There was plenty of action across the Donegal Junior League this weekend – here’s how the action panned out.
Old Orchard Saturday Reserve Division
Erne Wanderers Reserves 0 Keadue Rovers Reserves 3
(No Report Submitted)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Arranmore United 3 Fintown Harps AFC 0
(Fintown Harps failed to field)
Orchard F.C.P Drumbar United P
(Match postponed due the unplayable pitches)
Strand Rovers 1 Glencar Celtic 3
Strand Rovers played host to the undefeated champions Glencar Celtic for their final League fixture of the season. Strand were just fresh from their win in the Voodoo Venue Cup semi-final were looking to carry on that form against the champions.
Glencar took control from early on and put Strand under extreme pressure from kick-off.
In the 18th minute they broke through with Joe Baker drilling home a shot into the bottom corner from outside the box leaving the Strand keeper David Hanlon with no chance.
Strand started to come into the match more with keeper-turned-striker Kevin McGovern getting on the ball more but Strand were unable to make any headway and soon Glencar doubled their lead when Joe Baker slotted home from close range.
The second half started much the same as the first with Glencar putting the pressure on Strand and this was rewarded with another goal from Kevin O’Donnell to make it 3-0.
After this Strand started to fight back with more tenacity and aggression and they were rewarded when Michael Ward put away a penalty from a handball to make it 3-1.
Old Orchard Saturday Reserve Division
Donegal Town Reserves 5 Milford United Reserves 5
It was honours even after a thrilling contest at the Hospital Field. Donegal opened the scoring in the opening minutes through Ted Bustard. Bustard doubled the lead shortly after when he finished well after a sweeping Donegal move.
Milford got one back before the break when Jamie Whelan finished from close range.
Milford came out well for the second half and raced into a 4-2 lead through Christy McCafferty and JJ Fleming.
McCafferty equalised with a stunning long range strike and put his side in front with a good header before Fleming extended the lead further. Donegal fought back to level things up with two goals from Stephen Curneen.
There was yet more drama as Milford regained the lead in the last minute of normal time when Jason McConigley fired home to the bottom corner. Donegal ensured a point with a last gasp equaliser through Daniel McHugh.
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 1
Champions Castlefin maintained their unbeaten run when they defeated Kilmacrennan in a game switched to Parkview. Castlefin took the lead when Keith Nelis slotted home.
Kilmac drew level when Adrian Doherty headed home after a cross from the right. Damien McGlinchey put Castlefin ahead when his shot rifled into the top corner.
The scoring was completed when Paul Logue headed home from close range after good work by McGlinchey.
Keadue Rovers Reserves 1 Cappry Rovers Reserves 0
Keadue Reserves came out on top this game at Central Park on Saturday. Played in breezy sunny conditions it was a scrappy enough opening few minutes. Keadue had the first chance when Christy Greene hit the post in the eighth minute. On eleven minutes good link up play between Christy Greene and Jordan Doogan led to Doogan shooting just wide.
Again Keadue were unlucky with David Ward completing another good move with a shot that was well saved by Paddy Friel in the Cappry goal.
The home side kept up the good work with a shot saved from Daniel Mc Hugh on 25 minutes and shortly after that Daniel Bonner’s header was cleared off the line.
As the half went on Keadue became dominant and really should’ve taken the lead with a goalmouth scramble saved on the line and both Christy Greene and Chris Greene both going close in advance of half time but some resolute defending and goalkeeping from Cappry kept Keadue at bay.
Just before half time Darren Mc Cafferty poked wide for Cappry on a breakaway to keep Keadue alert. Into the second half and just like the first half the strong breeze was proving not much benefit and Cappry were the brighter outfit moving the ball out wide and sending an effort just wide on 50 minutes.
They were very unlucky on 52 minutes when following a fine move they shot low to the net but it was disallowed for offside. Keadue seemed to settle more after this spell with Christy Greene shooting just wide on the run. The game was still fairly open with half chances at either end.
Following a Keadue substitution they seemed to get on top and on seventy minutes they took the lead from a defensive lapse, Daniel McHugh latched on to the breaking ball and having made a bit of space hit a fine effort to the top corner of the net.
The home side created another good opportunity on 74 minutes but Daniel Bonners’ effort was saved. They saw the game out well keeping Cappry at bay while proving dangerous on the break. Best for Cappry were Darren Mc Cafferty and Paddy Friel while best for Keadue were Christy Greene, Michael Greene and Chris Greene. Referee: Frank Duff.
Erne Wanderers Reserves 4 Glenea United Reserves 1
(No Report Received)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Milford United 2 Drumoghill F.C. 2
(No Report Received)
Lagan Harps 2 Glenea United 1
CLICK HERE TO READ CHRIS MCNULTY’S MATCH REPORT FROM ORCHARD PARK
Kildrum Tigers 1 Castlefin Celtic 4
(No Report Received)
Convoy Arsenal 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic 2
(No Report Received)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Deele Harps 0 Raphoe Town 1
(No Report Received)
CT Ball Division Two
Copany Rovers 1 Drumkeen United 4
(No Report Received)
Dunkineely Celtic 2 Letterbarrow Celtic 0
Dunkineely took an important step towards clinching promotion to Division One with a hard fought victory over fellow promotion chasing Letterbarrow.
A tightly contested first half ended scoreless with both sides having a couple of good chances each. However, with the wind in their backs in the second half, Dunkineely took the direct approach and this finally paid off on 65 minutes when a clearance from the Dunkineely keeper landed in the Letterbarrow penalty area only for Paul Murrin to poke home after the ball rebounded off a defender.
As Letterbarrow pushed for the equaliser, Dunkineely secured their second on a break when Alan Lyons lashed home from inside the area.
Lifford Celtic 3 Eany Celtic 1
Eany stunned Lifford to take the lead after only 3 minutes when their centre forward took control of the ball in a crowded box and turned to finish into the top corner.
Lifford created good chances for McBrearty, Porter and Mahon but couldn’t find the net. The home team pushed men forward in the second half and were missing chance after chance until the 75th minute when Daniel Lindsay headed in a cross from Ross Porter.
Time was now running out for Lifford who were desperate for a much-needed winner. With the game now into injury time Kevin McBrearty struck a perfect free kick from 35 yards, which flew into the top corner to put Lifford in front.
Lifford had time to add a third to seal the points after McBrearty went on a run down the left wing to square to James Mc Nulty who tapped home from six yards. Kevin McBrearty and James McNulty were best for Lifford. Team performance from Eany.
Cranford United 0 Curragh Athletic 1
(No Report Received)
Whitestrand United 2 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 0
On a bright sunny day Whitestrand took on Kerrykeel ‘71 in a local derby at McGarvey Park. In terms of league position neither team had a lot to play for but there was always going to be competitive edge. Whitestrand started the stronger team and took an early lead when Liam O’Riordan broke the high line Kerrykeel were playing and placed the ball into the goal.
The second goal came shortly afterwards when Johnny Sweeney floated a ball into the box and it missed everybody and drifted into the far corner.
Whitestrand continued on the front foot and nearly had a third with a well struck volley from Johnny Sweeney. Whitestrand were well on top and had one or two more chances but halftime came with the score at 2-0.
The second half started much more evenly with neither team giving the other much time on the ball. Whitestrand gradually exerted their influence on the game and should have made in more with fine strikes that narrowly missed the target from Kevin McCarry and Johnny Sweeney.
Kerrykeel nearly got one back when Andrew Friel broke free and it resulted in a fine save from Paddy Kelly. Best for Whitestrand were Derek Edwards and Liam O’Riordan.
RESULTS
Old Orchard Saturday Reserve Division
Erne Wanderers Reserves 0 v 3 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Arranmore United 3 v 0 Fintown Harps AFC
Orchard F.C. P v P Drumbar United
Strand Rovers 1 v 3 Glencar Celtic
Old Orchard Saturday Reserve Division
Donegal Town Reserves 5 v 5 Milford United Reserves
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 3 v 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Keadue Rovers Reserves 1 v 0 Cappry Rovers Reserves
Erne Wanderers Reserves 4 v 1 Glenea United Reserves
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Milford United 2 v 2 Drumoghill F.C.
Lagan Harps 2 v 1 Glenea United
Kildrum Tigers 1 v 4 Castlefin Celtic
Convoy Arsenal 3 v 2 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Deele Harps 0 v 1 Raphoe Town
CT Ball Division Two
Copany Rovers 1 v 4 Drumkeen United
Dunkineely Celtic 2 v 0 Letterbarrow Celtic
Lifford Celtic 3 v 1 Eany Celtic
Cranford United 0 v 1 Curragh Athletic
Whitestrand United 2 v 0 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
FIXTURES
Wednesday 05th April 2017 K.O. (TBC)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic v Drumoghill F.C.
Saturday 8th April 2017 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Arranmore United v Orchard F..C. (K.O. 1p.m.)
Old Orchard Saturday Reserve Division
Glenea United Reserves v Keadue Rovers Reserves
Cappry Rovers Reserves v Erne Wanderers Reserves
Donegal Town Reserves v Castlefin Celtic Reserves
St. Catherines Reserves v Milford United Reserves
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves v Glenree United Reserves
Sunday 9th April 2017 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Castlefin Celtic v Kilmacrennan Celtic
Drumoghill F.C. v Convoy Arsenal
Glenea United v Kildrum Tigers
Milford United v Rathmullan Celtic
CT Ball Division Two
Dunkineely Celtic v Ballybofey United
Cranford United v Letterbarrow Celtic
Whitestrand United v Eany Celtic
