot across the box but it was cleared by Lagan’s young center back Aiden Devir. The breakthrough for Rovers came in the 28th minute when a corner delivered by Gareth Temple found Oran Winston whose glancing header found its way into the net. As the first half unfolded, Letterkenny Rovers continued to dominate for large parts of the game. In the 39th minute, Adam Murphy played a precise ball to James Barlow Gallagher who in turn played it hard into the 6-yard box finding Gareth Temple who hammered it home extending Rovers’ lead to 2-0. The second half saw a stronger start from Letterkenny Rovers, aiming to settle down and control the game. However, Lagan Harps remained resilient, keeping the pressure on. Against the run of play, a pivotal moment arrived in the 50th minute when a deflected ball in the Rovers’ box led to an own-goal, bringing Lagan back into contention at 2-1. Rovers responded on the 72nd minute when a free-kick by Conor O’Donnell found Jordan Nugent whose header set up Danny Hall for the third goal re-establishing Rovers’ dominance. The goals continued to flow for Letterkenny Rovers. Conor O’ Donnell took his goal well in the 80th minute, finishing a one-on-one with Lagan’s keeper, Kai Brown, making it 4-1. Two more goals followed with Danny Hall and Conor O’ Donnell adding to the scoreline in the 82nd and 91st minutes respectively sealing a resounding 6-1 victory for Letterkenny Rovers. Referee: Dessie Mc Laughlin
Sunday 10th December 2023
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Castlefin Celtic P v P Swilly Rovers
(no Report, Match Postponed)
Milford United P v P Kilmacrennan Celtic
(No Report, Match Postponed)
St. Catherines P v P Rathmullan Celtic
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Donegal Town 3 v 2 Gweedore United
The only game played in Division One and what a game it was. Donegal town went 1-0 up just before half time through Ronan Mc Hugh. Gweedore equalised after the re-start and then took the lead some minutes afterwards. Town to their credit battled back and were awarded a penalty which was expertly dispatched by David Graham. Town then took the lead on 85 minutes again through Ronan Mc Hugh. Two good team performances with Johnny Doherty outstanding for Town.
Lagan Harps P v P Bonagee United
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Letterkenny Rovers P v P Cappry Rovers
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Ballybofey United P v P Dunkineely Celtic
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Deele Harps 5 v 2 Curragh Athletic
Deele welcomed Curragh to Marty Duffy Park for their final game of 2023. Deele started brightest and took the lead on 11 minutes when Corey Lindsay set Jordy Duffy free down the right, Jordy’s trickery on the wing created an opening as he cut inside and squared to Tom Mullan who rifled home on 11 minutes. Deele kept going and Jordy Duffy repeated the same scenario on 13 minutes as he set up Tom Mullan again to fire home from 10 yards. Deele added a third goal on 25 minutes when Declan Lafferty threaded a through ball to Jordy Duffy on 25 and he made no mistake. Curragh pulled one back on the half hour when Oisin Mc Cool’s long range effort took a wicked deflection which deceived Deele’s David Arthur. The second half started like the first with Deele on the front foot. Shane Gallagher crossed well for Sean Mc Gowan who powered home a header on 55 minutes. Deele hit the woodwork twice before Cormac Callaghan rounded the keeper on 85 minutes to reduce the deficit. There was still time for Deele’s man of the match Jordy Duffy to grab his second of the day as Shane Gallagher and Shane Mc Croary combined well up the right and Mc Croary crossed for Duffy who wrapped up the win. Referee: Seimi Ferry.
Drumkeen United 1 v 3 Lifford Celtic
Drumkeen United welcomed Lifford Celtic to St Patrick’s Park on Sunday afternoon for their last league game of 2023.The home team got off to the worst possible start when they found themselves a goal behind early on as Shay Lindsay fired home from a Conor Carlin cross. Despite the early setback Drumkeen kept battling away and as the first half went on they were probably the better team without having anything to show for it. The home team did create a few chances in the first half and Conor Bonner was very unlucky as he saw his effort strike the Post. Drumkeen began the second half strongly and Conor Bonner was again in the thick of the action as he had a couple of chances early in the half which both went over the bar. Then disaster struck for Drumkeen and it looked like any chance of getting something from the game had gone. Drumkeen defender Mickey Black gave away a penalty and he was also sent off for the tackle and to make things worse Goalkeeper Paul Mc Cauley was also dismissed. Sean Ferry took the penalty for Lifford and his effort was saved by the Drumkeen keeper but the rebound went back to him and he tapped it home. Playing with nine men it looked like Drumkeen were in for a long second half but they were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty which was well dispatched by Michael Patton. Despite their numerical disadvantage the home team were playing well and Conor Bonner did have a couple of chances to get them back on level terms. Lifford didn’t really make their advantage count and Drumkeen were still very much in the game right up until Sean Ferry killed off their hopes with his second goal of the game with just a few minutes left.
Drumoghill F.C. 7 v 0 Whitestrand United
Drumoghill ended the year 2023 in style with this comfortable win over Whitestrand United. Niall Mc Crossan helped himself to a hat-trick and there were also strikes from Liam O’ Donnell (2), Lee Smyth and Karol Mc Ginley as Drumoghill got back to winning ways. The visitors had set their stall from the outset to defend the point that they started with, and their game plan was working well for much of the first half.
Charlie Crerand dealt comfortably with a few efforts from distance while Kevin Mc Curry and James Tourish were looking solid in defence. That was until first half injury time when the outstanding Niall Mc Crossan slalomed his way through the Whitestrand rearguard to give his side a half time lead. The second half began with Drumoghill intent on adding to their slender lead and didn’t have to wait long as Liam O’ Donnell rose highest to head home Karol Mc Ginley’s cross on 49 minutes. Lee Smyth grabbed the third with a clean strike from the edge of the box before Liam O’ Donnell did likewise in the 70th minute to make it 4-0. Karol Mc Ginley got on the scoresheet himself on 77 minutes with a neat finish over Crerand after the impressive Gavin Mc Brearty sent him clear, before Mc Crossan completed his hat-trick with a double strike in the closing minutes. Referee: Mick Lagan.
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. P v P Raphoe Town
(No Report, Match Postponed)
