THE Donegal Junior Leagues were back in action following the Christmas break this weekend with a full programme of matches down for decision.
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Glenea United 1 Drumoghill F.C. 1
Glenea got their league programme back underway with a hard fought draw with Drumoghill. With both sides battling at the top of the table it was a close tense encounter.
Drumoghill playing with the wind started the stronger and had the home defence under pressure but were finding it hard to create any clear cut chances.
As the half progressed Glenea came more into the game but were also finding it hard to create any chances. Drumoghill opened the scoring on 42 minutes when a corner found Robbie Moore on the edge of the area and he fired a low shot into the corner of the net.
In the second half it was the home team that started the brighter and forced a couple of good saves from the away keeper through efforts from Kevin Mulhern, Ciaran McFadden and a headed effort from Lee O’Brien. Drumoghill almost doubled their lead on 70 minutes when Liam O’Donnell got free down the right and his pull back found Jay Dee who saw his effort well saved by Joe Coll.
As Glenea pushed for an equalizer they left themselves open to the counter attack and it took a last ditch tackle from Dean McCarry to deny Chris Malseed.
Glenea equalised deep into injury time when the visiting defence failed to deal with Joe Coll’s long clearance allowing Kevin Mulhern to get onto the ball and his pullback was drilled home by Martin Ferry from close range. Team efforts from both sides
Convoy Arsenal 0 Castlefin Celtic 3
(No Report Submitted)
Kilmacrennan Celtic 2 St. Catherines 1
Kilmacrennan Celtic played hosts to St.Catherines on Sunday for an exciting premier division clash and it was the hosts that started off the brightest with the first goal of the game 25 minutes in from Michael McLaughlin.
St. Catherine’s came back fighting and almost levelled the game when a shot from the edge of the box forced the Kilmac keeper into a fine save.
The Killybegs men came out in the second half and piled on the pressure and they were rewarded just 6 minutes in when Breslin’s shot found the top left corner.
Both teams pushed for a winner in fine fashion and it was the home side that came out on top again despite the best efforts from the St. Catherine’s goalkeeper it was Darren McGinley that somehow managed to keep a sideline ball in play and beat the defender only to hammer it into the top corner from the outside of his foot.
St. Catherine’s tested the Kilmac defence but couldn’t penetrate as Liam McBride, Paul Rua, Ryan Shields and Noah Mailey were all on top form.
Lagan Harps 2 Rathmullan Celtic 1
Lagan picked up three hard earned points in this home win. For their part Rathmullan will be wondering how they went home empty handed.
They had a great opportunity to take the lead on ten minutes when Kevin Doran raced clear. However he blazed over from inside the area. He almost made up for this on seventeen minutes but Lagan keeper Darren McEvoy pulled off a great save.
Lagan took the lead on 20 minutes. Lagan took a quick free and Mark Hunter’s cross was turned in at the back post by Mark Graham.
They had a chance to increase the lead on thirty minutes when Oran Hilley put Kenny Doran through but he fired wide.
Rathmullan responded with Paddy Sheridan shooting just over. Rathmullan got on top in the second half with Eoin Sheridan and James McCahill on top in midfield.
McCahill missed a glorious chance on 60 minutes when Lagan failed to clear a corner but he blazed over from around the penalty spot.
Lagan had a chance to increase their lead on seventy minutes when Mark Hunter put Philip Doran through but although he poked past an advancing keeper his shot lacked power and was cleared.
Rathmullan finally got the goal they deserved when Paddy Sheridan’s cross was headed across goal and James McCahill fired home.
Lagan regained the lead on seventy minutes when Glenn Gallagher hit a long free from halfway. Kenny Doran’s high leap distracted keeper Mark Gallagher and sailed in to the net.
Although Rathmullan continued to press Lagan held out to the end
Milford United 2 Kildrum Tigers 2
(No Report Submitted)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore Celtic 3 Gweedore United 1
The Celts started this game like a house on fire and missed numerous gilt-edged opportunities through Chris McFadden and Tommy Diver.
Against the run of play United took the lead through Ciaran Joe Thaug with a well-taken goal. The Celts started the second half with zest and intensity and Colin Ferry equalised on 48 minutes.
They then took the lead through Ciaran Mc Hugh who scored with a sumptuous lob.
Na Ceiltigh then secured the bragging rights over their Carrickboyle rivals when Tommy Diver slid in to finish well.
Raphoe Town 2 Bonagee United 4
(No Report Submitted)
Erne Wanderers 1 Deele Harps 2
(No Report Submitted)
Glenree United 1 Cappry Rovers 1
Most people had this game down as an easy three points for the away side but it was nothing like that.
The home side played out the game in the manner that could keep them up in the league.
Barney Boyce gave the home side the lead when he dinked the keeper from 18yards in the 43rd minute.
The second half ebbed and flowed and threw up a few opportunities but none were taken until big Gerry Flynn headed into the net from close range to leave it all square in the 65th minute.
A few more chances fell to both teams but none were converted which left the game all square at the finish.
A fair enough result in the end.
CT Ball Division Two
Ballybofey United 3 Letterbarrow Celtic 0
Any post festive cobwebs that may have settled on Finnside were well and truly blown away from the ranks of Ballybofey United when they hosted Letterbarrow Celtic at the Finn Valley Complex on Saturday night.
So often the turn of year celebrations can derail the charges of many title contending teams and this was a fact that had not gone unnoticed by supporters of the ‘Fey as they awaited the resumption of League action and the visit of Letterbarrow for the first match in 2017.
Letterbarrow arrived ready for the match and determined to give the league leaders a run for their money. T
hat they did and it is hard to explain their table position going on this performance. It was the host team however who claimed the points.
Three Alan Patton goals, two in the first half and one in the second, made sure that Ballybofey United retain top spot in the CT Ball Division Two of the Donegal Junior League for at least another series of matches.
Copany Rovers 1 Eany Celtic 5
(No Report Submitted)
Dunkineely Celtic 2 Curragh Athletic 1
This game was played in perfect conditions in Darney Park. With end to end play chances fell to both teams and the deadlock was broken when Conor Shovlin was taken down in the box and awarded a penalty in the 35th minute.
The penalty was cooly slotted home by Martin Cunningham.
Paul ‘the pensioner’ McGeoghan came off the bench and played a fantastic long ball which was flicked home by Paul Murrin Jnr.
Curragh responded with a goal on the 80th minute,a bullet to the top corner by Chris Darby which set up a nervous last 10 minutes for the Darney men.
Lifford Celtic 4 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 0
Lifford started well and went one up on five minutes after good work on the right between Daniel Lindsay and Matthew Carlin sent striker Ross Porter racing clear to finish past the keeper.
Lifford extended the lead on 20 minutes when Matthew Carlin squared to Porter and the striker found the net from 15 yards.
James McNulty nearly made it three but saw his header come back off the post.
Lifford kept up the pressure in the second half and went close through Lafferty, Kevin McBrearty and Mark Mc Nulty.
Jason Mc Brearty then made it 3-0 on 65 minutes when he took control of a long range pass from Lindsay and turned the Kerrykeel right back before blasting past the keeper.
The fourth goal came on 80 minutes when Paul McNulty picked out Ross Porter in the box and the striker finished from 20 yards to complete his hat-trick.
Cranford United 0 Whitestrand United 2
A tight first half saw neither team able to break the deadlock although both sides had some good chances.
After the break Whitestrand started brightly and Johnny Sweeney found Shane McGlade in space and his first time volley from 25 yards found the net, a fine strike.
Cranford pushed hard for an equaliser but were undone by a good break and Paul Coyle cooly slotted away to seal the win
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Drumbar F.C. 1 Arranmore United 1
(No Report Submitted)
Dunlewey Celtic 2 Orchard F.C. 3
In wintery conditions it was the home side who took the lead when a crossed ball from Daniel Sharkey found Shaun McCafferty who volleyed home.
It took Orchard time to find their game plan but they got back on level terms when Eddie Moore scored from closed range.
The second half was nip and tuck as both teams looked for the victory.
It was the visitors who took the lead when Luke Friel pounced on a defensive error but the home side got back on level terms when Micheal McCausland quickly latched onto a crossed ball and knocked it into Brendan McGeady’s path to score.
Both teams worked hard and pushed hard for the victory and Orchard took the points when Mike Sweeney beat the defence to knock the ball past Ciaran Boyce.
Fintown Harps AFC 0 Glencar Celtic 2
(No Report Submitted)
Saturday Reserve Division
Erne Wanderers Reserves 1 Donegal Town Reserves 5
(No Report Submitted)
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 6 Cappry Rovers Reserves 1
Castlefin secured their first victory of the New Year when they defeated a young Cappry side on Saturday in Parkview.
The hosts started the brighter and took the lead in the 10th minute when Stephen Roulston headed home after a Keith Nelis flick on.
The home side doubled their advantage when another Nelis flick on found Simon Mc Glinchey at the back post and he made no mistake from close range.
Cappry came more into the game and were rewarded for their pressure when Shaun Bannigan slotted home after good midfield play with 35 minutes played. In the second half the home side increased their lead when Roulston broke down the left squared to Brian Dooher who finished well.
In the 60th minute Nelis finally got his goal when he took on three defenders on the left and slotted home from a tight angle.
In the 72nd minute Gavin Mc Nulty made it five when he finished well after a Thomas Devlin through ball. In the 83rd Paul Logue got the final goal of the game when he volleyed to the bottom corner from 25 yards.
Milford United Reserves 1 Glenea United Reserves 5
This game was switched to Flag Pole Rathmullan with Milford’s pitch being unplayable.
Glenea were awarded a penalty after 20 minutes for a handball.
Martin Ferry made no mistake to give Glenea the lead. Milford had a chance to get back into the game 10 minutes later when they also were awarded a penalty for a handball. Conor Meakin saw his effort saved by the Glenea keeper.
With only 35 minutes gone Glenea were awarded their second penalty, from a corner the referee spotted a push. Up stepped Martin Ferry again to make it 2-0.
Five minutes later Michael McHugh broke the offside trap to give Glenea a 3-0 halftime lead.
Milford improved in the second half but some slack defending allowed Chris Cannon space in the box to make it 4-0. On the hour mark Milford were awarded their second penalty of the game for holding just inside the box.
With Adam Bolton taking over penalty duties he found the bottom corner to make it 4-1.
With Milford pushing trying to get back in the game they were caught on the break. Michael McHugh beat the last defender one on one before smashing home his second of the game.
Glenree United Reserves 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 3
(No Report Submitted)
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 1 Keadue Rovers Reserves 7
Drumoghill were out-classed in the first half of this game by a strong Keadue team. Donal Rodgers was the hero of the day as he scored all six goals for Keadue in the first half.
In the second half Drumoghill did pick up the tempo and took the game to Keadue and started to get a few balls in behind the Keadue defence.
Ethan Cready scorer from Drumoghill before Daniel Bonner headed home to round off a strong team performance by Keadue.
RESULTS
Friday 6th January 2017
Oscar Traynor Trophy
Sligo Leitrim League 0 v 4 Donegal Junior League
Saturday 7th January 2017
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Drumbar F.C. 1 v 1 Arranmore United
Dunlewey Celtic 2 v 3 Orchard F.C.
Fintown Harps AFC 0 v 2 Glencar Celtic
Saturday Reserve Division
Erne Wanderers Reserves 1 v 5 Donegal Town Reserves
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 6 v 1 Cappry Rovers Reserves
Milford United Reserves 1 v 5 Glenea United Reserves
Glenree United Reserves 1 v 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 1 v 7 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Sunday 8th January 2017
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Glenea United 1 v 1 Drumoghill F.C.
Convoy Arsenal 0 v 3 Castlefin Celtic
Kilmacrennan Celtic 2 v 1 St. Catherines
Lagan Harps 2 v 1 Rathmullan Celtic
Milford United 2 v 2 Kildrum Tigers
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore Celtic 3 v 1 Gweedore United
Raphoe Town 2 v 4 Bonagee United
Erne Wanderers 1 v 2 Deele Harps
Glenree United 1 v 1 Cappry Rovers
CT Ball Division Two
Ballybofey United 3 v 0 Letterbarrow Celtic
Copany Rovers 1 v 5 Eany Celtic
Dunkineely Celtic 2 v 1 Curragh Athletic
Lifford Celtic 4 v 0 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Cranford United 0 v 2 Whitestrand United
FIXTURES
Saturday 14th January 2017 K.O. 2 p.m. (Unless Stated)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Arranmore United v Dunlewey Celtic (K.O. 1 p.m.)
Glencar Celtic v Drumbar F.C.
Strand Rovers v Fintown Harps AFC
Saturday Reserve Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves v Erne Wanderers Reserves
Glenea United Reserves v Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Cappry Rovers Reserves v Milford United Reserves
Donegal Town Reserves v Glenree United Reserves
St. Catherines Reserves v Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
Sunday 15th January 2017 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Ulster Junior Cup
Culdaff F.C. v Glenea United (K.O. 1.30 p.m.)
Ballybofey United v Drumoghill F.C. (K.O. 1.30 p.m.)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic v Milford United
Castlefin Celtic v Kildrum Tigers
Rathmullan Celtic v St. Catherines
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Raphoe Town v Gweedore United
Gweedore Celtic v Glenree United
Cappry Rovers v Erne Wanderers
Donegal Town v Bonagee United
Keadue Rovers v Deele Harps
CT Ball Division Two
Drumkeen United v Whitestrand United
Letterbarrow Celtic v Dunkineely Celtic
Eany Celtic v Lifford Celtic
Curragh Athletic v Cranford United
Copany Rovers v Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.