Donegal Junior League
Reports
Downtown Cup
Group A
Ramelton Mariners 0 Glencar Celtic 5
Ramelton Mariner hosted Saturday League Champions Glencar in the Downtown Cup on Saturday. Glencar made a fast start and were a few goals up early on. Mariners never got going till the half hour mark when the Glencar keeper made a great save from a Damien Friel header. With the Mariners pushing to get back into the game Glencar scored two counter attacking goals, one being a contender for goal of the season. The 2nd half was a much tighter affair with both teams cancelling each other out. The game’s last goal came in the 70th minute to make it 5-0. Best for Glencar was Marty Brogan. Best for Ramelton was Pauric Mc Fadden.
Glenree United Reserves 1 Mulroy Celtic 3
Group B
Keadue Rovers Reserves 2 Strand Rovers 2
Keadue and Strand played out a competitive local derby at Central Park on Saturday with honours even in the end. It was a challenging day for football with a strong cold breeze throughout. The first chance of the game came on ten minutes when Brendan Brennan shot over from the edge of the box. Brendan Glackin hit a superb effort for Strand on twenty four minutes but his long range shot hit the crossbar. Keadue came more into the game by the midway point of the half. Keadue took the lead on the half hour when, following a free kick, Chris Greene flicked a header across goal and Jack O’Brien poked home from close range. Five minutes later Conor Greene was just wide with a header. On thirty nine minutes Strand were level when good work down the right hand side led to a chance for Mark Ward and he slotted low to the net. Three minutes from half time Strand should’ve been ahead when Mark Ward missed an open goal. Strand took the lead again on seventy three minutes. Following a free kick and a defensive mix up Strand’s Brendan Glackin popped up at the edge of the area and shot home to the corner of the net. At this stage the away side looked more comfortable, hitting Keadue on the break and should’ve settled it on eighty five minutes when sub Paddy Glackin was through on goal but Ben Boyle in the Keadue nets saved brilliantly. As time was running out Keadue were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area and Hugh Yank Boyle drilled a fine effort to the corner of the net to spark off great celebrations. The game ended 2-2 with Keadue keeping their place at the top of the table. Best for Strand were Brendan Glackin and Adrian McGeehan while best for Keadue were Jack O’Brien and Conor Greene. Referee: Marty Quinn.
Group D
Donegal Town Reserves 1 St. Catherines Reserves 3
St Catherine’s dominated this game from the start and played some excellent football in the first half. Brenden Mc Guire got the first goal of the game after 20 minutes. Paul McFadden broke down the left hand side of the park and cut the ball back nicely to McGuire who slotted home from 10 yards. Soon after St Catherine’s got their second of the game. Donegal’s keeper McGinley made a good save from a St Catherine’s effort and the Donegal defence didn’t react to the loose ball. St Catherine’s Brandon McGinley reacted quickest and made no mistake from close range. Catherine’s got their third on the stroke of half time. A lovely cross from Catherine’s full back Enda Murphy was unfortunately turned into the Donegal net by the head of one of their own defenders. 3-0 St Catherine’s at half time. Much of the same in the second half and Donegal struggled to deal with Catherine’s slick play. Donegal did manage a consolation goal though. A wonder free kick from young Daniel Mc Hugh which struck the inside of post in the top corner left the Catherine’s keeper no chance. 3-1 St Catherine’s at the final whistle.
Oscar Traynor Trophy
Sligo / Leitrim League 2 Donegal Junior League 2
Kyle Black of Cranford United scored both Donegal goals as they came from behind twice to claim a draw from a game which they totally dominated. The Junior League side were unlucky not to progress to the knockout stages of this year’s competition.
Watson Hire Division One
Curragh Athletic 3 Whitestrand United 1
Played in wintery conditions, Curragh were well worth all three points in this Division One match at the New Camp Sports Complex. The home side dominated the first fifteen minutes with player manager Neil Lloyd putting them one up after only five minutes from a Calvin Bradley assist. However Paul Lynch’s team came more into it and began to find their way for the next quarter, almost grabbing an equaliser when a free kick came back off the crossbar with stand in keeper Michael O’ Brien well beaten. It was the home side who regained the upper hand and scored again on thirty nine minutes when Justin Mc Bride’s long pass found Dan O Brien who passed to Colm Melaugh and he finished brilliantly in off a post to the back of the net. The second half was a similar affair with Curragh again on top but they were caught out on sixty six minutes when Ryan Mc Creery managed to force the ball home from close range. With four minutes remaining Curragh regained their two goal advantage with Dan O’ Brien again providing the assist for Colm Melaugh to head home his second of the match and ensure all three points went to Curragh. Whitestand produced a good team effort with player manager Paul Lynch always dangerous in attack. Curragh were also well served by player manager Neil Lloyd, Gerry Melaugh, Liam Mc Gill, Troy Mc Cormick and Dan O’ Brien. Referee: Patrick Martin.
Castlefin Celtic 3 Keadue Rovers 1
Castlefin kept up their 100% start to the season with a win at home against Keadue.
Castlefin started the better with a quick goal from JP Malley after 8 minutes. Keadue’s defence failed to clear a cross from Barry Tourish and Malley tapped home from 6 yards.
Castlefin doubled their lead on 10 minutes, Damien Mc Anenny’s cross found Ronan Tourish who beat the keeper to finished low into the bottom corner. Keadue began to settle more into the game and forced Castlefin Keeper Anthony O’Hagan into two good saves. Ryan Greene with Keadues’ best chance saw his strike going slightly wide. The second half was more even with both teams creating chances. Keadue then pulled one back on 75 minutes after Adrian Hanlon beat the offside trap and chipped the keeper from the edge of the box. Keadue began to put pressure on the Castlefin defence as they went in search of an equaliser, Ryan Greene’s 20 yard strike going slightly over the bar. Five minutes from time Castlefin wrapped up the three points when Ian Ward squared the ball to Fergal McNulty who calmly finished at the back post. Referee: John Coll. Best for Castlefin: Team Performance. Best for Keadue: Team Performance
CT Ball Division Two
Raphoe Town 1 Ballybofey United 1
This match was switched to Ballybofey and was played on Saturday afternoon. Raphoe went ahead inside the opening five minutes when a cross was deflected past Chris Patton in the Ballybofey net by one of his own players. That blow stunned the hosts but was to be the only time Patton was beaten in the match. Ballybofey had the lion’s share of play with Raphoe dependent on the odd breakaway. Chris Patton did make two top class saves midway through the second half to keep his side in touch with their East Donegal neighbours but when Calvin Mc Gowan glanced home a header from Mark Griffin’s corner it was little more than what was deserved by the home team. They almost took the lead three minutes later when Damien Glackin’s cross just crept past the back post. An entertaining, fast game with Jamie Gallagher and Mark Bogle doing well for Raphoe and Chris Patton with Ronan Mc Menamin showing well for Ballybofey in a sporting encounter. Referee: Joe Mc Hugh.
Donegal Junior League
Results
Downtown Cup
Group A
Milford United Reserves P v P Cranford United Reserves
Ramelton Mariners 0 v 5 Glencar Celtic
Glenree United Reserves 1 v 3 Mulroy Celtic
Group B
Glenea United Reserves P v P Arranmore United
Keadue Rovers Reserves 2 v 2 Strand Rovers
Group C
Castlefin Celtic Reserves P v P Tullyvinney Rovers
Orchard F.C. P v P Curragh Athletic Reserves
Group D
Donegal Town Reserves 1 v 3 St. Catherines Reserves
Erne Wanderers P v P Fintown Harps AFC
Oscar Traynor Trophy
Sligo / Leitrim League 2 v 2 Donegal Junior League
Watson Hire Division One
Curragh Athletic 3 v 1 Whitestrand United
Castlefin Celtic 3 v 1 Keadue Rovers
CT Ball Division Two
Raphoe Town 1 v 1 Ballybofey United
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