Here are all of the results and match reports from this week’s Donegal League games.
Friday 1st November
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 3 v 0 Cappry Rovers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Saturday 2nd November
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Arranmore United 2 v 1 Glencar Celtic
Early goals in each half proved crucial for Arranmore against a Glencar side who never gave up until the final whistle. Shaun Bonner gave the home side the lead after 5 minutes. Paul Early slipped a ball through the defenders and Bonner lifted the ball over Declan Mc Dermott. Glencar were unlucky not to go into the break level as Jack Dwyer forced a save from Frankie Early from a free kick. Just after half time a free kick was delivered from the left-hand side and Alan Stephenson was in the right place to double Arranmore’s lead. Glencar pushed hard to get back into the game but Arranmore’s defence dealt with their attacks until late on in the game. The away side got a consolation goal when Andrew Doherty poked home from a corner. Team performance from Arranmore with Darren Hunter a stand-out performer for Glencar. Referee: Seimi Ferry
Keadue Rovers Reserves 6 v 1 Strand Rovers
(No report Submitted)
Oldtown Celtic 10 v 1 Swilly Rovers Reserves
Oldtown produced a great performance to outgun Swilly in this Division One clash. Oldtown almost took the lead from the kick off when Anthony Browne got on the end of a cross but headed against the bar. Micheal Doherty gave Oldtown the lead when he finished a reverse pass from Joe Mc Carron. Kevin Mc Grath hit the bar before Moe Friel prodded the ball over the line from a corner. The Swilly keeper then produced some magnificent saves before Doherty added a 3rd and Cleary added a 4th. Swilly did pull a goal back when Daniel Mc Ateer broke through and showed composure to finish under Gibson in the Oldtown goal. 4 – 1 at the break. Sean Cleary added his 2nd and Oldtown’s 5th with a free kick from the edge of the area. John Mc Fadden broke through to add a 6th before Kevin Mc Grath added to the lead. Paul Mc Laughlin came off the bench to score twice before Cleary completed his hat-trick.
Ramelton Mariners v Kildrum Tigers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
St. Catherines Reserves 1 v 0 Drumbar F.C.
(No Report Submitted)
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 2 v 7 Letterkenny Rovers Reserves
Letterkenny overcame Castlefin in game where it was closer fought than the scoreline suggests. The game was in the melting pot in the first hour, a double from Thomas Devlin for the hosts and goals from Padraic Gilsenan & Jack Duff for the visitors had the game level. However, Letterkenny pushed on in the final quarter of the game with five quick-fire goals, a Jason Doherty brace complimented by strikes from Kealan Dunleavy, Cathal Mc Garvey and another Gilsenan goal.
Dunlewey Celtic 0 v 1 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
Dunlewey Celtic welcomed Drumoghill Reserves to Glentornan Park on Saturday 2nd November with conditions good for football. Dunlewey started brightly, creating numerous chances but couldn’t get past the Drumoghill keeper. The half went on and the chances kept coming for the home side with the keeper pulling off some great saves as well as the woodwork coming to Drumoghill’s rescue. Right on the cusp of half time Drumoghill capitalised on some loose defending, and Eunan Kelly put the visitors ahead when he put the ball past the Dunlewey keeper. 1-0 to the visitors at half time. The second half was much the same story with the home side creating multiple chances but the finishing touch was lacking. The woodwork again coming to Drumoghill’s aid and Ryan Lockhart pulled off another couple of excellent saves to keep the visitors ahead. They managed to keep the clean sheet and secure the three points with a dogged display. Referee: Matthew Hull
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 2 v 1 Glenea United Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Copany Rovers 2 v 1 Bonagee United Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Cranford United Reserves 5 v 3 Gweedore United Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Lagan Harps Reserves 2 v 3 Ballybofey United Reserves
All the goals came in the first half. Lagan took an early lead when the ball was swept out to Drew Dowds wide on the right, and he finished well. Ballybofey equalised minutes later when Kieran Thompson received the ball just inside the box and finished well. United took the lead on twenty-five minutes when Conor Murphy fired home from the edge of the area. Lagan equalised on twenty-six minutes when Damien Mc Fadden pounced after the keeper spilled a shot. However, Ballybofey regained the lead when Colin Kearns bent in a great effort from wide on the left. Both teams pushed hard in the second half with Kieran Thompson heading narrowly wide for Ballybofey at the start of the half. Lagan piled on pressure at the end but Fionn Crawford and Cormac Crossan were too high with late efforts.
Referee: Liam Mc Laughlin.
Milford United Reserves 1 v 5 Drumkeen United Reserves
Drumkeen welcomed Milford United to St Patrick’s Park for this Finn Travel Saturday Division three fixture on Saturday Afternoon. Weather Conditions were Perfect for Football and The home team got off to the perfect start when Lee Guthrie put them ahead in the Fourth minute after he was set up by Sean Collum. The home Team then had a good spell where they played some good Football. During this spell the hosts doubled their advantage with a great Finish from Michael Guthrie who was set up By Eoghan Kennedy. Drumkeen were going well now but Milford didn’t give up and got a goal back on 37 minutes when a cross from the right wing from Wilson was steered home by Ultan Blaney. Drumkeen lost their way for a couple of minutes after conceding but got back on track again before the break when Lee Guthrie struck again after another assist from Eoghan Kennedy. That was the end of the scoring for the first Half. Milford began the second half well and Put Drumkeen under a bit of pressure for the opening 10 minutes of the half but they couldn’t make the pressure count with a goal. The game then went into a bit of a lull until the Last 20 Minutes, Drumkeen put the issue beyond doubt when Lee Guthrie got his hat trick as a pass from Eoghan Kennedy found him and he ran into the box and Finished well past advancing Milford Keeper Jordan. Guthrie Completed a great afternoon for himself and his Team a Couple of minutes later as he added his fourth of the Afternoon following an assist from his Brother Michael. There were still 15 minutes left but neither side could manage another goal. In the end this turned into a Comprehensive victory for the Home team but Milford battled on gamely throughout and if they had scored a second goal at the start of the second half who knows what would have happened. Referee: Mick Lagan.
FAI Junior Cup
Fintown Harps AFC 0 v 4 Fanad United
Fintown welcomed the premier league champions to Pairc Acla on a beautiful afternoon in this 3rd round encounter and it was Fanad who started the brightest with Fintown getting stretched on the flanks and finding Eoin Logue a handful up top for Fanad. Logue opened the scoring on 10 minutes with some great one touch football from Fanad setting up the cross in for Logue to tap home. Fanad really were on top in the early stages and went 2-0 up on 20 minutes with Logue finding the range again. Fintown had a great chance when, from a quick break from the back, Shane Mc Devitt turned his man and bearing down on the Fanad goal his shot was saved. Fanad made it three before the break when Eddie O’ Reilly put one past Leon in the Fintown goal. 3-0 at half time, Fintown had a big job on their hands in the 2nd half. Fintown took Aaron mc Glynn on at half time on the right wing and Fintown had a few chances with Mc Glynn getting a goal but called up for off-side. Fintown were battling hard and showing great fight and spirit and Aaron Thompson went close in the 55th minute. The sucker punch came on 65 minutes when Fintown got reduced to ten men when Toner was giving a second yellow for talking back to the referee. Fanad when 4-0 up when Alan Mc Ateer heading in from close range on 76 minutes. To their credit Fintown battled hard until the end.
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Bonagee United 5 v 0 Rathmullan Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Sunday 3rd November
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Cappry Rovers 2 v 2 Lagan Harps
In a game reversed to Manor, both teams served up an entertaining encounter. Lagan started strong. Josh Hay fired over a dangerous cross that Aaron Kelly did well to knock behind for a corner. They took the lead on fourteen minutes when keeper Mark Margey sent Kyle Martin through. Kyle finished well. Codey Brogan then had a great effort pushed over by Joe Boyle. Codey then scored Lagan’s second on twenty-four minutes. Joe Boyle had saved an initial effort but Codey powered an effort home from the edge of the area. Cappry responded strongly for the rest of the half. Aaron Kelly went close with a header from a free kick. They pulled a goal back when Daire Quigley found Conor Mc Daid breaking in at the back post to slide the ball home. They went close minutes later but Mark Margey did well to scramble away Michael Carroll’s effort at the back post. They equalised on forty minutes when a free was laid back to Aaron Kelly who powered a shot home from thirty yards. The second half was a tight affair with few clear chances. Lagan had an opportunity when Codey Brogan got in behind the defence but his pullback was cut out by Joe Boyle. Cappry had a dangerous break but Conur Crossan did well to get back and stop Daire Quigley. A feature of the game was a great battle between Conur and Cappry’s dangerous Seoghan Mc Cormick. Cappry almost grabbed the points on eighty minutes when, after a scramble, Peter Sweeney fired a shot against the crossbar. Dylan Doogan then fired a volley narrowly wide for Lagan. A draw was a fair result in a good match. Referee: Gerard Devine.
Ballybofey United 2 v 1 Milford United
The away side started the game well controlling a lot of the early possession. It took to the 14th minute before the first real chance of the game when an inswinging cross by the Milford winger was headed towards goal by Odhran Bonar saved well. It took to later in the half for the home side to have any clear chances, with Bobby Hennigan getting on the end of Daithí’s corner but his goal bound shot was well blocked. Shortly after the formidable Damien Glackin had a good opportunity but his left footed shot was well saved the Milford keeper. Half Time 0-0. Ballybofey came out firing and had two efforts saved early in the second half, firstly Adam Mc Cullagh’s effort from outside the box was saved and then Daithí Mc Mahon got on the end of an Oran Gallen through ball but his shot was well saved. The home side finally got a well-deserved goal when the busy Daithí Mc Mahon’s shot came off the post and rebounded to Mark Griffin who slotted home with his second touch of the game after coming off the bench. Milford had a good opportunity later in the half to equalise, but their shot went just the wrong side of the post. With 2 minutes left on the clock, Oran Gallen was taken down inside the box and won the home side a penalty. Mark Griffin stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to double his and Ballybofey’s tally. Milford made the final minutes a bit more interesting when they pulled one back on 90 minutes, however Ballybofey defended well and saw out the game for a good win.
Cranford United 1 v 1 Castlefin Celtic
The points were shared in a game that finished with end to end chances. Cranford took the lead after 10 minutes when Cathair Sweeney chased down the keeper and rolled the ball in to the net. Castlefin then pushed hard to get the equaliser before half time but the Cranford defence kept everything out. The last half hour was end to end with both sides having chances. Castlefin equalised with 10 to go after breaking from a Cranford attack. Dean Fleming pulled off two great saves for Cranford in the last 10 minutes and Chris Carr nearly won it in the last minute when his effort struck the bar.
Donegal Town 2 v 3 Glenea United
Glenea left the Hospital field with all 3 points coming from 2 goals down to win 3-2.
A dream start to game for the Town when Caccia nipped in at the back post to tuck home in the 1st minute. It was the same in the 1st minute of the 2nd half when Duignan finished beautifully to make it 2-0. Glenea made it 2-1 a minute later and levelled the match with 30 to go. A well worked goal made it 3-2 to Glenea with their keeper making brilliant saves from Doherty and Campbell to make sure Glenea held on for the 3 points.
Gweedore United 13 v 4 Lifford Celtic
On a clam afternoon for football, Gweedore United got their first 3 points of the campaign in a commanding display, with young Brian Mc Fadden scoring 6 goals on the day. The home side went at Lifford from the start with early chances by Brian Mc Fadden, Cathal Gillespie and Ciaran Mc Fadden setting the tone for this encounter. However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Shay Lindsey lobbed the United keeper from long range to make it 1-0. The home side equalised in the next attack when Ciaran Mc Fadden lobbed Karl Friel to make it 1-1. The home side pushed on from there with Brian Mc Fadden getting his first from the penalty spot in the 16th minute to make it 2-1. Mc Fadden was on the mark again in the 22nd minute following a nice pass from Ciaran Mc Fadden to make it 3-1. Lifford got their 2nd in the 34th minute when a good free kick from outside the box by Shay Lindsey when through a crowded box into the bottom corner. In the 37th minute Mc Fadden got his hat-trick with an excellent shot into the top corner leaving Friel with no chance. Cathal Gillespie got onto the score sheet in the 41st minute with a good finish to make it 5-2 at half time. In the second half young Mc Fadden continued the scoring with a good finish from close range in the 46th minute and another in the 49th minute to make it 7-2. Niall Friel got into the scoring in the 59th minute when he rounded 2 defenders to finish well to make it 8-2. Five minutes later, Steven Doyle Mc Fadden made it 9-2 with a good finish. In the 69th minute Lifford pulled one back with an excellent free kick from Shay Lindsay into the top corner making it 8-3 and Lindsey getting his hat-trick. The visitors got their 4th with Ronnie Mamadi finishing well from close range to make it 9 in the 77th minute Mc Fadden got his 6th and United’s 10th. Ethan Harkin scored a penalty in the 82nd minute and two further goals by Cathal Gillespie saw him getting his hat-trick with a final score of 13-4. Brian Mc Fadden was man of the match with Shay Lindsey excelling for Lifford. Referee: Michael Connolly.
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Convoy Arsenal 4 v 1 Letterbarrow Celtic
In the 10th minute Convoy had their 1st chance the Letterbarrow keeper made a good save from JP Malley. With17 minutes gone another good save from the Letterbarrow keeper blocked a shot from Oran Patterson. A JP Malley header struck the post in the 24th minute and luckily for the Letterbarrow keeper it came straight back off the post and into his hands.
A 26th minute goal from Letterbarrow after a high ball over the top and their striker made no mistake with a good finish. Then on 34 minutes a header down by JP into the path of Anthony Bogle and he made no mistake from 8 yards out. A great individual effort from Bogle from the edge of box in the 40th minute when he took on two players and buried the ball in the bottom corner. A 71st minute Letterbarrow chance went narrowly over the bar.
In the 76th minute a Ryan Mc Groarty effort from 25yards was well saved by the Letterbarrow keeper. In the 91st minute a break from a corner saw JP play a ball through to Ryan Mc Groarty to put into a net and give the keeper no chance. On 93 minutes a through ball by Darren Harvey put Ryan Mc Groarty through on goal again and he made no mistake.
Curragh Athletic 3 v 2 Deele Harps
Curragh v Deele is always a hotly contested game and this was no exception. After an opening 30 minutes when Deele pressed hard Curragh took the lead when an in-form Shae Mc Menamin scored from 25 yards. Deele equalised from a corner finished by Steven Devine to leave it 1-1. Deele were reduced to 10 for a poor tackle on 30 minutes a straight Red, 5 minutes later Deele hit the front when a through ball split the defence for Corey Lindsey to finish. This just ignited the Curragh who went on to an equalise from Bob Mc Shane on 44 minutes. 1 minute later Cormac Callaghan volleyed home from inside the Box, 3-2 halftime. The second half saw Deele playing on the front foot with Curragh defending deep even with numerical advantage. Deele Harps pressed hard and created some good half chances. Jason Doherty was resolute in nets for the home side. Shaw Mc Menamin was booked twice in quick succession which made it a 10 v 10 game for the last 15 minutes.
Robert Mc Shane was unfortunate not to extend Curragh’s advantage with two good attempts late on. Deele Harps can consider themselves unlucky not to take something from the fixture while the Curragh Athletic will be delighted to take all 3 points. Referee: Stephen Laird.
Drumkeen United 2 v 3 Whitestrand United
On a great afternoon for Football Whitestrand were the Visitors to St Patrick’s Park on Sunday for this Donegal Physiotherapy Division Two game. Drumkeen took an early lead in this game when Conor Bonner put them ahead after 10 minutes. The lead didn’t last long though as Michael Sweeney equalised for Whitestrand almost immediately. After such a bright start, there were no more goals in the first half although the home team did have a few chances which they failed to convert. The second half continued in the same vein for a good while until Michael Sweeney put the Visitors ahead after 75 minutes. Sweeney then added a third to Complete his hat-trick for the visitors. Despite this setback Drumkeen did their best to get back in the game and Niall Sweeney added a second for them with a few minutes remaining to set up a grandstand finish. Drumkeen pushed hard for an equaliser but in doing so they were leaving themselves vulnerable at the back and the visitors had a couple of chances to increase their lead. Unfortunately for the home team time was not on their side and eventually the final whistle blew to end the game. Referee: Damien McFadden.
Drumoghill F.C. 12 v 0 Dunkineely Celtic
Drumoghill maintained their recent good form with this dominant victory over Dunkineely Celtic. Gareth Hamilton and Keelin Bogle both hit four goals on the day and were the main predators as the visitors struggled to contain the rampant reds. Karlos Rodgers, Karol Mc Ginley, Liam O’Donnell and Eunan Kelly were the other scorers. Drumoghill, holding hopes of promotion this year, knew that three points were imperative from this contest and started in determined fashion. Keelin Bogle had the ball in the net twice inside the first 7 minutes, either side of a fine strike from Karol Mc Ginley to put Drumoghill in control. Dunkineely though recovered well from this tough start and managed to get a grip on the game for a period of the first half before Zak Brolly sent Liam O’Donnell clear on 25 minutes to put his side four ahead. Keelin Bogle then completed his treble on 30 minutes when he headed home Karol Mc Ginley’s in swinging corner on 38 minutes. The goal of the game arrived on 40 minutes when Gareth Hamilton controlled a long diagonal pass from Bogle to hammer into the top corner leaving Corey Boyle with no chance. Karlos Rodgers also scored from distance just before half time when he won possession from Jack Boyle to find the net from 25 yards to make it 7-0 at the break. The second half began in a similar fashion to the first with Gareth Hamilton helping himself to a 5-minute hat-trick before Eunan Kelly fired home on 62 minutes. The scoring was completed on 70 minutes with Bogle heading home Kieran Devenney’s free kick. Credit to Dunkineely who never gave up throughout despite them being under-strength. They dug deep to contain the reds for the final period of the game and should be commended for this. Referee: Seamus Ferry
Raphoe Town 2 v 3 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Top of the table Kerrykeel visited Raphoe today and were happy to come away with a marginal win. The first half was a close affair with the home team having a lot of the possession. There were very few clear-cut chances for either team until a penalty was awarded to Kerrykeel on the stroke of half-time to make it 0-1 at the break. Kerrykeel started stronger in the second half and found themselves 3-0 up in the first 15minutes. However, Raphoe young guns never gave up and pulled one back with 20 minutes to go through Ryan Mc Neil’s thunderous shot from outside the box. Raphoe pressed hard again with all the play and 5 minutes from the end Finn Canning slotted a free kick into the top corner giving the keeper no chance. Pressure was on for the last 5 but Kerrykeel held on to seal the win.
FAI Junior Cup
Cockhill Celtic 3 v 0 Kilmacrennan Celtic
(No Report Available)
St. Catherines 1 v 2 Letterkenny Rovers
Chances were few and far between in this clash of two Donegal Junior league teams. Each seemed to be sounding one another out for long periods and when chances did fall the opposing keepers were well able to deal with the danger.
Conor Doherty should possibly have put the home team into the lead on 10 minutes after great work down the left from Ryan Cunningham saw the ball fall nicely at his foot but the lack of height and power on his shot meant Shane O’ Gara could save comfortably. G Doherty struck with venom from outside the Saint’s box after excellent hold up play from B Banda on 20 minutes but once again to no avail and half time arrived with both teams remaining scoreless. A goal for the home team 1 minute into the second half and all of a sudden we had a cup tie on our hands. Josh Maxwell slotted a low ball across the Rovers’ penalty spot after skipping through a few Letterkenny challenges and his cross was met by Paul Chico O’ Hare who drove high into the Rovers’ net. Rovers were awarded a free kick just outside the Saints’ box on 55 minutes. The resulting kick rebounded off the wall and was met sweetly by the excellent Bradley Walsh as his left boot connected beautifully from 25 yards to get the teams back on level terms. Rovers pressed for the winner and got their just rewards on 75 minutes. It was a long distance shot from L Parke giving the home keeper no chance. A gallant fighting St Catherines kept hoping for a late equaliser but a well marshalled and experienced back line saw the visitor’s ease over the line and a 2-1 victory.
