Here are all of the results and match reports from another busy week of Donegal League football.
Thursday 20th March 2025
Brian Mc Cormick Premier Division
Letterkenny Rovers 3 v 1 St. Catherine’s
Letterkenny Rovers continued their strong league campaign with a 3-1 victory over St. Catherine’s at Leckview Park. The opening five minutes saw both sides settling into the game with St. Catherine’s having the first half-chance when Conor Doherty delivered a dangerous ball into the box but Dean Mc Carry did well to clear. Rovers broke the deadlock in the 9th minute when a long ball found Adrian Delap who worked his way down the right before delivering into the box where BJ Banda arrived to direct into the net for the opener. The home side pushed for a second, with Chris Malseed and Nathan Plumb both having chances, but St. Catherine’s remained a threat with Josh Cunningham flicking a free kick on target just before the break though Mark Anthony Mc Ginley gathered comfortably. St. Catherine’s started the second half with intent as Doherty fired a dipping shot just over the bar in the 53rd minute. However, Rovers responded well, with Ryan Lonergan and Delap linking up down the right wing to create chances, but they struggled to convert. Rovers eventually doubled their lead in the 67th minute when Nathan Plumb set up Gareth Doherty who fired a shot from outside the box which took a deflection along the way and found the corner of the net to make it 2-0. The hosts sealed the win in the 84th minute as Banda’s pace saw him break free of the defence before blasting past the keeper Daniel Mullarkey to put Rovers 3-0 up. St. Catherine’s grabbed a late consolation goal in the 90th minute as Dillon Doherty found the net from outside the box but it wasn’t enough to trouble the hosts, who secured a valuable three points. Referee: Marty Mc Garrigle
Friday 21st March 2025
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Erne Wanderers 13 v 0 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
Erne secured back to back promotions after a resounding win against Drumoghill at the lakeside Friday night. Adam Mc Glone scored with a shot from 20 yards out after 5 minutes. He added another two before half time whilst Damien Weber and Declan Roper scored one each. Dylan Gallagher also got a hat-trick in the first half to leave the score 8-0 at halftime.
Adam Mc Glone scored his fourth 30 seconds into the second half and then Mardy Mc Garrigle scored a peach of a goal from 25 yards out. Drumoghill to their credit never stopped but were caught on a counter-attack when Damo played John Roper in and he finished well to leave it 11-0 with 20 minutes left. Dylan then scored the goal of the game when he lobbed the keeper from 40 yards out from a direct free kick. Damo finished off the scoring to leave the final score 13-0. The win sees Erne back top of the table and promoted back to the top tier for next season.
Saturday 22nd March 2025
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Donegal Town Reserves 2 v 1 Strand Rovers
The Town got back to winning ways and secured the three points with a hard fought 2-1 win over Strand Rovers at the Hospital Field. Strand started the better team and took an early lead with a strike from the edge of the box. Strand were the better team for most of the first half before the home side stepped it up for the last 10 of the opening 45. Both teams had a couple of decent chances to add to the scoreline but it was 0-1 at the break. Town started the 2nd half much improved and put on the pressure early. After a couple of half-chances Ryan Mahon levelled for the Town when his strike from the edge of the box rolled into the corner of the net. Fresh legs from the bench helped the Town to push on and with 8 minutes left on the clock Dermot Slevin popped up with a nice finish into the corner to take all three points. Best for Donegal Town were Ryan Mahon, David Lagan and Dermot Slevin. Great team effort from Strand who will feel unlucky not to go away with something.
Keadue Rovers Reserves 2 v 0 Glencar Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Ramelton Mariners 0 v 3 Drumbar United F.C.
The Mariners welcomed Drumbar to Rathmullan and after a good first half, with both teams battling to get the opener, the opener came through Drumbar. Drumbar added two more to secure the victory.
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Glenea United Reserves 3 v 2 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
In a game reversed to Castlefin, it gave the now hosts no advantage with Glenea coming out on top. Goals from Chris Barrett and Sean Doogan either side of a Lee Kennedy strike. Doogan added to his tally in the second half the extend the visitors lead. Ronan Tourish reduced the deficit but it was too late to put any pressure on the visitors.
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Ballybofey United Reserves A v A Bonagee United Reserves
(No Report, Match Abandoned)
Drumkeen United Reserves 0 v 4 Fanad United Reserves
Drumkeen welcomed Fanad to a cold and damp St. Patrick’s Park on Saturday afternoon. When these teams met earlier in the season it was a close affair which ended in a draw. Unfortunately for the home team it was a different story this time as the visitors ran out convincing winners to clinch the Finn Travel Saturday Division Three League Title.
Drumkeen got off to a bad start in this game as Charlie Mc Ateer put the visitors ahead after two minutes. An own goal and further goals from Charlie Mc Ateer and Darragh O’ Doherty had the visitors four goals ahead at the break. Drumkeen regrouped at the break and did a lot better in the second half. Although they couldn’t manage a goal they did defend well and prevented Fanad from scoring again. Fanad nearly had a fifth goal when young Toland lobbed the advancing Drumkeen keeper Ben Gallagher but the ball hit the crossbar and was cleared to safety. Fair play to Drumkeen who kept battling away despite the scoreline.
Although Fanad scored four goals it would have been worse for the home team were it not for three Great saves from the afore mentioned Keeper Ben Gallagher. Referee George Clinton blew the final whistle much to the delight of the visitors who were about to celebrate a League Title win. Congratulations to Fanad and well done to both teams for a good Sporting match played in Difficult conditions.
Milford United Reserves 2 v 4 Copany Rovers
Milford opened the scoring after 20 minutes of good football when Adam Campbell played a great ball to the back post where Corey Mc Conigley slotted home from close range.
Copany found another gear 10 minutes later and got their equaliser. Copany finished out the first half with the best of the play and carried that into the second half after an error at the back saw Milford concede an own goal. Copany kept the pressure on and extended their league to 3-1 20 minutes into the second half. Milford got their second after an excellent ball played into the back post from Niall Murray was met by Joey Cullen. Copany proved too much to deal with for Milford and finished out the game with a 4-2 win. Best for Milford were Adam Campbell and Corey Mc Conigley.
Ulster Junior League
Kildrum Tigers Reserves 0 v 2 Quigleys Point Swifts
(No Report Submitted)
Letterkenny Rovers Reserves 3 v 1 Sea Rovers
Letterkenny Rovers booked their place in the Ulster Junior Shield Final with a solid 3-1 victory over Sea Rovers in a competitive clash at Leckview Astro. Rovers got off to a dream start, scoring in the opening minute. Conor O’ Donnell played a clever flick over the defence and Jordan Nugent was quickest to react, sliding in to guide the ball into the net. The hosts continued their attacking pressure with James Barlow Gallagher heading into the keeper’s hands from a long throw after five minutes while O’Donnell sent a teasing cross to Oran Winston in the ninth minute but he was unable to connect cleanly. At the other end, Sea Rovers almost equalised in the 13th minute when a long free kick into the box caused problems. Rovers’ keeper Josh spilled the ball under pressure but Gallagher made a crucial block to deny a certain goal. Letterkenny doubled their lead in stunning fashion in the 19th minute. With space, 40 yards out, Oran Winston unleashed a powerful strike that flew into the top left corner leaving the keeper with no chance. The home side continued to dominate, with Keelan Dunleavy and James Gallagher both going close, while Artem Tymosch was a constant threat on the right wing, setting up O’Donnell, who fired just over from close range in the 40th minute. Half-Time: Letterkenny Rovers 2-0 Sea Rovers. Sea Rovers started the second half brightly and pulled a goal back in the 48th minute through their Conor Mc Gettigan capitalised on a mix-up in the Letterkenny defence. Despite conceding, Rovers regained control and created several chances with O’Donnell narrowly missing the target and Gallagher heading just over from a corner. Sea Rovers pushed forward in search of an equaliser but their long-range efforts failed to trouble the Rovers’ goal. As Sea Rovers committed numbers forward, Letterkenny struck on the counter in the 90th minute to seal the victory. Adam Murphy played a well-timed pass through to Volodymyr Kevalchuk, who unselfishly squared it to Ben O’ Donnell, allowing him to finish from close range and secure Rovers’ place in the Ulster Shield Final. Full-Time: Letterkenny Rovers 3-1 Sea Rovers. Letterkenny Rovers now advance to the Ulster Junior Shield Final.
Sunday 23rd March 2025
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Bonagee United 1 v 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Keadue Rovers 1 v 1 Fanad United
(No Report Submitted)
Kildrum Tigers 3 v 2 Gweedore Celtic
Kildrum broke the deadlock after 20 minutes when James Mc Nulty headed home from a Luke Toland corner. Gweedore equalised immediately after a mix-up in the Tigers’ defence. Kildrum missed a penalty on 60 minutes and not long after Gweedore took the lead with a well worked attack down the right-hand side. Kildrum equalised with 8 minutes to go when William Lynch headed home a Tiernan Brown free kick. Kildrum then got the winner when a Tiernan Brown corner evaded everyone and nestled in the bottom corner. Good battling performances from both teams.
Swilly Rovers P v P Rathmullan Celtic
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Ballybofey United 0 v 0 Glenea United
(No Report Submitted)
Cranford United 3 v 3 Gweedore United
(No Report Submitted)
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Convoy Arsenal 3 v 0 Dunkineely Celtic
(No Report, Match Unplayed)
Curragh Athletic 0 v 2 Whitestrand United
It was a game with an end of season feel for the Curragh but Whitestrand still had a lot to play for. The game started with Whitestrand creating some good chances and took the lead from a corner with Michael Sweeney sneaking in at the back post on 8 minutes. Curragh defended really-well and went in at half time 0-1. Curragh started the second half on the front foot with Bob Mc Shane stinging the hands of Whitestrand keeper. Michael Sweeney was on hand again when he was fouled in the box, he stepped up but put his penalty wide. With Curragh pushing for an equaliser they were caught again by Sweeney who beat two defenders to slot home for 0-2. The game finished with Whitestrand still in the hunt for promotion, best of luck to them. Referee: George Clinton
Drumoghill F.C. 1 v 5 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Kerrykeel clinched promotion by taking home all three points from this crucial game at The Moss, to not only keep alive their title hopes, but all but end Drumoghill’s fading promotion hopes. Kerrykeel deserved their win but the scoreline was harsh on the reds with late goals from the visitors putting an unbalanced look on the scoreboard. Both sides knew only a win would suffice, but it was the visitors who started the more determined and raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 20 minutes thanks to a brace from Bernard Mc Gettigan. Kerrykeel were dominant, with Kevin Loughery particularly impressive during the opening half. Drumoghill struggled to contain their dominance as they looked to kill the game as early as possible. However, the home side didn’t give up and managed to reduce the arrears shortly before half time when a brilliant Gareth Hamilton strike gave Shaun Friel no chance to set up the second half. Drumoghill re-grouped at the break and began the second half with much more control. Karlos Rodgers was far more prominent in midfield and Dylan Mc Elhinney began to step out from the back to set up attacks. Friel saved well from Liam O’ Donnell and Eunan Kelly as Drumoghill looked to level the scores and the next goal was crucial. The visitors were hanging on but Shaun Kerr and Brandon Mc Clafferty were outstanding in defence as they were battling to hang onto their slender advantage. The visitors were now reliant on counter-attacks and it was from one such move that they grabbed a vital 3rd goal. Michael Mc Devitt and Calum Mc Ateer raced away to set up Patrick Friel and his ricochet effort somehow spun over a couple of to end up in the back of the net. The relief was palpable, the visitors knew the significance of the goal. Drumoghill didn’t give up but remained vulnerable to the counter and further strikes from Jonathan Friel (87) and James Kerr (88) saw them run out comfortable winners. Congratulations to Kerrykeel on winning promotion.
