Pictured: Gweedore U12 B Team
Here’s your round up of the week 20 games in the Donegal Women’s League:
Under 12 Group 1
Mulroy Academy 4 – 0 Ballyraine Harps
There was a force 6 wind and heavy rain for large parts of the match at Trilough but that didn’t stop the girls from playing some nice football. With Mulroy needing a win to keep their title hopes alive and Ballyraine looking for a top 4 spot, there was all to play for. Mulroy started well and took the lead when Mia Carlin broke free to shoot past Holly Gordon in the Ballyraine goals. Mulroy kept up the pressure with the wind at their backs and would have scored a lot more but for the heroics of Holly Gordon. However, they were rewarded for their efforts when Anita Peoples scored a great goal past the Ballyraine keeper.
In the second half Ballyraine had hoped that the wind would help them out but Mulroy were smart enough to keep the ball on the ground. Ballyraine Harps didn’t trouble Ciara McVeigh-Crossan in the Mulroy goal and Stella Sweeney’s shot was comfortably saved. With Alice Gibbons pulling the strings, Mulroy grabbed a third goal from Clodagh McVeigh. Alice Gibbons was rewarded for her outstanding performance and hard work when she broke out of the Ballyraine box with the ball and ran the length of the park to score past Holly Gordon.
With the final score at 4-0, Mulroy had done their part. They anxiously waited on news from Keadue to see if the title was coming to Fanad.
Keadue Rovers 1 – 2 Cappry Rovers A
Cappry were the visitors to Keadue for the last game of the league campaign and they had to win to be sure they would lift the title for a 2nd year in a row. A very young home side missing some of their regular players were in no mood to let Cappry start the party early and ripped into them from the start. Keadue had a few great moves in the early moments as they zipped the ball around. On 5 mins Keadue took the lead when some tremendous play got Jessica Keys on the ball, and she set up Katie Gillespie who finished superbly. Cappry were rocked but Keadue kept the pressure up with Ayva Boyle and Fia and Evie Ham running the midfield but couldn’t create any real clean-cut chances. The 2nd half saw Cappry with a very strong breeze but the Keadue defence of Amelia McGee, Teigan Boyle and Shauna McGovern were superb and when needed Ciara Gallagher made some unbelievable saves in goals. On 45mins Cappry got level when a lucky break in the box saw the ball fall to Mbuli and she finished well into the net. Cappry were pushing like mad with the aid of the wind and had Keadue on the back foot, but they stood firm although Cappry missed some good opportunities. As the game ebbed into added in time, a through ball found Molly Gallagher and she ran through on goal and finished well. Keadue looked for offside, but it wasn’t given, and they will feel very hard done by considering the monumental effort they put in as conditions worsened. Cappry had eyes on other scores as they were struggling during the game, but they knew the victory clinched the title and they celebrated loudly when presented with the trophy.
Finn Valley A – Kilmacrennan Celtic (Finn Valley Win)
Kilmacrennan Celtic were visitors to Finn Valley on Tuesday evening in horrible conditions. Valley started great through Riona McIntyre with a great strike. Kilmacrennan soon equalised after a mix up in Finn Valley’s defence. Valley then pushed against a strong breeze and got goals through Islagh Patton, Aoife McLaughlin and Samara McGlinchey. The second half was a much tighter affair with Kilmacrennan upping their game and was a much tighter affair. Thanks to Kilmacrennan Celtic for a great game and good luck to them in the cup.
Thanks to George Clinton for refereeing.
Gweedore United A 3 – 0 Lagan Harps A
On a stormy night in Gweedore the home team started the game on fire and were 1 nil up thank to Aine. Lagan came into the game towards the end of the half and had a chance to level but a good save from Gweedore keeper. Second half started much the same with Gweedore on the attack and a well worked goal scored by Rose Harkin with a superb strike on 38 minutes. Lucy Doohan added another shorty after to make it 3 nil and it stay like that till the final whistle. A good team performance by both teams on a stormy night in Gweedore.
Convoy Arsenal 0 – 0 Donegal Town
Group 2
Dunfanaghy Youths 4 – 0 Drumbar United A
Gweedore Celtic 1 – 0 Letterbarrow Celtic
Milford United 4 – 3 Letterkenny Rovers A
Group 3
Cappry Rovers B 4 – 0 Letterkenny Rovers B
Cappry Rovers u12 B girls team welcomed Letterkenny Rovers to the Finn Valley Centre this evening. A very hard-fought battle in horrible conditions. All of the keepers had some great saves. All girls on both teams had excellent performances. Cappry came out winners with Fia McNuly (2), Klara Lafferty and Caitlin Scanlons coring scoring the goals. Thanks to Letterkenny Rovers for a very entertaining game and to the referee Oisín Toye
Drumbar United B – Swilly Rovers (Drumbar B win)
On a wet evening at Drumbar, the U12 girls’ development team hosted Swilly Rovers in their final league game of the season. Despite the challenging conditions, Drumbar started strong, with Aoife Gallagher opening the scoring just 2 minutes into the game with a well-taken goal.
Drumbar’s momentum continued as Anna Haggan doubled the lead with a well-worked team goal, showcasing excellent teamwork and composure. Just two minutes later, Aoibheann Sweeney made it 3-0 with another fine finish, putting Drumbar firmly in control. Gallagher added her second goal before halftime, giving Drumbar a commanding 4-0 lead at the break.
Swilly Rovers came out determined in the second half and were rewarded for their efforts when Anna Pshenychina capitalized on a defensive mistake to pull one back, making it 4-1. However, Drumbar quickly regained control, with Gallagher completing her hat-trick and adding a fourth goal to her tally. Anna Haggan rounded off the scoring for Drumbar, securing a resounding 7-1 victory.
Both teams are to be commended for their efforts in tough conditions. Congratulations to Drumbar United’s U12 girls development side on completing their first-ever league season, impressing everyone with their progress and dedication. The team now looks forward to the cup games, and we wish them the best of luck as they continue their journey.
Finn Valley B 3 – 3 Kildrum Tigers
It was a tale of two halves in Stranorlar on Tuesday night as Finn Valley and Kildrum battled to an entertaining 3-3 draw in blustery conditions. The home side came out of the blocks quickly and get off to the perfect start when Saoirse McMenamin slotted home from close range following a defensive mix up. McMenamin made it 2 on 16 minutes when she broke the offside trap to finish well following good work from Hannah May Browne. Kildrum fought their way back into the game and an Áine Bovaird snapshot brought a good save from the keeper. Molly Toland pulled one back on the stroke of Half Time, cutting in from the left to finish well. The visitors had a strong breeze at their backs in the second half and piled the pressure on straight from the whistle. They got their rewards when Molly Toland grabbed her second goal, finishing well from close range. Kildrum got their noses in front when Áine Bovaird linked up with Emily Toland and found the bottom corner. Finn Valley came roaring back however with Saoirse McMenamin breaking clear for a fine individual effort. A draw was a fair result at the end of very sporting contest both teams go into the cup competitions in good form.
Thanks to George Clinton for refereeing.
Gweedore United B 1 – 4 Bonagee United
Gweedore United U12 B Development team welcomed table toppers Bonagee United to Gweedore on a very blustery Tuesday evening. Both teams tried to play free flowing football at every opportunity despite the windy conditions. It was an evenly contested first half and looked like the sides were going to be to going in at halftime with a 0-0 draw. However, Bonagee United scored two very late goals in the first half to make it 0-2 to Bonagee United at the break. Leila Coyle shot from outside the box beat the Gweedore keeper Leah Kissane in the 27th minute and a ball played through by Kaylah Pyper was slotted home by Eabha Gribben in the 29th minute.
After the restart Gweedore United regrouped and defended thoroughly against a strong wind for the first 15 minutes of the second half, however Bonagee made it 0-3 after 45 minutes when Alice Harvey’s effort rebounded to Clodagh Gallagher who shot past Kissane in the Gweedore nets. Gweedore United had a chance to score when Emma Beatty ran through from defence only to be denied by Amelia Gallagher in the Bonagee goal. Bonagee did make it 0-4 in the 50th minute Millie O Donovan slotted home from close range. Gweedore kept battling and never gave up. Niamh Mc Ginley, Riona Scanlon and Lorna Mc Cauley kept pushing hard to break that deadlock. And their efforts were rewarded in the 53rd minute when Emma Beatty went on an unstoppable run from defence and had the awareness to slot the ball to Farrah Nathan who shot passed the Bonagee goalkeeper Amelia Gallagher to make it 1-4. Good team performances all around in an entertaining match. Thanks to Michael Lagan for officiating.
Ballyraine Celtic 1 – 1 Drumkeen United
On Monday Ballyraine Celtic took on Drumkeen United in the DWL U12B league. Ballyraine took the lead on 6 minutes after great work by Katie McDowell to set up Eva
O’Toole for the opening goal. Ballyraine continued to push for a second goal but couldn’t find a way past the excellent Drumkeen defense. Drumkeen got their equaliser after a breakaway goal that was well taken by Sophia Henderson. Ballyraine continued to search
for the winner but they had to settle for a share of the spoils. Well done to both teams on what was a very enjoyable match.
Under 14
Group1
Gweedore Celtic 1-1 Bonagee United
Group 2
Keadue Rovers 2 – 0 Kilmacrennan
Keadue made it 5 wins out of 5 with a hard-fought win over a strong Kilmacrennan side on Friday evening. In perfect conditions for a game, the large crowd were treated to a very entertaining game. Kilmacrennan had the benefit from a slight wind in the 1st half and put the early pressure on Keadue but Ciara Gallagher in goals was in total command of her box and snuffed out any half chances. Keadue began to get on top in the game and but for some good goalkeeping and last-ditch defending would have surely taken the lead. On 34 mins Keadue did take the lead. Kilmacrennan had a high line for a free kick, but Emily Doogan found the run of Maria McGee who raced through and gave the keeper no chance.
The 2nd half again was a tight affair with clear cut chances at a minimum. Keadue had some efforts on goal from Rebecca Reestang and Maria McGee but they weren’t enough to trouble the keeper. Kilmacrennan almost got back into the game on 45 minutes when after a slip from a Keadue defender, Kilmacrennan saw their shot come back off the post and into the Keadue keeper’s hands. It was their only chance of note as the Keadue back line again were very solid. Kilmacrennan were battling hard to get an equaliser and got caught out at the death when after good pressure from Chloe Boyle, Rianna Grannell set up Ella Campbell who finished brilliantly from a tight angle. Ref Sean Ferry did well throughout.
Illistrin 3 – 1 Ballyraine
Illistrin got the better of Ballyraine at Errigal College in a game that had plenty of chances at both ends. Reah Robinson tormented the Ballyraine defence throughout the match and she was rewarded with the first goal of the game just before half-time. She then doubled Illistin’s lead early in the second half. Ballyraine rallied and created a few chances from long balls from Aoife Kenna. Lucy Fabisiak raced through twice but was unable to capitalise. Ballyraine pulled one back through Eadoian Kennedy after she knocked in a rebound when Lucy Fabisiak’s shot was well saved by Caoimhe McLaughin in the Illistin goal. Illistin sealed the victory in 62 minutes when Orlaith Doherty tapped in after good work from Ella Brennan. Both teams worked very hard throughout and should be proud of their efforts. Thanks to Sinead Hagan for refereeing.
Gweedore United 3 – 3 Convoy Arsenal
Group 3
Dunfanaghy Youths – Glenree (Glenree win)
The young ladies of Dunfanaghy welcomed Glenree United to their home ground of Callum Friel Park on Wednesday evening past. A fresh Summer’s evening was the backdrop to this highly anticipated game with our nearest and dearest neighbours.
The game kicked off at 7pm with Ms Hagan officiating and right out of the blocks the home side came close on a couple efforts. Glenree’s play at the start was scrappy and they were finding it hard to settle in the 1st 5mins.
Then on 4 mins Tara Coyle broke the deadlock when she latched onto Glenree’s right winger Aimeé Bassett’s through ball.
Ms. Allannah Duffy doubled Glenree’s lead on 6mins when her quick thinking chipped the keeper from outside the 18yard box.
Coyle doubled her tally on 9mins when the left winger in Aoibhe McGettigan supplied Ms.Coyle with an inch perfect pass.
Aoibhe McGettigan’s hard work on the wing paid off and she coolly scored a brace on 14mins & 35mins both efforts came from crosses that she quickly controlled and volleyed home giving the home side no chance.
In the closing minutes of the half Dunfanaghy’s Siobhan Toner scored a great goal, where all attacking players linked up to get one back.
The 2nd half started brightly and the ladies in Blue were playing and fighting for every ball making Glenree work for their possession.
Tara completed her hat trick on 43mims when Sophie Elliot threaded a beautiful ball into the danger area and she slotted home past the oncoming keeper.
Glenree’s eagerness to play saw Colleen McCloskey net her 1st & 2nd goals of this season so far when her tireless running paid off and she scored with 2 great individual efforts.
Ms. Bassett who was provider all evening eventually got her chance on 70mins when a great cross from Alannah Duffy met her right boot and refiled top corner.
This was a great team effort from both sides where Claire O’, Coleen McC, Mia McG & Chloe O’ have shown a great willing to compete for every ball and everyone in the Glenree squad is gaining confidence and the effort and eagerness from Dunfanaghy to play football is a credit to their coaches in Pete & Danny.
The girls have a 1 week Hiatus from matches and it’s off to Raphoe in their penultimate game of this phase
Gweedore Celtic 1- 1 Bonagee United
It was a very good match that was played in windy but dry conditions. Both teams had a number of chances in the first half but failed to score. The first half ended scoreless. Both teams started well in the second half, and Bonagee’s pressure paid off when Eva Temple scored on 56 minutes. However, Gweedore was not giving up with Nia Richardson scoring two minutes later. It was a good sporting game with both times missing chances. Best for Gweedore was Cliodhna Ferry in goals and Niamh Ferry in defence. A good overall team performance from Bonagee with Eva Temple being their best player. Well done to both teams.
