The various Leagues are taking shape in the Donegal Junior League – here’s a full round-up of all the weekend’s action.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Arranmore United P Fintown Harps AFC P
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Glencar Celtic 2 Orchard F.C. 0
Drumbar F.C. 0 Dunlewey Celtic 1
Dunlewey defeated Drumbar in challenging conditions out the Old Laghey Road.
The hosts had the best chance in the first half when Daithi Hanna threaded a ball through to Ray Balogen, but he hit the side netting.
Drumbar got a better grip of the game for spells of the second half. The visitors stole the show in the last few minutes when Sean McCafferty found himself free at the back post and he slotted home.
Ethan Gallagher, Keelan Heeney, Ray and Daithi broke four-on-two but Dunlewey’s mighty Hugo managed to get a foot block to denied the home side a point
Saturday Reserve Division
St. Catherines Reserves P Cappry Rovers Reserves P
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 1 Glenea United Reserves 4
Drumoghill started well but Glenea scored on 10 minutes when a ball was not cleared from the Drumoghill defence. Drumoghill had a few chances but never hit the target.
On 20 minutes Glenea struck again with a through ball that caught out the defence.
After the break Drumoghill came out fighting and with all the pressure got a goal back on 55 minutes with a well worked ball from the midfield that fell to Mark Gibson and he finished well from 10 yards.
Ten minutes from the end Glenea got the sucker punch and ended Drumoghill’s comeback. Glenea were more clinical on the day.
Milford United Reserves P Keadue Rovers Reserves P
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 0 Erne Wanderers Reserves 3
This match was brought forward to Thursday night and played on the Lakeside Astro Surface in Ballyshannon. There wasn’t much between the sides throughout the match but it was a case of the hosts taking their chances and Kilmacrennan Celtic failing to make the most of the opportunities that they created.
Evan Ternan got two for Kevin Gallagher’s side and Joe Stitt got the third to give the Ernesiders a comprehensive victory on the score-board at least.
With results going their way and some matches postponed Erne have moved up the table no fewer than five positions, such is the close proximity of the teams around the middle of the Reserves League.
Kilmacrennan who were in fifth position going into the game will rue those missed chances as they were well positioned in the League Table and indeed could have gone third with a positive result.
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic P Kildrum Tigers P
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Convoy Arsenal 1 Rathmullan Celtic 3
On a sunny afternoon in Orchard Park Convoy Arsenal and Rathmullan Celtic took to the pitch with little between the sides for the first 20 minutes.
Rathmullan started to get a hold of the game and in the 22 minute came close with a volley from a free kick that went narrowly wide.
Rathmullan kept the pressure on and Chris O’Donnell kept Convoy in the game with an excellent save on the 25th Minute.
The away side continued to dominate but could not break the Convoy defence and in the 46th minute Convoy nearly took the lead when Anthony Bogle broke through and rounded the Rathmullan keeper but the angle was too tight to convert.
The second half started with Convoy coming close on the 49th minute when a save resulted in a goal mouth scramble that Rathmullan managed to clear, from this point Rathmullan dominated proceedings and broke the deadlock on the 57th minute when Keven Doran converted from a cross at the far post.
Dara Patton made it two for Rathmullan in the 72nd minute with Niall Carruthers making it three for the away side on the 76th minute.
Convoy rallied in the final minutes and got a consolation goal when Chris Lynch hit the back of the net on the 87 minute, but defeat here means Convoy have been relegated.
Lagan Harps 4 Castlefin Celtic 3
16-year-old Karol Mc Ginley was the hero as his late goal secured three points for Lagan in a rip-roaring contest. Lagan took the lead after just two minutes when Kenny Doran chased down a back pass and blocked keeper Tiernan Gallagher’s clearance and then fire home.
Castlefin responded with Damien Mc Annaney beating the fullback down the left but Lagan keeper Darren Mc Evoy blocked his shot.
The game was going end to end and Castlefin got their equaliser on twenty minutes. Ronan Tourish scoring from the penalty spot after a reckless challenge in the area. Lagan regained the lead on thirty five minutes when Mark Hunter scored with a great effort from the corner of the area.
Castlefin upped their game and equalised when JP Mailey crossed for Aaron Boyle to score from close in. They then took the lead when the Lagan defence failed to deal with a ball straight down the middle and Ronan Tourish raced clear for his second. T
iernan Gallagher then made up for his earlier error with a superb save from Kenny Doran right on halftime.
Lagan again scored early at the start of the second half when Mark Hunter headed home a great cross from Kenny Doran.
The game was in the balance from then on with both defences struggling to contain the lively front lines.
Karol McGinley then hit a great free-kick for Lagan but Tiernan Gallagher palmed it away superbly. Castlefin then had a chance to take the lead when they were awarded a second penalty for a foul in the area.
This time however Ronan Tourish shot narrowly wide.
Lagan grabbed the winner when Oran Hilley put a ball through and Karol McGinley hit a great shot from a tight angle. Castlefin kept going and went close a couple of times near the end.
For Lagan Karol McGinley, Mark Graham and Mark Hunter were best. For Castlefin Ronan Tourish, Damien Mc Annaney and JP Mailey did well.
Referee: Kevin Logue.
Milford United 2 St. Catherines 2
(No Report Received)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore United 2 Gweedore Celtic 2
This local derby played in glorious conditions at Carrickboyle in front of a large attendance saw a share of the spoils in what was probably a must win for both sides for different reasons.
In an entertaining encounter, the visitors got off to the best possible start when they found themselves 2-0 up just after just 8 minutes and Michael McKelvey in the Celtic nets was asking that the kettle be put on.
Tommy Diver made it 1-0 in the 4th minute when he tapped in the following a goal-mouth scramble. Four minutes later Colin Ferry made it 2-0 after good play.
It didn’t look good for a shell shocked United however they rolled up their sleeves and got themselves back into the game once they settled. Frank Mc Gee brought the best out in McKelvey with a good header from a Paul Duggan corner.
United continued to press and pulled a goal back when good play and individual work was excellently finished by Ciaran McFadden from a tight angle.
The home side continued to press with corner after corner. In the 34th the home side got their deserved equaliser when Michael Barry finished well from 18 yards following a good cross from Jamie McGee.
In the second half it was a tight encounter with Charles Doherty saving well in from Eamon McGee and Colin Ferry.
Kevin Cassidy and John McFadden went close for the home side but chances were few and far between in a tense game.
Good team performances from both sides with Jamie McGee excelling for United in this entertaining local derby.
Referee: Liam McLaughlin
Erne Wanderers 0 Donegal Town 1
Erne Wanderers hosted Donegal Town in perfect playing conditions at the Lakeside and the visitors squeezed out a one 0-1 which keeps their promotion push going.
In truth it was a poor quality game and maybe the tension showed on the visitors as they rarely troubled the home keeper and were rushing their passing and over hitting through balls.
The home team never got going and it was a patchy display from them although the backline did well to restrict the visitors to a couple of half chances and the only goal came on halftime when Daniel McHugh seized on a mix up at the back from Erne and he rounded the keeper to squeeze it under the defender.
The second half was lacking a bit of quality and Erne were always in the game when it stayed at just the one goal but Donegal got over the line in the end.
Referee: Dessie McLaughlin
CT Ball Division Two
Eany Celtic 4 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 0
A strong performance from a young Eany side secured three points at Eany Park.
A resilient performance from Kerrykeel held them scoreless until the 50th minute when Paul McGroarty was on hand to finish from close range when Colin Kearns had done all the hard work.
Ten minutes later the young striker Kearns almost made it 2- 0 but his shot went narrowly wide. Eany extended their lead on the hour when Stuart Johnston was put through and he slotted the ball home following a good midfield.
Shaun Griffin put the game beyond doubt in 75th minute when he scored from inside the box and it was Eany full back Cathal Lowther scored Eany’s fourth five minutes later.
Letterbarrow Celtic 2 Whitestrand United 2
Whitestrand started this game strongly against a sluggish Letterbarrow side and were rewarded on thirty minutes when Liam O’Riordan slotted home from close range.
The visitors maintained the lead until half time. Letterbarrow were much stronger in the second half and Gerard Mc Brearty capitalised on a defensive mix up to head home an equaliser on sixty minutes.
Letterbarrow’s pressure began to tell and they got the lead goal on 70 minutes when Declan Gallagher stabbed home a Dermot Slevin cut back.
However the game ended in controversy when the referee awarded a penalty to the visitors in the eight minute of a surprisingly long injury time.
There was a delay in taking the penalty as the home side tried to figure out what the penalty was given for, however, Shane McGlade kept his calm and powered home from the penalty spot for the final kick of the game.
Drumkeen United 5 Cranford United 1
Drumkeen won this match comfortably enough in the end but not for the first time this season they had to come from behind to do so.
The early part of the game was quiet enough with little of note happening until the 15th minute when Joe Gallagher fired Cranford ahead, Drumkeen equalised 15 minutes later with a well-worked goal.
Michael Guthrie controlled a ball out on the right wing before passing it inside to Lee Kennedy on the half way line. Kennedy played a great pass through the Cranford defence to Niall Bonner who calmly rounded the keeper and stroked the ball into an empty net.
The home team went ahead shortly after that when Michael Guthrie headed home a Benny Bonner cross.
Just before the half time break they added a third when Benny Bonner scored with a great free kick from thirty yards out. Cranford chances were few and far between towards the end of the half but they did hit the crossbar with a free kick.
Drumkeen began the second half well and could have added a couple of goals. Benny Bonner sent in a couple of great free kicks from the left wing but on both occasions no Drumkeen player could get on the end of them. The fourth goal did come when Michael Guthrie was fouled in the box and referee Martin McAnnaney pointed to the penalty spot.
Young Michael Guthrie stepped up and took the penalty himself and he was a little bit fortunate as the ball just crept in under the keeper’s body.
Cranford were offering very little threat going forward by now and Drumkeen wrapped up the scoring when Benny Bonner scored with another free kick after Kevin Bonner was fouled on the edge of the box.
So two goals each for Benny Bonner and Michael Guthrie and Niall Bonner with his weekly goal ensured that Drumkeen stay in touch with the teams above them in the race for third place.
A good team effort from both sides.
Ballybofey United 1 Lifford Celtic 1
Marcus Mc Donald spoiled the title party that would have ignited on Finnside had Ballybofey United maintained their first half lead in this match.
Click here to read Chris McNulty’s match report
Copany Rovers 2 Dunkineely Celtic 4
(No Report Received)
RESULTS
Saturday 4th March 2017
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Arranmore United P v P Fintown Harps AFC
Glencar Celtic 2 v 0 Orchard F.C.
Drumbar F.C. 0 v 1 Dunlewey Celtic
Saturday Reserve Division
St. Catherines Reserves P v P Cappry Rovers Reserves
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 1 v 4 Glenea United Reserves
Milford United Reserves P v P Keadue Rovers Reserves
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 0 v 3 Erne Wanderers Reserves
Sunday 5th March 2017
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic P v P Kildrum Tigers
Convoy Arsenal 1 v 3 Rathmullan Celtic
Lagan Harps 4 v 3 Castlefin Celtic
Milford United 2 v 2 St. Catherines
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore United 2 v 2 Gweedore Celtic
Erne Wanderers 0 v 1 Donegal Town
CT Ball Division Two
Eany Celtic 4 v 0 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Letterbarrow Celtic 2 v 2 Whitestrand United
Drumkeen United 5 v 1 Cranford United
Ballybofey United 1 v 1 Lifford Celtic
Copany Rovers 2 v 4 Dunkineely Celtic
FIXTURES
Saturday 11th March 2017 K.O. 2 p.m. (Unless Stated)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Strand Rovers v Arranmore United (K.O. 1p.m.)
Glencar Celtic v Drumbar F.C.
Saturday Reserve Division
Milford United Reserves v Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
Castlefin Celtic Reserves v St. Catherines Reserves
Keadue Rovers Reserves v Cappry Rovers Reserves
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves v Glenea United Reserves
Sunday 12th March 2017 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Cup Semi-Finals
Keadue Rovers v Ballybofey United (K.O. 1.30 p.m.)
Rathmullan Celtic v St. Catherines (K.O. 1.30 p.m.)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Kildrum Tigers v Convoy Arsenal
Castlefin Celtic v Milford United
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Erne Wanderers v Bonagee United
Gweedore United v Donegal Town
Raphoe Town v Cappry Rovers
Gweedore Celtic v Deele Harps
CT Ball Division Two
Dunkineely Celtic v Drumkeen United
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. v Letterbarrow Celtic
Curragh Athletic v Eany Celtic
Knockalla Cup
Drumoghill F.C. v Letterkenny Rovers (K.O. 1.30 p.m.)
Glenea United v Cockhill Celtic (K.O. 1.30 p.m.)
