Here are all of the results and match reports from this week’s Donegal League Saturday and Sunday footballing action.
Saturday 8th February 2025
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Arranmore United 0 v 5 Strand Rovers
(No Report Submitted)
Ramelton Mariners 3 v 1 Glencar Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Keadue Rovers Reserves 1 v 2 Donegal Town Reserves
Keadue Reserves fell to their second consecutive home defeat in two weeks but unlike last week, this was by the narrowest of margins, following a brave performance against a strong Donegal Town outfit, who are still in with a chance of the league. On a great day for football, it was a frantic start with both teams going for the early ball over the top. Donegal Town did manage to get on top by the fifteenth minute but Keadue had the better openings, albeit with only half chances. Chris Breen and Evan Mc Fadden were winning some good ball up front but chances were at a premium with the home side playing into a strong sunshine. The visitors, by contrast had lots of possession but it was only in the last fifteen minutes of the first half that they began to pressure the Keadue backline with several crosses and corners. They looked to have taken the lead on forty minutes but the shot to the net was ruled out for offside. Despite having pressure on them before half time, Keadue would’ve been happy enough with the scoreless outcome at the break. The home team were the brighter side in the first five minutes of the second half, using the sunshine advantage, together with a stiff breeze at their backs. Chris Breen had a shot saved on fifty minutes. The game opened up a lot after this with Donegal Town having chances in the fifty second minute and the fifty fourth minute and on the second occasion, full back Liam Boyle did brilliantly to block a Donegal effort. On fifty-nine minutes, Jake Bonner had a great chance but his left footed effort was saved by the Donegal keeper. After that, a number of substitutions were made by Keadue, which changed the pattern of the game and one of those, Michael Houston, was on hand in the sixty ninth minute to convert Evan Mc Fadden’s cross. The lead only lasted for three minutes as Donegal Town, following some good play up their left wing, led to a ball being fed into the middle and Aidan Mc Hugh’s shot was drilled low to the net for 1-1. They almost took the lead on seventy-five minutes, but Ferry in the Keadue nets made a good save. The visitors did pile on the pressure possession wise, but the young Keadue subs were breaking at pace and the Donegal Town defence had to be alert. In the final few minutes, when it was looking like a draw, a misplaced pace from the Keadue midfield, led to the ball being played to Aidan Mc Hugh and his shot crept in at the near post to give Donegal Town a 2-1 lead, which they would hold to the final whistle. Heartbreak for Keadue who with the aid of a few older players were much more competitive and deserved a draw. Best for Keadue were Liam Boyle, Mark Forker and Michael Houston, while best for Donegal Town were Aidan Mc Hugh, Edward Demokhin and Christopher Gallagher.
Oldtown Celtic 2 v 0 Drumbar United
Oldtown returned to the Community Centre after a month of away fixtures, facing a stubborn and well organized Drumbar side. Drumbar came out the traps fast trying to get an early lead but were unable to break the Oldtown defence. Oldtown started to get going then trying to create but the Drumbar defence was up to the task. The deadlock was broken five minutes before the break when a Luke Nelis corner wasn’t dealt with and Micheal Doherty fired home. The second half began with Oldtown looking for that killer second goal with Drumbar defending well and looking dangerous on the break. The game was a real battle before Doherty added his second of the day from distance to kill off Drumbar’s chances of an equaliser. Referee: Liam Mc Laughlin
St. Catherines Reserves 2 v 3 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Erne Wanderers 2 v 1 Glenea United Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 6 v 1 Dunlewey Celtic
Kilmacrennan ran out comfortable winners at Letterkenny Community Centre and remain in the hunt for promotion. They took the lead on 15 minutes when Ciaran Conaghan fired home from 25 yards after good work by Ciaran Mc Cormack. Mc Cormack fired two quick goals in the 25th and 28th minutes and Kilmacrennan were well in control. On 50 minutes Dunlewey scored and Kilmacrennan responded with three goals in last 30 minutes. Mark Patterson scored on 60 minutes when he broke from half way and cooly chipped the keeper. On 72 minutes, he was left unmarked and calmly finished from 6 yards. On 90 minutes Patrick Fagan scored from the edge of the box to make it 6-1. Best for Kilmacrennan were Conor Cassidy, Mark Patterson and Steve Mc Daid. Referee: Declan Carlin.
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 1 v 3 Fintown Harps AFC
Fintown Harps claimed all three points after a convincing second half performance. Kevin Gallagher and Darren Mc Bride had the teams level at the break but the visitors pushed on in the second half. A Logan Quinn strike and an own-goal in quick succession secured the win for the visitors. The home kept battling to the end but failed to trouble the Fintown Harps keeper.
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 2 v 1 Cappry Rovers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Copany Rovers 2 v 4 Fanad United Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Cranford United Reserves 2 v 5 Drumkeen United Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Milford United Reserves P v P Bonagee United Reserves
(No Report, match Postponed)
Ballybofey United Reserves 3 v 2 Gweedore United Reserves
It was all Ballybofey in the first twenty minutes and they found themselves ahead after Darren Kelly’s 25-yard free kick found the top corner giving the Gweedore keeper no chance. Ballybofey had two good chances in quick succession to double their advantage, the first effort from James Sweeney bounced off the post, the second from Kieran Thompson almost lobbed the keeper from distance but his effort went just over the bar. Gweedore had a good chance to level it when the ball fell to their striker in the box but he blazed it over. Caolan Marley found himself one on one with the keeper but his effort was saved and came out to Evan Sproule who’s shot was superbly blocked on the line a Gweedore defender. Gweedore had a good chance from a corner at the start of the second half but their header went over the bar. Kieran Thompson then split open the Gweedore defence with a good through ball to Caolan Marley but his shot hit the post and went wide. Adam Dunnion then saw his effort from a corner cleared off the line by the Gweedore defender. Gweedore equalised after a great lob finish from their striker, giving Daniel Crawford no chance. Ballybofey responded well and regained the lead after Thompson had his effort saved by the keeper but it fell to Marley who tapped it into an empty net. Ballybofey got their third and final goal of the day after a great through ball from Cian Thompson to Michael Scully who squared it to Kieran Thompson who fired it home. Gweedore didn’t lay down and pulled one back with five minutes to go but Ballybofey held out to make it two wins from two after the Christmas break!
Sunday 9th February 2025
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Fanad United 4 v 2 Gweedore Celtic
Fanad United and Gweedore Celtic played out a highly entertaining game at Traigh-a-Loch on Sunday with Fanad eventually running out 4-2 winners. The opening stages were even enough and it was Fanad who opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Liam Mc Grenaghan advanced from left back and his cross fell to Eddie O’ Reilly who scored with an acrobatic overhead kick. The game was end to end and Gweedore got an equaliser in the 35th minute. Michael Mac Aodh showed good skill to evade his marker before feeding the ball to Darragh Mac Aodh who scored with a lovely curling effort from the edge of the box. The last chance of the half came in the 44th minute when an Eddie O’ Reilly free kick found Carlos O’ Reilly at the back post but his header was well saved by Gweedore keeper Michael Mc Kelvey. The second half started in a similar fashion with both sides playing some decent football. In the 50th minute a Darren Mc Elwaine cross found Eddie O’ Reilly who shot wide from 6 yards. Just before the hour mark Fanad took the lead. A Darren Mc Elwaine ball into the box eventually fell to Carlos O’ Reilly who scored with a left footed shot from the edge of the box. Gweedore were still well in the game and equalised in the 70th minute. Cian Mc Bride went on a good run down the left and his cross was met by Caolan Laux who scored with a neat finish. That goal seemed to spark Fanad back into life and they went ahead 5 minutes later. A corner from the right fell to James Gallagher who scored at the near post. 3 minutes later a Liam Mc Grenaghan free kick found Carlos O ‘Reilly 12 yards out and his header looked goal bound only for Michael Mc Kelvey to produce a brilliant save at full stretch. With 10 minutes to go Fanad got their 4th goal of the game. A cross from the left was touched on by Eoin Logue and the ball fell to Peter Carr who scored from close range. Gweedore were still dangerous on the break and Cian Mc Bride was unlucky to see his effort from 25 yards skim the top of the Fanad crossbar. The final chance of the game came in injury time for Fanad. Martin Mc Elhinney held the ball up and he touched the ball onto Keelin Mc Elwaine who’s shot produced another fine save from Michael Mc Kelvey. Referee: Alister Gourley
Keadue Rovers 2 v 0 Rathmullan Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Kildrum Tigers 3 v 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Swilly Rovers 0 v 5 Letterkenny Rovers
A BJ Banda hat-trick and goals from Nathan Bonner and Chris Malseed sealed a comfortable win for the Rovers of Letterkenny. Michael Kerr of Swilly had a fine effort saved by Mark Anthony Mc Ginley in the Letterkenny goal. They lead four nil at the break and although Swilly battled hard it was not to be. Banda’s strikes were real quality and the former Finn Harps man was a handful all day. Both teams had a few regulars missing but it was a keenly fought encounter for 25 minutes but the three quick goals killed it as a contest. Referee: Mick Langan. A good crowd in attendance for a good sporting encounter
Bonagee United 2 v 0 St. Catherines
Bonagee United returned to winning ways on Friday night as goals by Ricky Guntrip and Tom Mullen saw off St Catherine’s. After a last-gasp derby defeat to Letterkenny Rovers five days earlier, Packie Mailey’s Premier Division leaders got back on track again under the Dry Arch Park lights. The temperature gauge was rapidly falling even by the time Guntrip opened the scoring after seven minutes with Mullen adding a second on 22 minutes. St Catherine’s made the home support sweat for long periods, but Bonagee ‘keeper Andrew Nicholls and his rearguard managed to keep the sheet clean in spite of stern pressure from the Killybegs men in spells. The opener arrived when, after Dan O’Donnell made ground in the middle third, Mullen unselfishly squared for Guntrip in the penalty area. The youngster made no mistake, tucking home the breakthrough goal. Pacesetters Bonagee, who have games more played than their Premier Division rivals, were keen to atone for a 1-0 loss to Letterkenny Rovers the previous weekend and Mailey rang some changes to his starting XI. Guntrip was one of those to profit with an elevation from the bench and he wasted little time in repaying the manager’s faith. Bonagee could have added a second, but Padraig Byrne saved well from O’Donnell and Gavin Sweeney’s follow-up was off-target. Bonagee doubled the lead when Mullen fired home to the bottom corner from 20 yards after Jamie Lynagh’s dangerous cross wasn’t dealt with. On the stroke of half-time, Conor Doherty forced a super reaction save from Nicholls. St Catherine’s, warming to the task on a cold night, started part two how they had ended the first and Josh Cunningham saw a shot deflected wide for a corner. A stretching Ryan Carr was unable to keep a header on target before captain Ryan Cunningham riffled off the base of the post. Had they managed to breach the resistance by that stage, the closing chapter might’ve been rather interesting. Shay Maloney stemmed the flow when he thumped into the arms of St Catherine’s ‘keeper Byrne and, down the other end, Nicholls saved from Ryan Cunningham at the second attempt. Aidan McLaughlin and Mullen shot wide as Bonagee went looking for a third.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Ballybofey United 1 v 0 Castlefin Celtic
It was a tight affair between the two sides in the first half with very few chances being created. Oran Gallen had the first half-chance of the game after he turned his man well in the box but his effort was blocked by a Castlefin defender. Not long after that Corrie Lee Bogan came close for Castlefin with a long-range effort. Karlos Reuka then played a good ball through to Daithi Mc Mahon but his shot was well saved by the Castlefin keeper. Castlefin had the best chance of the half and nearly took the lead after Rabeh Hamdi found himself through on goal but a superb save from Christopher Patton kept the sides level. Castlefin had another great chance to take the lead after a mix-up in the Ballybofey defence led to Thomas Devlin lobbing the ball over the keeper but a brilliant goal line clearance by substitute Adam Mc Cullagh denied him. Damien Glackin chipped a good ball through to Barrie Mc Ghee who’s effort forced a good save from Mark Gordon in the Castlefin goals. Damien again played a lovely ball over the defence to Oran Gallen who was taken out by the keeper inside the box and up stepped Daithi Mc Mahon who made no mistake from the penalty spot to put Ballybofey ahead. Castlefin piled on the pressure for the last half hour but failed to break down the impressive Ballybofey backline.
Cappry Rovers 1 v 1 Glenea United
Glenea started the better and pressed for an early goal. They took the lead in the 7th minute when Luke Mc Carry scored from distance. Cappry responded well and got level with a good team goal which Jack Burke Mc Bride finished well. The rest of the half was an even affair with no real chances being created. The second half was much the same with teams cancelling each other out. Cappry had a chance when Daniel Marley got in but his effort went wide. Glenea had a late penalty claim turned down.
Cranford United P v P Gweedore United
(No Report Submitted)
Donegal Town 4 v 1 Milford United
Donegal Town bounced back from last weekend’s defeat with a fine victory over Milford. Town took the lead in the first half from Declan Duignan but were pegged back with a strike from Darren Mc Laughlin. Town had much the better of the second half and goals from Aidan Mc Hugh, another from Duignan and Joe Leape wrapped up the match for Town.
Lifford Celtic 1 v 6 Lagan Harps
Lagan started brightly and hit the crossbar after just 2 minutes. Lifford settle well battling hard however Lagan scored first before adding a second minutes later. Aaron Porter and Sean Ferry had half chances before the break for Lifford but couldn’t convert them. HT 0-2. Second half began as the first half did with the visitors on the front foot and they grabbed their third after some sloppy defending from Lifford. Lagan added another three goals before Shay Lindsay scored a great header for Lifford before the end.
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Convoy Arsenal 3 v 0 Drumkeen United
(No Report Submitted)
Curragh Athletic 0 v 10 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
(No Report Submitted)
Deele Harps 0 v 1 Whitestrand United
On a fine day for football, Deele welcomed Whitestrand to Marty Duffy Park. The away side settled best and dominated the early possession, but David Arthur saved the only meaningful chance of the first half. The second half was another tight affair with defences on top. David Arthur made a couple of smart saves from Michael Sweeney before Jordy Duffy went close striking a post from an acute angle. As Deele pushed for a winner they were caught on the break on 80 minutes, a right-wing cross was bundled home from close range. Deele created a few half chances late on but Whitestrand held on for the three points. Team performances. Referee: Seamie Ferry.
Drumoghill F.C. 1 v 3 Letterbarrow Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Raphoe Town 4 v 1 Dunkineely Celtic
Raphoe started brightly controlling the game and got rewarded in the 15th minute when Mathew Mc Cann latched onto a rebound from a Joel Cullen shot to tap home from close range. Two minutes later, after winning the ball inside the box, Oisin Kelly laid it back for Bobby O’ Loughlin to chip the defender and keeper to make it 2-0. Dunkineely fought back and when a long throw caused a mix-up in the Raphoe defence, Nesbitt was there to back heel it into the net. Raphoe struck again just before half-time when Daniel Moore took a quick free-kick to Oisin Kelly and his pass through the channel set Bobby O’ Loughlin up to slot past the advancing goalkeeper making it 3-1 at the break. Both teams huffed and puffed in the second half and the only goal came in the 85th minute from a free-kick when Bobby completed his hat-trick with a superb strike into the top corner that no keeper could stop.