DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
REPORTS
Sunday 13th November 2016
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic 3 Convoy Arsenal 2
Milford United 3 Rathmullan Celtic 1
Milford battled back from the loss of an early goal to take the spoils in the Moss Road derby which was reversed to the Flagpole Field this afternoon. Eoin Sheridan put Rathmullan ahead early on but Milford were quickly back on terms through Kyle Black. Cathal Mc Gettigan’s header put Michael Deeney’s team in front and another header from Johnny Logue early in the second half secured the win. The Hoops pushed mightily hard to find a way back but were denied by an excellent Caolan Mc Gettigan save the woodwork and some poor finishing by their standards. Three points and the derby-day bragging rights for Milford then after a well contested and sporting game. Referee: Liam Mc Laughlin.
Lagan Harps 2 St. Catherines 2
Lagan and St Catherines shared the points in a close fought encounter in Orchard Park. Lagan went close on five minutes when Gavin Mc Glanaghey headed a Michael Doherty free just wide. Mc Glanaghey then went close again from a narrow angle. St Catherines took the lead on ten minutes when Ryan Cunningham seized on hesitancy in the Lagan defence to fire home. Lagan responded and when Chris Toner flicked a corner back, Mark Graham’s shot was cleared off the line. Mark wasn’t to be denied and got on the end of a flowing move with Michael Doherty and Kenny Doran involved, to equalise on forty minutes .Michael Doherty struck the crossbar from a free right on halftime. Catherines went close on fifty six minutes when Daniel Breslin spun sharply and struck the crossbar. Breslin was then denied by a good save from Damien Mc Fadden as Catherines pressed again. Paul Mc Fadden restored Catherines’ lead when he bundled home after Lagan failed to clear. Lagan equalised on eighty minutes. Michael Doherty had a great run and his cross was turned in by an unfortunate defender. Lagan had a chance to win it in the final minutes when Frank Mc Brearty found Gavin Mc Glanaghey with a great pass. Unfortunately he scuffed his shot wide. All in all a draw was a fair result. For Lagan Barry O’Donnell, Ronan Gibson and Michael Doherty were best. For St Catherines Ryan Cunningham, Oran Mc Guinness and Daniel Breslin stood out. Referee was Joe Mc Hugh.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore Celtic 3 Cappry Rovers 1
This match was played at the Screaban in blustery conditions. The Celts started brightest and took the lead through Tommy Diver when he nodded home a long throw in from Odhran Mac Niallais. Odhran was again the provider on 40 minutes when he threaded a ball through to Colin Ferry who doubled the advantage. Cappry had a man sent off late in the 1st half however they started to crank up the pressure on the Screaban men in the 2nd half and were unlucky not to pull one back after Christopher Sweeney pulled off a great save from a spot kick. Shortly after they reduced the deficit when Ronan McHugh finished after being put through on goal. Late on in the game the Screaban men secured the 3 points when Tommy Diver scored his second when he volleyed into the top corner from well outside the area to make it 3-1.The Celts held on for the win as Rovers lost their first game of the season. Great team performance from Gweedore. Referee: Kevin Logue.
Glenree United 1 Bonagee United 4
The home side took the lead in the 35th minute when Danny Langan curled a fine free kick into the top corner . Both keepers had relatively little to do in the first half but that changed in the 2nd half when John Cunningham had to lift the ball out of his net four times. Goals in the 59th minute from Ryan Coyle, Noel Gillespie with a fine header in 65th minute, a Glenree OG in the 75th minute and the fourth coming in the 87th minute from 40 yards from Declan Brown. A good team performance from the visitors in the second half proved to be vital.
CT Ball Division Two
Cranford United 2 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 2
Kerrykeel started the game on top and had a number of chances before taking the lead through Jimmy Coyle on 20 minutes. Cranford then had some half chances just before half time. After the break both times were creating chances and on 60 minutes Donal Callaghan soared highest to score from a corner to put Kerrykeel two up. This kicked Cranford into life, creating a number of great chances. Cranford got one back with a neat finish from Joe Gallagher from inside the box. Cranford pushed hard and Brendan Giles won a penalty which Andrew Kelly converted to make 2-2. With the last kick of game Dale Mc Fadden broke free but the Kerrykeel keeper pulled off great save.
Ballybofey United 2 Drumkeen United 1
League Leaders Ballybofey United welcomed near neighbours Drumkeen United to Finnside for this CT Ball Division 2 encounter. The home side took a first half lead when Brian Lafferty Jnr. netted after been set up by Damien Glackin inside the opening ten minutes. The lead lasted well into the second half when the ever dangerous Peter Mc Namee shot past Chris Patton to level the scoreline. Drumkeen were then struck a blow when they were reduced to ten men, having used all their subs, losing a player through injury. Ballybofey were now too strong for the visitors and Lafferty was again on hand to head home when Glackin crossed the ball into the six yard box after good work along the left hand touchline by Gavin Doherty. Referee: James Malseed.
Lifford Celtic 3 Whitestrand United 1
Lifford started bright in this game and should’ve gone in front on 5 minutes from a great free kick from David Gethins. Lifford did go one up after 10 minutes when a great ball from Daniel Lindsay played in Jason Mc Brearty and the striker kept his cool to chip the keeper from 20 yards out. David Gethins then played a ball into the box on 30 minutes and striker Hamilton headed just over under pressure. Lifford piled on the pressure and went close again when Matthew Carlin played in Mc Brearty but with the angle against him he fired just wide. Whitestrand started the 2nd half well and forced Lifford keeper Dylan Early into a fantastic save on 50 minutes. The hard work paid off for an improved Whitestrand on 55 minutes after a nice move in the middle caught out Lifford’s defence and Kevin Mc Carry finished into the bottom corner to level the game. This sparked Lifford into life and the home side were soon in front again when James Connolly fired past the keeper after a nice pass from Matthew Carlin. Lifford sealed the points on 75 minutes when Connolly found the net again after Carlin won a tackle in midfield and sent him clear to finish into the bottom corner. This was a hard earned three points for Lifford on a heavy pitch. Jason Mc Brearty was excellent for Lifford, team performance from Whitestrand.
SATURDAY REPORTS
Saturday 12th November 2016
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Strand Rovers 0 Arranmore United 1
Strand welcomed rivals Arranmore to Strand Park looking to avenge a defeat they suffered earlier in the season. From the start both teams fought tooth and nail. Both teams had early chances but were unable to take advantage to them. Arranmore began to take control and were rewarded when Paul Early scored after a quick counter attack. The second half was only two minutes old when Brendan Glackin came close to scoring but for a great save by John Greene. Strand continued to press looking to level the scores but a combination of good defending and bad luck kept them at bay. Brendan Brennan sent the ball just wide in the dying minutes which summed up the game for Strand who were disappointed to loose. Arranmore will be happy with their win.
Glencar Celtic 2 Orchard F.C. 2
GARVAN GRIEVE’S penalty rescued a draw for Glencar Celtic in the top-of-the-table clash with Orchard at Flagpole Park. Grieve drilled past Tommy McLaughlin in the 68th minute to secure a share of the spoils and ensure that Glencar stay on the coat tails of Orchard who lead the way at the top of the League by a point.
Joe McCarron’s penalty seven minutes earlier put Orchard in front after Gio Peoples had cancelled out the opening goal from Glencar’s Paddy Collins. Glencar took the lead when Collins superbly lobbed the advancing McLaughlin on 28 minutes after he was picked out by Grieve’s fine cross. Orchard levelled when Peoples wonderfully controlled Eddie Moore’s pass before firing to the roof of the net. Both teams pushed hard for a winner but none was forthcoming as defences and goalkeepers held firm and the leading sides had to be content to share the dividends.
Fintown Harps 1 Drumbar F.C. 0
Fintown won this match when they scored with only fifteen minutes remaining. Both sides had half chances throughout the match but neither could break the deadlock. It took a 25 yard pile-driver to separate the sides in the end.
Saturday Reserve Division
Glenree United Reserves 1 Castlefin Celtic Reserves 3
The first 30 minutes of this encounter were electric with both sides applying pressure with nice dynamic football and forcing the keepers into action early in the match. It was Glenree who took the lead with 10 minutes left in the first half when Mc Groddy shook of his man and expertly placed the ball into the far side of the keeper’s net and led his team into the break one up. The second half was dominated by Castlefin as the home side struggled to find the form they had shown in the first half. 20 minutes into the second half after a flurry of chances Castlefin got a deserved equaliser.
Castlefin took the lead with 70 minutes gone when the striker broke through the home side’s defence and drilled the ball past Glenree’s cameo keeper for the day “Karl Mc Ilinney” and into the net. Castlefin wrapped up the match with 15 minutes left when they broke from midfield on the counter attack. Best for Glenree: Sean Clyde, Cathal McGinley Jr., and Padraig Mac Ginty. Team Effort by Castlefin
St. Catherines Reserves 2 Keadue Rovers Reserves 0
Both teams lined out with a youthful look today and it was the youths of St. Catherines that shone the brightest in Emerald Park. Brandon MC Ginley scuffed his shot after breaking into the box on 12minutes but the ball fortunately broke to Callum Quinn who slotted home comfortably for the saints. It was a game of few chances and Keadue came close to equalising on the half hour after Shane Byrne, who had an impressive game for the visitors, shot wide. Just before half time Charlie Boyle, who ran himself into the ground all game, was barged over in the box and Seamus Mc Groary had no choice but point to the spot. A cool head in Rory Murray drove the penalty low and hard to give the home team a 2-0 lead at half time. Keadue pressed hard and had most of the procession in the second half, even striking the crossbar at one stage but could not find the elusive breakthrough.
Donegal Town Reserves 0 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 0
Chances for both teams were few and far between throughout this stalemate. The first half was a battle of the midfields and the game remained scoreless at half time. The second half played out similar to the first. Gary Ward came closest to scoring for Donegal on 70 minutes but he was unlucky to see his shot slide wide of the post. Donegal were unlucky again not to open the scoring on 75 minutes, Ward’s wiped cross into the 6 yard box was headed just wide of the post by David Ted Bustard. Kilmacrennan will feel they were the stronger side for much of the second half but they failed to create any clear chances and Donegal remained resistant in defence.
Cappry Rovers Reserves 2 Glenea United Reserves 2
It was all go from the moment the whistle blew at Cappry Park. Benji O’Meara’s home side knew they had a tough challenge ahead against the league leaders, Glenea. Cappry got the game off to a good start putting plenty of pressure on the visitors and holding off any challenges to break through their back line. In the 22nd minute Cappry left back Darren Bonner took a free kick from outside the Glenea’s box and nailed it straight into the back of the net. In the final 15 minutes of the first half Glenea came back into the game dominating possession and with five minutes until the break managed to get a goal to level the score line. Both teams equally shared possession and chances. Conor and Shane Laverty controlled the midfield well while NP Mc Daid dazzled the opponents every time he possessed the ball. Cappry kept the pressure on and it paid off on the 60th minute when winger Shaun Bannigan put the home team ahead again with a right footed shot from inside the Glenea penalty area to make it 2-1. Glenea came back fighting and in the 64th minute were denied a goal thanks to a brilliant save from Cappry goalkeeper, Bari Duncan. The game continued with end to end action and in the 83rd minute, Glenea found the back of the net for the 2seond time to equalise. A very entertaining game with both teams putting in excellent performances.
RESULTS
Saturday 12th November 2016
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Strand Rovers 0 v 1 Arranmore United
Glencar Celtic 2 v 2 Orchard F.C.
Fintown harps 1 v 0 Drumbar F.C.
Saturday Reserve Division
Glenree United Reserves 1 v 3 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
St. Catherines Reserves 2 v 0 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Donegal Town Reserves 0 v 0 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Cappry Rovers Reserves 2 v 2 Glenea United Reserves
Sunday 13th November 2016
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic 3 v 2 Convoy Arsenal
Milford United 3 v 1 Rathmullan Celtic
Lagan Harps 2 v 2 St. Catherines
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore Celtic 3 v 1 Cappry Rovers
Glenree United 1 v 4 Bonagee United
CT Ball Division Two
Cranford United 2 v 2 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Ballybofey United 2 v 1 Drumkeen United
Lifford Celtic 3 v 1 Whitestrand United
FIXTURES
Saturday 19th November 2016 K.O. 2 p.m. (Unless Stated)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Arranmore United v Orchard F.C. (K.O. 1 p.m.)
Drumbar F.C. v Strand Rovers
Dunlewey Celtic v Fintown Harps AFC
Saturday Reserve Division
St. Catherines Reserves v Glenree United Reserves
Donegal Town Reserves v Milford United Reserves
Glenea United Reserves v Erne Wanderers Reserves
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves v Keadue Rovers Reserves
Sunday 20th November 2016 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Convoy Arsenal v Kildrum Tigers
Drumoghill F.C. v Rathmullan Celtic
Glenea United v Lagan Harps
Kilmacrennan Celtic v Milford United
Castlefin Celtic v St. Catherines
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Bonagee United v Erne Wanderers
Keadue Rovers v Glenree United
Donegal Town v Gweedore United
Cappry Rovers v Raphoe Town
Deele Harps v Gweedore Celtic
CT Ball Division Two
Whitestrand United v Curragh Athletic
Cranford United v Eany Celtic
Lifford Celtic v Letterbarrow Celtic
Dunkineely Celtic v Drumkeen United
Copany Rovers v Ballybofey United