DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE 2024/2025
REPORTS
Saturday 11th January 2025
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Donegal Town Reserves 1 v 3 Oldtown Celtic
Oldtown Celtic were the victors in the battle of the league’s unbeaten teams at the Hospital Field. Oldtown were much shaper in the early exchanges and went in at half-time three goals to the good. Town battled well in the second half when a great Joe Campbell cross was headed up by Niko Dominik. Town pressed for another but Celtic hung on to claim victory
Glencar Celtic 0 v 0 Drumbar United F.C.
(No Report Submitted)
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 0 v 2 Cappry Rovers Reserves
Cappry Rovers left Castlefin with all three points from a game where the hosts missed numerous chances throughout the game. A David Carr opener in the opening minutes put Cappry ahead. The home side had big chances that went abegging through Tomas Devlin and Paul Farrell. A breakaway goal from Cormac Roarty midway through the second half doubled the visitor’s lead. Castlefin pushed for a way back into the game, James Mc Menamin rattled the frame of the net twice in as many minutes. Ryan O’ Hagan and Robert Patterson both went close with headers but it wasn’t to be for the hosts
Erne Wanderers 3 v 0 Dunlewey Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Fintown Harps AFC 6 v 0 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
This game was played in surprisingly good conditions and Fintown started the game the brighter, they broke the deadlock on 12 minutes with Jamie Cranley getting his first senior goal from an in-swinging corner from Joe Shankey Smith. Fintown kept the pressure on and on 20 minutes went two up with big Kieran Gallagher poking home after great work from Shane Mc Devitt on the right wing. Drumoghill were struggling to contain Fintown’s forwards and were getting very little change from Fintowns defence marshalled well by Keelan Mc Gill and Thomas Mc Devitt. On 35 minutes Kieran Gallagher toe-poked a great effort to the corner of the net. Kieran Gallagher completed his hat-trick when he increased the Fintown lead to 4-0. Shane Mc Devitt got a well-deserved goal on 40 minutes. Just before half-time Lockhart made a mistake from a kick out and kicked the ball straight at young Peter Mc Glynn and he made no mistake, placing it into the corner of the net. There were surprisingly no goals in the second-half so it ended 6-0.
Letterkenny Rovers Reserves 5 v 0 Glenea United Reserves
Letterkenny Rovers secured a commanding 5-0 victory over Glenea United on a cold afternoon at Leckview Park. After a slow start, Rovers grew into the game, delivering a dominant second-half performance to seal the win. The opening ten minutes were uneventful, with both teams battling for control in midfield. The first clear chance fell to Rovers when Conor O’Donnell sent Jordan Nugent through on goal, but a heavy touch took him too wide to capitalise. Glenea’s Seamus Doogan caused some early problems, but Rovers’ Keelan Dunleavy was quick to recover and thwart any real danger. Rovers began to create opportunities, with Dylan Doogan and Nugent coming close, but it wasn’t until the 34th minute that they broke the deadlock. Gareth Temple’s pinpoint free kick found Dunleavy, who rose highest to head home and make it 1-0. Glenea nearly equalised before halftime when Doogan found himself one-on-one with Rovers goalkeeper Davin Blake. However, Blake closed the angle quickly, forcing Doogan to shoot over the bar. Glenea showed signs of danger, but Rovers held their narrow lead going into the break. The second half began with Glenea pressing early, but Rovers soon took control. After several near misses, they doubled their lead in the 61st minute. Jordan Nugent delivered a dangerous ball across the face of the goal to the back post, where Oran Winston was waiting to tap in. Just a minute later, Dylan Doogan played a superb pass through the middle for O’Donnell, who calmly slotted past Glenea keeper Oisin Cannon to make it 3-0. Rovers continued to dominate, with O’Donnell adding his second goal in the 82nd minute after a clever combination with Adam Murphy and Winston. Murphy then put the finishing touch on a fine team performance in the 85th minute, striking a powerful low shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner to seal the 5-0 win. Glenea had their moments, with Michael Mc Hugh and Shane Coll trying to create chances, but Rovers’ defence were solid throughout. Referee: Liam McLaughlin
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Cranford United Reserves 0 v 3 Fanad United Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Gweedore United Reserves 1 v 5 Bonagee United Reserves
After initial concerns that the game may have to be cancelled due to the recent cold snap, the Carrickboyle ground was given the go ahead to host the Finn Travel Saturday Division Three game between Gweedore United and Bonagee United after passing a pitch inspection. It was the visitors who went away with all three points. Bonagee United had the earlier chances and a few shots from twenty yards out from Fintan Hassan, which were comfortably saved by the Gweedore United Keeper, Dylan Clift.
The away side did take the lead on the 20th minute, good work down the left-hand side by Luke Coyle, he played in Bryan Drum who finished from close range. Bryan Drum had a few chances after that to extend Bonagee’s lead, however, Dylan Clift thwarted him on several occasions. Gweedore United had a couple of opportunities to draw level in the first half, a cross from Stephen Mulhern picked out Brian Mc Fadden and his effort went just wide on 35th minute. Another effort by Brian Mc Fadden from six yards out was saved by Callum Crampsie.
The visitors did extend their lead on the 54th minute after a penalty was awarded to them and Connor Stewart scored from the spot kick. Connor Stewart should have claimed his second goal of the day after Bryan Drum’s squared ball to him, which his shot went narrowly wide.
The home side managed to reduce the deficit just a minute later, on the 57th minute, Tiarnan Misteal’s superb shot from twenty-five yards out nestled inside the net. Gweedore United almost scored an equaliser on the 61st minute when Darren Ferry’s volley from outside the box went just inches wide.
The away side increased their lead on 72nd minute after Aidan Mc Laughlin found himself free for a tap in after a cross from Fintan Hasson. Five minutes later, Aidan Mc Laughlin scored his second of the day after his close-range effort had beaten Dylan Clift.
The home side had a couple of opportunities to add to their tally from Owen Gallagher on the 81st minute as his headed effort went just wide, and his free kick in the 86th minute was saved by Callum Crampsie. Bonagee United scored their fifth of the day in the 93rd minute after Caolan Mc Garrigle fired in from six yards out. Tiarnan Misteal and Darren Ferry played well for the home side, with impressive showings by Bonagee’s Bryan Drum and Connor Stewart. Referee: Seimi Ferry
Ulster Junior Shield
Strand Rovers 0 v 0 Sea Rovers
(Sea Rovers won 1-4 a.e.t. and penalties)
After a hard-fought battle between too good strong teams it was left to penalties to divide the sides. The first half was mainly played in the Sea Rovers half. The second half saw a switch in the game and most of the play was in the home side’s own half. Sea Rovers tried to carve some chances but nothing was getting passed the Strand back line. Both teams had sporadic chances but both keepers were on top stopping anything getting passed them.
Extra time was much the same with Sea Rovers coming close on numerous occasions, Strand’s defence line was lucky to keep that ball from crossing the line a few times. It was all down to the penalties with Sea Rovers coming out on top at 1-4. Referee: Thomas Ferry
Sunday 12th January 2025
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Swilly Rovers 0 v 4 St. Catherines
Victory for the Killybegs men at Swilly Park in a fairly one sided encounter. Swilly went into the game minus regulars Laurence Toland, Ian Ward, Conal Mc Gonagle and new signing Duncan Patterson. St Catherine’s played a delightful brand of football with lots of slick movement. Catherine’s went ahead on eight minutes when Josh Maxwell fired home from 15 yards with a low drive. Paul O’Hare made it two on 25 minutes with a deflected shot from the edge of the box. Josh Maxwell, with a superb solo run and cool finis, made it three on 55 minutes. Daniel Breslin made it four with a header in injury time. Ciaran Kelly fired just over for Swilly near the end but the depleted home team created little in the attacking sector Referee: Marty Mc Garrigle.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Lagan Harps 1 v 3 Glenea United
A strong second half performance combined with Lagan going down to ten men saw Glenea go away with the points. Glenea started well but Lagan opened the scoring on twelve minutes. Kyle Martin held the ball up well before setting Codey Brogan up for a good finish from the edge of the area. Glenea’s direct approach put the Lagan defence under pressure but Ciaran Quinn and Rory Mc Crossan won everything down the middle. Lagan had a great opportunity to extend their lead when Kyle Martin broke through but the Glenea keeper pulled off a good save. Glenea continued to dominate but Lagan stood firm. Glenea started strong in the second half pushing Lagan back. A big turning point came on fifty minutes when Taylor Cassidy was sent off for a second bookable offence. Glenea took advantage minutes later when Lagan lost possession and the ball was fed through to PJ Doogan who finished well. Glenea piled on the pressure and were awarded a penalty for handball minutes later. Calvin Murray fired in off the post. They sewed up the points on sixty-two minutes when Darren Mc Geever headed in at the back post. Lagan continued to battle and went close when Faolan Gibson was just wide from a Kyle Martin pass.
Referee: Gerard Devine.
Cappry Rovers 1 v 1 Milford United
Milford got a dream start in this game and took the lead in the opening minutes when Darren Mc Laughlin cut the ball back to Joey Cullen who finished well at the back post. Cappry got back in the game in the 10th minute when Jack Long converted a penalty. Cappry almost doubled their lead but Caolan Mc Gettigan made a good save from Daire Quigley. The game was a close affair with chances at a premium. The second half was another close affair. Cappry pressed for a winner but couldn’t find a way through. Milford had a chance at the very end but Cathal Mc Gettigan saw his penalty hit the post. Two team performances
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Drumoghill F.C. 0 v 3 Convoy Arsenal
Convoy Arsenal strengthened their grip on the top of division two with this victory over Drumoghill FC as goals from Gary Brolly, Aiden Boal and an own goal secured all three points. The result though was harsh on the home side were in control for large parts of the game. Knowing that a win would revitalise their hopes of automatic promotion, Drumoghill started the brighter and could have taken the lead twice during the opening 10 minutes as Luke Kelly made two excellent saves to deny Gareth Hamilton. The visitors were to make them pay shortly afterwards as they took the lead on 15 minutes through Gary Brolly when he beat Ryan Lockhart with a clever finish. Both sides had good opportunities before the break but the half time score remained 1-0 to Convoy. The home side started the second half on top and again had chances to equalise with Liam O’Donnell, Zak Brolly and Karolus Rodgers all having good efforts. However, Convoy remained a threat on the break and the next goal would be crucial. It was the visitors that would eventually claim it when it arrived on 76 minutes. Brolly combined with Aiden Boal down their left-hand side and Brolly’s cross-cum-shot took a deflection off a Drumoghill defender and went beyond Ryan Lockhart. Drumoghill were now dejected and it was no surprise when Aidan Delap raced away to finish well on 82 minutes to add another goal to the visitors tally as they ran out comfortable winners.
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 1 v 2 Whitestrand United
Whitestrand take the bragging rights with a well-deserved over Kerrykeel in a packed Rabs Park. Kerrykeel started the better but found themselves one down on 20 minutes when Michael Sweeney took his chance well. The home side were level five minutes later when Kevin Loughrey scored from the spot after he was taken down by Emmett Kelly. The second half was a tight affair and it was Michael Sweeney who got the all-important winner with a great finish inside the box. Kerrykeel huffed and puffed but really weren’t at the races and Whitestrand were fully deserved of the win.
Raphoe Town 1 v 3 Drumkeen United
(No Report Submitted)
Curragh Athletic 1 v 2 Letterbarrow Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Deele Harps 3 v 0 Dunkineely Celtic
Deele welcomed Dunkineely to Marty Duffy Park on a cold Sunday afternoon. The home side started brightly and spurned a few early chances. The opening goal arrived on 22 minutes when Conor Catterson rifled home the edge of the box following good approach work from Cameron Mahon. From the restart Dunkineely lost possession and Jordan Duffy’s mazy run took him through on goal and he slotted home for a fine finish. The away side battled hard in the second half and Jamie Kelly in goal pulled off some great saves. The third goal arrived on 55 minutes when Jack Macbeth fed Scott Macbeth on the right wing and Scott cut inside and finished to the bottom corner. Full time 3-0. Team performances. Referee: Barry Tourish.
Ulster Junior Shield
Quigleys Point Swifts 3 v 0 Arranmore United
(No Report Available)
