DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
REPORT
Premier Division / Division One, Promotion / Relegation Play-Off
Castlefin Celtic 0 v 0 Cranford United
( Cranford United won 4-2 on penalties )
Cranford United came to Diamond Park, Ballyare on Sunday afternoon as a Premier Division team and that is exactly how they departed League Headquarters a few hours later but not before they had their Premier Division status thoroughly examined by Castlefin Celtic from the Watson Hire Division One.
Ryan Mc Gonagle had the first real opening after six minutes play when he was set up by Philip Buchannan but the forwards shot was weak and didn’t trouble Anthony O’ Hagan in the Castlefin net. Mark Carlin then went through on goal but the tight angle was too much for the Castlefin man to overcome and his shot went wide of the target. Buchannan then send a long range effort over the Castlefin crossbar as Cranford started to dictate the match. O’Hagan allowed the slippy ball to squirm from his grasp midway through the half but to his relief Emmett White was on hand to clear the danger with Kyle Black lurking nearby.
Castlefin started the second half better and remained on top for most of the forty five minutes apart from a ten minute spell from twenty five to thirty five when Cranford threatened. Philip Buchannan protested after he felt he was impeded from getting to a cross into the penalty area but match referee Joe Mc Hugh wasn’t interested in his claims. As the Castlefin attacks intensified Shaun Mc Elwaine became busier but the sweeper coped well behind central defensive partner Arthur Lynch. Matthew O’ Rourke, Barry Tourish and Mark Carlin all had half chances but none that could be chalked up as bad misses. Cranford had a few free kicks from just outside the Castlefin penalty area but Semi Nani Friel and Chris Dufy failed to get them on target. Cranford introduced Kieran Sharkey for Ryan Mc Gonagle and the experienced player slotted in well at right-back allowing Friel to move into a more forward role. Emmett White and Kieran Brennan, like their Cranford counterparts, were solid in the centre of the Castlefin defence while Simon Mc Glinchey looked the busiest man on the pitch as he chased every ball in his usual manner.
The match ended level after the normal ninty minutes so it went to extra time. Both team were reduced in staff after a few additional minutes as Seamus Carr and Ronan Tourish both saw red. Darren Lynch replaced Philip Buchannan with Anthony White coming on for Dunnion who was suffering from severe cramp. James Butts replaced Simon Mc Glinchey who had worked tirelessly throughout as Castlefin went all out in search of a winning goal. It wasn’t to come nor did Cranford make the breakthrough so it came down to the penalty shoot-out to decide where the teams would play next season.
Matthew O’ Rourke dragged his first spot-kick wade of Sean Gallagher’s goal as did Anthony White. When Semi Nani Friel scored his penalty it was Cranford’s fourth perfect kick and put them in an unassailable position.
Castlefin Celtic: Anthony O’ Hagan, Michael Dunnion, PJ Mc Menamin, Emmett White, Kieran Brennan, Simon Mc Glinchey, Dominic Mc Glinchey, Ronan Tourish Mark Carlin, Barry Tourish, Matthew O’ Rourke. Subs Anthony White and James Butts.
Cranford United: Seam Gallagher, Semi Nani Friel, Christopher Duffy, Shaun Mc Elwaine, Arthur Lynch, Seamus Mc Laughlin, Semi Carr, Philip Buchannan, Kyle Black, Ryan Mc Gonagle, Michael Cannon. Subs: Hughie Bradley, James Lee Mc Bride, Kieran Sharkey, Darren Lynch.
Referee: Joe Mc Hugh, Assistants: Paddy Martin and Paddy Duffy
SATURDAY
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Donegal Town Reserves 4 Arranmore United 2
Donegal Town completed the double over Champions Arranmore United to join the islanders in Division One next season. Arranmore came to the Hospital Field as runaway Champions in Division Two but a superb Donegal performance ensured the Town also secured promotion. Donegal came out of the blocks quickly and found themselves three up after thirty minutes. Donegal’s talismanic frontman David Bustard opened the scoring prodding home a wonderful assist from Daniel McHugh. Ciarán McGinley then doubled Donegal’s advantage shortly after with a lovely curling effort which found its way into the top corner. Joe McIntyre sealed a blistering start latching onto a misplaced pass to run through on goal and finish superbly to the bottom corner. Arranmore were sprung into action at this stage and gave the Donegal men a reminder of why they only dropped 8 points all season with a superbly worked goal with five minutes left in the first half, finished off by O’Donnell.
After the restart it was clear to everyone present that the next goal would be crucial. Donegal started brightly and pushed on in search of the goal to kill the game off. A late tackle on David Bustard as he when through on goal resulted in a spot kick which McGinley converted to give the Town a comfortable cushion. Arranmore never let the heads drop however and threw numbers forward as they tried to get back into the game. The central spine of the Town team which consisted of Mc Grory, Lafferty and Hegarty was outstanding throughout and dealt with everything that was thrown at them. The returning Eamonn McGinley in goal produced a wonder save from a Mc Glanaghey free kick with twenty remaining to maintain the three goal lead. Mc Glanaghey got his reward shortly after when he reacted quickest to hammer the ball home with ten minutes left on the click. It proved in the end to be in vain as the Donegal men held on to confirm their promotion and a just reward for a great season.
Strand Rovers 0 Glenree United Reserves 1
This game started off in perfect conditions before rain came in over the bay. Glenree started with a strong squad with no less than a win required. The game was very free flowing with Strand playing some good football at times. Strand had the upper hand but a Glenree corner resulted in a mistake by the strand keeper and defender heading into the Strand net. Strand now had to come from behind. Both teams enjoyed good possession at times with Glenree aided by the wind but the first half ended with Glenree one up. The second half started off with Strand piling on the pressure and thats the way it was for the second 45 minutes with Strand pushing all men forward including the keeper going forward at times. Good saves from the Glenree keeper and the post all denied the equaliser and resulted in a Glenree win who now go into the playoff, great team effort from Strand, and well done to Glenree on a successful season
Milford United Reserves1 Gweedore United Reserves 5
Gweedore United did what they could to keep their slim promotion hopes alive when they visited Moyle View Park on Saturday afternoon. Five goals with only the solitary reply from their hosts meant that all hinged on what was happening elsewhere. News filtered through that Donegal Town Reserves had taken victory against Arranmore United and they joined the Islanders by gaining automatic promotion. After an anxious wait on the score from Strand Park it soon became know that Glenree too had won their match and in doing so claimed the promotion / relegation play-off spot where they will face Mulroy Celtic to see which team plays Division One football next season.
Cranford United Reserves 0 Keadue Rovers Reserves 4
Keadue started the game strong against a young Cranford team and had
some half chances but could not convert. Cranford came into game well
and were unlucky not to score through Naoise Cullen. Keadue took the lead
on the stroke of half time when Chris Greene scored from a tight angle.
After the break Cranford got caught by a break-away goal with a neat
finish from David Sweeney. Cranford responded well and a Brendan Giles
header came back of the post with the keeper beat. Dale Mc Fadden and Ben
Mc Bride both went close with chances for Cranford. With Cranford
needing to push men forward, they got caught with two late goals a
great strike from Chris Greene and then Luke Neely adding a fourth. Team
efforts.
RESULTS
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Tullyvinney Rovers 4 v 0 Curragh Athletic Reserves
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Donegal Town Reserves 4 v 2 Arranmore United
Strand Rovers 0 v 1 Glenree United Reserves
Milford United Reserves 1 v 5 Gweedore United Reserves
Cranford United Reserves 0 v 4 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Premier Division / Division One, Promotion / Relegation Play-Off
Castlefin Celtic 0 v 0 Cranford United
( Cranford United won 4-2 on penalties )
FIXTURES
SATURDAY 10-05-2014 K.O. 2p.m. Venue T.B.C.
Old Orchard Division One /Glencar Inn Division Two
Saturday Promotion/Relegation Play-Off
Glenree United Reserves v Mulroy Celtic
Downtown Cup Final K.O. 4.30 p.m. Diamond Park, Ballyare
Castlefin Celtic Reserves v Glenea United Reserves
SUNDAY 11-05-2014 K.O. 1.30p.m. Diamond Park, Ballyare
Brian Mc Cormick Cup Final
Castlefin Celtic v Milford United
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