Bonagee United lifted the Senior Donegal Women’s League trophy this week with a comprehensive win over Raphoe Town.
Bonagee ran out comfortable 5-0 winners before they were officially presented with the Donegal Women’s League championship trophy.
A huge congrats to all involved following a great season.
Below is a round-up of the rest of this week’s action at all levels of the Donegal Women’s League.
Under 12
Group 1
Donegal Town 3 – 0 Kilmacrennan Celtic
A great 3-0 victory for Donegal Town u12 girls tonight over a very strong Kilmacrennan team, 2 goals from Abigail in the first half and a goal direct from a free kick from Emmy midway through the 2nd half completed the scoring, a great hard-working performance from all 12 girls, next up it’s a home tie v Finn Valley next Tuesday in what has been an excellent season for the girls.
Convoy Arsenal 2 – 1 Lagan Harps
Gweedore United 0 – 3 Mulroy Academy
In a game played in good spirits with very few chances in the first half, Gweedore had the best of the 1st half, but Mulroy came into the game and had a free kick outside of the box that was put over the bar. In the second half the game flowed and with chances on both sides the game was heading for a draw when the Mulroy number 10 produced a good finish with 8 minutes left Gweedore then pushed forward looking for a equaliser but got caught on break with 2 late goals.
Keadue Rovers 0 – 1 Ballyraine Harps
Ballyraine were the visitors to Keadue on Tuesday evening and they came away with the 3 points in a hard-fought win. There was very little between the teams and a goal from Diffley on 25 minutes was the difference. Keadue had started well and forced the play but Gordon in the visitors’ goal was well in control of any danger came their way. Ballyraine very rarely ventured forward as Amelia McGee was well in command in the Keadue back line but a through ball from Toland found Diffley and she found the corner of the net while Keadue were looking for an offside that never came. The second half saw more pressure from Keadue but very little quality to create any clear-cut chances and Holly Gordon in goals again snuffed out any danger there was. A good battle between two hard working teams. Referee was Gavin Doherty.
Finn Valley A 1 – 1 Cappry Rovers
On Tuesday evening we welcomed our neighbours Cappry Rovers to Finn Valley. The game started brightly with both teams having chances at either end without converting. Nearing the end of the first half Islagh Patton reacted quickest to the ball dropping in the box and found the top corner. The second half saw Cappry pushing for equaliser which they got through Molly Gallagher with a fine finish. Cappry kept pushing for a winner, but the Finn Valley defence held strong. The game was a great advert for girls’ football in this league between two very competitive teams. Thanks to Leo, Brid and Cappry for a great game and good luck for rest of season. Thanks also to George Clinton who had a good game refereeing.
Group2
Raphoe Town 1 – 1 Letterbarrow Celtic
The Raphoe Girls started brightly with both Catherine and Amanda Caldwell having early chances to open the scoring only to find the visitors keeper Aine Gough in fine form. On 15 minutes a long-range effort from Molly Tinney was again superbly saved. Raphoe kept the pressure on with Erin McCann and Fearne Quinn involved in some good passages of midfield play. The opening goal finally came on 23mins when Evana Roulstone capitalised on an error in the Letterbarrow defence to race clear rounding keeper Gough and rolled into the empty net. Letterbarrow then equalised on the stoke of half time when an effort from Letterbarrow’s number 29 Maguire was tipped onto the bar by Teegan Robb in the Raphoe only for the alert Taylor mc Ginty to fire in the rebound. This sparked a period of pressure from Letterbarrow early in the second half but Raphoe defence of Aoife Hirrell, Abbey Reynolds and Ciaran McCrory stood strong. With Teegan Robb in Raphoe goal made fine stop from a long range McGinty free kick. In the final phase Raphoe had chances to gain the winner with Gough excellent in the visitors goal denying efforts from Emily Donnelly, Molly Tinney, Evana Roulstone and the Caldwell sisters with some superb stops. With the introduction of Sheridian McGonagle and Ellen O’Kane Raphoe continued to attack but Gough and Letterbarrow defence stood firm. Speedy recovery to Raphoe’s Iona McCarron who sustained an early injury. Thanks to referee Eunan Brolly and best wishes to Letterbarrow for the rest of the season.
Gweedore Celtic 0 – 3 Letterkenny Rovers
Glenree 4 – 0 Milford United
Glenree played hosted to near neighbours Milford and came away with a well-deserved victory. Eilis opened the scoring on the eighth minute from a great pass from Erin Caldwell that send Eilis clear to finish past the Milford goalkeeper. Eilis came close to adding number 2 with an effort coming back of the post. The goal finally arrived and again Eilis was on hand to finish. Glenree were playing with a strong wind and dominating possession. The Glenree defence of Leah Connor Faughnan, Ellie and Sarah were giving very little chances to Milford. A great move with one touch football from Erin Coyle, Erin Caldwell and Katie nearly resulted in Eilis scoring again. Number three arrived on half time with a great shot from the edge of the box by Katie. Milford started to create chances in the second half, but Ellie, Leah Harkin and Lily were excellent in defence with most shots from distance easily dealt with Abbie. Number four arrived with a through ball by Erin Coyle releasing Eilis for her hat trick. The girls were excellent tonight with all 16 playing their part in a great all-round display. Thanks to Milford for a sporting game that was well refereed by Matthew Hull.
Dunfanaghy Youths 1 – 2 Illistrin
Callum Friel Park in Dunfanaghy was the venue for this first meeting of the season of Dunfanaghy and Illistrin. Illistrin were quick off the mark with a goal in the 2nd minute. They continued to put pressure on Dunfanaghy and their efforts were rewarded with another goal. Illistrin led 2-0 at half time. Dunfanaghy came out much brighter in the 2nd half and finally got a well-deserved goal back through Emily Black 6 minutes from the end. Dunfanaghy were unlucky not to share the points, but the visitors were 2-1 winners on the night. Thanks to referee Sinead Hagan.
Illistrin 2 – 4 Raphoe Town
Raphoe went 2 goals up early in the game. Illistrin got one back through Éabha McKinney. Raphoe scored another 2 goals before Éabha McKinney got her 2nd goal from the spot.
Group 3
Cappry Rovers B 3 – 0 Swilly Rovers
Cappry Rovers u12B girls welcomed Swilly Rovers to Riverside this evening. A very hard-fought battle by both teams. In the second half more great performances by all girls with Emily McBride Fia McNulty and Rachel McBride finding the net. Thanks to Swilly Rovers for a very entertaining match and to referee.
Finn Valley B 3 – 1 Gweedore United B
On a big night for women’s boxing, it was Saoirse McMenamin who delivered the knockout blow for Finn Valley U11s as her hat-trick saw her side shade a tight game over an ever-improving Gweedore Utd in Stranorlar on Tuesday night. The home team started strongly with McMenamin linking up well with Chloe Kee to create several openings, however Gweedore keeper Caoillainn Gallagher stood tall and made a couple of good saves. The deadlock was broken on 26 minutes when Saoirse broke clear and finished well from close range. Gweedore almost levelled proceedings at the start of the second half when Ella Friel linked up well with Farrah Nathan but her shot found the side netting. The away side did find an equaliser on 42 mins when Mary McHugh cut in from the right to finish well. Finn Valley fought back almost immediately and 2 quick fire finishes from their pocket-sized forward ensured they earned all 3 points. Best of luck to Gweedore for the rest of the season. Thanks to referee George Clinton.
Ballyraine Celtic 0 – 4 Kildrum Tigers
Drumbar United B – Bonagee United (Bonagee Win)
Under 14
Group 1
Letterkenny Rovers 0 – 1 Milford United
In a game where Letterkenny had a lot of possession, and created numerous chances, Megan McGinley in the Milford net is in super form. Darcey Nash bounced on a defensive error to give Milford the only goal of the game with 10 mins remaining.
St Catherine’s 3 – 2 Bonagee United
Finn Valley 2 – 0 Mulroy Academy
Finn Valley WFC U14s kept their winning run going with a hard-fought victory over a very good Mulroy Academy team this evening. Valley started the stronger and went 1 up when Ella Udoku headed home a Brooke Byrne flick. They were very unlucky not to go two up when Sarah Campbell’s shot went just over the top. Mulroy pushed hard in the 2nd half, but the Finn Valley defence was excellent, with Sara Burnazi dealing with anything that came her way in goals. Ella Udoku got her 2nd of the night after a great run from the fantastic Kate McMenamin. Brilliant team performance with special mention to the Valley back line. Thanks also to referee Gavin Doherty for a fine game.
Gweedore Celtic 0 – 2 Glenea United
Group 2
Convoy Arsenal 2 – 5 Lagan Harps
Drumbar United 3 – 2 Ballyraine
Gweedore United 2 – 0 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Gweedore United collected all 3 points in this tight encounter against a good Kilmacrennan Celtic side. The conditions were challenging for both teams with a strong swirling wind. Kilmacrennan started well and had a number of long-range efforts on goal but Nuala Doherty in goals did brilliantly on each occasion to keep the game level. In the 15th minute Lilly Rodgers found herself one on one, but her shot was excellently saved by Cara McGettigan the Kilmacrennan netminder. In the 26th minute Kelsey McFadden did well and played Lilly Rodgers through on goal and Rodgers made no mistake on the second time of asking when she fired home to put Gweedore into the lead. Both sides played some nice football in testing conditions for the remainder of the half. 1-0 Half Time. In the second half both teams continued to push for the next goal but both defences were on top with Katelyn McFadden, Chloe McFadden, Lilly McGee and Muireann Gallagher exceling for the home side and snuffing out any dangerous attacks and the Kilmac defence doing likewise. Gweedore got the decisive second goal seven minutes from time when Neasa Diver broke down the right-hand side after being played through by Muireann Galagher and Diver made no mistake finishing well past McGettigan in the Kilmacrennan goals. Kilmac responded well and nearly pulled a goal back from the restart, but Nuala Doherty in the Gweedore goals saved excellently to keep Gweedore two up. Lilly Rodgers nearly added a third in injury time but her shot came off the crossbar. A good team performance from both sides in testing conditions at Pobalscoil Gaoth Dobhair in front of a large crowd. Referee: Seimi Ferry
Illistrin – Keadue Rovers (Keadue Win)
Group 3
Glenree 1 – 2 Donegal Town A
A fresh windy evening on the banks of Sheephaven Bay saw our young ladies take on Donegal Town in a fairly physical but entertaining encounter. The strong winds didn’t allow for any Samba soccer but gave way to a game of high balls and wind survival. In the 1st half Glenree played against a strong wind and strong tackles which resulted in going 2 goals down and 2 players down due to injuries. But not to be put off by the sheer physical nature of the game Glenree pulled a goal back direct from a corner from Aimeé Bassett and Aimeé was unlucky not to have equalised in the final third only to be denied by a great last gasp save by the visiting keeper. A great strong performance from our girls who were captained this evening by Alison Rose who has improved and impressed throughout the season and Colleen McCloskey who gave the Donegal town defence annoyance with her constant attacking football. Derby Day our next outing against our Dunfanaghy neighbours. Thanks to the man in the middle Paul Murphy!
Swilly Rovers – Cappry Rovers (Cappry Win)
Swilly Rovers FC u14 girls welcomed Cappry Rovers u14 to Swilly Park today. A much-depleted Swilly side faced a pacy Cappry front row and inevitably fell afoul of some fast passing and through balls. Swilly did manage to get some attacking play built up but found the Cappry defence too strong on many occasions. Without regular goalkeeper out injured Swilly had three different keepers in nets over the 70 mins. These girls battled on though and can be proud of themselves for keeping their attacking style of play and going at Cappry when they could. Well done to Cappry girls on their win and best of luck in the league. Next up for Swilly is Donegal town away next Friday. Thanks to Cappry for a good game and to Sinead Hagan for refereeing.
Donegal Town B 1 – 0 Raphoe Town
Under 16
Group 1
Drumbar United – Bonagee United (Drumbar win)
In a breathless encounter Drumbar raced into an early lead with three goals in quick succession by Sara Thomas. Both teams then traded goals to leave it 6-3 to Drumbar at half-time. Drumbar added a seventh goal by Isla McLeod but Bonagee fought back to 7-5. Thats the way the game finished with both teams giving their all in an entertaining contest. Drumbar scorers. Sara Thomas x 5, Isla McLeod x 2. Bonagee scorers Cari Callaghan x2, Maria McLaughlin x2, Ellen Temple x1.
Raphoe Town 3 – 0 Illistrin
Gweedore United 0 – 1 Milford United
This game played at Pobalscoil Gaoth Dobhair saw Milford go home with 3 points after a tight encounter in an even match. Both teams were under strength with a large number of players on holidays and Gweedore played with the aid of the strong breeze in the first half but couldn’t break down the strong Milford back line which was excellently led by Aoife Kilpatrick. Gweedore had a number of chances through Lilly Rodgers, Ciara McFadden, and Brianna Ferry but Megan McGinley in the Milford nets did excellent on each occasion. Milford were dangerous on the break but the Gweedore defence did well with the excellent Katelyn McFadden marshalling the defence. 0-0 Half Time. The second half was much the same as the first half with most of the game being played around the middle of the park with both defences on top. The more the game went on it became clear that one goal would seal all three points in this encounter. Milford got the decisive break through in the 71st Minute when Amy Patton was played through on the left-hand side, and she made no mistake finishing well past Roisin Cassidy in the Gweedore nets. Gweedore pushed for the equaliser and were nerly rewarded in injury time after a defensive mix up, but the impressive Megan McGinley in the Milford nets did brilliantly keep the score at 1-0 and send Milford home with all 3 points to keep them on top of the table. A good hard fought sporting encounter with both sides playing excellent football on the night. Referee Seimi Ferry had a good game in the middle and let the game flow when he could.
Group 2
Letterkenny Rovers 0 – 5 Keadue Rovers
Toni Boyle, Elisha Boyle and Caoimhe Gallagher put Keadue 3 up by half time. Rovers continue to defend well in the second half with Amy Moore and Savanna Keys making Maria Carr in the Keadue nets work in the second half, However Elisha Boyle and Ellie Bonner extended the lead for Keadue, player of the match was Nicole Bonner Gillespie for Keadue who dominate the midfield area throughout the game.