Here are all of the results and match reports from this week’s Donegal League fixtures.
Wednesday 23rd April 2025
Brian Mc Cormick Premier Division
Fanad United 7 v 0 Rathmullan Celtic
Fanad United welcomed Rathmullan Celtic to Traigh-a-Loch on Wednesday evening and ran out comfortable 7-0 winners. Fanad started on the front foot and the first chance of note came in the 15th minute when Eddie O’Reilly broke through on goal, his initial effort forced Rathmullan keeper Killian Hagan into a fine save and his follow up produced an excellent block from Mehdi Benezzaoui. Fanad then took the lead on the half hour mark. Eddie O’Reilly held the ball up and played Keelin Mc Elwaine through to produce a fine finish. Ten minutes later Keelin Mc Elwaine scored his second after Eoin Logue set him up. On the stroke of half time, Adam Carr sent an excellent cross into the box but Eddie O’Reilly headed over from 6 yards. Five minutes into the second half Keelin Mc Elwaine had a chance to score his third of the game however he was denied by Killian Hagan who made an excellent save. Fanad made the game safe with three goals in the space of five minutes between the 60th and 65th minutes. Firstly, Eddie O’Reilly rose highest at the back post to head home a Charlie Mc Ateer cross. In very similar circumstances Eddie O’Reilly got his second three minutes later when he headed home a Keelin Mc Elwaine cross. O’Reilly was involved again for Fanad’s 5th goal when he played Adam Carr through on goal and he rounded the keeper to score. On 75 minutes Fanad scored their 6th when the ball fell to Adam Carr 10 yards out and he fired home. With the last kick of the match, Eddie O’Reilly completed his hat-trick when he thumped home a free kick from 25 yards. Referee: Liam Mc Laughlin
Friday 25th April 2025
Brian Mc Cormick Premier Division
Keadue Rovers 0 v 3 Bonagee United
(No Report Submitted)
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Erne Wanderers reserves 1 v 4 Letterkenny Rovers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 6 v 0 Glenea United Reserves
Our Saturday team rounded off their league fixtures with an emphatic home win at the Letterkenny Community Centre. The result sees the lads finish 3rd and guarantees a play-off against opponents yet to be decided but a solid season for everyone involved with several of our U16/youth players playing senior football for the first time. Danny Sandilands put us ahead after 17 minutes and on the half hour Tom Dockery made it two, the young Kildare man has been a great addition to this year’s squad and got the goal his recent performances have deserved. Just before halftime veteran defender James Doherty made it three to send the home team in with a strong advantage. The 2nd half saw Kilmacrennan add three more unanswered goals, substitute Mark Patterson scoring in both the 72nd and 85th minutes respectively before 17-year-old Harry Shields scored his first senior goal for Kilmacrennan in the dying minutes to complete the scoring. A proud moment no doubt for the young man who has risen through the academy system here at the club from the age of 6, a long way to go to catch his dad DB in the goalscoring stakes but well done Harry and all the Kilmacrennan team. Referee: Vincent Mc Laughlin
Saturday 26th April 2025
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Donegal Town Reserves 6 v 2 Swilly Rovers Reserves
Donegal Town ran out 6-2 winners against Swilly on a beautiful day down at the Hospital Field. Town took a while to get on the score sheet but four goals came in quick succession mid-way through the first half. Two Ben Sweeney strikes, an Own-Goal and the pick of the goals from Benny Byrne killed the match as a contest. A fine reply on the stroke of half time reduced arrears. Two late strikes from Aidan Walsh made the final score line 6-2. Ben Sweeney, Kiernan Deegan and Mark Jordan the pick of Towns’ performers.
Glencar Celtic 0 v 3 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
(No Report)
Keadue Rovers Reserves 0 v 1 Oldtown Celtic
Oldtown Celtic claimed the Donegal League Saturday Division One title at Central Park on Saturday in a tight tussle that was in doubt up until the final whistle. On a good day for football, the away side had the benefit of the breeze in the opening half but had to work very hard against a determined Keadue side who needed a result. It was a feisty opening to the game with tackles hard from both sides and the referee had to be sharp, which he was. Twenty minutes in, Oldtown went ahead with the first real chance of the game, when a ball played down the left flank and John Mc Fadden nipped in at the end line and clipped in a cross over the keeper which went to the back of the net before the backpedalling Paddy Bonner could get a touch to it. Keadue were under pressure as Oldtown got on top but on thirty-four minutes broke out and Peter Mc Gee was one on one with the Oldtown keeper but the keeper won the battle. The game remained fairly scrappy up until half time and the away side went in a goal up. In the first five minutes of the second half, Oldtown stepped it up again and created a few half chances but the Keadue rearguard kept them at bay. A few subs by the home side created more energy and both Chris Breen and Aaron Brennan were good outlets. The home side forced more possession and territory as the half went on but couldn’t make any real impact on the Oldtown goals. On sixty-five minutes, Keadue thought they had a penalty when Peter Mc Gee looked to have been taken down but the referee waved away the appeals. John Mc Fadden and Luke Nelis were proving strong for the visitors with their experience and they came close to getting a second on a few occasions. The home side piled on the pressure, winning lots of set pieces, well delivered by both Adam Mc Caffrey and Matthew Comiskey. They came close in the last ten minutes when midfielder Paddy Bonner got on the end of a cross but his header was cleared off the line. Further chances fell to both Peter Mc Gee and Matthew Smith but despite a brave second half performance, which on another day would’ve got a draw, it was Oldtown’s day and they saw out the remaining minutes to claim the title. Best for Oldtown were John Mc Fadden, Luke Nelis and Zak Breen while best for Keadue were Adam Mc Caffrey, Paddy Bonner and Matthew Comiskey. Referee: Sean Ferry.
Strand Rovers 0 v 3 Drumbar F.C.
First half was played out with no goals for either side, meaning it was all to play for in the second half. Not even one minute had gone in the second half when Josh Mc Crea got the opener for the travelling team as he chipped the ball over the keeper. Ten minutes later they got their second goal as Vincent Breslin hit the back of the net. Strand had a stinker of a game for the rest of the half with not one but two missed penalties. The final nail in the coffin came in the 72nd minute when a shot from Paul Lagan found the net to secure the three points for the Drumbar side.
Arranmore United 0 v 5 St. Catherines Reserves
This was a game that was played in perfect conditions as Arranmore welcomed St Catherines to a sun-kissed Rannagh Park. It was a five-star performance from a strong away side with 4 goals coming from senior player Josh Cunningham and an early goal from Conor O’Rourke. Catherines opened the scoring after 10 minutes when a free kick from O’Rourke was deflected into the net. They doubled their lead 10 minutes later when Cunningham finished well high into the net following a through ball from midfield. The visitors got their 3rd goal from a corner which met Cunningham’s head and he found the bottom corner. St Catherines completed their rout in the last 10 minutes of the 2nd half following two short range efforts from Josh Cunningham. Niall Boyle of St Catherines was man of the match.
Referee: Patrick Mc Cauley
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Dunlewey Celtic 3 v 0 Cappry Rovers Reserves
(No Report, Match Not Played)
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 2 v 5 Fintown Harps AFC
(No Report Submitted)
Sunday 27th April 2025
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Gweedore Celtic 4 v 0 Rathmullan Celtic
Gweedore Celtic wrapped up their league campaign with a 4-0 victory over Rathmullan Celtic at a blustery An Screabán. Gweedore started brightly and nearly took the lead inside the opening ten minutes when Darragh Mac Aoidh’s strike was well saved by Killian Hagan in the Rathmullan goal. The first half was largely uneventful, though debutant Frainc Mac Grianna was called into action to make a crucial save just before the break, keeping the scoreline level at halftime. The second half mirrored the early stages of the first, with Gweedore showing greater urgency and attacking purpose. Their breakthrough came shortly after the restart, following sharp play down the left involving Conor Duggan and Jamie Doherty. Doherty’s cross-field ball picked out Cronan Mc Fadden at the back post who squared for Darragh Mac Aoidh to finish. Gweedore doubled their lead on 58 minutes. A driving run from Duggan, followed by an intricate one-two with Stephen Mc Fadden saw Duggan slot home with composure. The third came soon after when Rathmullan’s centre back was penalised for handball on the edge of the box. Darragh Mac Aoidh stepped up and converted the resulting penalty. The hosts added a fourth through Ciarán Mc Hugh on 74 minutes. A Rathmullan attack broke down and Fiachra Coyle launched a quick counter finding Mc Hugh in space. The central midfielder finished smartly with his left foot to seal the result. With the points secured, both managers rang the changes in the final 20 minutes. Fiachra Coyle, Caolán Laux, and Jamie Doherty impressed for the hosts. Kevin Doran and Eoin Sheridan were standouts for the Seasiders despite the defeat. Referee: Vincent McLaughlin
Ulster Junior Cup Final
Letterkenny Rovers 1 v 0 Kildrum Tigers
Letterkenny Rovers added to the silverware, lifting the Ulster Junior Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kildrum Tigers at Ballyare on a blustery afternoon. After two tightly contested draws between the sides earlier in the season, a close encounter was expected and delivered, with little to separate the teams throughout a fiercely physical battle. Kildrum had the advantage of the wind in the first half and peppered the Rovers’ box with long balls, forcing Mark Anthony Mc Ginley into a couple of important saves. Luke Toland came closest for Kildrum, firing narrowly wide, while Rovers’ best first-half chance saw BJ Banda break clear only to shoot into the side netting from a tight angle. The second half opened up, and it was Rovers who found the breakthrough. In the 51st minute, Banda once again showed his quality, cutting inside from the right before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the top left corner, giving Kildrum keeper Michael Lynch no chance. Rovers almost doubled their lead moments later when Banda rose highest at the back post to meet a Joel Gorman free kick, but his header went just wide. Kildrum pushed hard for an equalise, and Jonathan Robb forced a sharp save from Mc Ginley with a volley from close range. However, their task became even harder as they were reduced to 10 men late on, despite a few nervous moments, Rovers’ defence, marshalled superbly by Dean Mc Carry and Keith Cowan, held firm. The final whistle sparked scenes of celebration among the Rovers’ players and supporters as they now add the Ulster Junior Cup to their Premier Division title.
