Here are all of the results and reports from this week’s Donegal League fixtures.
Friday 14th March 2025
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 2 v 9 Letterkenny Rovers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Fanad United 2 v 1 Swilly Rovers
Fanad United welcomed old rivals Swilly Rovers to Traigh-a-Loch on Friday night and recorded a 2-1 victory. If it wasn’t for an inspired performance from Swilly keeper Barry Gallagher they could have won by a greater margin. Played in ideal conditions it was Fanad who opened the scoring after 5 minutes. A through ball from Oisin Langan found Eddie O’Reilly in the box and he rounded the keeper to score. The lead lasted 10 minutes as Swilly got an equaliser. A ball down the middle found Ian Ward who showed good composure to go past the Fanad defence and score. Two minutes later a Liam Mc Grenaghan free kick was flicked on to Eddie O’Reilly who’s shot looked goal bound only for Swilly keeper Barry Gallagher to produce a superb save. On the half hour mark, Liam Mc Grenaghan let fly from distance but his shot was deflected just over the bar. Fanad continued to push and in the 35th minute a Keelin Mc Elwaine cross found Eddie O’Reilly 6 yards out but his header produced another fine save from Barry Gallagher. A few minutes later Eoin Logue was unlucky to see his shot from the edge of the box skim the top of the bar. With 5 minutes gone in the second half, Fanad scored what turned out to be the winning goal. A Liam Mc Grenaghan cross to the back post was headed back by Paddy Carr to Eddie O’Reilly who fired home from 6 yards. The Fanad pressure continued and in the 65th minute a Daibhid Lynch cross found Eddie O’Reilly who was denied by a superb point blank save from Barry Gallagher. Swilly kept going and created a few half chances but none of them worried Fanad keeper Darran Nash. The last chance of the game fell to Paddy Carr but his well hit shot from 12 yards was palmed away yet again by Barry Gallagher. Referee: Alister Gourley
Saturday 15th March 2025
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Keadue Rovers Reserves 2 v 0 St. Catherines Reserves
Keadue’s development team had their first win in several months with this hard-fought win over St. Catherine’s in ideal conditions at Central Park. Keadue made the brighter start with a cross in the fourth minute being met by Martin Ferry, whose header hit off the post. Keadue had another chance on eight minutes when Chris Greene’s header went wide. On ten minutes St. Catherine’s Josh Cunningham had an effort easily saved by the Keadue keeper. The same player had another effort for the visitors on fourteen minutes but blazed over. Chris Greene was showing well for Keadue up front in the opening minutes and should’ve given Keadue the lead on twenty minutes when through but struck it straight at the keeper. St. Catherine’s came more into the game by the half hour mark. The second half started at a good pace, both sides eager to get the win. The visitor’s first opening was called offside, while for Keadue, Michael Greene was proving a good outlet on the left wing. Greene shot over on sixty minutes and for all the Keadue possession, St. Catherine’s were defending well and hitting with pace on the break through Josh Cunningham. They had the first really-good chance of the second half when, from a corner, the ball struck the post. As the half went on it looked like a goalless outcome but one goal was likely to decide it and as the game went into its final fifteen minutes it was Keadue who got the opener. From an Odhran Gallagher free kick, which was well placed at the far post, Martin Ferry stole in to head in. St. Catherine’s were still proving dangerous up front and the Keadue rearguard had to be alert to nip out any attacking forays. Keadue did break away well for the 2nd goal near the end to settle the tie. David Mac Shane made a fine run up the right-hand side and delivered a ball to Oran Fallon who took on the defender and rattled it home to the roof of the net three minutes from the end to give Keadue some much needed points in their battle for survival. Overall, the game was even enough and looked like a point apiece before Keadue’s late strikes gave them the 3 points. Best for St. Catherine’s were Josh Cunningham, Jack Elliott and Niall Boyle while best for Keadue were Martin Ferry, Odhran Boyle and Michael Greene. Referee: George Clinton.
Oldtown Celtic 3 v 0 Arranmore United
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 2 v 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Gweedore Celtic snatched all the points in this closely fought encounter with a goal in the eighty fifth minute. Very little separated the teams even though Na Ceiltigh hit the front as early as the tenth minute when Caolan Laux’s corner was headed to the net by Alan Doherty. Kilmacrennan did have their own chances to level matters before half time. Fegan and Mc Daid had good efforts saved by Joe Mc Gee whilst Darragh Mc Gee had a chance to extend the home team’s lead but Kilmacrennan goalkeeper Mallon saved to keep his team in the game. The second half saw Gweedore having two chances for Darragh Mc Gee and Joey Gillespie but they both failed to score. Kilmacrennan equalised from a Terence Shiels free kick and with twenty minutes remaining it was anyone’s game. With a draw looking imminent, Darragh Mc Gee struck for the winner, scoring from close range after good work from substitute Noa Freel. Browne and Shiels were best for Kilmacrennan, brothers Darragh and Micheal Mc Gee for Na Ceiltigh. Referee: Seimi Ferry
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Bonagee United Reserves 3 v 2 Ballybofey United Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Drumkeen United Reserves 3 v 3 Gweedore United Reserves
Gweedore United were the visitors to St Patrick’s Park on Saturday afternoon for the latest game in the Saturday League Finn Travel Division Three. Drumkeen dominated the early stages of the game but found themselves a goal behind as Oran Ferry put the visitors ahead just before the half hour mark. There were to be no more goals in the first half. Drumkeen went to the dressing rooms a goal behind at the break but they had a few goal chances and felt they should have been ahead. Drumkeen started the second half well and got back on level terms on the hour mark as Eoghan Kennedy set up Sean Collum for the equaliser. Gweedore however had not gone away and James Morahan had them back in front about 5 minutes later. The game was getting lively now as Emmet O’Boyle’s cross from the left wing was well finished by Sean Collum to get Drumkeen back on level terms. Drumkeen then got in front for the first time as Ryan James set up Lee Guthrie for his weekly goal. With about twenty minutes still to go Drumkeen now seemed to be in control of the game but Gweedore kept battling away and with ten minutes left got back on level terms. The visitors were awarded a penalty which was well dispatched by Francis Gallagher to leave things all-square again. That was the way it stayed for the remaining 13 minutes and both teams had to be content with a shared of the spoils. This was and entertaining enough game played in a good sporting manner at a cold but dry St Patrick’s. Referee: Rory O’Gorman.
Milford United Reserves 1 v 2 Lagan Harps Reserves
Lagan went away from Milford victorious with a 2-1 win. Lagan took the lead in the 17th minute, a through ball from Jack Duncan fed Drew Dodds. They made it 2-0 just before half time. Lagan could have had a few more goals in the first half only to be denied on multiple occasions by the woodwork. Milford had no answer for Lagan in the first half but found another gear in the second half. Declan Jordan saved Milford on a few occasions with excellent saves. Shay Gibbons finished well to get a consolation goal late in the second half. Best for Milford on the day were Shay Gibbons and Declan Jordan.
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Raphoe Town 3 v 4 Deele Harps
Scoring started early when Deele broke through the Raphoe defence after just 3 minutes to take an early lead with Conor Catterson making it 0-1. Raphoe settled after that and grew into the game and got rewarded when a Joel Cullen pass down the wing sent Oran Kelly through on goal but selfishly he squared the ball to Bobby O’Loughlin for a tap in, 1-1.
Deele responded quickly when Jordan Duffy beat the defence to slot past the advancing goalkeeper Stephen Conaghan, 1-2. With Duffy causing the defence lots of problems he squared the ball for Shane Mc Croary to finish from close range, 1-3 after 30 minutes. Raphoe steadied the ship again and just before half-time a quick one-two between Oisin Kelly and Bobby O’Loughlin allowed Kelly to shoot past the keeper to make it 2-3 at the break. Raphoe came out all guns blazing in the second half and when Max Mc Bride’s long clearance found Oisin Kelly he rounded the keeper and scored his second of the day it was game on at 3-3. The game was on a knife edge and the momentum was with Raphoe, creating chance after chance, but Deele’s experience weathered the storm and 10 minutes from the end Declan Lafferty’s shot from inside the box made it 3-4. Raphoe’s young guns kept it going right to end and could not get the equaliser they deserved but it was a good performance to finish off the season.
Sunday 9th March 2025
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic 1 v 6 Letterkenny Rovers
Letterkenny ran out comfortable winners at community centre against under strength Kilmacrennan side. They took lead on 40 minutes when Nathan Plumb rose highest to head home from a BJ Banda cross. Lee Mc Monagle found top corner on 60 minutes from inside the box after a defensive error. Caolan Curran got Kilmacrennan’s goal on 62 minutes when he calmly finished after Matty Mc Laughlin’s shot was parried out by the Letterkenny keeper. On 70 minutes Banda got on the scoresheet when he calmly rounded the keeper and slotted home. Lee Mc Monagle missed a penalty on 75 minutes as the Kilmacrennan keeper saved well. Banda got his 2nd on 78 minutes and Nathan Plumb finished well on 85 minutes when he was left unmarked inside 6-yard box. Banda completed his hat-trick on 88 minutes. Best for Rovers were BJ Banda and Chris Malseed. Caolan Curran was Kilmacrennan’s best player. Referee: Michael Connolly
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Castlefin Celtic 4 v 0 Cranford United
Castlefin cruised to a comfortable victory over Cranford. The home side took the lead through Jude Patton after a Daithi Gordon cross. The second half continued in the same fashion. Patton completed his hat-trick and Dean Kelly finished off the scoring.
Lifford Celtic 1 v 3 Gweedore United
Lifford took on Gweedore United at the Greenbrae. Gweedore opened the scoring 3 minutes in with Lifford pulling back an equaliser 18 minutes later through Aaron Porter. Half time seen the sides remain level. Both teams battled hard in the 2nd half but Gweedore took their opportunity in the 77th minute to go 2-1 up and increased their lead in the 85th minute.
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Drumkeen United 0 v 1 Drumoghill F.C.
Drumoghill were the visitors to St Patrick’s Park on Sunday afternoon for this Donegal Physiotherapy Division Two match. The home team’s season has fizzled out in recent weeks but Drumoghill still had something to play for as they arrived in Drumkeen looking for a win to keep alive their hopes of securing third place in the Division and the play-off spot.
The first half was uneventful with neither Goalkeeper unduly troubled. Freddie did have a chance for Drumkeen while at the other end Drumoghill may feel that they should have been awarded a penalty. Drumoghill started the second half on the attack and soon got themselves a corner. Richie Moore’s corner was headed home at the far post by Karol Mc Ginley to give Drumoghill the lead. No doubt Richie will be claiming an assist for that one against his old Club. Apart from the goal there was very little between these teams throughout the game with very little created by either side in terms of clear cut chances. Drumkeen were defending well with Mickey Black and the rest of the defence keeping Drumoghill at bay but they couldn’t seem to get their attacking game going and never really created any good chances for Freddie up front. In the last 20 minutes Drumkeen did go a bit more direct as Goalkeeper Luke Russell tried a few long balls which did put Drumoghill under a bit of pressure. The long ball pressure did result in a few corners and a few goal mouth situations but sadly for the home team they couldn’t manage an equaliser. Drumoghill hung on for the win and the 3 points they needed. Both teams tried hard throughout and the game was played on a Good Competitive sporting manner. Referee: Seamus Ferry.
Letterbarrow Celtic 1 v 0 Convoy Arsenal
(No Report Submitted)
Ulster Junior Shield
Carndonagh F.C. 0 v 2 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
(No Report Available)
