Despite a number of games being postponed, there was still plenty of action this weekend.
Saturday 4th December 2021
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Arranmore United P v P Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Cappry Rovers Reserves P v P Kildrum Tigers Reserves
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Fintown Harps AFC 2 v 1 Keadue Rovers Reserves
In cold but dry conditions at Parc Achla Fintown Harps and Keadue had a big battle. There were very few
chances in the first ten minutes until Fintown broke in the 15th minute and Aidan Mc Cahill was taken
down in the box. John Molloy stepped up but a great save from Caelan Bonner in the Keadue’ nets foiled
his spot-kick. Keadue had a great chance following that but they didn’t take it. Fintown got another
penalty on 30 minutes when Michael Doherty got up-ended in the box this time Odhrán Mc Callig steeped
up but Bonner again saved. Fintown heads were down a bit and Keadue had another good chance but their
effort went over the bar. It remained scoreless at the break. Keadue took the lead early in the second-half
when Liam Boyle tapped home from close range. On 60 minutes Fintown levelled when Peadar Toner
scored a direct free-kick. Fintown rallied after this, a great ball in from Dermot Gallier to the box where
Eoin Duggan headed over his own keeper for an own-goal. Keadue pushed hard for an equaliser but
Fintown held on to take the points.
Glencar Celtic 5 v 0 Glenea United Reserves
Glencar Celtic ran out comfortable 5-0 winners against Glenea at a wet a blustery Rathmullan. Pajo
Rafferty helped himself to four goals while Shane Hilley also got on the scoresheet. Glencar played some
really-good football and dominated the game throughout and rarely found themselves under any pressure
from the away team. Glencar took an important three points ahead of a top of the table clash next week
with Donegal town.
Oldtown Celtic 3 v 1 Milford United Reserves
The game got off to a slow start and was even for the first ten minutes before Oldtown began to take
control. The first chance fell for Gio Peoples who had a long range shot superbly saved by Milford keeper
Eoin Mc Gettigan. Oldtown pressed hard for the opener and hit the woodwork on two occasions firstly
Luke Friel and then Gio Peoples. The second half began in a similar fashion with Oldtown pushing for the
breakthrough and it came midway through the half when Tommy Mc Laughlin converted a penalty after
Sean Cleary was fouled. Oldtown then added a second when Cleary went on a mazy run and his shot was
diverted into the Milford net by via defender. Milford tried to get back into the game and were rewarded
when Jason Mc Conigley converted from the spot. Oldtown added a late third through a Gerard Patton
volley.
Strand Rovers 2 v 3 Donegal Town Reserves
Donegal Town won this five goal thriller in Strand Park. Strand took the lead in the tenth minute when
Jordon Shavell took a corner kick and Ryan Brennan scored with an over-head kick from seven yards.
Strand increased their lead on thirty-eight minutes when Dean Timoney’s quick throw-out found Jordon
Shavell and he passed the ball to Brendan Glackin who scored through the goalkeeper’s legs. Two minutes
later Donegal town scored from a free kick from Gary Ward. Strand had a good few changes at the start of
the second-half but didn’t test the Donegal Town goalkeeper. Donegal Town levelled when Gary Ward took
a corner and Tom O’ Grady headed home. Donegal scored their third goal on 78 minutes when another
corner-kick hit a Strand’ defender and went into the net. Strand tried to get a leveller but it was not to be.
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Ballybofey United Reserves 0 v 1 Dunlewey Celtic
It was a case of youth against experience at Dreenan on Saturday afternoon as Ballybofey United Reserves
welcomed Dunlewey Celtic for their Old Orchard Saturday Division Two match. Ballybofey are building
from the bottom with this Reserve side and their patience is starting to show a glimpse of hope for the
future. Had this match taken place earlier in the season Dunlewey would have returned to Glentornan Park
with a much more comprehensive scoreline recorded, as it was they got out of the Twin Towns with three
points earned by the only goal of the game. This Reserve side is starting to learn how not to collapse and
that will stand to them in the future. The visitors from “Errigal Country” got the all-important winning goal
on thirty minutes when Christopher Cannon rattled the Ballybofey net. That experience they possess once
again stood to them and the saw the game out to claim the points.
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 2 v 4 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
Drumoghill secured all three points after a five-goal thriller in Castlefin. The away side took the lead when
a Dave Mc Cormick shot found the bottom corner from 20 yards with 15 minutes played. The hosts
responded five minutes later with an equaliser, Reece Gallagher beat the full back and slotted home.
Castlefin had the better of the opportunities to take the lead, Nicky Scott heading wide and Travis Lafferty
failing to convert when through on goal. However, it was Drumoghill who took the lead, Conor Temple
breaking through on goal and finishing well. Drumoghill increased their lead after a defensive mix-up
resulted in an own goal. The hosts pulled a goal back just before the break, Dean Kelly played through
Lafferty who slotted home. In the second half Castlefin applied the pressure, Kelly Gallagher and Lafferty
all going close. The visitors sealed their victory when Brendan Devine tapped home a rebound after a
Temple free kick.
Copany Rovers P v P Drumbar F.C.
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Ramelton Mariners 2 v 2 Gweedore Celtic Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
St. Catherines Reserves 5 v 2 Swilly Rovers Reserves
St. Catherines continued their fine home form with a good win against Swilly Rovers. The home side went
ahead after ten minutes with a great goal from Darragh Murrin but Swilly equalised on the half hour after
some hesitancy in the home defence. The Saints replied with goals from Paul “Feet” Murrin and Calvin
Mooney to leave the score 3-1 at half time. Dara Cunningham made it 4-1 midway through the second half
and the visitors missed a chance to reduce the deficit by missing from the penalty spot. Dean Breslin
wrapped up the points with a fine goal five minutes from time.
Sunday 5th December 2021
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Cappry Rovers 0 v 3 Bonagee United
Bonagee got off to a dream start when Aaron Wasson headed home from close range after Jordan
Gallagher’s free kick came off the cross-bar. Cappry pressed to get level and almost did but Paddy Mc
Nulty’s header went the wrong side of the post. Mc Nulty went close again but his effort was well saved by
the Bonagee keeper. Bonagee made it 2-0 in second half with Liam Mc Gonagle finished at the back post.
Cappry pressed to get a goal but Bonagee made if 3-0 when they broke and Aaron Wasson finished well.
Bonagee could have added to their tally late on as Cappry pressed for goals. Referee: Con Mc Laughlin
Drumkeen United 1 v 2 Convoy Arsenal
It was the battle of the bottom two as Drumkeen United welcomed neighbours Convoy Arsenal to St.
Patrick’s Park on Sunday Afternoon. Both teams have had a difficult League Campaign so far and going in to
this game both would have been hoping to get a victory to end the first half of the season on a positive
note.
Drumkeen had the best of the opening 20 minutes and took the lead through a great Rory Craig effort.
Some may say it was a cross but I’m sure Rory will say he meant it. The lead was short lived though as
Convoy got back on level terms almost immediately when JP Malley got a touch on a long range free kick
and it flew past Ciaran Bonner. Both Teams had a chance each before half time as Bryan Mc Namee came
close with a header for Convoy and Eoghan Kennedy hit the base of the post with a free kick for Drumkeen.
In the second half Drumkeen had Several chances with Eoghan Kennedy putting a free kick over the bar
and later hitting the cross bar with another free kick. Conor Laverty also headed over the bar from a corner
and Rory Craig saw his effort hit the post. Despite all the chances they created Drumkeen ended up losing
the game. Convoy were creating bits and pieces too but were finding Drumkeen Keeper Ciaran Bonner in
good form. Convoy did make the breakthrough though with fifteen minutes left when the ball fell to Paddy
Dolan and he fired home from close range for what would prove to be the winning goal for Convoy.
Drumkeen continued to press for the equaliser but it was not going to be their day and it was the visitors
who went home with the points.
Glenea United 2 v 4 Castlefin Celtic
Castlefin ran out worthy winners and deserved all three points at Glasserchoo. The away side were one up
after five minutes when a long ball fell to the feet of Sean Ferry who coolly slipped it past Joe Coll. Both
sides created very few chances until the 32nd minute when Castlefin worked the ball well from defence
into the Glenea box ending in Mark Lafferty tapping in. Glenea did manage to pull one back in the 60th
minute, Darren Mc Geever with a great strike from distance which Tiernan Gallagher managed to punch
away but Ciaran Mc Geady was first to react and strike from eight yards. Within three minutes Ronan
Tourish added another goal for Castlefin, scoring from a tight angle from six yards out. Castlefin made it
four in the 67th minute, Corrie Lee Bogan slotting a penalty low to the corner. Glenea got their second goal
in the 80th minute, Luke Mc Carry getting on the end of a Shaun Curran cross and heading to the roof of
the net.
Keadue Rovers 1 v 4 Kildrum Tigers
Kildrum Tigers had a convincing league victory at Central Park on Sunday in what is turning out to be a
happy hunting ground for them. Played in sunny, cold conditions, the home side had the better of the
opening exchanges. The first real chance of the game came on ten minutes when Kevin Mc Hugh’s shot
was well saved by Caelan Bonner. On thirteen minutes, good work by Barry Curran on the right side of the
penalty box set up Chris Greene but he shot wide from close in. The visitors then started to assert
themselves by the twenty-minute mark and forced several set pieces and one of these led to the opening
goal when a corner from the left met the head of the unmarked Matthew Crossan who headed home at
the near post. They continued on top in possession stakes for the few minutes following the goal but by
the half hour mark Keadue had got a good foothold on things with Daniel Mc Hugh’s shot on the run saved,
while Chris Greene was wide after a scramble in the box. The home team deservedly levelled on thirty-
eight minutes when David Ward scored a fantastic left footed volley from the edge of the area. After that
they could’ve taken the lead when Michael Greene’s run into the box almost led to a chance only for a
Kildrum defender to clear while Greene again was close with an effort on 45 minutes. Kildrum made
Keadue pay when two minutes into the second half they regained the lead with Kevin McHugh slipping a
challenge and shooting past the keeper. They were wide again with an effort a minute later and for the
next fifteen minutes they managed to keep Keadue at bay, playing high up the pitch with good intensity
making things difficult for the home side. Despite some fresh legs in the Keadue set up after a few
substitutions, Kildrum effectively made the game safe on sixty-three minutes. There was a hint of a
handball in the lead up to the goal but when the cross came in from the left-hand side Kevin McHugh was
again on hand to stab in from close range. The home side had a few chances through Peter Mc Gee whose
shot hit the side netting and also some tricky runs from Oran Fallon but largely Kildrum were able to match
this and led out of defence by Matthew Crossan in the last minute, his cross was met by Kevin Mc Hugh’s
wonderful volley to make the final score 4-1 in Kildrum. A team performance from Keadue, while for
Kildrum, Matthew Crossan and especially the experienced Kevin Mc Hugh stood out. Referee: Mick Lagan.
Kilmacrennan Celtic 1 v 0 Donegal Town
Kilmacrennan started the brighter with some good chances falling to Daire Mc Daid and Mc Laughlin, but
the Donegal Town back line stood firm. Donegal were dangerous on the break with Joe Mc Intyre getting in
behind the Kilmacrennan back-line but Liam Mc Bride was equal to his efforts. The first-half ended 1-1
The second half saw a more open game with both sides having chances to break the deadlock but both
goalkeepers were on top of their game. On 75 minutes Donegal Town broke up the pitch and their striker
rounded the keeper but couldn’t keep his effort on target. Two minutes later Daire Mc Daid was fouled on
the edge of the Donegal box. Gary Whoriskey delivered a wonderful ball into the area and Cian Mc
Menamin headed home from 6 yards to give the Lurgy-siders all three points.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Drumoghill F.C. 4 v 3 Milford United
Drumoghill overcame a horrid start and a two-goal deficit to edge out Milford United in this classic
encounter at The Moss. The visitors started brightly and raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 15
minutes through, Garry Merritt on 3 minutes and Darren Mc Laughlin 12 minutes later. However, the
home side managed to reduce the arrears almost immediately when Liam O’Donnell drove home after
Chris O’Donnell’s header hit the bar. Anthony Doherty was on target on 40 minutes to level the scores at 2-
2. Drumoghill now had all the momentum and Christopher O’Donnell headed home from close range to
give his side a half time lead. Both teams came out for the second half looking a lot more controlled and
chances were at a premium. Drumoghill through did have a goal ruled out for offside after Liam O’Donnell
tapped home Lee Smyth’s cross on 69 minutes. As the game hang in the balance, Milford chased an
equaliser and came close when Shane Black’s header came back of the crossbar on 82 minutes before Ryan
Lockhart saved well from Conor McHugh. The contest looked to have finally been settled when Anthony
Doherty calmly found the bottom corner from the edge of the box on 90 minutes. But back again came the
visitors when Joey Cullen was quickest to react from close range and set up a nervous finish. Drumoghill
held out for a vital three points and a deserved victory. Referee: Tony McNamee.
Gweedore Celtic 1 v 1 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Gweedore Celtic and Kerrykeel saw the points shared in this encounter at An Screaban but the away team
will be disappointed not to be returning home with all three points as they were wasteful when presented
with the chances. Gweedore can thank goalkeeper Daniel Mc Loughlin for keeping them in the game
especially in the first half when he was fighting a one-man battle with the Kerrykeel front line. Chances for
Bernard Mc Gettigan, Paddy Carr and Johnny Friel were missed or saved by Mc Loughlin and they were
misses that would come back to haunt them in the game. After a great run by Mc Gettigan in the tenth
minute Johnny Friel managed to give Kerrykeel the lead after a goalmouth scramble but that was their only
reward for all their attacking play. A minute before half time Thomas Diver should have equalised for the
Celts but he blazed over with only the keeper to beat. The second half saw an improved Gweedore team
coming more into the game. Diver saw his effort from a Neil Doran cross just go over the bar but the
equaliser arrived with sixty-five minutes gone. Thomas Diver’s speculative lob into the box was not dealt
with by Kerrykeel and Pauric Winters rifled the ball to the net from twelve yards. The goal rocked the away
team and further efforts from Eamon Mc Gee and Ciaran Mc Hugh could have proven costlier for them.
Kerrykeel still had chances late on but Mc Loughlin was not be beaten on the day and he helped his side to
a share of the spoils. For a young Gweedore team they had good performances from goalkeeper Daniel Mc
Loughlin, Pauric Winters and Ciaran Mc Hugh .Seimi Friel and Darren Mc Elwaine were best for Kerrykeel.
Referee: Sean Ferry.
Raphoe Town 4 v 0 Ballybofey United
(No Report Submitted)
St. Catherines 1 v 2 Rathmullan Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Swilly Rovers P v P Cranford United
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Deele Harps 1 v 5 Dunkineely Celtic
Deele welcomed Dunkineely to Deele College on this cold but fine day for football. Deele opened the
scoring on 20 minutes when Sean Mc Gowan finished a Shane Gallagher cross. Dunkineely equalised
before half time with Adrian Nesbitt finishing well. On 50 minutes Barry Murray capitalised on some poor
Deele defending to give the away side the lead and on 55 minutes Mark Hutchinson extended Dunkineely’s
advantage. On 83 minutes Patrick White dispossessed a Deele defender and chipped the keeper to ensure
the three points went back through the Gap. Adrian Nesbitt scored again in injury time to make it a rout.
Referee: Leo Devenney
Glenree United 1 v 5 Letterkenny Rovers
(No Report Submitted)
Gweedore United 8 v 0 Curragh Athletic
(No Report Submitted)
Letterbarrow Celtic 3 v 2 Lagan Harps
(No Report Submitted)
Fixtures
Saturday 11th December 2021 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Donegal Town Reserves v Glencar Celtic
Glenea United Reserves v Fintown Harps AFC
Keadue Rovers Reserves v Cappry Rovers Reserves
Kildrum Tigers Reserves v Arranmore United
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves v Oldtown Celtic
Milford United Reserves v Strand Rovers
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Drumbar F.C. v Cranford United Reserves
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves v Copany Rovers
Dunlewey Celtic v Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Gweedore Celtic Reserves v St. Catherines Reserves
Swilly Rovers Reserves v Ballybofey United Reserves
Sunday 12 th December 2021 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Glenea United v Kildrum Tigers
Keadue Rovers v Bonagee United
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Ballybofey United v St. Catherines
Fanad United v Drumoghill F.C.
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. v Swilly Rovers
Milford United v Raphoe Town
Rathmullan Celtic v Gweedore Celtic
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Gweedore United v Deele Harps