Saturday 6th November 2021
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Fintown Harps AFC 3 v 1 Strand Rovers
In windy but dry conditions at Pairc Achla Fintown really needed to kick start their league campaign but this was going to be a really tough game for Paddy Molloy’s men. For the first ten minutes both teams went at it and some chances were had by both side with Thompson and McCahill going close for the home team on the 8th and 10th minutes.
Strand also pushed hard for the opener they got caught with a great break from midfield with Quinn and Smith opening up the Strand defence for Mc Cahill to have a strike but it was well saved by the Strand keeper. Odhran McCallaig followed up to slot home from 6 yards to give the home side the lead. This was a great start for Fintown. The 2nd half started great for Fintown with a magical ball from Quinn finding McCallig running through the middle and he made no mistake putting Fintown two up on the 48th minute.
Strand fought back and David Sweeney at the back post headed past Martin Molloy in the Harps’ goal. This wakened the Fintown men up again and after a few scary moments they got back into a two-goal lead with some great work from Mc Cahill finding Doherty running through and he was upended in the box.
McCallig stepped up to earn the match ball with a hat-trick for Fintown from the spot. Fintown brought on a few old timers like JP Breslin and Barry Mc Monagle to help see out the game. Fintown held on for their first win of the season. Team efforts from both sides. Referee: Con Mc Laughlin.
Arranmore United 0 v 2 Donegal Town Reserves
Arranmore hosted Donegal Town on a very windy day at Rannagh Park. Arranmore played the 1st half with the wind and as a result, were in control of much of the game. The Islanders had a good few chances, notably the three free kicks, each denied by the keeper or pushed wide with the wind.
The Islanders went out in the 2nd half expecting the control of the game to shift however they came out and played even better and even created several chances. Despite this, Donegal Town managed to nick a goal 25 minutes in followed by another in the 35th minute. Best player for Arranmore: Peadar Boyle played excellent in midfield.
Cappry Rovers Reserves 5 v 2 Oldtown Celtic
Cappry playing with the wind in the first half got off to the ideal start when Luke McGlynn’s shot found the bottom corner. Cappry doubled their lead when Liam Gallagher finished a Luke Mc Glynn cross.
Oldtown kept going and brought a good save from Dylan Doherty. Oldtown started the second-half well and pressed Cappry back but couldn’t find a way through the Cappry defence. Cappry made it 3-0 when Leo Gallagher scored from a tight angle. Oldtown kept pressing and got a penalty to bring them back into the game. Dylan Doherty saved the first penalty but referee gave a second penalty for a foul following the save which was scored by Theo Peoples.
Cappry got their fourth goal when Daniel Marley crossed for Kyle O’Meara who volleyed into the bottom corner. Cappry were then awarded a penalty a few minutes later but Darren O’Leary saw his penalty saved. Oldtown got another goal back when Theo Peoples scored from outside the box with a fine strike. Cappry added their fifth goal in injury time when Ronan Carlin finished a Daniel Marley cross. Two Team Performances. Referee: Vincent McLaughlin
Glencar Celtic 6 v 2 Milford United Reserves
Glencar Celtic took on Milford United Reserves in Rathmullan in a game where they ran out 6-2 winners. Glencar found themselves in front after just three minutes when Pajo Rafferty found the back of the net and five minutes later they were two to the good when Paddy Collins latched onto a good ball from Peter Doherty.
It was 3-0 on 26 minutes as Jordan Ryan finished off a good team move. Paddy Collins got his second of the game five minutes before the break and Milford got themselves on the scoreboard right on halftime through a penalty.
Glencar got their 5th right from the restart through Dultach Molloy. The game continued to be very one-sided with Glencar dominating all over and found a sixth from Pajo Rafferty.
Milford kept going and found a consolation goal five minutes from the end but overall Glencar ran out easy winners.
Glenea United Reserves 2 v 4 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
(No Report Received)
Keadue Rovers Reserves 2 v 0 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
Keadue Reserves got back to winning ways and moved up the table after this comfortable win over Kildrum Reserves at Central Park on Saturday. It was a difficult day for football with an almost constant gale force wind. The home side were stronger from the off and should’ve taken the lead in the early minutes, only for some unlucky finishing.
They did however take the lead on twenty minutes when a Jack Boyle free kick was driven low past the keeper to put the home side ahead. They should’ve been further ahead after that only for some fine keeping by the away side.
It was 2-0 just after forty minutes when Ultan Boyle ran onto a through pass and deftly lifted it over the keeper to extend the advantage. The second half continued in the same vain with plenty of chances falling to Keadue but they passed up on each. Ultan Boyle and Jack Doherty with the chances.
Kildrum did come into the game more as the second half wore on but didn’t really trouble the Keadue defence to any degree and the home team ran out comfortable winners on a 2-0 scoreline. A team effort for Kildrum while best for Keadue were Michael Greene, Ultan Boyle and Jack Doherty. Referee: Sean Ferry.
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Ballybofey United Reserves 1 v 5 Copany Rovers
Ballybofey United Reserves are a team very much in the building stage. This was evident on Saturday afternoon at Dreenan when they hosted the long established Copany Rovers. The Killowen park men soon found themselves in the lead and by the interval they were three to the good.
In the second half they extended their advantage before Ballybofey managed to pull a goal back through Aaron McAuley. It ended 1-5 in favour of Rovers and for United the building and learning process must continue, it really is a matter of getting the necessary experience needed to compete at this level in a tough Division of the Saturday League.
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 4 v 0 Drumoghill F.C.
Gweedore continued their recent good run with a four-goal victory against Drumoghill. For much of the game the Celts were dominant. They opened the scoring midway through the first half when Liam Wiggins fired home. Cathal Boyle then finished off a fine cross from Colin Ferry five minutes before the break.
Drumoghill came out for the second half and pressed forward looking for a goal but they were exposed on several occasions. The home team spurned a few chances to increase their lead. They managed to get their third goal with fifteen minutes remaining through Naoise Ó Baoill and on the stroke of full time Neil Doran, just on as sub, finished off a fine move for Gweedore’s fourth.
Gweedore had good performances from Caolan Laux at right back, Pauric Winters in mid field and veteran Cathal Boyle up front. A good team performance from Drumoghill.
Ramelton Mariners 2 v 2 Drumbar F.C.
This game, played in a wet and windy Kerrykeel, ended in a stalemate after a great battling performance from both teams. The Mariners, missing a few key players, started the game the better and could have been ahead within five minutes when an in-swinging corner from David Fisher rattled the crossbar.
The Mariners took a deserved lead on eleven minutes when Fisher won a midfield battle and found the head of the returning Kevin Coyle. His deft flick nestled at the feet of Caolan Sweeney who flicked the ball over the Drumbar keeper.
Drumbar took control of the game from here and deservedly got their equaliser shortly before half time when a goalmouth scramble found the feet of Paul Donovan for his first of the game.
The second half started as the first ended, with Drumbar asking most of the questions. They took the lead on 57 minutes when Donovan rifled a shot past the outstretched arms of Mariners’ keeper Dane Dunsworth. The Mariners got their equaliser on 73 minutes when, after a ball in from the right-hand side, Sweeney unleashed a volley from 19 yards that found the roof of the net.
Best for the Mariners was Captain David Fisher who put in a stellar performance in the middle of the park. Team performance from Drumbar. Special mention must also go to Chuck McDaid and Kevin Coyle who rolled back the years and
showed that there is plenty of life in them.
St. Catherines Reserves 4 v 1 Cranford United Reserves
(No Report Received)
Swilly Rovers Reserves 1 v 3 Dunlewey Celtic
(No Report Received)
Sunday 7th November 2021
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Bonagee United 4 v 1 Convoy Arsenal
The home side took the lead on fourteen minutes when Evan McGroary played a great ball down the right to Codey Brogan who turned inside the defender and shot home from the edge of the box. It was two nil three minutes later when Aaron Wasson was put clear from midfield he shot home from just inside the box.
It was three nil on twenty-five minutes when Ryan McGavigan won the ball on the half way line, he found Wasson wide on the right, he beat the defender to the ball and his cross into the box was hit home by McGavigan.
The visitor’s first chance came on thirty minutes when a cross into the box from the left by Darren Harvey was met by the head of Matthew Coyle but Carr saved well in the home goal. It should have been four for the home side two minutes later when Wasson blocked a kick out by Gallagher, with the goal at his mercy he shot over from six yards.
The visitors came close on forty-two minutes when the ball fell to Matthew Coyle on the edge of the box but his shot went just wide of the post. The visitors again had a great strike on goal from JP Malley on forty-seven minutes but Carr saved well.
The home side got their fourth on fifty minutes when a free kick from Daniel Stolarczyk from twenty-five yards was parried by the keeper and the ball fell to Peter Carr who tapped home from three yards. Eamon Cannon then saw his strike from forty yards on fifty-five minutes just go over the bar. Darren Mc Elwaine saw his strike from ten yards on fifty-eight minutes well saved by Carr in the home goal. The visitors thought they had scored on the hour when JP Malley’s shot from inside the box went over the keeper’s head but a great clearance off the line by Evan McGroary foiled the Convoy men.
The visitors had a good chance on sixty-four minutes when a corner kick Mark Griffin was headed over from six yards by Ronan Kelly. Malley again shot wide three minutes later from twenty yards. The visitors were awarded a penalty on eighty minutes and McElwaine made no mistake from the spot.
The last chance of the game fell to Peter Carr on eighty-seven
minutes when he was put clear by Daniel Stolarczyk but Gallagher in the visitor’s goal made a great save.
Team effort by both sides. Referee: Gerald Devine.
Cappry Rovers 3 v 0 Keadue Rovers
Patrick McNulty netted one goal in each half to help Cappry see off Keadue Rovers on home soil. Benny Bonner netted late in the game as Cappry remain unbeaten during their first five matches. This fixture for Keadue Rovers was their first in the Donegal Premier League in three weeks while Cappry were fresh after their win against Drumkeen United.
Both sides had decent chances inside the first 180 seconds with Jay Doherty firing an early shot wide for the visitors while Aaron Kelly sent a rushed shot wide for the hosts. The ball struck the arm of Conor Doherty in the box in the tenth minute after a shot from Jay Doherty but the referee waved away the appeals as the shot was from point blank range.
A little under ten minutes later and Cappry broke the deadlock. After some good build-up play in the midfield, Aaron Kelly played through Patrick McNulty on the right and the midfielder slotted the ball into the bottom left corner. Keadue almost got back into the game just a few minutes later but Peter Mc Gee snatched his shot from close range.
Cappry and Keadue both enjoyed their fair share of possession as the game approached the half time interval but neither keeper was troubled beyond the half hour mark. Keadue started the second half on the front foot and looked threatening but at times their passes in the final third let them down.
Mark Forker was the standout performer for the visitors and looked to create openings but his attempts to get Keadue level were snuffed out by the home defence. Cappry had their moments too and could have doubled their lead just before the hour but Brendan Mc Laughlin fired straight at Paddy Bonner from close range. At the midway point in the second half Cappry doubled their lead rather fortuitously.
Benny Bonner whipped in a free kick from the right and it was headed off the line but ricocheted off Patrick McNulty, who knew little about it, and beyond the reach of Bonner in nets. Five minutes before full time, Cappry wrapped things up with Benny Bonner curling in a free kick from 25 yards after McNulty was fouled while driving towards goal. Referee: Patrick Martin
Castlefin Celtic 2 v 1 Donegal Town
Castlefin secured three points against Donegal Town in an opening half was dominated by the visitors, playing with the aid of a strong breeze but they only created one clear cut chance. Joe McIntyre broke down the middle but his effort was thwarted by Lee White in the Castlefin goal.
In the second half Castlefin took hold of the game and took the lead in the 50th minute, Barney Dooher played through Emmett White down the left and his cross was headed home by Ronan Tourish. The hosts had further efforts to increase
their lead firstly Sean Ferry broke clear but he failed to beat the keeper. Tourish and White also had opportunities but failed to beat the Donegal keeper.
The visitors equalised in the 70th minute, Eoin Slevin converting from the penalty spot. In the 75th minute the hosts took the lead again when White broke down the left-hand side and squared to Matthew O’ Rourke and he side footed into the bottom corner. In the closing stages Donegal threw everything at Castlefin but the home defence stood firm.
Glenea United 3 v 2 Drumkeen United
On a great afternoon for football it was Glenea who came out on top of this tightly contested affair. Glenea had two great opportunities to take the lead in the first 15 minutes, Carlos O’Reilly playing in John McFadden and Luke McCarry respectively, but both dragging the ball wide of the target.
Drumkeen went one up after 23 minutes, a great diagonal ball landing at the feet of Eoghan Kennedy who struck the post with his first effort and tapped in the rebound. There were very few chances until the last minute of the first half, Mark Gordon in the Drumkeen goal saved well from a Martin McGuire effort but Ciaran Coll pounced on the rebound to leave the teams level at half time.
Drumkeen found themselves ahead again in the 50th minute when Rory Craig got on the end of a corner and finished well. Three minutes later John Mc Fadden was in on goal but his effort smashed off the upright. Glenea got the equaliser in the 62nd minute, a Darren Mc Geever strike was goal bound but Carlos O’Reilly got on the end of it to make sure.
Glenea were now pushing hard for a winner and it came in the 67th minute. Carlos O’ Reilly picked out Ciaran Coll with a delightful cross and Coll’s header beat the keeper. A few half chances resulted for the remainder of the game with Jack Patton going close for Drumkeen and McGeever for Glenea. Carlos O’ Reilly and Ciaran Coll were excellent for Glenea and a team effort from Drumkeen.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Cranford United 0 v 3 Ballybofey United
Ballybofey left Cranford Park with all three points after a well-disciplined performance. The game started with both sides on the front foot but it was Ballybofey who took the lead from the penalty spot for a handball. Ballybofey started the second half the better and soon found themselves two up with Damien Glackin’s second after an unfortunate deflection off a Cranford player, he couldn’t believe his luck as the ball landed to him six yards out and he slotted the ball home.
Cranford upped the tempo and we’re causing some danger through Oisin Purdy and Danny Mc Bride but they couldn’t get the goal needed to get back in the game and we’re made pay when a speculative shot from Jude Patton from 20 yards finished the game off for Ballybofey with ten minutes to go.
Drumoghill F.C. 1 v 5 St. Catherines
St. Catherine’s cruised to an emphatic victory at Drumoghill thanks to a dominant display at The Moss. The visitors took the lead on 7 minutes through Dan Breslin and although the game remained in the balance until half time St. Catherine’s never looked like leaving with anything less than three points.
Ryan Cunningham doubled their lead on 54 minutes before the game’s outstanding player, Josh Maxwell, got the goal of the game on 62 minutes when he dribbled his way into the box before hammering home from a tight angle.
Lee Smyth did pull a goal back on 78 minutes when he finished well from a tight angle and for a few minutes it looked like Drumoghill might somehow find a route back into the game when Michael Mullin did well to tip over an excellent effort from distance from Liam O’Donnell.
However, those hopes were well and truly extinguished when late strikes from David O’Kenna and Ryan Cunningham, with his second of the game, killed off any hopes of a comeback.
Fanad United 3 v 1 Milford United
Fanad United and Milford United played out a highly entertaining local derby at Traigh-a-Loch with the home side coming out on top 3-1. As early as the 4th minute Fanad missed a good chance to take the lead when Oisin Langan headed just wide from a Keelin McElwaine corner.
Two minutes later Fanad had the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out for offside. Fanad did take the lead in the 15th minute when Oisin Langan went on a driving run and he set up Martin Mc Elhinney who fired into the roof of the net. Fanad
should really have extended their lead four minutes later when Keelin McElwaine set up Seamus Coyle who fired over when well placed.
Milford started to come into the game and got an equaliser in the 25th minute. Pauric Curley hit a dangerous long range free kick into the box and Joey Cullen was quickest to react to slot the ball into the bottom corner. On the half hour mark Darragh Cullen-Kelly will feel he should have done better when he fired over the Fanad bar when well placed. In the 35th minute Patrick Moffitt went on a good run from right back but his shot went just wide of the Milford post.
However, a minute later Fanad took the lead. Liam Mc Grenaghan hit a very dangerous free into the Milford penalty area and Eddie O’Reilly was on hand to fire into the bottom corner. Five minutes before the break Fanad keeper Mark McConigley showed great reflexes to push another Pauric Curley free kick over the bar.
Fanad started the second half on the front foot and got their 3rd goal ten minutes into the half. Liam McGrenaghan pushed forward from left back and when he fed the ball to Dylan Dorrian he touched the ball back to the inrushing Keelin Mc Elwaine who finished well into the corner. Both sides enjoyed periods of pressure with Fanad creating the clearest chances.
In the 70th minute Dylan Dorrian went on a good run but dragged his shot just wide. Oisin Langan came close to getting a fourth for Fanad with five minutes to go when his well struck free kick from 25 yards went just wide. Fanad did miss a gilt-edged chance to get a fourth in the closing minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Eddie O’Reilly stepped up but Caolan Mc Gettigan produced an excellent save to deny him.
Raphoe Town 1 v 4 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
(No Report Submitted)
Swilly Rovers 2 v 2 Rathmullan Celtic
A share of the spoils in a very entertaining local derby reversed to Rathmullan. Swilly will be bitterly disappointed after throwing away a two-goal lead and missing gilt edged chances.
Swilly went ahead on eight minutes when Kyle Black was fouled in the box. Tyler Durning stepped up to cooly dispatch the
penalty. It was two on 18 minutes when Durning’s corner was headed home in some style by the onrushing Damien Friel. Kyle Black then saw his fine effort come off the bar.
While Swilly dominated the first half in the second half Rathmullan came out all guns blazing and scored on 51 minutes when Matt McNulty converted a low shot past young Mark Gibbons in the Swilly goal. Durning was denied on three occasions when through on goal. Reggie Millar equalised on 86 minutes following a free kick by James Gallagher. Swilly were badly depleted for this game, missing key players.
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Deele Harps 1 v 2 Whitestrand United
Deele welcomed Whitestrand to Deele College on a fine day for football. In an evenly contested first half the defences were on top before Rhys Nugent fired the visitors ahead just before half time.
Deele rallied in the second half and were awarded a penalty on 70 minutes, following a handball, which Jordy Duffy
converted to level the scores. As the game was drawing to a close it looked likely to finish with honours even but Jordan Nugent found a winner from a direct free kick right at the death to hand Strand the victory. Team performances.
Dunkineely Celtic 1 v 4 Curragh Athletic
The game kicked off in excellent conditions in Darney and both teams started well but it was Curragh who took the lead in the 9th minute after the Dunkineely keeper was beaten to leave an easy tap in for Calvin Bradley. Dunkineely had a couple of chances before Adrian Nesbitt capitalised on a mistake in the Curragh defence to level the game.
Curragh pushed forward and Corey Byrne had to be at his best to deny Curragh on a couple of occasions. Dunkineely had their chances also but the score remained level at half-time. Dunkineely started the 2nd half well, Adrian Nesbitt forcing the Curragh keeper to put the ball around his near post for a corner but the game was decided in the 57th and 60th minutes when two goals from Oisín Duffy and Bradley put them two to the good.
Dunkineely tried hard to get back into the game but it was Curragh who pushed home their advantage scoring again 7 minutes from time as Bradley got his hat trick to leave Darney with a well-deserved first win of the season.
Lagan Harps 2 v 4 Letterkenny Rovers
Letterkenny Rovers extended their lead at the top of the league with a battling win in Orchard Park. They got off to a great start with Leon Doherty cutting in from the right and firing home across goal. Lagan went close when Blake Forkin did well to push over a free from Ross Hamlyn when it bounced in front of him.
Josh Hay headed the resulting corner just wide. Rovers increased their lead on fourteen minutes when Nathan Plumb seized on hesitancy in the Lagan defence before curling a shot in to the far corner. Lagan pulled a goal back on thirty-five minutes when Rovers failed to clear and Ross Hamlyn finished well.
Lagan keeper Jason Quinn then did well to hold a dangerous free from Caolan Mc Connell. Letterkenny scored a killer goal right on halftime when a James Gallagher cross went all the way to the back post and Nathan Plumb poked it home.
Letterkenny again started the second half well. They increased their lead when Nathan Plumb beat the outrushing keeper to a long ball before rolling it to the back of the net. Lagan kept going and pulled a goal back on seventy-five minutes when Josh Hay got on the end of a long Ciaran Quinn throw. Sheldon Nyoni broke through wide on the right for Rovers but Jason Quinn saved his effort.
In a hard fought game Taylor Cassidy and Travis Crawford were Lagan’s best. For Rovers Leon Doherty stood
out along with the man of the match Nathan Plumb. Referee: Barry Hunter.
Letterbarrow Celtic 1 v 5 Gweedore United
(No Report Submitted)
Fixtures
Friday 12th November 2021-11-07 K.O. 7.30 p.m.
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves v Glencar Celtic
Saturday 13th November 2021 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Donegal Town Reserves v Keadue Rovers Reserves
Kildrum Tigers Reserves v Glenea United Reserves
Milford United Reserves v Fintown harps AFC
Oldtown Celtic v Arranmore United
Strand Rovers v Cappry Rovers Reserves
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Copany Rovers v Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Cranford United Reserves v Ballybofey United Reserves
Drumbar F.C. v St. Catherines Reserves
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves v Ramelton Mariners
Dunlewey Celtic v Gweedore Celtic Reserves
Sunday 14 th November 2021 K.O. 1p.m.
Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division
Convoy Arsenal v Cappry Rovers
Donegal Town v Bonagee United
Drumkeen United v Kilmacrennan Celtic
Keadue Rovers v Glenea United
Kildrum Tigers v Castlefin Celtic
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Ballybofey United v Swilly Rovers
Gweedore Celtic v Drumoghill F.C.
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. v Fanad United
Milford United v Cranford United
St. Catherines v Raphoe Town
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Curragh Athletic v Deele Harps
Gweedore United v Glenree United
Letterkenny Rovers v Dunkineely Celtic
Whitestrand United v Letterbarrow Celtic