DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
REPORTS
SUNDAY
Knockalla Cup
Rathmullan Celtic 1 Glenea United 2
Rathmullan Celtic bowed out of the Knockalla Caravans Cup after a closely fought encounter against their bitter rivals from the Premier League, Glenea United, with two second half goals for the Glasserchoo outfit cancelling out Ryan Connolly’s first half wonder goal for the Seasiders.
The Glasserchoo outfit started brighter in the opening moments of the game but it was the Hoops who got off to the perfect start after 20 minutes when Chippie Barrett played an incisive defence splitting pass from the centre of to the park to Ryan Connolly who controlled the pass superbly before executing an exquisite chip over the keeper. There were chances for both sides as the first half unfolded but the one goal advantage stood for the Hoops before the famous half time soup from Adrian Gallen.
In a typical cup clash, chances were few and far between for both sides as a stalemate in the midfield unfolded, but the visitors came right back into contention when they were awarded a free kick on 67 minutes from 25 yards out. Paddy Sweeney unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top corner which gave keeper Mark Walshe no chance much to the delight of the vociferous travelling support from Falcarragh.
Tom Coll’s visitors almost immediately took the lead when Sweeney hit a thunderous strike from the edge of the area that drew a world class finger tip save from Walshe. Glenea took the lead on 75 minutes when an opportunistic lob from defence fell to Sweeney up front and the striker spotted Walshe off his line and flighted the ball into the net much to the disappointment of the keeper and home faithful. The Seasiders pressed for that elusive equaliser with Dara Patton denied by a superlative save from Sean Gallagher in goals after the striker unleashed a venomous strike from the edge of the area on 81 minutes which seemed destined for the bottom corner but for Gallagher’s fine reflex save around the post.
Sweeney and Gallagher impressed from Coll’s Glenea side while an under strength Hoops side accounted well for themselves as they look forward to a two week break which gives time for the squad to return to full strength ahead for the mouth watering derby clash at home to noisy neighbours Milford United in the top flight of the Donegal League. Referee: Marty Mc Garrigle
Cootehill Harps 3 Milford United 4
Milford United travelled to Cootehill and returned with their Knockalla Cup ambitions intact. The Moyle View men went two ahead in the first ten minutes of the match, Gary Merritt and PJ Hagan finding the net. Cootehill fought back and by the half hour mark were on level terms. On forty minutes Ciaran Mc Ginley scored to give Milford the lead going in at the interval. PJ Hagan got his second and Milford’s fourth ten minutes into the second half. The hosts never said died and fought to the finish. They pulled another goal back on eighty minutes but a mighty effort from the Donegal Junior League side saw them return from Cavan victorious.
Drumkeen United 4 Lifford Celtic 0
Current Donegal Junior League Premier Division Champions Lifford Celtic travelled to play Ulster Senior League outfit Drumkeen United on Sunday afternoon in the Knockalla Cup. The border town team were without a number of regulars for various reasons and found the St. Patrick’s Park men hard to handle. Lee White was by far the busier of the netminders on the field and had to make a number of early saves to keep his side in the match. Drumkeen broke the deadlock midway through the first half when Ronan Coyle volleyed home. They added another three without reply to put their name in the hat for the next round draw. Lifford Celtic will now have to focus on their remaining league matches as they defend their Premier Division crown.
SUNDAY
Watson Hire Division One
Lagan Harps 3 Gweedore United 1
Lagan improved their chances of escaping relegation with their best performance of the season in a game reversed to Gweedore. Gweedore United started well and took the lead when Conor Harley did well to parry Ciaran Mc Fadden’s shot but Francis Gallagher fired home the rebound. Gweedore continued to threaten but Lagan equalised on twenty four minutes when Eunan Diver put Austin Marron through and he lobbed the advancing keeper. Gweedore continued to press with Shane O’Donnell pulling the strings in midfield but Lagan always looked dangerous on the counter attack. Lagan took the lead on thirty minutes when Travis Crawford won a tackle and found James Gillen who put Ross Hamlyn through to score. Lagan had a chance to extend their lead before the break when they had a two on one situation but Ross Hamlyn shot over. Gweedore started strong in the second half however Lagan extended their lead on forty seven minutes when Austin Marron scored from outside the area. Gweedore dominated the remainder of the game but the Lagan goal survived. Conor Harley pulled off a number of fine saves as the pressure mounted and Lagan held on for three vital points. In an all round team performance Ronan Lennon, Ruairi Crawford, Austin Marron and Gio Peoples excelled. For Gweedore Shane O’Donnell, Ciaran Mc Fadden and Francis Gallagher were best. Referee: Paddy Duffy.
Dunkineely Celtic 2 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 0
Dunkineely gained three valuable points in their push for promotion in a very entertaining game against Kerrykeel. Despite being reduced to ten men after only ten minutes Kerrykeel put in a fine display of passing football but failed to break down a well organised home defence. Dunkineely had the better chances in the early part of the game and took the lead on thirty minutes. Andrew Mackey picked up the ball in midfield and ran through the middle of the visiting defence and fired in a great shot from 25 yards which crashed off the post. Peter Alvey was on hand to tap home the rebound from eight yards. The same pair combined two minutes later but on this occasion Alvey’s shot was blocked away for a corner. Kerrykeel’s first effort on goal saw a great shot from 25 yards turned around the post for a corner. Despite a large amount of possession Dunkineely could not add to their tally before the break.
The second half followed the same pattern as the first with Kerrykeel playing a passing game but failing to break down the home defence. Paddy Mc Granaghan had a great effort from distance go narrowly wide on 65 minutes. Dunkineely doubled their lead on 73 minutes when following great work by Adrian Nesbitt and Jonathan Cassidy, Andrew Mackey crossed for Adrian Ward to finish from six yards. Dunkineely were reduced to ten men on 80 minutes and this gave Kerrykeel the impetus to push forward to try and get back into the game but despite their best efforts they could not make the breakthrough. Referee: Liam Farren
Drumoghill F.C. 4 Eany Celtic 0
This match was switched to Ballyare as Drumoghill continued their quest for League glory. Having already defeated the Coolshannon men earlier this season they were favourites going into this match. Four goals without reply saw the men from “The Moss” capture three vital points in what is going to be a grandstand finish to the Watson Hire Division Two season. It sets up next week’s match against Cappry Rovers for a cup final atmosphere despite the fact that there is still a long way to go.
CT Ball Division Two
Dunlewy Celtic 0 Deele Harps 3
In wonderful conditions at Glentornan Park the visitors took all three points with Darren Brown scoring a hat-trick. Solid team performances from both sides.
Whitestrand United 2 Copany Rovers 5
In the battle at the top Whitestrand United played Copany Rovers at Whitestrand Park. Tensions were high as both teams knew the importance of the match. However the deadlock was broken early when Pauric Rooney broke clear and calmly slotted past the advancing keeper. It was a start that rocked the hosts and things went from bad to worse when again a Copany player raced clear and David Graham found the back of the net. Whitestrand responded well to these early setbacks and got one back when James Gallagher was hauled down in the box and the referee gave a penalty. Paul Lynch stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty away. Whitestrand were pushing for an equaliser when disaster struck. A defensive mix-up let Pauric Rooney in to score and easy third. This was a huge blow as Whitestrand were pushing hard for an equaliser.
The second half started, Whitestrand knowing they had to make a fast start in order to get anything from the match. However Copany weathered the early storm and clinched a crucial fourth when another defensive mix up let Pauric Rooney in and he was never going to miss his chance for the match ball. Copany then secured an emphatic win as Paul Clarke broke through and calmly scored a fifth. Michael Sweeney scored the consolation goal that he deserved late on in the game. Best for Copany was Pauric Rooney and best for Whitestrand were James Gallagher and Sean Paul Gallagher.
Letterbarrow Celtic 6 Glenree United 1
This match saw Letterbarrow claim all three points with a strong second half performance. The home side broke the deadline on thirty minutes when Kevin Mc Brearty won a tackle in midfield and ran through to slot the ball past the advancing keeper. Both sides had an opportunity to score before the break but the first half ended with the home side one up. Two minutes after the restart, Letterbarrow went two ahead when Shane Connelly scored a header from a James Mc Groary corner. Glenree fought back well and had a couple of good chances which were well saved by Kieran Gildea. Glenree were rewarded on sixty minutes when Oisin Langan scored from close range. However the home side responded well and five minutes later restored the two goal advantage when Paul Murrin slotted home from twelve yards. James Mc Groary made it 4-1 to Letterbarrow when he finished off a nice passing move down the left. Kevin Campbell scored a fifth after finding space in the box to slot home a Paul Murrin cross. Shane Connelly scored his second and the home side’s sixth when he powered home a corner from six yards on eighty five minutes.
SATURDAY
Old Orchard Saturday Division One
Glenea United Reserves 3 Fintown Harps AFC 1
Glenea Reserves continued their unbeaten run with this hard earned victory over the Gaeltacht Lár men. Despite playing against the wind it was the home team that started the brightest with both Dean Gallagher and Martin Ferry going close to opening the scoring. However it was the away side that got the opening goal when Eoin Boyle picked up the ball on the right side of the penalty area and fired home. Glenea pushed hard to get back on level terms and were finally rewarded on 38 minutes when Dean Gallagher headed the ball into the path of Shane Ferry who slid the ball home. Glenea took the lead a couple of minutes later when, after good work by Shane Ferry down the right, Martin Ferry slotted home from 10 yards. Fintown pressed hard for an equaliser before half-time but were denied by a couple good saves from Ciaran Gallagher and also the crossbar.
In the 2nd half the home side controlled the game for the opening period but were unable to add to their tally with Dean Gallagher seeing his header come back off the post. As the half progressed Fintown started to press for an equaliser but were unable to create a clear opening. Glenea extended their lead on 75 minutes when Lee O’ Brien crossed from the right and Dean Gallagher headed home at the back post.
Best for Glenea were Shane Coll, Shane Ferry and Dean Gallagher while Aaron Thompson impressed for Fintown. Referee: Barry Hunter.
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 1 Mulroy Celtic 2
A slow start in Parkview saw both teams unable to settle and keep possession. Mulroy had a chance to break the deadlock after 10 minutes but their midfielder saw his flick in front of goal go narrowly wide of the post. Marcus Curran had Castlefin’s best chance few minutes later when his 20 yard shot was tipped over the bar.
Castlefin started the second half the better with Keith Nelis and Paul Logue creating chances but failing to take them. Castlefin then took the lead on 56 minutes when JP Malley availed of the space he was given in the box to nip in front of the Mulroy defence and finish from 6 yards.
Mulroy found an equaliser on 69 minutes when the Castlefin defence found themselves short and Mulroy took full advantage, Castlefin keeper Simon Mc Glinchey made a good initial save but Seamus Coyle finished the rebound. The goal gave Mulroy a new lease of life and they began to create more chances. Minutes later Mulroy took the lead when Gerry Friel lobbed the Castlefin keeper from the edge of the box. Castlefin pushed for an equaliser in the last ten minutes with good chances falling to Mark Lafferty and Gavin McNulty but the Mulroy defence stood firm to leave with all 3 points. Best for Castlefin: Gavin McNulty and Mark Lafferty. Best for Mulroy: Team Performance. Referee: Gerry Gallagher.
Glencar Celtic 2 Orchard F.C. 0
This derby game was played in good conditions at the Flagpole Rathmullan. Neither team really got going in the 1st half hour with only a few half chances but nothing clear cut. Glencar broke the deadlock after Paddy O’ Kane hoisted a free kick towards the back post and Martin Brogan met it to tap home. Orchard could have levelled the game before half time through Niall Bonner but a good save from Ray Mc Feely prevented the goal. It was much the same in the second half with few chances being created by either side. Glencar struck late with possibly the move of the game. Ruairi Kelly won a tackle which fell to Garvan Grieve who fed Paddy Collins. Collins then beat a few players and played the ball to Stephen Browne who laid it off for Declan Scanlon to rattle home. Referee: Ed Moore
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Strand Rovers 1 Curragh Athletic Reserves 2
The home side started the better putting the Curragh defence under constant pressure. Good use of the wings resulted in a few good crosses and few near misses. The deadlock was broken when a ball fell to Strand’s Stephen Glackin who struck superbly into the back of Curragh’s net. Curragh levelled when a cross fell to Gary Heaney and he tucked the ball away from inside the box. The second half saw Strand push again with numerous missed opportunity s recorded. This remained the case up until the 60th minute when Gary Heaney tucked away another good strike. With time running out Strand pushed for an equaliser but Curragh held on for the points.
Cranford United Reserves 2 Glenree United Reserves 1
Cranford and Glenree played out a hard fought game on a heavy Cranford Park pitch. Glenree started the game the brighter and had some good chances through Karl Mc Elhinney and Mc Nelis. Lee Carr then went close after good work on the left, but his shot saved by the Glenree keeper. Glenree took the lead on 30 minutes from a good Karl Mc Elhinney header from a corner. Glenree went close again just on stroke of half time.
Cranford started the second half on top and had good chances through Brendan Giles and John Mc Bride. Cranford equalised on 65 minutes when Mickey Buchannan finished well to the bottom corner. Chances fell to both teams before Cranford got the winner in the 80th minute when a Joe Gallagher free kick was saved and Chris Molloy reacted quickest to bury in the corner. Team effort from Glenree. Best for Cranford were Darren Lynch, Johnny Wilhare and John Mc Bride.
Gweedore United Reserves 2 Keadue Rovers Reserves 2
This game played in Gweedore ended in a share of the spoils after a tightly contested local derby. Both sides went at each other from the start however it was the visitors, who had a number of their senior team on display, who took the lead. Their goal came on 17 minutes when a Conor Green cross was headed in by Adam Neely. The game continued with both sides attacking and the home side got back on level terms just before half time when Brian Gallagher’s cross was tapped in by Hugh Martin Curran to make it 1-1 at the break. Keadue again took the lead when an Adrian Hanlon free kick was headed in by Conor Green to make it 2-1 in the 77th minute. Chances were few and far between however United got their deserved equaliser in the 88th minute when a free kick from Sean Paul Mc Mahon was headed in by Patrick Mc Fadden. A draw was probably a fair result on the day where both teams worked hard. Referee: Brian O Kane.
DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
RESULTS
SATURDAY
Old Orchard Saturday Division One
Glenea United Reserves 3 v 1 Fintown Harps AFC
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 1 v 2 Mulroy Celtic
Erne Wanderers P v P Ramelton Mariners
Glencar Celtic 2 v 0 Orchard F.C.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Milford United Reserves P v P Arranmore United
Strand Rovers 1 v 2 Curragh Athletic Reserves
Cranford United Reserves 2 v 1 Glenree United Reserves
Gweedore United Reserves 2 v 2 Keadue Rovers Reserves
SUNDAY
Knockalla Cup
Rathmullan Celtic 1 v 2 Glenea United
Cootehill Harps 3 v 4 Milford United
Drumkeen United 4 v 0 Lifford Celtic
SUNDAY
Watson Hire Division One
Lagan Harps 3 v 1 Gweedore United
Dunkineely Celtic 2 v 0 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Cappry Rovers P v P Bonagee United
Drumoghill F.C. 4 v 0 Eany Celtic
CT Ball Division Two
Dunlewy Celtic 0 v 3 Deele Harps
Raphoe Town P v P Ballybofey United
Whitestrand United 2 v 5 Copany Rovers
Letterbarrow Celtic 6 v 1 Glenree United
Convoy Arsenal P v P Drumbar F.C.
League table for Brian McCormick Sports Premier League
Team Played Won Lost Drawn Goals For Goals Against Goal Diff Points
Rathmullan Celtic 14 9 2 3 34 17 17 30
St Catherines FC 15 7 3 5 36 28 8 26
Glenea United 14 7 3 4 23 11 12 25
Milford United FC 14 7 4 3 31 20 11 24
Lifford Celtic FC 12 6 3 3 19 14 5 21
Gweedore Celtic 14 4 5 5 20 23 -3 17
Cranford FC 14 3 6 5 19 23 -4 14
Kilmacrennan Celtic FC 14 4 8 2 19 36 -17 14
Donegal Town FC 15 2 7 6 23 31 -8 12
Curragh Athletic FC 14 3 11 0 16 37 -21 9
League table for Watson Hire Sunday Division One
Team Played Won Lost Drawn Goals For Goals Against Goal Diff Points
Drumoghill FC 14 10 3 1 36 15 21 31
Cappry Rovers 11 8 0 3 37 12 25 27
Kerrykeel 71 FC 15 8 4 3 48 28 20 27
Dunkineely Celtic FC 14 8 6 0 36 35 1 24
Castlefin Celtic 13 7 4 2 32 26 6 23
Gweedore United FC 14 6 6 2 28 21 7 20
Bonagee United FC 13 4 6 3 27 24 3 15
Lagan Harps FC 15 4 8 3 26 40 -14 15
Keadue Rovers FC 15 4 9 2 27 40 -13 14
Eany Celtic FC 14 0 13 1 11 67 -56 1
League table for CT Ball Sunday Division Two
Team Played Won Lost Drawn Goals For Goals Against Goal Diff Points
Whitestrand United FC 15 10 3 2 36 17 19 32
Copany Rovers FC 14 9 2 3 31 18 13 30
Deele Harps FC 13 7 4 2 26 16 10 23
Raphoe Town 13 7 5 1 28 18 10 22
Convoy Arsenal FC 13 6 4 3 24 20 4 21
Glenree United FC 14 5 6 3 24 32 -8 18
Letterbarrow Celtic FC 15 5 8 2 25 37 -12 17
Dunlewey Celtic 14 4 8 2 24 28 -4 14
Ballybofey United FC 12 3 7 2 17 28 -11 11
Drumbar FC 13 1 10 2 12 33 -21 5
League table for Old Orchard Saturday Division One
Team Played Won Lost Drawn Goals For Goals Against Goal Diff Points
Glencar Celtic 10 9 1 0 30 7 23 27
Glenea United 13 7 5 1 32 24 8 22
St Catherines FC 11 7 3 1 22 18 4 22
Erne Wanderers FC 10 7 3 0 24 13 11 21
Fintown Harps AFC 11 6 3 2 23 17 6 20
Castlefin Celtic Res 13 4 7 2 26 33 -7 14
Mulroy Celtic 12 2 8 2 11 27 -16 8
Orchard FC 10 2 7 1 14 27 -13 7
Ramelton Mariners FC 10 1 8 1 13 29 -16 4
League table for Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Team Played Won Lost Drawn Goals For Goals Against Goal Diff Points
Arranmore United 11 10 1 0 25 6 19 30
Donegal Town FC Res 12 7 1 4 31 21 10 25
Gweedore United FC Res 11 7 3 1 31 20 11 22
Keadue Rovers FC 12 5 4 3 32 26 6 18
Glenree United FC Res 10 4 4 2 26 27 -1 14
Cranford FC 13 3 6 4 26 32 -6 13
Curragh Athletic FC 11 3 4 4 22 30 -8 13
Tullyvinney Rovers 11 3 5 3 19 23 -4 12
Strand Rovers FC 14 2 10 2 17 26 -9 8
Milford United FC Res 11 1 7 3 16 34 -18 6
DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
FIXTURES
SATURDAY 08-03-2014 K.O. 1p.m.
Downtown Cup Quarter Finals – (Games Must Finish)
Orchard F.C. v St. Catherines Reserves
Castlefin Celtic Reserves v Glenree United Reserves
Arranmore United v Glenea United Reserves
Fintown Harps AFC v Glencar Celtic
SATURDAY 08-03-2014 K.O. 2p.m.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Milford United Reserves v Tullyvinney Rovers
Cranford United Reserves v Curragh Athletic Reserves
Donegal Town Reserves v Gweedore United Reserves
SUNDAY 09-03-2014 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Cranford United v Lifford Celtic
Milford United v Gweedore Celtic
Watson Hire Division One
Bonagee United v Keadue Rovers
Eany Celtic v Castlefin Celtic
Drumoghill F.C. v Cappry Rovers
Gweedore United v Dunkineely Celtic
CT Ball Division Two
Drumbar F.C. v Copany Rovers
Glenree United v Ballybofey United
Dunlewy Celtic v Convoy Arsenal
Deele Harps v Raphoe Town
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