The following are all the match reports, results and fixtures from the Donegal League.
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Letterkenny Rovers Reserves P v P Lagan Harps Reserves
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Saturday 20th January 2024
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
St. Catherines Reserves 2 v1 Arranmore United
Rannagh Park hosted this reversed fixture in windy conditions as storm Isha approached. The away side opened the scoring after 20 minutes when a throw-in fell to Eric Carr who finished well, low into the corner. Arranmore responded well and equalised almost immediately. Declan Proctor whipped a free kick into the box and the ball met his brother Conor’s head and it found the back of the net. The game was level at half time but shortly after the break St. Catherines were ahead again. The ball was delivered into the box and Aaron Byrne was there to head it past the home keeper. Ten minutes from the end of the game Arranmore had a chance to equalise again when Conor Proctor was fouled in the box. Declan Proctor stepped up but the bar prevented a share of the points. Team performance from both sides with both midfields putting in a good shift. Referee: Damien Mc Fadden.
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Ballybofey United Reserves 4 v 3 Gweedore Celtic Reserves
The home side started the game strongly and could have taken an early lead when Shane Carlin got in behind the Gweedore defence but his effort went just wide. With 15 minutes on the clock Ballybofey’s pressure paid off when Carlin whipped in a great ball from the left wing which was spilled by the keeper and Kieran Thompson put it on a plate for Oran Gallen for tap it in. Ballybofey then doubled their lead on 27 minutes when Colin Kearns slipped in Kieran Thompson who cooly slotted past the keeper and into the corner of the net. The visitors pulled one back on 33 minutes with a fine effort from a tight angle giving Crawford no chance. Half Time 2-1. Ballybofey came out firing again in the second half and were awarded a penalty on 51 minutes when Kearns was fouled inside the box. Kieran Thompson stepped up but saw his effort saved by the Gweedore keeper. Six minutes later Thompson made up for the penalty miss when he found himself in behind the defence baring in on goal and he calmly lobbed his effort over the keeper to put United into a 3-1 lead. Gweedore replied on 68 minutes with an excellently struck free kick from 25 yards, right into the top left hand corner. The home side regained their two-goal advantage straight away when Shane Carlin showed great tenacity to keep the ball in before laying it across to Thompson to complete his hat-trick from close range. Gweedore piled on the pressure late on and got a goal back when a long ball deceived Crawford and ended up in the back of the net. Ballybofey hung on and saw out the final moments to get a well-deserved and much needed victory. Man of the Match: Kieran Thompson
Copany Rovers P v P Swilly Rovers Reserves
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Milford United Reserves 0 v 1 Ramelton Mariners
(No Report Submitted)
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Fanad United Reserves 1 v 0 Erne Wanderers
(No Report Submitted)
Gweedore United Reserves 3 v 1 Drumkeen United Reserves
Gweedore United Reserves welcomed Drumkeen United Reserves to the Gweedore Pobalscoil Ground
for their first match in 2024. Gweedore United Reserves had the perfect start on three minutes when
Caoimhin Lynch played in Callum Ferriter who curled in a shot from just inside the box past Ben
Gallagher. Gweedore pressed for a second goal and got their reward in the 21st minute when good play down the left- hand side from Seadhan O’ Baoill preceded him setting up Stephen Mulhern who found the back of the net despite the best efforts of Ben Gallagher and the Drumkeen defence. Drumkeen received a lifeline just on the stroke of half-time when Gweedore failed to clear the ball in their box and Sean
Column was able to capitalise by slotting the ball into an empty net. The blustery conditions were
problematic for both teams during the game however Owenie Gallagher settled the game for the
home team in the 69th minute when he struck the ball from 30 yards into the top right-hand corner giving Ben Gallagher no chance. Referee: Danny Doherty
FAI Junior Cup
Mervue United v Letterkenny Rovers
(No Report Available)
Ulster Junior Shield
Glencar Celtic 3 v 2 Fintown Harps AFC
Glencar started the game well and went 1-0 up with a close-range finish from Conor Mc Brearty and soon after doubled their lead after Pajo Rafferty slipped through Paddy Collins who tucked it away. Fintown came out the better team after the break and pulled a goal back to make it 2-1. Fintown chased an equaliser but Glencar regained the two-goal cushion when Pajo Rafferty rifled home to make it 3-1. Fintown kept pushing and forced a few top saves from Glencar keeper Decky Mc Dermott before a foul in the box led to a late penalty which was converted to make it 3-2.
Oldtown Celtic 5 v 2 Bonagee United Reserves
Oldtown and Bonagee locked horns on a fine day for a game at the Letterkenny Community Centre despite the weather earlier in the week. Oldtown got out the blocks fast when Tommy Mc Laughlin skipped past two players before firing over from the edge of the area. They took the lead when Sean Cleary fired home from close range. Bonagee began to come into the game and equalised when hesitancy in the Oldtown defence allowed Fintan Hassan to capitalise and finish. Oldtown restored their lead when a nice move saw Micheal Doherty square to Tommy Mc Laughlin to fire home. A third was soon added when Mc Laughlin teed up Kevin Mc Grath to fire home from the edge of the area. 3-1 at the break. Oldtown began the 2nd half with the same intent and added a fourth when Sean Cleary pounced on a rebound from a Doherty free kick. Cleary then completed his hat-trick when winning the ball back outside the area before showing great composure to shrug off his man and cooly finish. Oldtown had a chance to add a 6th but the Bonagee keeper made a fine double save from a penalty and the resulting rebound. Darren Coyle added a late consolation for Bonagee. Referee: Gerard Divine
Sunday 21st January 2024
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Castlefin Celtic P v P Keadue Rovers
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Gweedore Celtic 0 v 3 Rathmullan Celtic
Rathmullan claimed three valuable points amid the wind and rain that was preceding Storm Isha as Conor Temple and Mark Mc Ateer fired the goals to see off a spirited Gweedore side. Temple’s first had Rathmullan in front at the break and, with the wind behind the visitors for the second half, he doubled his tally in the first minute of the second period to give the Hoops some crucial breathing space. Mc Ateer rounded off the scoring 15 minutes from the end, with conditions worsening, as Gweedore found chances tougher to come by. This game was reversed from An Screaban on Sunday morning owing to a waterlogged pitch and Rathmullan were thankful to have grounds staff Enda Sheridan and Fergus Mc Carry on short notice to ensure the Flagpole was ready to accept the fixture. Referee: Patrick Martin.
Milford United 1 v 3 Fanad United
(No Report Submitted)
St. Catherines 2 v 0 Kilmacrennan Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Swilly Rovers 0 v 0 Kildrum Tigers
Swilly Rovers and Kildrum Tigers played out a hard-fought 0-0 draw at a windswept Swilly Park. Despite recent inclement weather, the pitch was in excellent condition. Swilly started strongly, displaying good football in the opening 20 minutes, but Kildrum gradually gained momentum, putting pressure on towards the end of the first half. Barry Gallagher, Swilly’s goalkeeper, made a crucial point-blank save on 40 minutes, denying Darryl Brown. At the beginning of the second half, Kyle Black missed a close-range opportunity after a superb pass from Shane Mc Namee. Mc Namee’s header hit the crossbar on 50 minutes following a fine Ian Ward cross. As Kildrum intensified their efforts, Swilly stood firm defensively. Ten minutes from time, Swilly’s keeper, Barry Gallagher, received a red card for handling outside the box, much to the local crowd’s annoyance. Jamie Lee Blaney replaced Gallagher and made a superb stop to deny William Lynch near the end. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. Referee: Dessie Mc Laughlin.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Cappry Rovers P v P Donegal Town
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Glenea United P v P Bonagee United
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Letterbarrow Celtic 3 v 4 Gweedore United
(No Report Submitted)
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Ballybofey United P v P Lifford Celtic
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Drumkeen United 1 v 3 Deele Harps
Deele Harps were the visitors to St Patrick’s Park on Sunday afternoon for this game in the Donegal League Physiotherapy Division Two. The pitch itself was in good shape but the wind and rain overhead and a weather warning fast approaching meant that conditions were not ideal for a game of Football. Drumkeen got off to the worst possible start when in the first minute they failed to properly defend a Deele Corner and after a goal-mouth scramble Shaun Mc Gowan was on hand to fire the visitors ahead. Despite the early goal the rest of the first half was uneventful with little action of note taking place apart from a Deele chance that went over the bar. With half-time was fast approaching Deele doubled their advantage. Deele were awarded a free kick which they fired into the Drumkeen area and Drumkeen once again didn’t deal with it properly and it was Mc Gowan again who was there to fire home his second goal of the game. At the start of the Second Half Drumkeen had to soak up a bit of Deele pressure before creating a chance themselves. Mickey Black went on a good strong run into the Deele half before passing to Niall Sweeney who saw his effort well saved by Deele keeper David Arthur and Conor Bonner’s follow up effort was also saved. Deele then looked to have put the game to bed when they added a third goal. Deele were awarded a free kick which they put into the Drumkeen box and Jack Macbeth and a defender both went for the ball and who touched it last is anyone’s guess but no doubt Macbeth will be claiming it. Although they were now well behind, in fairness to the home team they didn’t give up the fight. Drumkeen kept trying and did pull a goal back when Freddie got a touch on a long range free kick which helped it on to Niall Sweeney who fired it home to reduce the deficit to two goals. Drumkeen kept pushing for a second but in doing so we’re leaving themselves open to the Deele Counter attack and there were several instances where the Drumkeen defence and goalkeeper kept them out with a lot of last ditch defending. Referee: Rory O’ Gorman.
Drumoghill F.C. 3 v 1 Curragh Athletic
Drumoghill kept their promotion hopes alive with this hard-earned victory over Curragh Athletic in a game that was played in some of the worst conditions imaginable. Karlos Rodgers’ late strike proved to be the turning point when he put his side into a 2-1 lead before Colm Gardiner put the game beyond doubt with another goal a few minutes later. Both teams though will take credit from their performance in the way that they battled, not only against the respective opposition, but also the howling wind and heavy rain that refused to settle at any stage. Both teams kept the ball on the ground as much as possible and delivered a spectacle that was more than watchable for those that braved the conditions. The first half was an even affair but Drumoghill did manage to take a half time lead through Liam O’ Donnell’s first half strike when the striker found space to beat Jason Doherty in goal for the visitors. Curragh though battled back bravely, playing with whatever advantage there was to be gained from the conditions, Curragh forced several good openings early in the second half and eventually went ahead through the impressive John Anthony Chambers when his first-time effort left Roy Duffy with no chance in goals for Drumoghill. At this stage, Curragh looked the most likely winner with Oisin Mc Cool and Conor Galvin starting to get a hold of things in midfield, but Rory Mc Crossan and Seamus Bogle were there to cut out most of any threats that were created. Knowing that three points were a must, Drumoghill managed to regain composure with Karlos Rodgers and Niall Mc Crossan becoming more of an influence it was no surprise that both played a big part in the eventual deciding of the game’s outcome. Mc Crossan and Barry Tourish combined well from a right-wing free kick to set up Rodgers for a tap-in on 82 minutes to put Drumoghill into the lead. There could have been a temptation to hold on to what they had at that point but Drumoghill continued to attack in the remaining minutes and were further rewarded on 87 minutes when Colm Gardiner hammered into the roof of the net from Gavin Mc Brearty’s pull back after good work from Mc Crossan. Referee: Con Mc Laughlin.
Dunkineely Celtic P v P Raphoe Town
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. P v P Whitestrand United
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Ulster Junior Shield
Aileach F.C. 3 v 0 Lagan Harps
Three clinical finishes from Stephen Doherty decided this tie. Lagan started off with a lot of possession without creating anything. Aileach always looked the more dangerous side. They opened the scoring on twenty-two minutes when Lagan lost the ball in midfield. The ball was played through to Doherty and he finished well. It was 2-0 on thirty minutes after Lagan again lost possession at the edge of the area. Doherty picked up the ball and with defenders failing to get in a tackle he finished well again. Lagan had a couple of efforts from Codey Brogan and one from Dylan Doogan but Mc Geady dealt with them capably. The closest they came was when an Eamonn Cannon free from wide came off the bar. Lagan were much improved in the second half but the final ball continually let them down. Dylan Doogan forced a good reflex save from Mc Geady with Lagan’s best effort. Doherty got his hat-trick when he lobbed the keeper with a great effort from over forty yards. For Lagan Anthony Gallagher and Noel O’Donnell played well. Stephen Doherty and Ryan Long were best for Aileach. Referee: Warren Harvey.
Rasheney F.C. 1 v 4 Keadue Rovers Reserves
(No Report Available)
DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
Season 2023/’24
Results Week 18
Friday 19th January 2024
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Letterkenny Rovers Reserves P v P Lagan Harps Reserves
Saturday 20th January 2024
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
St. Catherines Reserves 2 v1 Arranmore United
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Ballybofey United Reserves 4 v 3 Gweedore Celtic Reserves
Copany Rovers P v P Swilly Rovers Reserves
Milford United Reserves 0 v 1 Ramelton Mariners
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Fanad United Reserves 1 v 0 Erne Wanderers
Gweedore United Reserves 3 v 1 Drumkeen United Reserves
FAI Junior Cup
Mervue United 2 v 3 Letterkenny Rovers
Ulster Junior Shield
Glencar Celtic 3 v 2 Fintown Harps AFC
Oldtown Celtic 5 v 2 Bonagee United Reserves
Sunday 21st January 2024
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Castlefin Celtic P v P Keadue Rovers
Gweedore Celtic 0 v 3 Rathmullan Celtic
Milford United 1 v 3 Fanad United
St. Catherines 2 v 0 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Swilly Rovers 0 v 0 Kildrum Tigers
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Cappry Rovers P v P Donegal Town
Glenea United P v P Bonagee United
Letterbarrow Celtic 3 v 4 Gweedore United
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Ballybofey United P v P Lifford Celtic
Drumkeen United 1 v 3 Deele Harps
Drumoghill F.C. 3 v 1 Curragh Athletic
Dunkineely Celtic P v P Raphoe Town
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. P v P Whitestrand United
Ulster Junior Shield
Aileach F.C. 3 v 0 Lagan Harps
Rasheney F.C. 1 v 4 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Fixtures
Saturday 27th January 2024 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Cappry Rovers Reserves v Oldtown Celtic
Donegal Town Reserves v Keadue Rovers Reserves
Fintown Harps AFC v Strand Rovers
Glenea United Reserves v St. Catherines Reserves
Kildrum Tigers Reserves v Arranmore United
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves v Glencar Celtic
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves v Copany Rovers
Dunlewey Celtic v Ballybofey United Reserves
Gweedore Celtic Reserves v Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Ramelton Mariners v Cranford United Reserves
Swilly Rovers ReservesvMilford United Reserves
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Bonagee United Reserves v Letterkenny Rovers Reserves
Erne Wanderers v Gweedore United Reserves
Lagan Harps Reserves v Fanad United Reserves
Sunday 28th January 2024 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Castlefin Celtic v Swilly Rovers
Milford United v Kilmacrennan Celtic
St. Catherines v Rathmullan Celtic
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Cappry Rovers v Bonagee United
Cranford United v Convoy Arsenal
Lagan Harps v Glenea United
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Ballybofey United v Drumoghill F.C.
Curragh Athletic v Drumkeen United
Deele Harps v Lifford Celtic
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. v Raphoe Town
Ulster Junior Shield K.O. 1.30p.m.
Buncrana Hearts v Carndonagh F.C.
Cockhill Celtic v Donegal Town
Fanad United v Gweedore United
Letterkenny Rovers v Glengad F.C.
