The following are all the reports and results from the Donegal League from last weekend.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Strand Rovers 3 v 1 Arranmore United
There was no sign of storm Bert in Maghery with nice calm conditions for this match. In the first minute of the game Arranmore narrowly missed out on a goal when keeper Cormac Hanlon was the only Strand lad clued into game. Ethan Mc Caffery was the first to get on the score-sheet with an excellent strike from 35 yards out. Goalkeeper for Arran, Dan, then took a powerful kick out that was helped by the wind and bounced in the middle of the field and Gavin Mc Glanaghey was in behind the Strand defence to slot the ball into the back of the net making it 1-1. Strand were on top for most of the first half and regained the lead when a cross from Conor Greene found Darren O’Donnell ghosting in at the back post to tap it in making it 2-1. Strand extended their lead later in the half when there was a foul in the box by the referee awarded Strand a penalty and Ethan Mc Caffery made no mistake from the spot. The second half was scrappy and fast paced with the defensive lines able to keep on top. Referee: Thomas Ferry
Ramelton Mariners 2 v 1 Keadue Rovers Reserves
The Mariners and Keadue played a very sporting, hard battling game in Rathmullan. After 3 minutes Mariners captain Eoin Roulston converted a penalty after even Hewitt was taken down. A battling first half from both teams ended at 1-0. Both sides came out for the second half trying score and after 55 minutes Shay Callen struck a super free kick into the top corner to make it 2-0. Keadue then on 70 minutes scored a free-kick. Mariners held on for a hard-fought win and a great three points. Two good team performances
Glencar Celtic 2 v 3 Oldtown Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Glenea United Reserves 4 v 3 Erne Wanderers
Despite the windy conditions, it was the away side playing against the breeze that started brightly and took the lead on 5 minutes when John Roper’s cross from the right was turned into the net at the back post by Adam Mc Glone. However, the home side got back on level terms very quickly when Sean Coll flicked home a Micheal Mc Hugh corner. The home side took the lead on 15 minutes when Tarlach Coll’s cross from the left was headed home by Micheal Ferry. Erne tried hard to get back into the game but were finding it hard to create clear-cut chances. Glenea had chances to extend their lead with PJ Doogan and Sean Geaney going close with efforts. The home side were finally rewarded on 20 minutes when Neil Anthony Mc Geever headed home a Tarlach Coll corner. Glenea continued to press, and Cathal Mc Geever saw his free-kick form 25 yards well saved by the visiting keeper. Glenea got their 4th goal on 43 minutes when Michael Mc Hugh got free down the right and his cross was headed home by Sean Geaney. In the 2nd half Erne, playing with the strong breeze, started strongly and pulled a goal back on 50 minutes when Adam Mc Glone’s effort the edge of the box found the bottom corner. As Erne pressed the home team started to create chances on the break but failed to convert any of them and were made to pay on 65 minutes when, from a cross from the left, Damian Weber came in at the back post to reduce Glenea’s lead. The away side pressed hard for an equaliser and were denied on 80 minutes when Daniel Mulhern cleared a goal bound effort off the Glenea line. Glenea continued to look dangerous on the break and again were guilty of missing a couple of good chances, but the home side held out for a tight victory. Referee: Matthew Rudd.
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Ballybofey United Reserves 2 v 5 Gweedore United Reserves
This game was reversed to Carrickboyle due to an unplayable pitch in Ballybofey. The home side got off to the best possible start when Ownie Gallagher headed into the top corner from a Cian Heffernan corner to make it 1-0 in the 4th minute. Gweedore had a lot of the early pressure however the Ballybofey men with the aid of a strong breeze began to settle and play well. The visitors saw good chances fall to Oran Gallen and Aaron Mc Auley, both well saved by Eamonn Chollum in the Gweedore nets. James Mac Glinchey, Darren Ferry and Stephen Mulhern had good chances for the home side, all well saved by Odhran Bonar in the visitor’s nets. Ballybofey equalised in the 45th minute when Kieran Thompson found himself through one on one with the keeper to finish well to make it 1-1 at half time. In the second half Gweedore had the aid of the breeze and went in search of a second with the visitors looking dangerous on the break. In the 77th minute Darren Ferry put the home side ahead with his free kick from 35 yards deceiving everyone to go into the bottom corner. Ferry then got his second and Gweedore’s 3rd with a wonderful shot into the top corner from outside the box. Seighan O Baoill made it 4-1 in the 86th minute with a good finish from close range after a good pass from Matthew Galway. Kieran Thompson scored for the visitors when he finished well but Gweedore weren’t finished yet as the center half Callum Ferriter made a good run and finished well to make it 5-2 at full time. Oran Gallen and James Sweeney played well for Ballybofey with a good squad performance from the home side with Roan Turk and Seighan O Baoill excelling on the day.
Sunday 24th November
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore United 8 v 1 Cranford United
This game, changed from Sunday to Friday night under the floodlights in Gweedore saw a strong performance from United in front of a good home support. The home side went at Cranford from the start and took a deserved lead in the 14th minute when Ethan Harkin scored from a penalty after Brian Mc Fadden was pulled down in the box. United continued to press Cranford back and created good chances for James Boyle and Brian Mc Fadden, however Dean Fleming in the visitor’s nets did well on each occasion. Ciaran Mc Fadden made it 2-0 in the 21st minute with a good individual run and finish by the Gweedore Captain. In the 24th minute Darren Ferry scored a screamer into the top corner from 25 yards to make it 3-0. Cranford pulled one back in the 33rd minute when Seamus Carr finished from close range after good play and a nice cross by Shane Coll to make it 3-1. United had good chances with Steven & Brian Mc Fadden going close, however the scored remained 3-1 until half time. The home side started the second half in a similar fashion to the first and they almost made it 5-1, Cathal Gillespie’s close range effort was well saved by Dean Fleming. The pressure from the home side eventually yielded their fifth goal on the night. Steven Mc Fadden showed great vision and played an excellent through ball for Brian Mc Fadden to lob the advancing Dean Fleming in the 49th minute. The Gweedore men made it 6-1 in the 51st minute when Steven Mc Fadden profited from a defensive error by the away side. Brian Mc Fadden netted his second of the night on the 58th minute after Steven Mc Fadden’s perfect pass found him free. The visitors were unable to get a foothold in the second half and their best chances of reducing the deficit came from set pieces. Free-kicks from Cranford’s Kyle McFadden and Chris Carr were comfortably saved by Cian Gallagher on the 63rd and 65th minutes respectively. Steven Mc Fadden was having another fantastic game and was unlucky not to have added to his tally on the night. An exquisite move from the home side which involved Ciaran McFadden, Darren Ferry, Cathal Gillespie and Steven McFadden was capped off by a superb finish from Seighean O’ Baoill in the 72nd minute. Neither side could add to the score sheet after this, and Gweedore United’s Stephen Mulhern was unlucky not to make the score line 9-1 in the 89th minute. It was the home side’s second victory in the spaces of five days in the TD1 Repairs League. Another impressive outing from Steven Mc Fadden, Brian McFadden, Seighean O’ Baoill, Darren Ferry were all instrumental in a emphatic victory for the Gweedore men. Cranford’s Kyle McFadden, Shane Coll and Chris Carr all produced good performances. Referee: Alister Gourley
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Drumkeen United P v P Convoy Arsenal
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Dunkineely Celtic 2 v 7 Raphoe Town
(No Report Submitted)
Whitestrand United 2 v 2 Deele Harps
Whitestrand United took on Deele looking to continue their recent good run of results in trying conditions at Mc Garvey Park. Deele started the stronger and almost took an early lead but they hit the woodwork. It took Whitestrand a while to settle into the game with Deele pushing for the opener. The wind was making it hard for either team to keep possession. A good passage of play between Cormac Dunleavy, Paddy Walsh and Michael Sweeney almost resulted in the opener as Whitestrand began to grow into the game. They looked to have scored but the ball was adjudged not to have crossed the line, much to the protestations of the Whitestrand players. Whitestrand took the lead right on half time when Michael Sweeney slotted home. The second half started with Deele going down to ten men with the player going off for a second yellow. Rather than setting them back it seemed to galvanise them and Steven Devine equalised for Deele. Whitestrand pushed and took the lead from an excellent cut back by Cormac Dunleavy for Reece Thompson to score. Again Deele were not to be denied and they scored after a goalmouth scramble from the deflected effort of Lewis Gallagher. The draw was a fair result and keeps Whitestrand’s unbeaten run going
Ulster Cup
Cockhill Celtic 5 v 0 Gweedore Celtic
(No report Available)
Culdaff F.C. 0 v 4 Bonagee United
No Report Available)
Glenea United 3 v 4 Aileach F.C.
Glenea were in ulster Cup action this week and had a home fixture against Aileach.
In blustery conditions the home side played the first half with the strong breeze at their backs, both teams found it difficult to get the ball down and play In the conditions and the early exchanges were scrappy. Glenea took the lead after 12 minutes when Calvin Murray finished well from the edge of the box. Aileach equalised 5 minutes later when a low ball across the face of goal wasn’t dealt with and was finished well at the back post. Glenea took the lead again from another left footed effort from Calvin Murray just inside the box, the well struck effort gave the Aileach keeper no chance. With halftime approaching Aileach equalised for the second time leaving it all square at the break. Calvin completed his hat-trick in the 55th minute, keeping his composure in the box and finishing into the bottom corner. With the wind at their backs, Aileach spent most the second half in the Glenea half, they had several notable chances but were unable to convert them. With the game drawing to a close they were awarded two corners In quick succession and it was the second corner in the 90th minute that gave them their equaliser and the teams were level for the third time. This forced the game into extra time. With the wind at their backs Aileach were on top in the opening exchanges of extra time and went ahead after 5 minutes. Glenea battled hard and pushed for an equaliser but Aileach held on for the win and 4-3 to Aileach it finished. Good performances from both sides considering the conditions with Calvin Murray the standout player for Glenea on the day.
Carndonagh F.C. 0 v 4 Kildrum Tigers
(No Report Available)
Letterkenny Rovers 3 v 0 Fanad United
Letterkenny Rovers secured an impressive 3-0 victory over Fanad United in the Ulster Junior Cup, taking control with two goals before halftime and sealing the win with a third late in the second half. The result sees Rovers advance to the next round. The match began with Rovers showing intent, as BJ Banda headed over the bar from a Joel Bradley Walsh corner in the opening minute. Fanad countered with a dangerous low strike across the goal, but neither side could create clear chances early on. In the 10th minute, Rovers’ goalkeeper Shane O’ Gara was called into action, coming well outside his box to clear a Fanad counterattack led by Oisín Mc Menamin. Moments later, a long throw from Fanad’s Edward O’Reilly caused problems for the Rovers’ defence, but the resulting shot flew over the bar. Rovers began to assert control, with Joel Gorman’s 32nd-minute effort producing the game’s first clear chance, but Fanad keeper Mark Mc Conigley saved comfortably. Just before halftime, Rovers broke the deadlock from a dangerously delivered corner by Joel Gorman with the Fanad keeper Mc Conigley saving but resulted in an unfortunate own goal by a Fanad defender. The home side doubled their lead a minute later. A superb delivery from Joel Bradley Walsh bounced dangerously in the 18-yard box, and Lee Mc Monagle rose high to direct it over the keeper and into the net. Fanad went into the break down 2-0 and facing an uphill battle. Rovers continued to press early in the second half, with Mc Monagle and Banda both threatening. Fanad responded with their best spell of the match, forcing O’Gara into two excellent saves, including a fingertip effort to deny Carlos O’Reilly’s dipping strike in the 60th minute. Despite Fanad’s persistence, Rovers remained composed and sealed the victory in the 69th minute. A controlled build-up ended with BJ Banda’s shot from the right wing being saved, but Mc Monagle was on hand to pounce on the rebound and slot it home for his second goal of the game. Rovers saw out the remainder of the match with disciplined defending and continued to create chances, with Banda and Padraic Gilsenan both coming close to adding a fourth. Referee: Patrick Martin
Monaghan Town 0 v 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic
(No Report Available)
St. Catherines 3 v 1 Lagan Harps
Extremely windy conditions had a major part to play in this Ulster Cup clash.
The game was slow to ignite with both keepers having very little to do for the first 25 minutes. Both teams had long range shots well saved by their respective keepers and it was from a corner kick the deadlock was finally broken on 30 minutes. Paul O’ Hare swung in a superb ball to the back post that was bravely met by the head of Ryan Carr and smashed the back of the away net before the keeper had a chance to react. It was from a corner again just two minutes later that Lagan Harps got an equaliser. Conor Crossan intelligently used the strong breeze which carried the ball over the heads of everyone and straight into the Saints’ net. The scores remained at 1-1 for the break and when Mick Langan got things motoring for the second half we only had to wait 8 minutes for a crucial goal for the home team. Possibly the best player on the day, Josh Maxwell, found himself free in the Harps’ box after some aerial tussles he latched onto a loose ball and calmly slotted low past the Lagan keeper. Ten minutes later the Saints got their third goal. Matthew Mc Clean controlled a high ball played out from defence with one deft touch, knocked the ball bravely in front of himself and into the away box where unchallenged he struck sweetly into the Harps’ net with his left foot. Lagan kept trying to probe an opening and were given hope when the excellent centre half Odhran McGuinness came off with a knee injury and with the Saints’ bench already emptied the home team were looking at the last 15 minutes with ten men. Dylan Doogan and Kyle Martin were doing their best for Lagan down the flanks but the home side were in no mood to give anything away cheaply and were able to keep the score at 3-1 when referee Mick Langan blew for full time. Conditions made sure this was never going to be game of the season but credit to both sides for braving the elements and continuing with the fixture.
RESULTS
Saturday 23rd November
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Strand Rovers 3 v 1 Arranmore United
Ramelton Mariners 2 v 1 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Glencar Celtic 2 v 3 Oldtown Celtic
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Glenea United Reserves 4 v 3 Erne Wanderers
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Ballybofey United Reserves 2 v 5 Gweedore United Reserves
Sunday 24th November
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore United 8 v 1 Cranford United
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Drumkeen United P v P Convoy Arsenal
Dunkineely Celtic 2 v 7 Raphoe Town
Whitestrand United 2 v 2 Deele Harps
Ulster Cup
Cockhill Celtic 5 v 0 Gweedore Celtic
Culdaff F.C. 0 v 4 Bonagee United
Glenea United 3 v 4 Aileach F.C.
Carndonagh F.C. 0 v 4 Kildrum Tigers
Letterkenny Rovers 3 v 0 Fanad United
Monaghan Town 0 v 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic
St. Catherines 3 v 1 Lagan Harps
