Here are all of the match reports and results from this weekend’s Donegal League games.
Saturday 28th September
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Drumbar F.C. 0 v 2 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Oldtown Celtic 10 v 2 Strand Rovers
Oldtown ran out comfortable winners against and understrength Strand Rovers side in the first game of the season. Oldtown got out the traps and took an early lead when Sean Cleary’s cross found Micheal Doherty to volley home. They had a chance to add a 2nd but Kevin Mc Grath hit the post with a volley. Strand soon equalised when Ethan Mc Cafferty fired home from the spot. Oldtown soon regained the lead when a fine passing move resulted in a low cross finding Luke Nelis to tap home from close range. And Kevin Mc Grath got his 1st of 5 goals heading home from a corner after Hanlon in the Strand goal made a fantastic save to deny him. 3 – 1 at half time. Oldtown kicked on in the 2nd half and added a 4th when Kevin Mc Grath fired home from the spot after a foul in the box. Sean Cleary added the goal of the game when a fine passing move beginning from a goal kick that build up before Joe Mc Carron slipped Cleary in to fire home. Mc Grath added his 3rd with a second penalty before Ciaran Gibson headed home at the back post. James Gallagher added a 2nd for Strand before Mc Grath added his fourth. John Mc Fadden got in on the act before Mc Grath added his 5th of the game with a cool finish. Referee: Michael Connolly
St. Catherines Reserves 1 v 1 Donegal Town Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Swilly Rovers Reserves 0 v 4 Glencar Celtic
Glencar made the most of their chances in the first half going 2-0 up from two set pieces delivered by Jack Dwyer. Swilly had a goal from Tony Gallagher disallowed for offside. Swilly had a few chances thought the half but it was Glencar who did the scoring in the 2nd half with two goals from their attack force. Referee: Dessie Mc Laughlin.
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 2 v 1 Dunlewey Celtic
Castlefin secured maximum points in their opening league game of the season. In a game of very few clear-cut opportunities, all three goals were scored in the closing 5 minutes. Ruairi Matthewson and Callum Potts had the hosts cruising heading into stoppage time but the visitors, through Darren Gallagher, pulled one back to make it a nervy finish.
Erne Wanderers 4 v 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Fintown Harps AFC 4 v 2 Glenea United Reserves
Glenea took the lead on 10 minutes through Christopher Barrett who slotted easily past Mc Glynn in the Fintown net after making a great attacking run from midfield to opening the scoring. Harps hit back within 5 minutes when captain John Molloy hit a great free kick from outside the box and it made its way pass the Glenea net minder. Harps played with ten men for around ten minutes when one of their players couldn’t get an ear ring out and wasn’t able to continue so player manger Paddy Molloy had to come on with 15 minutes still left in the 1st half. On 39mins new signing Mark Mc Devitt put Fintown in front after great work from Keelan Sean Mc Monagle on the left wing. Christopher Barrett got his second more or less from the re-start, catching Fintown off guard and getting the equaliser. All level at the break. Fintown started the 2ND half on the front foot with Logan Quinn finding Paddy Molloy just outside the box and he sent a powerful drive to the Glenea net to put Fintown back into the lead on 47 minutes. The rest of the half was played at a very high tempo with Glenea having a few chances and Fintown coming close through Quinn and Molloy. Fintown got there forth right at the death when Molloy found Logan Quinn and he ran at the defence and found the left-hand corner of the net to take the pressure off Fintown at the end of the game. Great team performance from Fintown. Referee: Rory O’ Gorman
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 2 v 2 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Letterkenny Rovers Reserves 6 v 0 Cappry Rovers Reserves
Letterkenny Rovers cruised to a dominant 6-0 victory over Cappry Rovers in Saturday League Division Two. The home side opened the scoring just 4 minutes in when Jason Doherty latched onto Gareth Temple’s corner and finished neatly into the goal. Rovers continued to press in Cappry’s half with Nathan Bonner firing over the bar soon after. Cappry’s first real opportunity came in the 16th minute when Matthew Wootan received a long ball but couldn’t find the target. Letterkenny, however, were relentless. Luke Parke delivered a dangerous cross that Jordan Nugent narrowly missed, and a long ball from Henry Welles set up Doherty for a chance, but his effort went just wide in the 36th minute. Two minutes later, Doherty doubled the lead, finishing calmly after a well-placed cross from Artem Tymoschenko. Cappry nearly responded when a mix-up in the Rovers’ defence created a chance, but Rovers held firm. Adam Murphy had a close effort saved by Cappry’s keeper just before the break, and Rovers went into halftime with a 2-0 lead. The second half began with more Rovers’ pressure, and just minutes in, Adam Murphy was fouled in the box. Jason Doherty stepped up and completed his hat-trick with a well-taken penalty. Shortly after, in the 51st minute, Doherty added a fourth, combining with Artem to finish another Rovers’ attack. Cappry struggled to break through but managed some threatening moments. Their best chance came in the 60th minute when Luke Mc Glynn found space but missed wide after rounding the keeper. Rovers extended their lead in the 76th minute when Nathan Plumb finished off a great ball from Odhran Kelly. The home side capped the scoring in the 83rd minute, with Jordan Nugent slotting home a Plumb through ball. Other late chances for Nathan Plumb, Adam Murphy, and Odhran Kelly could have added to the scoreline, but Letterkenny Rovers were comfortable in their 6-0 win. Referee: Seamus Ferry
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Copany Rovers 4 v 1 Ballybofey United Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Cranford United Reserves 1 v 4 Lagan Harps Reserves
A youthful Lagan Harps left Cranford Park with all three points. The damage was done in the first half as they went in at half time three goals to the good. Cranford came out stronger in the second half and got a goal back from a Dylan Mc Fadden penalty and looked to be coming in to the game but were caught on the break and with the game 4-1 Lagan saw it out.
Drumkeen United Reserves 1 v 4 Bonagee United Reserves
Drumkeen welcomed near neighbours Bonagee to St Patrick’s Park on Saturday afternoon for their opening game of the season in the Finn Travel Saturday League Division Three. Played in changeable weather conditions throughout the home team found themselves 3 goals behind at the break. Drumkeen were doing ok in this game and could have had a couple of goals themselves but then they conceded 2 goals in quick succession midway through the first half. Conor Stewart put Bonagee ahead on 23 minutes and before they knew it the hosts were two behind as Josh Mc Cullagh added a second for the visitors. The two goals knocked the stuffing out of Drumkeen and they lost their way a bit after that. It didn’t get any better for them as Reuben Doherty added a third for the visitors just before the break. Drumkeen’s woes increased about 10 minutes into the second half when they conceded another goal as Conor Stewart added his second goal of the game. Drumkeen tried their best to get back into the game in the second half but it was an uphill struggle and it wasn’t going to happen for them on this occasion. The hosts managed to keep Bonagee scoreless for the rest of the second half and they did manage to get a goal towards the end. The goal came after Sean Collum, who was brought down in the box, and he stepped forward himself to fire home a great penalty. Not a great start to the season for the hosts and they will hope for better as the season goes on while the visitors will be happy enough with their afternoon’s work. Referee: Ryan Carlin.
Gweedore United Reserves 1 v 5 Fanad United Reserves
Fanad United ran out convincing winners after an impressive second half performance. A rather chilly Autumn’s evening under the floodlights at Carrickboyle provided the perfect ingredients for an entertaining opening Reserves Fixture of the new season between Gweedore United and Fanad United. The away side started strongly and good work down the left-hand side from Dillon Mc Bride picked out Dylan Mc Gloin who forced a fine save from Cian Gallagher on the 3rd minute. Fanad United began applying further pressure down the left-hand side with good link up play between Keelan Kerr and Dylan Mc Gloin, the latter finished the move off from close range to put the visitors in front. The visitors had exerted dominance for much of the first half, however the home side began to grow into the game, a corner from Padraig Mc Fadden came off the Fanad crossbar. The Gweedore men equalised on the 45th minute from excellent play by Seighan O’ Baoill, Stephen Mulhern and Francis Gallagher applied the finish. The visitors began the second half like the first half and further joy down the homeside’s left hand side. Cian Gallagher pulled off a string of saves to thwart the away side from extending their lead. However, on the 64th minute Daibhid Lynch put Fanad in front giving Cian Gallagher no chance with an exquisite finish. The away side extended their lead on the 65th minute with more good work down the left-hand side from Dylan Mc Gloin, a curling shot from him came off the homeside’s crossbar and fell kindly to his team mate Darragh Mc Elwaine to make it 1-3. Fanad increased their lead on the 68th minute from a great pass by Ciaran Coyle to pick out Daibhid Lynch who added to his tally for the evening. Cian Gallagher was kept rather busy throughout the second half and produced numerous saves from Dylan Mc Gloin, Daibhid Lynch, Ciaran Coyle and Niall Toland. The visitors found the net again on 76th minute to make it 1-5 when Dylan Mc Gloin marauded down the left-hand side again to cap off a fantastic performance. The Carrickboyle men had a late flourish with efforts from Seighean O’ Baoill, Padraig Mc Fadden and Stephen Mulhern however neither side were able to add to their tallies. Dylan Mc Gloin had a massive influence on the result, excellent performances also by Daibhead Lynch, and Cian Gallagher who had an impressive outing for the home side.
Sunday 29th September
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Bonagee United 5 v 1 Gweedore Celtic
The home side almost took the lead on two minutes when a cross into the box by Jamie Harris was met by the head of Dean Larkin but the keeper saved well from fifteen yards. The visitors came close to scoring on six minutes when Thomas Diver turned on the edge of the box and his strike was headed to the bottom corner of the net only for Nicholls in the home goal got a hand on it and turned the ball round the post. The visitors took the lead on ten minutes when a good through ball from midfield from Diver to Ryan Doherty who rounded the keeper on the edge of the box and shot home. On eighteen minutes Padraig Gallagher for the visitors saw his strike from outside the box saved by the goalkeeper. Dan O’ Donnell had a great strike on goal on twenty minutes well saved by Mc Kelvey in the visitor’s goal. The home side were level on thirty-five minutes when Fintan Hassan hammered home from the edge of the box. On forty-three minutes Dean Larkin saw his strike from fifteen yards come off the Gweedore goalpost. The home side took the lead on forty-six minutes when a great ball over the top from Jack Parke found Jamie Harris and he hammered home from the edge of the box. Dan O’ Donnell for the home team saw his strike from twenty yards just go over the bar on fifty minutes. It was three one on sixty-two minutes when a great through ball from James Henry from midfield to Shay Maloney and he shot home from fifteen yards. Jamie Doherty for the visitors saw his shot from the edge of the box on sixty-seven minutes turned over the bar by Nicholls in the home goal. The visitors kept plugging away and Thomas Diver had a good strike on goal from the edge of the box well saved by the goalkeeper. It was goal number four on seventy-eight minutes when Jamie Harris won the ball in midfield he passed three defenders before hammering home to the bottom corner of the net from twenty yards. The final goal of the game came on eighty-two minutes when a Buchanan cross into the box fell to Jamie Harris and his shot was saved by the goalkeeper but the ball rebounded to Kyle Mc Laughlin and he shot home from six yards. Team effort by both sides. Referee: Liam Mc Laughlin.
Fanad United 1 v 0 St. Catherines
Fanad United began their defence of their Donegal League Premier Division Title with a narrow 1-0 victory over St Catherine’s at Traigh-a-Loch on Sunday. For long periods of last season Fanad and St Catherine’s went head to head for the title and there was very little between the sides in this game. With 10 minutes gone St Catherine’s had the first clear chance of the game. Matthew O’ Rourke won possession in midfield and he drove forward but his shot from just inside the box produced a fine save from Mark Mc Conigley. St Catherine’s produced a few more half chances before Fanad created their 1st on the half hour mark. A Liam Mc Grenaghan free kick into the box was collected by Darren Mc Elwaine who’s shot from 18 yards was deflected just wide. In first half injury-time another Mc Grenaghan free fell to Peter Carr who hit the side netting. Fanad played with the breeze in the second half and started to create more chances. The only goal of the game came in the 52nd minute. A Darren Mc Elwaine corner was flicked on by James Gallagher and Shaun Carr’s shot found the net via a deflection off an unlucky St Catherine’s defender. With 5 minutes left on the clock, St Catherine’s missed a gilt-edged chance to equalise. When a free into the box fell to Josh Maxwell, he headed wide from 7 yards. Referee: Gerard Devine
Keadue Rovers 7 v 1 Swilly Rovers
Keadue starred off their premier division campaign with an emphatic and deserved win over Swilly at a breezy Central Park. Playing against the wind, the home team settled well into the game, moving the ball at good pace with half chances falling to Paul Yank Boyle and Aidan Brennan but Barry Gallagher in the Swilly nets was alert to the threat. After fifteen minutes, Swilly did settle a little but we’re mostly dependant on set pieces and all the while, openings fell Keadue’s way through Paul Boyle and Peter Mc Gee. After the half hour Keadue deservedly took the lead after good work from Paul Boyle who flicked on a Mark Forker free kick and Peter Mc Gee blasted home. Swilly did create a chance on thirty-seven minutes but a bicycle kick from their midfielder went over the top. Swilly were grateful to keeper Barry Gallagher who was pulling off some good saved from Keadue attacks but on the stroke of half time, another knock down by Paul Yank was taken by Aida Brennan who knocked it to Peter Mc Gee who thumped home with a left foot close range for 2-0 at half time. At the start of the 2nd half Keadue went for the jugular and Brian Proctor was played through by an excellent ball from Oisin Mc Kelvey and he made no mistake for 3-0. On fifty-nine minutes Paul Yank made it safe when rounding the keeper. The home team kept playing some fine football and Aidan Brennan shot home on sixty-five minutes. Keadue and Swilly both made several subs but this didn’t disrupt the home side and Paul Yank got his 2nd with a volley for number 6. Swilly got a consolation seven minutes from time when Thomas Mohan rose highest to claim one at the far post. Soon after this Swilly hit the crossbar but in the final few minutes, Keadue made it 7 when Paul Yank Boyle got a touch ahead of the keeper to make it 7-1 and a great start for Keadue. A good team effort from Swilly while for Keadue the Man of the match was Paul Yank Boyle and also impressive were Aidan Brennan and Oisin Mc Kelvey. Referee: Seimi Ferry.
Kildrum Tigers 0 v 0 Letterkenny Rovers
Kildrum Tigers welcomed Letterkenny Rovers to Station Road for the first league encounter
Played under perfect autumn conditions the game started as a cagey affair. Jonny Robb nearly put Kildrum ahead on 8 minutes when but his lob just went over the crossbar. BJ Banda then flashed one around the post after 12 minutes. Brian Breslin then landed onto a layback which nearly nestled in the top corner. The second half started with a frantic pace but both teams cancelled each other out. Gaps started to appear as the half went on. Jonny Robb broke though on 72 minutes and seemed to be brought down in the box but the ref waved play on. Kildrum struck the woodwork twice within the last 10 minutes, firstly when a Rovers player nearly put one in his one net and then when Jonny Robb rounded the keeper but his effort clipped the post from a tight angle. Good battling performances from both teams
Kilmacrennan Celtic 3 v 0 Rathmullan Celtic
Kilmacrennan got the season off to winning start at Letterkenny Community Centre against a hard working Rathmullan side. They took lead on 25 minutes when Shane Mc Namee whipped in a super ball to Sam Harvey who finished well from inside the box. On 72 minutes Shane Mc Namee scored from a cross from Matty Mc Laughlin after a great ball from Stephen Black to make it 2-0. On 85 minutes James Doherty crossed and Chris Dillon headed home to make it 3-0. Best for Kilmacrennan were Shane Mc Namee and Matty Mc Laughlin. Team effort for Rathmullan. Referee: Marty Mc Garrigle
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Ballybofey United 1 v 2 Lifford Celtic
The away side stuck first on a windy day in Dreenan when Shay Lindsay found himself one on one with Odhran Bonar and slipped it under the out-rushing keeper to put Lifford one up. From then on, the home side dominated and bombarded Lifford’s goal with efforts from Kieran Thompson, Ryan Mc Ghee and Daithí McMahon. Later in the half Damien Glackin headed the ball against the crossbar, with the follow up shot from Wizzy well saved. Half Time 0-1. United started the second half like they finished the first, on the front foot, and with Lifford parked in their own defence Ballybofey were unlucky not to equalise on two occasions when both Wizzy & Daithí’s efforts crashed off the bar. With 68 minutes on the clock, Daithí Mc Mahon played in Damien Glackin who’s shot from outside the box found the corner of the net to level the game at one a piece. Shortly after, a long ball into the Ballybofey defence created a mix-up and it was Shay Lindsay again with the easy finish. Glackin had a late effort well saved at the front post, but Lifford saw the game out to take the win.
Cappry Rovers 7 v 0 Gweedore United
(No Report Submitted)
Donegal Town 6 v 0 Cranford United
Donegal Town took home the spoils with a big victory over a gallant Cranford. Two goals in the first half were followed by a further 4 in the second half. Mark Jordan, Ben Sweeney, Eoin Slevin, Joe Leape, Declan Duignan were the scorers. Mc Kenna, Jordan and Slevin stood out for Town, Cranford’s Sweeney was excellent also.
Glenea United 0 v 1 Milford United
Glenea welcomed Milford to Pairc Joe for the opening league game of the season. The home side started well and had the first shot on target from Shane Coll but his effort fell short of the target. Glenea had the ball in the net on the 17th minute from a Kevin Mulhern header, however, it was blown up for offside by referee Ryan Carlin. Both teams had spells of dominance as the half progressed but there was nothing that troubled either keeper too much and 0-0 was the score at the break. The second half again saw both teams with good spells of possession but neither could find the final ball needed to take the lead. Just when it looked like it was going to be a share of the spoils, Milford found themselves in the Glenea box and a failed clearance and a ricochet between defenders and attackers resulted in the ball in the net and Milford led 1-0 with 3 minutes left on the clock. Glenea pushed hard to find the equaliser and had a massive penalty decision waved away. Milford held on for the win. Best for Glenea were Cathal Mc Geever and Kevin Mulhern. Referee: Ryan Carlin
Lagan Harps 1 v 4 Castlefin Celtic
Castlefin went away with the points after a strong performance in Manor. Lagan took the lead with a good finish from Kyle Martin on five minutes. Castlefin took advantage of a bad back-pass on nine minutes with Corrie Lee Bogan scoring. They took the lead on nineteen minutes when a good run from Emmet White saw him find Jordan Mc Kinney to score. Corrie Lee Bogan extended Castlefin’s lead on fifty-two minutes with another good finish. Lagan tried but couldn’t get a foothold in the game. Substitute Sean Kennedy wrapped up the scoring on eighty minutes. Referee: George Clinton
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Curragh Athletic 2 v 3 Drumkeen United
Curragh started their campaign away to Drumkeen in a reversed fixture. Both teams started well with chances at either end. Curragh took the lead when through Shea Mc Menamin after a scramble in the box on 24 minutes. Drumkeen got the equaliser on 35 minutes when Niall Howley scored from the spot. Robert Mc Shane put Curragh back into the lead on 42 minutes with a great header. Drumkeen levelled on 70 minutes when Curragh failed to clear their lines and Conor Bonner tapped home. Drumkeen found the winner on 84 minutes through Freddie. Curragh were denied the equaliser when Bernard Lafferty’s stunning strike was well saved by Luke Russell on the last minute. Good team performance from both sides.
Deele Harps 3 v 1 Letterbarrow Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Drumoghill F.C. 1 v 1 Whitestrand United
It ended all square as Drumoghill and Whitestrand shared the spoils at The Moss. Although both sides had chances to win the game, a draw was a fair result. Drumoghill did get off to the perfect start when Liam O’Donnell raced away to give his side the lead inside 30 seconds. There appeared little danger until Colm Gardiner opened the Whitestrand defence with a perfect pass into O’Donnell’s path and the striker made no mistake. The visitors though responded well and took advantage of a mix up in the Drumoghill defence that allowed Cormac Dunleavy the chance to score and the striker made no mistake. Both sides had chances to win the game in the second half as both had eyes on all 3 points but Roy Duffy and Declan Broughan in goal at either end were equal to anything thrown at them and the game ended all square.
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 5 v 1 Dunkineely Celtic
The ‘71 got their league campaign off to a great start with a win over Dunkineely Celtic. Rabs Park was in great shape and Mark Friel got the first on 3 minutes after a great Patsy Friel ball. It was two minutes later when Shaun Kerr headed home a great corner from his brother James. Kerrykeel kept pushing and Jamie Mc Ateer made it 3 on 39 minutes, firing home from close range after great work from Bernard Mc Gettigan. Dunkineely, to their credit, kept working but just couldn’t get past a strong ‘71 defence. Mark Friel got his second on 60 minutes to seal the win. Aron Byrne got a goal for Dunkineely on 80 minutes but the goal of the game came just seconds later when Marty Mc Ateer scored directly from the kick off with a fantastic strike. Best for the ’71 were Shaun Kerr, Mark Friel and Jamie Mc Ateer. Referee: Conor Carling
Raphoe Town 1 v 6 Convoy Arsenal
Convoy took advantage of Raphoe’s slow start and scored 4 in the first half. The second half was more evenly matched with both teams being awarded penalties and the game finished 1-6.D