Here are all of this week’s match results and reports from the Donegal League.
Wednesday 11th December 2024
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Bonagee United Reserves 1 v 3 Fanad United Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Saturday 14th December
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Drumbar United P v P Strand Rovers
(Match Postponed)
Kildrum Tigers Reserves 0 v 1 Glencar Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Oldtown Celtic 2 v 2 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Oldtown and Keadue played put an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Letterkenny Community Centre. Oldtown took an early lead when Micheal Doherty’s clever pass found Sean Cleary who squared for Kevin Mc Grath to fire home. Keadue soon equalised when they were awarded a penalty and Oran Fallon converted from the spot. Oldtown had a goal ruled out for offside when Keadue then began to get on top with Oldtown’s centre back pairing of Peoples and Patton putting their bodies on the line to keep the game level. Against the run of play Oldtown took the lead. Micheal Doherty controlled a long ball before hitting a 30-yard effort into the net to give the hosts the lead. 2 – 1 at the break. Oldtown came out in the second half and pushed for a third with Gio Peoples heading against the post and John Mc Fadden had one cleared off the line. Michael Greene had an effort from distance that fizzed wide before Keadue got level from the penalty spot again. Fallen doubling his total for the day. Both teams pushed for a winner with Keadue keeper Boyle pushing a Tommy Mc Laughlin effort wide before Doherty saw a late free-kick go narrowly over. The game finished 2-2 in a very competitive battle. Referee: Seami Ferry
St. Catherines Reserves 4 v 0 Arranmore United
(No Report Submitted)
Swilly Rovers Reserves 2 v 6 Donegal Town Reserves
In a frantic first half with chances at both ends it was Donegal Town who took the lead when their attacker cut in from the left and found the back of the net via the post. Swilly brought it level after a scramble in the box was finished home by Tony Gallagher. The visitors took the lead into halftime after a quick counter attack. Halftime 1-2. Swilly had a few chances just after the restart but it was two quick goals from Donegal town that pushed the three points out of reach for the hosts. As Swilly tried to get back into the game but were opened- up through the centre and Donegal Town’s young forward finished brilliantly. The hosts got a consolation goal after the forward was brought down in the box and he stepped up with a cheeky finish from the spot.
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Cappry Rovers Reserves 4 v 1 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
Cappry welcomed Drumoghill to the Finn Valley Centre on Saturday. It was an entertaining start with both sides creating chances. Eunan Kelly went closest for Drumoghill and Karl Mc Glynn was denied by the goalkeeper. Cappry edged in front at the half hour mark through Odhran O’Connor. An excellent worked ball from Conor Mc Daid found O’Connor to fire home the finish. Cappry were superior in the second half and doubled their lead through Odhran O’Connor who cut inside and slotted into the net. Jack Marley headed home a third for Cappry who were full of confidence. Marley got his second when he was slipped through to score Cappry’s fourth. Drumoghill got one back through an excellent strike from Eunan Kelly. Great team performance from Cappry who got all three points.
Erne Wanderers 1 v 1 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Letterkenny Rovers Reserves 9 v 1 Fintown Harps AFC
Letterkenny Rovers produced a strong second-half display to defeat Fintown Harps 9-1 in their final game before the Christmas break. Despite a competitive first half, Rovers’ quality shone through as they overwhelmed their visitors at Leckview Park. The game began with Fintown Harps showing early promise, with Mark Mc Devitt twice threatening in the opening moments. They were rewarded for their persistence in the 16th minute when Kieran Gallagher intercepted a pass and fired a sensational strike into the top corner to give Fintown the lead. Rovers responded quickly and levelled in the 23rd minute when Jordan Nugent’s through ball found Conor O’Donnell, who drove into the box and finished confidently. Just a minute later, Oran Winston’s tenacity set up Lee Mc Monagle to capitalise on a bouncing ball, lobbing it over the outrushing Fintown goalkeeper Leon Thompson to put Rovers ahead 2-1. Fintown had their moments, with Logan Quinn and McDevitt combining well in attack, but Rovers goalkeeper Josh Wade stood firm. Rovers continued to create chances, with O’Donnell and Nugent both going close before halftime, but the score remained 2-1 at the break. The second half saw Rovers take complete control. In the 53rd minute, Nugent showcased his skill, juggling the ball past a defender before volleying home to make it 3-1. Six minutes later, Nugent turned provider, setting up Mc Monagle for his second goal with a composed finish across goal. With the momentum firmly in Rovers’ favour, the chances kept coming. Fintown’s keeper Leon Thompson made several impressive saves to deny Rory Gallagher and O’Donnell, but the pressure eventually told. In the 66th minute, Mc Monagle completed his hat-trick at his second attempt, heading into the Fintown net to make it 5-1. Rovers showed no mercy, with Oran Winston smashing home from the edge of the box in the 75th minute to make it 6-1. O’ Donnell added his second with a driving run and finish in the 82nd minute, and Nugent grabbed his second just two minutes later following a pass from Jack Duff. The final flourish came in the 86th minute when a chaotic scramble saw Kian Mc Grath and Duff both challenging for a loose ball, with Duff ultimately claiming the ninth goal for Rovers. In the end it was a commanding performance from Letterkenny Rovers, going into the Christmas break on a high. Referee: Patrick Martin
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Copany Rovers 6 v 2 Gweedore United Reserves
(No Report submitted)
Fanad United Reserves 4 v 1 Ballybofey united Reserves
Fanad United maintained their 100% start to the season in Donegal League Finn Travel Division Three with a 4-1 victory over Ballybofey United Reserves at Traigh-a-Loch on Saturday. Fanad started on the front foot creating several half chances. The clearest chance came on 25 minutes when Charlie Mc Ateer broke through on goal only to be denied by a fine save from Ballybofey keeper Daniel Crawford. However, Fanad then took the lead 5 minutes later. Niall Toland found space on the left and his shot from 25 yards found the top corner. A few minutes later Charlie Mc Ateer went on a great run down the right and his ball into the box was met by Daibhid Lynch who’s shot produced another fine save from Daniel Crawford. On the stroke of half time Fanad doubled their lead. Alan Mc Ateer split the defence with a pass and sent Adam Carr through and he finished from 15 yards. Ten minutes into the second half Fanad scored their third. Paul Friel advanced from right back and his pass found Adam Carr who scored his second of the game from inside the box. Ballybofey to their credit kept going and 65 minutes Oran Gallen’s shot from 20 yards forced Fanad keeper Aodh Mc Bride into a decent save. With 15 minutes remaining Fanad scored their 4th goal of the game. Keelan Kerr advanced down the left and his cross was met by Ryan Moffitt who’s shot was blocked but Johnny Mc Ateer was on hand to score from close range. In the last 15 minutes Ballybofey created several chances. First Kieran Thompson forced Aodh Mc Bride into a good save and 5 minutes later the same player shot wide when well placed. With time running out Ballybofey got a consolation goal. Kieran Thompson found space in the box and he produced a fine finish into the bottom corner. Referee: Thomas Ferry
Lagan Harps Reserves 3 v 5 Bonagee United Reserves
Bonagee went away with the points after this high scoring encounter. Lagan started well and had an opportunity in the opening minutes but Damien Mc Fadden shot wide. They took the lead on eight minutes when Damien’s cross was fired home by Drew Dowds. Fintan Hasson was too high with an effort for Bonagee before Lagan doubled their lead. Damien Mc Fadden seized on a clearance before racing through from the halfway line and finishing well. Bonagee began to get on top and Kai Brown pulled off two good saves. They turned the game around in the last ten minutes of the half. Conor Stewart converted a penalty after a foul. Then Lagan failed to deal with a cross and Ibrahim Alayode fired home. Minutes later Fintan Hasson scored with a good effort from the edge of the box. The second half was end to end and midway through Ibrahim Alayode crossed for Conor Stewart to score. Lagan got back into it when Drew Dowds converted a penalty awarded for handball. Lagan then passed up a couple of good opportunities before Bonagee grabbed a fifth in the final minutes. Lagan again failed to clear a ball into the box and Reuben Doherty scored. A really entertaining game in which both teams gave everything. Referee: Paddy Mc Cauley.
Oscar Traynor Trophy
Inishowen League 2 v 2 Donegal Junior League
(Press Reports Present At Match)
Sunday 15th December
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Rathmullan Celtic 0 v 3 St. Catherines
Two late goals, allied to a red card for the home side, put some gloss on what was an otherwise competitive contest in typically testing December conditions. Killybegs got off to a dream start on 12 minutes when Alex Cunnea powered home from fully 30 yards out with a stunning strike. Ridha Abdullah had Rathmullan’s best chance to level before the break but Padraig Byrne denied him in the Catherines’ goal. Sub Josh Cunningham forced Shaun Gallagher into a superb stop on 65 minutes as both teams struggled to create chances. Entering the final quarter of an hour, it was all to play for. Daire Sheridan’s lofted free-kick almost deceived everyone and found the net for the Hoops but it came back off the crossbar and Kevin Doran fired over the bar from close range. Daniel Breslin, in off the bench, headed home to double St. Catherines’ advantage on 82 minutes. The impressive Ryan Cunningham finished the scoring in stoppage time with a tidy finish. Referee: Patrick Martin.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Glenea United 1 v 0 Cappry Rovers
Despite windy conditions for football, it was the home side playing against the breeze that started brightly and took the game to Cappry. Despite being on top Glenea were finding it difficult to create chances with the best effort coming from a Cathal Mc Geever header. Glenea finally opened the scoring on 25 minutes when, after good work from Blake Mc Garvey, his through ball released PJ Doogan and he slipped the ball past the keeper. Cappry tied hard to get back into the match and their best chance saw Daire Quigley latch onto the loose ball but saw his attempted chip go wide. On 40 minutes Cathal Mc Geever got on the end of a cross but saw his effort go past the post. In the 2nd half Cappry pushed hard for an equaliser but found it difficult to create any clear chances despite the best efforts of Seaghan Mc Cormick. Their closest attempt saw Calum Long’s flick from a corner cleared off the line by Padraig Coyle. As the away side pushed on Glenea looked to hit on the break and despite having a couple good breaks, they failed to convert any of them but held on for a hard-fought victory. Referee: John Coll.
Milford United 1 v 0 Lagan Harps
Milford overcame Lagan Harps in a tense encounter at a windy Moyle View Park with an own goal from a corner on 83 minutes. Lagan had a lot of possession and in the first half-half their best chance came when Taylor Cassidy head over after a great cross by Connor Bonner. The best chance of the half fell to Milford’s Mark Wilson who hit the post. The game was played in difficult conditions with a cross field breeze and it always looked like one goal would seal the victory. Kyle Black was in on goal on 60 minutes only for Rory Mc Crossan to toe poke the ball of his foot as he was about to shoot. The chance of the game came on 70 minutes when Oisin Harkin played a brilliant ball through to Kyle Martin and Caolan Mc Gettigan produced a great save to push past the post as he closed him down. The winner came from a corner when Killian Mc Bride’s near post corner was not dealt with by Lagan and came off the head of Rory Mc Crossan into the back of the net.
Lagan pushed for an equaliser and Harkin’s corner looked like it sailed over everyone but fell on the wrong side of the cross bar. Lagan will feel they deserved something out of the game, but a hard-working Milford took the three points into the Christmas break, securing 9 points in their last 3 outings. Best for Milford were Conor Mc Hugh, Joey Cullen and Killian Mc Bride. Lagan’s Ciaran Quinn was excellent in the heart of defence and Faolan Gibson was lively throughout. Referee: Vincent Mc Laughlin.
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Convoy Arsenal 3 v 3 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Convoy entertained league leaders Kerrykeel in what was a real thriller of a game. Convoy took the lead inside the first 10 minutes when J. Spratt played in O. Paterson who made no mistake when rounding the keeper. Kerrykeel then had a man sent off half way through the first half and a few minutes later Convoy doubled their lead after the same combination of Patterson and Spratt combined, it was Spratt who finished this time with a neat finish. Spratt then had a massive chance to make it 3-0 before half time but he hit the post from close range. Kerrykeel pulled a goal back through Kerr from a corner. Kerr again was the man to make it 2-2 with a nice strike from 20 yards. The ten men of Kerrykeel were the stronger side and were awarded a penalty on 75 minutes, Loughrey stepped up and made no mistake to give the visitors the lead. Convoy who never got going in the second half found a late equaliser when Paterson danced into the 18-yard box beating a few men to find the bottom right corner. Referee: Marty Mc Garrigle.
Deele Harps 6 v 2 Raphoe Town
Deele welcomed a young Raphoe side to Marty Duffy Park for the final home game before Christmas. The home side were fast out of the blocks with Ryan Kilpatrick slotting home neatly following a defence splitting pass from Scott Macbeth on 8 minutes. Deele doubled the lead on 16 minutes when Scott Macbeth tapped home from close range following Declan Lafferty’s corner. The second half started the same with Deele on top and the home side increased their lead on 48 minutes when Scott Macbeth grabbed his hat-trick when his left-footed strike found the net. Scott Macbeth grabbed his fourth goal of the day on 52 minutes following a pass from Conor Catterson with the young marksman made no mistake. Deele took their foot off the gas and Raphoe to their credit kept going and were rewarded with two late penalties. There was still time for Conor Catterson to rifle in a direct free kick late on for the goal of the day. Johnny Mahon impressed for Deele. Referee Alistair Gourley.
Letterbarrow Celtic 2 v 2 Whitestrand United
Letterbarrow welcomed Whitestrand to Tymeen in the last game before Christmas. An entertaining game finished 2-2. Darragh Burke continued his great form scoring both of Letterbarrow’s goals in another man of the match performance. Both teams had chances to win it but a point shared which keeps both teams in the promotion hunt.
