The final action from the Donegal Junior League before the Christmas break.
Saturday 11th December 2021
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Donegal Town Reserves 3 v 1 Glencar Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Glenea United Reserves 1 v 1 Fintown Harps AFC
Glenea welcomed Fintown Harps to Glasserchoo with both teams taking away a well-deserved point. Glenea came close to scoring in the 18th minute when Kevin Boyle played a delightful cross into the box, Noel Sweeney getting on the end of it and rattling the crossbar with his strike.
In the 25th minute Aidan McCahill created space for himself in the box but his strike was saved by Oran Craig in the Glenea goals. In the 38th minute Kennan Gallagher managed to get in behind the Fintown defence but Martin Molloy the Fintown keeper spread himself well with Gallagher’s effort going wide.
At the start of the second half it was Fintown who were pushing and created several chances. In the 50th minute Michael Doherty had a great strike from 18 yards but Craig was equal to it. Three minutes later Craig was called into action again, this time from McCahill with a great bicycle kick, the keeper tipping it onto the crossbar. McCahill was a constant threat and in the 78th minute he rattled the crossbar with a fine header.
Glenea broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute when Luke McCarry shot from 30 yards over the keeper to the roof of the net. Fintown kept plugging away and were rewarded in injury time, Odhran McCally got on the end of a cross, slipping the ball in from 6 yards. Oran Craig and Noel Sweeney played well for Glenea, John Molloy and Aiden McCahill stood out for the visitors.
Keadue Rovers Reserves 3 v 2 Cappry Rovers Reserves
Keadue Reserves ended the calendar year with this narrow win over a decent Cappry Rovers at a damp Central Park.
The home team were quick out of the blocks and were ahead after three minutes when Luke Neely was quickest to react to a goalkeeping error, tapping into the net to give Keadue the lead. It was very short lived however as on six minutes Cappry were level when Kyle O’Meara slotted home from close range.
By the tenth minute the game was becoming well stretched with Cappry on top in possession with Keadue hitting on the break. Luke Neely was wide with an effort after twenty minutes following a good move. On twenty-five minutes Mark Boyle was unlucky with a header from a corner stopped on the line.
The home side eventually made their pressure pay just before the half hour when Aidan Mc Hugh’s well hit free kick spun round the wall, deceiving the keeper at the near post. Cappry created a good chance on thirty-five minutes when Ronan Carlin went on a good run but had his shot saved. Towards half time the game again became scrappy and the home side went in 2-1 ahead.
At the start of the second half the game was largely scrappy and a few substitutions were made by both sides. Cappry got their leveller when a cross on the right wing was met with a towering header from Ronan Carlin on fifty-eight minutes to make it 2-2.
The visitors were good value for their leveller and were the stronger team at this point. Keadue did begin to up the tempo after seventy-five minutes, pressing Cappry back and forcing some set pieces.
Some free kicks and corners followed but all to no avail. It looked like it was heading for a draw but three minutes from the end a well hit free kick from the left wing was met with a far post header from Jack Ward to win the game for Keadue. In injury time though it should’ve been level after a defensive mix up lead to O’Meara missing a great chance in front of goal.
In the end a decent game of football in which a draw probably would have been a fair result, a big boost for Keadue before the Christmas break. Best for Cappry were Ronan Carlin, Sean Ward and Kyle O’Meara while best for Keadue were Aidan Mc Hugh, Mark Boyle
and Jack Doherty. Referee: Sean Ferry.
Kildrum Tigers Reserves 1 v 5 Arranmore United
(No Report Submitted)
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 0 v 3 Oldtown Celtic
In a game played in tough conditions Oldtown came out with a hard-fought win. The game started swiftly with Oldtown on the front foot but were indebted to keeper Michael Gibson who made a superb stop early on.
Oldtown went ahead when Joe McCarron volleyed home from the edge of the area. Sean Cleary then hit the post with a great effort. Oldtown also spurned several chances before the break. The second half began with Kilmacrennan looking to get back into the game but the Oldtown defence stood firm.
Oldtown added a second after a period of pressure when Sean Cleary fired home from a cross. The game then opened up with Oldtown on the hunt for more and added a late 3rd from Gio Peoples.
Milford United Reserves 3 v 6 Strand Rovers
Strand went in 3-1 up at the break with two goals from corners and a fine strike from the edge of the box. Killian Mc Bride got Milford’s goal after a mazy run and cool finish.
Milford got back into the game in the second half with a Jason McConigley thunderbolt free-kick from 25 yards into the top corner. Gavin Riney made it 3-3 after beating two defenders when he found the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
In the final fifteen minutes Strand somehow managed to score from another three corners to make it 6-3. Team effort from both teams. Referee: Marty McGarrigle
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Drumbar F.C. P v P Cranford United Reserves
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 3 v 0 Copany Rovers
Drumoghill were strong from the start with Odhran Donnelly hitting a post and Gavin Johnston shooting straight at the keeper with the goal at his mercy.
They took the lead midway through the half when Odhran Donnelly slotted home from close range. Donnelly doubled the lead minutes later when he smashed a Brendan Devine through ball across the Copany keeper into the left-hand corner of the net. Vinnie Toye had a glorious chance to make it three just before half-time but his close-range header somehow went over the bar.
Copany were better in the second half but Drumoghill still created the better chances with Gavin Johnstone, Shea Mc Daid and Karol Mc Ginley all going close. Copany nearly got back into the game when a corner was headed goalwards but Jay Wosser made an outstanding save to deny them.
Drumoghill continued to press and got their third late on when Brendan Devine stepped inside and curled the ball into the top right hand corner to top off a deserved victory. Referee: Zach Mc Laughlin
Dunlewey Celtic P v P Castlefin Celtic Reserves
(Match Postponed, No Report)
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 1 v 1 St. Catherines Reserves
Points shared between two young teams at An Screaban but had Gweedore converted their first half chances the outcome could have been different. Chances fell to Cathal de Burca, Colin Ferry, Naoise O’Baoill and Ryan Doherty but they failed to score thanks to some fine goalkeeping by the St. Catherines’ net minder and some poor finishing.
The away team upped their game in the second half and created good openings with Joe McGee and Johnnie O’Donnell coming to Gweedore’s rescue with goal line clearances. Gweedore did eventually take the lead in the sixty fifth minute when Cathal de Burca scored at the second attempt after his initial effort was blocked by the keeper.
St. Catherines’ were not to be denied and a low cross from Darragh Murrin came off a Gweedore player to level things up with fifteen minutes remaining.Both teams went in search of the winner with chances falling to de Burca and Ferry for Gweedore and Paul Murrin for the visitors but both teams had to settle for a share of the points.
Darragh Cunningham and Darragh Murrin impressed for the visitors. For Gweedore Johnnie O’Donnell and Caolan Laux stood out. Referee: Vincent Mc Laughlin
Swilly Rovers Reserves 1 v 1 Ballybofey United Reserves
A wet day in Ballybofey and the points shared between Swilly Rovers and Ballybofey United on Saturday Division Two. The first half remained goalless but not for the lack of trying with both teams coming close on a few occasions.
The opener came as a 50/50 between Swilly keeper and Ballybofey’s winger ricochet towards the Swilly net and was followed in by another player. Swilly struck the crossbar when Shaun Bryant had a go straight from the kick off. Swilly then won a penalty mid-way through the half but the strike hit the post and came out.
Swilly equalised when Owen Barr played a ball through to Ryan Mc Daid and he slotted in. There were a few chances for both teams to grab a winner but neither team could.
Sunday 12th December 2021
Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division
Glenea United 0 v 1 Kildrum Tigers
Kildrum picked up all three points away to Glenea in a well contested battle. Kildrum had the first chance of the game after 15 minutes, Kevin Mc Hugh broke through the defence but his strike was well saved by Joe Coll.
Kildrum managed to break the deadlock in the 35th minute, good individual work by McHugh before crossing for Daniel Clarke to tap in from two yards. Glenea started off the second half on top and had a few half chances with Darren Ferry and Martin Maguire coming close. Kildrum were dangerous on the break with McHugh a constant threat up front.
McHugh was in on goal in the 55th and 60th minutes with Joe Coll saving well to keep Glenea in the game. Kildrum were well marshalled in defence by William Lynch and Matthew Crossan. Joe Coll was best for Glenea and Matty Crossan best for Tigers.
Keadue Rovers 1 v 2 Bonagee United
Bonagee emerged victorious at Central Park on Sunday to continue their fine run of form and leave Keadue still struggling at the wrong end of the table. On fifteen minutes the best chance of the early part of the game fell to Aaron Wasson whose shot hit the bar.
He hadn’t long to wait to make amends when a minute later following an error in the home defence he pounced from the edge of the area to knock low to the net. After that the visitors were generally on top and more comfortable on the ball while Keadue, despite having a good pit of possession, were finding chances hard to come by.
Wasson was again close on forty minutes and Bonagee went in a goal up at half time. At the start of the second half the visitors were quick out of the blocks and a long range speculative effort from Daniel Stolarczyk found its way over the keeper for a two goal lead. Keadue responded well to the setback and on fifty-two minutes, following some good pressure, were rewarded when Barry Curran stabbed home from close range after a bit of a goalmouth scramble.
A few minutes later, Bonagee had a header just off the bar. By the hour mark, Keadue had introduced several subs, which injected a bit of pace from their attacks. They gained more territory but still Bonagee were defending well without too much threat to their goal.
Keadue did have a great chance on seventy-five minutes when great work on the left wing by Calum Boyle led to a chance for Barry Curran whose effort just nicked the crossbar. Substitutes Oran Fallon and Peter McGee both had chances in the last ten minutes but just over ran the efforts while the very last chance fell to Hugh Moy who sent a fine shot just wide of the post.
All in all, Keadue put in a good closing period but Bonagee were just that bit sharper and deserved their win. Best for Bonagee were Evan Mc Croary, Daniel Stolarczyk and Aaron Wasson while best for Keadue were Barry Curran, Daniel Mc Hugh and Calum Boyle. Referee: Dessie McLaughlin.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Ballybofey United 2 v 6 St. Catherines
Two goals in a minute gave St. Catherines the advantage before the first half even reached midway. Damien Glackin did pull one back for Ballybofey on the half-hour but St. Catherines restored their two-goal advantage before the break. Further goals on sixty and sixty-five minutes put the visitors in the clear.
Eunie Doherty got another for Ballybofey on seventy-three minutes but St. Catherines completed the scoring with their sixth on eighty minutes. Ryan Cunningham and Dan Breslin had a brace apiece for Shaun Kelly’s side while Josh Maxwell and John ‘Ban’ Jnr. also got their names on the scoresheet.
Fanad United 5 v 0 Drumoghill F.C.
Fanad United maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 5-0 victory over Drumoghill at Traigh-a- Loch on Sunday. In the 10th minute Eddie O’Reilly latched onto a goal kick and his volley from an angle was well saved.
Ten minutes later Fanad, took the lead. Another kick-out from Mark McConigley was latched onto by Keelin McElwaine and he slotted home. In the 34th minute Fanad extended their lead when Seamus Coyle played the ball through to Martin Mc Elhinney who finished into the corner.
On the stroke of half time Fanad got their third when Martin Mc Elhinney slotted home at the back post from an Eddie O’Reilly corner. Fanad continued their pressure in the 2nd half, creating several chances. On fifty-five minutes Oisin Langan was unlucky to see his fine volley fly just over the bar.
Ten minutes later the same player rattled the crossbar with another volley from 25 yards. With seven minutes remaining Oisin Langan made it third time lucky when he fired home a superb free kick from 30 yards. Fanad got their 5th a minute later when Kyle Mc Garvey rose highest in the box to head home a super Patrick Moffitt cross.
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 4 v 1 Swilly Rovers
Derby day delight for the ‘71 as they defeated Swilly Rovers by 4 goals to 1 in a wet and windy Rabs Park. They went in front after 5 minutes when Michael Mc Devitt’s through ball to Michael Sweeney was parried away by the keeper only to fall to Paddy Carr who fired home from close range.
Shaun Friel then made an excellent save on 28 minutes from a Connor Gormley free kick. Swilly drew level right on the stroke of half time when Kyle Black headed home from a corner.
Kerrykeel came out in the second half with a breeze at their back and re-took the lead on 50 minutes when Paddy Carr beat the offside trap and cooly fired home. It was a heated affair at times with a few incidents for the referee to deal with.
Michael Sweeney got Kerrykeel’s third on 70 minutes when he was played through by Seami Nanny and fired home from the edge of the box.
Carr got his hat-trick on 90 minutes while capitalising on a mistake by the Swilly keeper Gallagher. Best for Kerrykeel: Paddy Carr, Fergal Una, Sparky Friel and Captain Marty McAteer. Best for Swilly: Tyler Durning. Referee: Alastair Gurney
Milford United 5 v 0 Raphoe Town
Milford welcomed the Christmas break with three badly needed points in a comprehensive and solid team performance winning by five goals against a lively and hardworking Raphoe side. Milford took the lead on 15 minutes when Gary Merritt rounded the keeper after a great through ball by Jonny Logue.
Cathal McGettigan made it two when Mark Wilson and Jonny Logue combined well to set up McGettigan and he rifled home in a crowded penalty box. Mark Wilson made it 3 before the break when he rattled home a Ciaran Gibbons through ball.
Raphoe had their chances throughout the first half and were denied twice by the excellent Caolan McGettigan. At the start of the second half Raphoe missed a penalty to get themselves back into the contest and on 55 minutes Mark Wilson scored his second chipping the keeper from 12 yards.
Raphoe fought hard but Milford were disciplined in their defending and on 90 minutes a great through ball by Lorcan Friel found Merritt who calmly rounded the keeper to tap home. Good team performance by Milford, it just wasn’t Raphoe’s day. Referee: Seimi Ferry.
Rathmullan Celtic 2 v 0 Gweedore Celtic
Goals from midfield maestros Dara Patton and Kevin Doran in the second period topped off a fine team performance from Rathmullan who dominated the play from start to finish in what were perfect conditions at the Flagpole with the Hoops’ faithful and visiting Gaoth Dobhair supporters being treated to hot drinks at the Seaside.
The Hoops had two penalty claims waved away in either half as they unleashed attack after attack on the Gaoth Dobhair defence who withheld strongly in the first period to leave it scoreless. The second half saw Sheridan’s troops up the tempo with winger Eoin Sheridan having an immense game on his return from injury accompanied by Ronan Morris at the heart of the midfield driving each attack.
The Hoops deservedly took the lead on 55 minutes when striker Jay Curran laid off a ball to Patton. The experienced playmaker beat his marker before unleashing a low strike from the edge of the area into the bottom left corner of the Gaoth Dobhair goals. As the Hoops pressed for a second goal, striker David Edwards was unlucky not to finish with a diving header from an Alan Boal precision cross on 75 minutes as the visitor’s defence was put under increasing pressure.
The Hoops second goal could well be a contender for goal of the season following crisp play from defence to winger Eoin Sheridan who crossed in an impeccable ball to the unmarked Kevin Doran who volleyed from inside the area to cap off a huge performance from the left midfielder and put the game beyond doubt.
With only a few minutes remaining Gaoth Dobhair launched a long ball into the heart of the Hoops defence which set their GAA All-Star Eamon McGee free but Hoops’ midfielder Morris tracked back to time a sliding tackle with precision just
when McGee was about to strike at goal.
Eoin Sheridan, Ronan Morris, Dara Patton, Kieran Gorman and Kevin Doran inspired a pretty much flawless Hoops’ side with Eamonn McGee and the Gaoth Dobhair defence playing a big part in a fine afternoon of football at the Flagpole. Everyone at Rathmullan Celtic Football Club would like to wish you and your families a very joyful Christmas and a prosperous, peaceful and sporting New Year.
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Gweedore United 1 v 1 Deele Harps
This is a game that United will feel is one that got away on them with the amount of possession and number of chances missed throughout. In the first half the Deele keeper David Arthur kept his side in the match with outstanding saves from Ciaran Mc Fadden and Stephen ‘Doyle’ Mc Fadden on numerous occasions.
Deele failed to register any chances in the first half. In the 44th minute Arthur again saved from a Stephen McFadden penalty and the sides went in 0-0 at half time. In the second half the home side started brightly and made it 1-0 in the 49th minute following an excellent move well finished by Ciaran Mc Fadden.
United had numerous chances to double the lead throughout the half through the two McFaddens and Jamie McGee however it looked like one of those days for the home side. With the game still in the balance at 1-0, the home side were made to pay for the missed chances when Deele were awarded a free kick outside the box.
Declan Lafferty hit an excellent free kick over the wall into the bottom corner to make it 1-1 in the 83rd minute. The game ended with a share of the spoils. David Arthur was man of the match in nets for Deele, while Paul Doogan was excellent for United on the day. Referee: Shaun O Donnell.