DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
REPORTS
Sunday 11th December 2016
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Rathmullan Celtic 1 Glenea United 4
Glenea eventually ran out comfortable winners of what was, for a long time, a close affair at the Flagpole. The Hoops will be left to ponder what might have been had a 66th minute volley from Jude Patton not cleared the crossbar by the slenderest of margins, with Glenea leading 2-1 at the time. As it was, the visitors led at half time through a Lee O’ Brien strike. Ryan McFadden made it two shortly after the break before Patton reduced Rathmullan’s arrears. O’Brien scored again from close range before Ciaran McFadden took advantage of a defensive mix-up to make it four late on. The win ensures the Glasserchoo outfit can enjoy their Christmas dinner as table-toppers while Rathmullan have plenty to ponder after five straight losses on league duty. Referee: Marty Quinn
Kildrum Tigers 1 St. Catherines 1
Kildrum started well and went one up on 3 minutes when Colhoun crossed for Lynch who made no mistake. St Catherines started to come into the game and looked dangerous from the long ball. Kildrum nearly went 2 up on a few occasions through Crossan, Coll and Curtis but the saints held on. Kildrum were awarded a penalty 3 minutes into the second half but Lynch saw his poor effort saved by the saint’s keeper. Kildrum controller proceedings and looked likely to get a second but were reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute. The Saints scored when the resulting free kick was not cleared and their midfielder riffled home from 30 yards giving the keeper no chance.
Milford United 3 Castlefin Celtic 5
Lagan Harps 2 Drumoghill F.C. 2
Lagan and Drumoghill shared the points in a hard fought derby. Lagan got off to a great start with a goal in the second minute. A long crossfield ball from Marty Brogan was finished at the back post by Michael Doherty. They went close again when a deep cross from Chris Toner was headed off the line by Ray Quinn. Drumoghill went close when Marcus Oliver flicked on a cross and Chris Malseed got a head to another one but Lagan keeper Darren Mc Evoy saved brilliantly on both occasions. Drumoghill edged possession but Lagan, with Michael Doherty, pulling the strings were the more dangerous. Lagan increased their lead on twenty three minutes when Kenny Doran fired home after a goalmouth scramble. They went close again when Chris Toner hit the post from a Mark Hunter cross. Drumoghill came out determined in the second half and with Philip White and Chris Malseed getting on top in midfield they began to push Lagan back. Lagan could have extended their lead when Kenny Doran broke through but he shot narrowly wide. Drumoghill responded with Richie Moore striking a post. They finally made the breakthrough when Lagan failed to clear a long thrown in from Carlos Rodger. Liam O’ Donnell forced the ball home. The equaliser was similar on eighty two minutes, with another long throw causing bother, and Chris O’Donnell headed home. Both teams went for the win but a draw was a fair result. For Lagan Darren Mc Evoy. Marty Brogan and Ronan Gibson were best while Chris Malseed, Richie Moore and Philip White were best for Drumoghill. Referee: Paddy Duffy.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Raphoe Town 2 Gweedore Celtic 2
A hard fought draw between two determined teams at Deele College. Raphoe created the better chances early on but Odhran Mac Nelis hit the bar after 15minutes from a 40yrd free kick to serve warning from Gweedore.
Raphoe opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with Oliver Quinn hitting the bottom corner from a great volley. Celtic equalised seven minutes later through Mac Nelis after a mix up in Raphoe defence. Celtic took the lead on 60 minutes from a corner. Raphoe got the equaliser they deserved, a great finish from DJ Kelly. Good game from both teams.
Cappry Rovers 3 Gweedore United 0
Cappry secured the points in this entertaining game played in Cappry Park when they won by three goals to nil.
Cappry went on the attack from the start in search of the opening goal and they opened the scoring in the sixteenth minute when Aaron Kelly crossed the ball and found Gerald Melaugh who drilled the ball to the net. Cappry continued to press and created a few more chances. Cappry increased their lead in the thirty fourth minute when Arron Kelly crossed the ball and once again it was met by Gerald Melaugh and he rifled it to the bottom corner of the net passed the diving keeper. Calvin Bradley got on the score sheet in the forty second minute when he received a cross from Stephen Carr to score the bottom corner of the net through a crowded goalmouth. Gweedore tried to get back into the game but the home defence and good keeping denied them from scoring. Referee Con Mc Laughlin.
Donegal Town 7 Glenree United 0
Donegal started the better of the two sides and moved the ball well at the beginning of the half. Stephen Curneen opened the scoring for Donegal on 15 minutes when he turned quickly at the edge of the Glenree box and fired low from 18 yards into the bottom corner. Eoin Slevin came close to doubling Donegal’s lead forcing a great save from the Glenree when he struck from 20 yards. Curneen doubled Donegal’s lead on 35 minutes. Donegal’s right back Brighton carried the ball from 30 yards to the Glenree end line and cut the ball back across the six yard box leaving Curneen the easy of finishes from close range. Donegal led by two at the break. Following a fine passage of play from Donegal at the beginning of the second half Daniel McHugh spotted the Glenree keeper off his line and finished the ball superbly into the top corner. Joe McIntyre hit Glenree for a 4th within seconds of the tip off, McIntyre’s long range effort deflected over the Glenree keeper. Curneen completed his hat-trick on 60 minutes with a neat finish low to the bottom corner. Daniel McHugh got Donegal’s sixth on 65. McIntyre carried the ball into the 6 yard box and cut the ball back for McHugh to finish from close range. Curneen got his forth late in the game making it 7-0 to Donegal at the final whistle. Great performance from start to finish by Donegal.
Keadue Rovers 5 Erne Wanderers 2
Bonagee United 2 Deele Harps 0
The home side came close on ten minutes when a Paddy Mc Gowan cross from the right was headed over by Lee Mc Monagle. Mc Monagle made no mistake on seventeen minutes when his strike from all of thirty yards flew into the top corner of the net. Shane Gallagher for Deele saw his strike on twenty minutes saved by Carr in the home goal. Deele started the second half on top and had strikes on goal by Cathal Mc Gowan and Michael Crawford. Mc Monagle got his second on eighty minutes after Kevin Mc Hugh in midfield found Sean Crossan wide on the left and his cross into the box was hammered home by Mc Monagle from ten yards. Team effort by both sides. Referee: Dessie Mc Laughlin.
CT Ball Division Two
Ballybofey United 2 Dunkineely Celtic 0
Ballybofey United welcomed Dunkineely Celtic to Stranorlar on Saturday night for what will be both sides last game prior to the Christmas break. Going into the game only eight points separated the teams with Dunkineely having a game in hand so it was a perfect opportunity for the Darney Park men to close the gap at the top of the table. In what was one of the closest matches at the venue this season Dunkineely came out with only victory on their mind. They put it up to Ballybofey from the start. Indeed they had several decent chances and but for some slack finishing could have taken the lead. With the visitors shading the early exchanges Ballybofey were forced to defend deep and rely on the odd counter attack. Neither side could find an opening goal however and the game remained scoreless at the interval. The second half was only minutes old when Ballybofey took the lead. A corner from the left was headed against the Dunkineely crossbar and fell to Alan Patton who had the simplest of tasks in firing home from six yards. There were protests from the Dunkineely players and officials claiming that the ball had indeed came back off the stanchion behind the crossbar but the match referee was well positioned to have a clear view and had no reason to disallow the goal. This was to lead to a period of wayward play as reeling from the allowance of the goal Dunkineely became undisciplined in their play. They had a man dismissed and fell further behind when Mark Griffin teased the defence along the edge of the box before picking his spot and firing home past Gavin Mulreany. What had been a good game for the spectators had no turned into a scrappy affair. With the extra man Ballybofey were never threatened and despite not scoring again they held on easily to claim the three points that will see them hold top position over the Christmas break. One of the brightest lights on the night was the performance of a youthful Daragh Murrin who played well in the Dunkineely attack. For Ballybofey Karl Dunnion looked assured between the sticks. Both sides had several seasoned campaigners among their ranks with each having the former Finn Harps senior players in their dugouts, Brian Lafferty Snr. of Ballybofey and Paul Mc Geoghan of Dunkineely. No doubt these two sides will have a major say in the final outcome of this seasons League Title.
Saturday 10thDecember 2016
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Dunlewey Celtic 1 Glencar Celtic 3
In cool Winter conditions it was the visitors who started off well but found Micheal Mc Causland, Mark Roarty and Keith Sweeny in fine form for Dunlewey. Patrick Mc Fadden opened the scoring when he headed home a Micheal Roarty cross. The home team held on to half time with Paul Coll doing great work in midfield. The second half saw a revved up Glencar and they got back on level terms when Paddy O’ Kane knocked in from close range. It was nip and tuck after that until Micky Monley popped up to score much to the relief the Glencar supporters. They were able to relax more when a quick break led to Declan Scanlon finishing the game as a contest. A tight game with Paul Coll and Mark Roarty best for Dunlewey and it was a very solid team performance from Glencar Celtic.
Orchard F.C. 1 Strand Rovers 1
(No Report Received)
Saturday Reserve Division
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 1 Milford United Reserves 3
Milford left ‘The Moss’ with all three points but it was Drumoghill who got off to a good start on twenty minutes when Ethan Mc Cready hit the net after some great work from Mark Gibson and John O’ Kane sent the young striker through. Milford got their equaliser on thirty five minutes when Conor Meakin pounced on a defensive error to go one on one with the Drumoghill keeper, slotting the ball low into the bottom corner. Drumoghill seemed to switch off after this which and allowed Milford to grab two more goals before half time the first arriving on forth minutes through Ryan Campbell and the second coming from a set piece on forth five minutes which Raymond Friel headed home. To Drumoghill’s credit they played the second half at a better pace creating chance after chance but unable to crack the Milford defence. They also had a penalty saved by the Milford keeper. Team performance by Drumoghill with Raymond Friel impressive for the visitors.
St. Catherines Reserves 0 Castlefin Celtic Reserves 3
(No Report Received)
Cappry Rovers Reserves 2 Keadue Rovers Reserves 1
In a game played under the lights on Friday night in Cappry Park it was the youthful home side who got off to a flying start when they took the lead inside 5 minutes when Stephen Carr got through and finished well. The home side made it 2-0 in the 8th minute when Darren Bonner scored direct from a corner. Keadue kept playing and created a few chances before halftime but couldn’t find a way through the home defence. The 2nd half started with the away side pushing to get a goal back. Cappry were always dangerous on the break and could have made it 3-0 but Kyle Lafferty headed wide. Keadue got a goal back in the 80th minute when Eoin Doogan headed home a free kick. The home team held out for the 3 points. Two team performances. Referee: Andrew Mullan
Sunday Report
Ballybofey United 2 Dunkineely Celtic 0
Ballybofey United welcomed Dunkineely Celtic to Stranorlar on Saturday night for what will be both sides last game prior to the Christmas break. Going into the game only eight points separated the teams with Dunkineely having a game in hand so it was a perfect opportunity for the Darney Park men to close the gap at the top of the table. In what was one of the closest matches at the venue this season Dunkineely came out with only victory on their mind. They put it up to Ballybofey from the start. Indeed they had several decent chances and but for some slack finishing could have taken the lead. With the visitors shading the early exchanges Ballybofey were forced to defend deep and rely on the odd counter attack. Neither side could find an opening goal however and the game remained scoreless at the interval. The second half was only minutes old when Ballybofey took the lead. A corner from the left was headed against the Dunkineely crossbar and fell to Alan Patton who had the simplest of tasks in firing home from six yards. There were protests from the Dunkineely players and officials claiming that the ball had indeed came back off the stanchion behind the crossbar but the match referee was well positioned to have a clear view and had no reason to disallow the goal. This was to lead to a period of wayward play as reeling from the allowance of the goal Dunkineely became undisciplined in their play. They had a man dismissed and fell further behind when Mark Griffin teased the defence along the edge of the box before picking his spot and firing home past Gavin Mulreany. What had been a good game for the spectators had no turned into a scrappy affair. With the extra man Ballybofey were never threatened and despite not scoring again they held on easily to claim the three points that will see them hold top position over the Christmas break. One of the brightest lights on the night was the performance of a youthful Daragh Murrin who played well in the Dunkineely attack. For Ballybofey Karl Dunnion looked assured between the sticks. Both sides had several seasoned campaigners among their ranks with each having the former Finn Harps senior players in their dugouts, Brian Lafferty Snr. of Ballybofey and Paul Mc Geoghan of Dunkineely. No doubt these two sides will have a major say in the final outcome of this seasons League Title.
Drumkeen United 1 Lifford Celtic 2
Letterbarrow Celtic 5 Cranford United 3
This game was played in a sombre atmosphere following the recent death of Letterbarrow man, Liam Mc Hugh. A minute’s silence was observed before the game in his honour. The first goal of the game came on ten minutes when Gerard Mc Brearty tapped home after good work from Kevin Mc Brearty. Mc Brearty got on the scoresheet himself after twenty minutes when he finished at the far post from a James Mc Groary free kick. John Gallagher pulled a goal back for the visitors just before the break. The home side started the second half brightly and were rewarded when Allan Foxton scored from the penalty spot. However, the visitors didn’t give up and made it 3-2 on sixty minutes, a speculative effort from Brendan Giles deceived the home keeper. Cranford pulled level on seventy five minutes when Giles slotted a neat finish into the corner of the net. Letterbarrow were not to be beaten on the afternoon and goals from Pauric Coyle and Allan Foxton sealed the three points for the home side. Letterbarrow Football Club would like to extend their sincerest sympathies to the McHugh family and also to the family of Gerard Mc Brearty on their recent bereavements.
RESULTS
Saturday 10thDecember 2016
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Dunlewey Celtic 0 v 3 Glencar Celtic
Orchard F.C. 1 v 1 Strand Rovers
Saturday Reserve Division
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 1 v 3 Milford United Reserves
St. Catherines Reserves 0 v 3 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Cappry Rovers Reserves 2 v 1 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Sunday 11th December 2016
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Rathmullan Celtic 1 v 4 Glenea United
Kildrum Tigers 1 v 1 St. Catherines
Milford United 3 v 5 Castlefin Celtic
Lagan Harps 2 v 2 Drumoghill F.C.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Raphoe Town 2 v 2 Gweedore Celtic
Cappry Rovers 3 v 0 Gweedore United
Donegal Town 7 v 0 Glenree United
Keadue Rovers 5 v 2 Erne Wanderers
Bonagee United 2 v 0 Deele Harps
CT Ball Division Two
Ballybofey United 2 v 0 Dunkineely Celtic
Drumkeen United 1 v 2 Lifford Celtic
Letterbarrow Celtic 5 v 3 Cranford United
