Donegal Junior League
Reports
Old Orchard Saturday Division One
Fintown Harps AFC 1 Glenea United Reserves 4
(No report received)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Ramelton Mariners 2 Milford United Reserves 3
(No report received)
Curragh Athletic Reserves 5 Mulroy Celtic 0
Curragh started quickly in this game. The Mulroy keeper did well to turn a Jonny Corcoran strike around his post after two minutes. A great pass from Gary Heaney then set up Simon Cromie who scored with a great strike after fifteen minutes. A Rory Jones pass set Gary Heaney through on goal and he scored Curragh’s second after twenty five minutes. A Justin Mc Bride shot then fell nicely to Tim Callaghan who scored to make it 3-0 at half time. The second half started the same with Curragh attacking and they scored after sixty five minutes when a Jason Sweeney strike surprised the Mulroy keeper . The Curragh’s defence worked hard throughout the game to keep a clean sheet. Curragh scored their when Tiernan Mc Connell crossed for Justin McBride who side footed to the net from six yards. Best for Curragh: Tim Callaghan.
Keadue Rovers Reserves 1 Strand Rovers 1
Keadue and Strand played out a draw at Central Park in this table topping derby. In perfect conditions it was Strand who had the much better opening knocking it around well. Keadue struggled for possession and Ben Boyle produced a fine double save to deny Strand on ten minutes. Keadue were starting to get into it around the half hour mark but Strand took the lead when Cathal Boyle shrugged off the Keadue defence before slotting home from the edge of the area. The home team lifted things in the latter stages of the half. Adrian Hanlon’s fine effort was well saved by Kevin McGovern. Keadue had a bright start to the second half with Adrian Hanlon’s effort on 50 minutes forcing a good save. While Keadue had most of the possession Strand were always dangerous on the break and substitute David Mc Carron had a great chance with 20 minutes left but lobbed over the advancing keeper. Keadue pulled level on seventy five minutes when substitute Adam Neely cut in from the left firing low to the corner. Both teams tried hard for the winner but all to no avail so it ended honours even.
Best for Strand were Doalty Boyle, Cathal Boyle and Brendan Glackin while best for Keadue were Eoin Redmond, Adrian Hanlon & Adam Neely. Referee; Martin Coll.
Tullyvinney Rovers 4 Drumbar F.C. 3
In a game where Tullyvinney Rovers were without both their regular goalkeepers a big performance was needed to stay in touch with the promotion chasers against an ever improving Drumbar side in Crossroads Park on Saturday afternoon. Drumbar went ahead when a long ball over the top wasn’t dealt with and their big striker capitalised to put the visitors ahead. After ten minutes Redmond Doherty sent a ball through the Drumbar defence for Stevie Devine to latch onto and he cooly rounded the ‘keeper to level matters. Less than two minutes later Joel Cromie was fouled in the box and the referee awarded a penalty to the home side which Devine slotted home for his second. Rovers got a third midway through the half when a through ball from Garvan Tinney was met by Aidan Donnelly who rounded the keeper and slotted into the empty net giving the youngster his first goal for the club. Just before half time Drumbar got a lifeline when, against the run of play, they got a penalty after a coming together between Matthew Grant and the Drumbar attacker. Their centre half put away the penalty despite the best efforts of stand-in keeper Moore.
The second half ended up much the same as the first with Tullyvinney on top. Matthew Grant was a constant thorn in the side of the Drumbar defence and will feel aggrieved not to have got on the score sheet. The home side sealed the win in the 80th minute when Redmond Doherty scored with a pinpoint free kick into the corner of the net. Drumbar got themselves a consolation with one of the last kicks of the game being quickest to react to a scramble in the box. In the end it was a thoroughly deserved win by the home team with a Man of the Match performance from Stephen Devine while great credit has to go to Jason Moore for doing well in nets. A team performance from Drumbar F.C.
Downtown Cup
Glencar Celtic 2 St. Catherines Reserves 0
The last two meetings of these two sides produced a 4-3 thriller in Killybegs which Glencar just edged with a late late winner and the other produced a stalemate 0-0 draw at Rathmullan in atrocious conditions however today’s game was played in perfect conditions.
Glencar started well and enjoyed most of the possession in the early exchanges. They didn’t create enough in the final third to trouble the St Catherine’s keeper however. Neither side really settled properly in the first half and it was a cagey affair but Glencar were unlucky not to open the scoring late in the half when Seany Houston’s saw his effort came back off the upright after good work from Michael Molloy. Glencar started the second half much better and pegged the Killybegs men into their own half right from the off. Glencar had finally found their rhythm and were playing some excellent pass and move football which drew a number of free-kicks and corners out of the St Catherine’s rearguard, but they stood firm. The Letterkenny men finally got the breakthrough with some intricate passing down the left between Collins and Houston. Collins’ cross evaded everyone in the box only for Molloy to return at the back post and his pinpoint cross found Houston who nodded home the opener from close range. After a dull spell St Catherine’s regrouped and grew in confidence and pushed for the equaliser. Glencar defended well as a unit and were troubling the away side with the counter attack. Brogan had a good chance to double Glencar’s lead from the edge of the area only for the ball to take a nasty bobble and his shot go over the bar. Houston had the ball in the net again after flicking in a Brogan free-kick only for it to be deemed offside. Glencar kept pressing and got their reward through Paddy Collins after another good passing move.
Reports
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Cranford United 2 Milford United 1
Cranford overcame Milford in a very closely contested local derby. The game started with Milford applying most of the pressure but the Cranford defence stood strong. Cranford took the lead after a great delivery from Seamus Mc Laughlin to Arthur Lynch who took the ball down and finished well. Milford pushed for an equaliser and nearly did so when a great Gary Merritt strike hit the post. They did however equalise before half time from a Paul Shields’ header. The second half started with both teams keeping it tight. Cranford got the winner with ten minutes left when after great work from Jay Dee Alawiye down the right he played a perfect ball across the box to Niall Doherty who applied a cheeky flick to the net. Milford pushed hard for an equaliser but the Cranford defence stood strong helped out by Shaun Gallagher in nets who commanded his box well. Hugh Bradley, Chris Duffy and Seamus Mc Laughlin were best for Cranford. Team effort from Milford. Referee: Con Mc Laughlin.
Gweedore Celtic 0 Kildrum Tigers 1
Kildrum grabbed all three points with a late goal. It was a game of few chances and it had the makings of a scoreless draw until Reece Laird pounced in the 88th minute to bag a valuable victory. Gweedore’s first chance fell to Colin Ferry in the 5th minute but his effort was well saved by Bovaird. At the other end Laird had Kildrum’s first chance but he shot wide. The second half was a scrappy affair with defences well on top. It looked to be heading for a draw until Laird struck to seal victory. Best for Gweedore: Joe Bonar, for Kildrum: Johnny Mc Ginty and Reece Laird. Referee: Joe Mc Hugh
Drumoghill F.C. 1 St. Catherines 3
St. Catherine’s overcame the challenge of their closest rivals Drumoghill and took a huge step towards claiming this year’s Premier Division title with this deserved 3-1 victory. Although the home side were always in the game it was the visitors who were the better team in all areas of the pitch and ran out convincing winners. That said, it took Barry Rose’s goal in the 86th minute to finally seal the points. Rose tapped home after Aodhan McGinley broke the offside trap on the counter attack and Rose made no mistake. Until then, the visitors were happy to soak up the pressure as Drumoghill tried to muster any kind of an opening to get them back into the game. St. Catherines though showed their resilience in defence and on this showing it’s easy to understand why so many teams have found them such a difficult nut to crack this season. St. Catherines opened the scoring on 20 minutes. David Conwell found time and space to drive home to put his side into the ascendency. Drumoghill, knowing that victory was imperative, laid siege to the St. Catherine’s goal but were limited to efforts from range. Richie Moore and Liam O’Donnell did test Mullen in goals but St. Catherine’s remained resolute. The visitors were always a threat on the counter and it was from such an attack that they doubled their lead on 35 minutes. The architect was Brendan McGuire who latched onto a long ball from Molloy and set up Noctor to drive home from 20 yards. Paul McCauley did manage to get hands on the ball but it was the pace of the strike that was too much to handle. It was cruel on Drumoghill at that stage after all their effort. They showed their character by reducing the deficit shortly afterwards when fullback Evan Broderick could only divert Eunan Kelly’s cross past his own keeper. The fact that the lead was reduced to the minimum set it up perfectly for the second half and it was one that Drumoghill dominated for the most part. Unfortunately they could not convert their dominance into chances and it will take an almighty collapse on the part of St. Catherine’s at this stage for them not to clinch the title. Referee: Kevin Logue.
Glenea United 2 Cappry Rovers 0
Glenea picked up a vital three points as they battle for survival in the Premier Division against a tough Cappry Rovers side at a windy Glasserchoo. Cappry started the game with the aid of the wind and put the home side under some early pressure with Benny McLaughlin a constant threat. As the half went on Glenea battled their way back into the game and created some good goal scoring opportunities but failed to take them. With half time approaching Dean Mc Carry played a good ball up the right wing to Ryan McFadden who did some good work to pull the ball back at the by line where he found Michael Barry at the back post and he slotted into the bottom corner. This gave the home side a well deserved 1-0 advantage at the break. Both sides created numerous chances in the second half with Maurice Lafferty coming closest for Cappry. Glenea got their second with fifteen minutes remaining when a Darren Mc Geever shot from thirty yards rattled the crossbar with the rebound falling to Ryan McFadden who dispatched into the corner. Best for Glenea were Anthony Mc Cafferty, Kevin Mulhern and Pudgy McGee. Best for Cappry were Benny McLaughlin and Maurice Lafferty. Referee: Marty Quinn.
Watson Hire Division One
Castlefin Celtic 9 Dunkineely Celtic 0
Castlefin got off to a great start after 7 minutes. JP Malley’s cross found Ian Ward who slotted home from the edge of the box. Ward got his second on 16th minutes. Dunkineely then came more into the game but failed to put Castlefin under any pressure. JP Malley got Castlefin’s third in the 35th minute, his free kick went straight into the bottom corner. Barry Tourish made it four on 40 minutes. Tourish found himself in plenty of space to take the ball down and calmly finish from 6 yards. Castlefin added another at the start of the second half when Malley found Ronan Tourish in the box who fired home from close range. Tourish got his second and Castlefin’s sixth, on 52 minutes. Ian Ward completed his hat-trick on 76 minutes with an excellent strike from 20 yards to make it seven of Castlefin. On 85 minutes the home team made it eight, Barry Tourish’s ball across the box fell to Travis Lafferty who slipped home from close range. A minute later Ronan Tourish wrapped up the scoring with Castlefin’s ninth and his third. Referee: John Coyle
Kilmacrennan Celtic 2 Whitestrand United 2
Whitestrand were the visitors to the community centre and they started off strong. They finally got a breakthrough on 17 minutes when Declan O’ Donnell was adjudged to have brought down a Whitestrand attacker. Eddie Blake converted the penalty to put the Strand men one up. Whitestrand continued to dominate the first half and were further rewarded when Sean Paul Gallagher scored from a free kick with the aid of a deflection on the 45th minute.
Budgie gave the Kilmacrennan started strong in the second half with a goal from Eddie Doherty on the 59th minute. This sprung them to life and they continued to press with three up front. They levelled matters in the 65th minute with a goal from Michael McLaughlin. Whitestrand were on the back foot as Kilmac looked to find a winner but their defence stayed strong, and held out for a much needed point. Best for Kilmac: Gavin Gorman and Michael McLaughlin. Best for Whitestrand: Eddie Blake and Sean Paul Gallagher. Referee: Andrew Mullen
Lagan Harps 4 Gweedore United 1
Lagan kept their promotion hopes alive when they eventually overcame a stubborn Gweedore United side. Lagan had the better of the opening half and took the lead on eight minutes when Caolain Grant prodded home Chris Toner’s cross. Caolian went close again with a header and an effort from a Paul Rodger cross. Lagan increased their lead on thirty five minutes when after Conal Mc Gonigle’s initial header was saved, Drew Connolly followed up to score. Gweedore started the second half better with Shane O’ Donnell and Michael Connolly getting on top in midfield. They pulled one back when Michael Connolly put Ciaran Mc Fadden in to score. Michael Connolly then forced Jason Quinn into a good stop when he got his head to a cross. Lagan scored the vital goal when Kevin Kelly’s corner was headed in by Ronan Sweeney. Lagan sewed the points up when Chris Toner finished off a Kevin Kelly cross. Lagan’s best were Drew Connolly and Conal Mc Gonigle. For Gweedore Brian Gallagher, Shane O’Donnell and Michael Connolly stood out. Referee: Paddy Duffy.
CT Ball Division Two
Eany Celtic 3 Dunlewey Celtic 0
Eany Celtic’s good run continued with a victory in the battle of the Celtics. This game was played in splendid sunshine in Eany Park. Jason Vance opened the scoring with a glancing header from a cross by John Rose. Both sides had chances early in the second half but it was Vance again on the hour who scored with a shot from outside the box to put Eany two up. Eany got their third when Pauric Mc Hugh broke through in injury time
Deele Harps 1 Ballybofey United 4
Deele welcomed Ballybofey to The Athletic Grounds on a glorious day for football. It was Deele’s final home game of the season and this game typified their season with the home side again missing a raft of regulars for various reasons. Take nothing away from Ballybofey as the Twin Towns men were deserving winners on the day. Chris Mc Brearty opened the scoring on 28 minutes as he poked home from just inside the box. Hesitant defending on 35 minutes led to Chris Darby heading home to give the visitors a two goal lead. Deele pulled a goal back on 40 minutes when good work from youngster Oran McShane led to an O.G. The second half was end to end with Ballybofey taking the chances that came their way, first David White finished well on 60 minutes after good approach work down the right. From the restart Deele surrendered possession on half way and the subsequent attack led to a penalty which Chris Darby slotted home for his 2nd of the day. Team performance from Ballybofey with Oran McShane the only highlight for Deele. Referee: Packie Coll.
Raphoe Town 1 Glenree United 0
Raphoe welcomed Glenree to the Deele College Grounds on a fine day for football. This was a tightly contested game from start to finish with chances at a premium. Glenree had a few half chances from free kicks but Raphoe’s defence held firm and the home side took the lead on twenty minutes when a superb Stephen Laird free caused confusion in the box and a Glenree player headed into his own net. The second half followed a similar pattern and Glenree kept plugging away but could not get through. Raphoe had a few chances on the break but the fine flowing football that we are used to seeing was not on show today. Best for Raphoe: Oliver Quinn, Emmett Kelly and Paul Carberry. Referee: Packie Coll
Convoy Arsenal 2 Letterbarrow Celtic 0
Top of the table Convoy welcomed bottom of the table Letterbarrow to Orchard Park on a beautiful day for football. The home side started really brightly and continued to control the game in the opening exchanges. Convoy created a few chances but their final ball let them down on each occassion. They did get the breakthrough however in the 25th minute when Johnny Robb finished off a great through ball by Paul O’ Leary at the second attempt. This seemed to spur the visitors into life and Convoy were under pressure up until halftime without Letterbarrow creating any clear chances. The second half started as the first finished with Letterbarrow constantly looking to catch Convoy with a ball over the top. Letterbarrow’s pressure nearly told only for a great double save from Chris O’ Donnell. Convoy woke up after this and looked to get a grip of the game again. After a spell of good football they did manage to get their second goal. The ball was worked out wide to Darren Harvey who cut the ball back to Lee Guthrie who was then taken down in the box. Johnny Robb sent the Letterbarrow keeper the wrong way to get his and Convoy’s second. This was the killer blow to Letterbarrow and Convoy saw the remainder of the game out comfortably. Best for Convoy Paul O’ Leary, Gary Doherty and John A. Kee with a really battling team performance from Letterbarrow. Referee: Martin Mc Anenny
Results
Old Orchard Saturday Division One
Arranmore United 3 v 0 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Fintown Harps AFC 1 v 4 Glenea United Reserves
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Ramelton Mariners 2 v 3 Milford United Reserves
Curragh Athletic Reserves 5 v 0 Mulroy Celtic
Keadue Rovers Reserves 1 v 1 Strand Rovers
Tullyvinney Rovers 4 v 3 Drumbar F.C.
Downtown Cup
Glencar Celtic 2 v 0 St. Catherines Reserves
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Cranford United 2 v 1 Milford United
Rathmullan Celtic 3 v 0 Lifford Celtic
Gweedore Celtic 0 v 1 Kildrum Tigers
Drumoghill F.C. 1 v 3 St. Catherines
Glenea United 2 v 0 Cappry Rovers
Watson Hire Division One
Castlefin Celtic 9 v 0 Dunkineely Celtic
Kilmacrennan Celtic 2 v 2 Whitestrand United
Lagan Harps 4 v 1 Gweedore United
Copany Rovers 1 v 3 Curragh Athletic
CT Ball Division Two
Eany Celtic 3 v 0 Dunlewey Celtic
Deele Harps 1 v 4 Ballybofey United
Raphoe Town 1 v 0 Glenree United
Convoy Arsenal 2 v 0 Letterbarrow Celtic
Fixtures
Saturday 28-03-2015 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Old Orchard Saturday Division One
Arranmore United v Donegal Town Reserves (1 p.m.)
Fintown Harps AFC v St. Catherines Reserves
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Milford United Reserves v Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
Mulroy Celtic v Drumbar F.C.
Cranford United Reserves v Ramelton Mariners
Downtown Cup Quarter Finals
Keadue Rovers Reserves v Castlefin Celtic Reserves (1.30 p.m.)
Orchard F.C. v Glenea United Reserves (1.30 p.m.)
Sunday 29-03-2015 K.O. 2 p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Gweedore Celtic v Kildrum Tigers
Rathmullan Celtic v Donegal Town
Lifford Celtic v St. Catherines
Milford United v Drumoghill F.C.
Watson Hire Division One
Kilmacrennan Celtic v Dunkineely Celtic
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. v Copany Rovers
Keadue Rovers v Gweedore United
CT Ball Division Two
Dunlewey Celtic v Ballybofey United
Eany Celtic v Glenree United
Raphoe Town v Convoy Arsenal
Bonagee United v Letterbarrow Celtic
Tags:
