Rain and high winds wiped out the entire Saturday League Programme however, we did have action in three of the four scheduled Voodoo Cup Fixtures
Saturday 5th February 2022
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Milford United Reserves P v P Arranmore United
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Copany Rovers P v P Drumbar F.C.
Dunlewey Celtic P v P Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Voodoo Venue Cup
Area 1
Ramelton Mariners P v P Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Area 2
Donegal Town Reserves 2 v 2 Fintown Harps AFC
(No Report Submitted)
Area 3
Keadue Rovers Reserves 0 v 1 Strand Rovers
Strand Rovers emerged victorious in this area final of the Voodoo Venue Cup and go on to the semi-finals after a hard-fought win over Keadue Rovers in Central Park on Saturday. In what were dreadful conditions for football, it was the home side who made the bright start with Jack Doherty’s run upended with what looked like a penalty but it was waved off and after four minutes, Luke Neely was close with a shot blocked by the Strand keeper.
After the first ten minutes the visitors came more into the game with the strong wind seeming to benefit them. Peter Mc Gee’s shot went wide on thirteen minutes while a few minutes later Aaron Ward was wide for Strand. The game got more and more scrappy as the half went on with some squally wind and showers making play very difficult and no real pattern was emerging. At the start of the second half Strand had an impressive opening five minutes, pushing back the home defence. Keadue had a chance on fifty minutes, again blocked by the Strand defence.
Keadue made a few substitutions before the hour mark and they seemed to work as both Jack Doherty and Oran Fallon started causing problems. David Mc Carron’s free kick hit the post from long range and Brendan Glackin’s header from close range somehow hit the crossbar which was a let-off for the home team. Keadue had the majority of the possession in the closing twenty minutes and had openings down the left wing but the visitor’s defence was capable of all that was thrown at them with Ryan Brennan and Brendan Glackin proving strong in all areas. The best chance of the game came on seventy-five minutes when Luke Neely turned the home defence and his shot beat the keeper but came off the post.
The game looked destined from some distance out for extra time and that is how it played out. At the start of extra time a ball over the top caused difficulty for the Keadue defence who mistimed their clearance and from the attack and cross Aaron Ward was on hand to rifle home the winning goal. Strand held on for a deserved victory and advance to the county’s last four. Best for Strand were Brendan Glackin, Aaron Ward and Ryan Brennan, while best for Keadue were Jack Doherty, Brendan Mc Cafferty and Mark Boyle. Referee: Sean Ferry.
Area 4
Oldtown Celtic 3 v 3 Cappry Rovers Reserves
A game played in cold and wet conditions that got worse as the game went on, Oldtown prevailed into the semi-finals via penalties. Oldtown got off to a fast start with the wind behind them and took the lead when Tommy Mc Laughlin fired home from 12 yards.
Oldtown dominated the proceedings hitting the bar twice before Gio Peoples doubled the lead after an exquisite through ball from Kevin McGrath. 2-0 at halftime Cappry played with the wind at their back in the second half and responded when Ronan Carlin fired home after a long ball wasn’t dealt with. Oldtown added to their lead immediately when Kevin Mc Grath fired home his first goal for the club. Cappry to their credit kept at it and made a game of it with 20 minutes to go when Carl Mc Glynn pulled one back from close range.
The equaliser came in the 89th minute when Cain Mc Glynn shot home from the edge of the area to send the game to extra time. The conditions got worse with a gale-force wind and heavy rain mixed with hail stones as neither team could find the winner in extra time. Oldtown held their nerve in the shoot-out to advance to the next round.
Sunday 6th February 2022
Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division
Convoy Arsenal 4 v 3 Donegal Town
(No Report Submitted)
Drumkeen United 0 v 2 Bonagee United
Bonagee were the visitors to a Stormy St Patrick’s Park on Sunday Afternoon. Throughout the game the players had to cope with a strong wind and occasional hail showers and even a bit of Sunlight. The first half was a cagey enough affair with the game played mostly in the middle third with neither Goalkeeper unduly troubled. Lee Mc Monagle is always a danger man for Bonagee and it was he who broke the deadlock in this game just before half time when he headed home a cross from the right wing to put his team ahead.
At only a goal behind Drumkeen were still very much in this game but they are finding goals hard to get these days and the Bonagee United defence was very solid and kept them at bay most of the time. Around the hour mark Bonagee added a second goal when Aaron Wasson was brought down by Drumkeen Goalkeeper Mark Gordon.
The resultant penalty was calmly slotted home by Lee Mc Monagle for his second goal of the game. That appeared to be that in terms of the Result but Drumkeen didn’t give up and kept trying to get back in the Game. Ryan Mc Gavigan, who had a fine game for Drumkeen, forced Bonagee keeper John Carr to make a good save and young Niall Sweeney had an effort which hit the crossbar. Mc Gavigan also had another effort which hit the post.
Jack Patton had a shot saved by Carr and then the ball fell to Rory Craig who also saw his effort saved. If one of those chances had of gone in we could have been set up for a Grandstand finish. Sadly for the home team there was to be no repeat of last Week’s great comeback and the visitors went home with the points. Despite the conditions this game was played in a good sporting manner.
Keadue Rovers 4 v 1 Castlefin Celtic
Keadue continued their good run of recent form making it three wins on the trot with a good win over Castlefin Celtic in poor weather at Central Park on Sunday. The first half in particular was dictated by a strong wind making it difficult but the home side made a good start with the aid of the wind and on four minutes Mark Forkers’ speculative free kick went straight to the net from over 30 yards. They continued in a good vein of possession and territory in the first ten minutes and only after that did Castlefin get much possession.
It was all square again on thirteen minutes when from a ball over the top, a cross came in from the right and the ball was deflected into the net by Daniel Mc Hugh. On the half hour, good work by Mark Forker and Aidan Mc Hugh led to Chris Greene’s chance which was saved. Keadue continued to press and further chances fell to Chris Greene and then Jay Doherty hit the crossbar. Towards half time though Castlefin could’ve gone ahead only for Caelan Bonner to save last gap for Keadue.
In the second half, the wind dropped a small bit making for a better half. Keadue were on top in the opening exchanges with chances for both Jay Doherty and Aidan McHugh. On the hour, good work by Castlefin led to a chance which went wide. Keadue deservedly took the lead on seventy-one minutes when a cross from Calum Boyle was headed to the net by Chris Greene.
Some further effective substitutions led to more chances for Keadue and on eighty minutes. The game was made safe when a cross was met by a Castlefin defender who knocked it into his own net. Substitute Oran Fallon rounded off the scoring with a fine run and effort from outside the area. A deserved victory for the home team and a gallant team effort from the away team. Best for Keadue were Aidan Mc Hugh, Mark Forker, Chris Greene and Hugh Moy.
Kildrum Tigers P v P Glenea United
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Kilmacrennan Celtic 0 v 0 Cappry Rovers
(No Report Submitted)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Ballybofey United 2 v 2 Milford United
The Sunday morning League Tables didn’t lie as it showed the Uniteds of Ballybofey United locked on twelve points apiece, both having played eleven games. That state of equilibrium remained as the teams played out an entertaining drawn match at Dreenan on Sunday afternoon.
This game could really have gone either way but in the end a draw was a fair reflection of the fair on view. Garry Merritt gave the visitors a half-time advantage when he netted on forty-three minutes. Darren Mc Gowan got Ballybofey back on level terms three minutes after the interval. Merritt was again on target to restore the Milford lead on fifty-eight minutes.
Not to be outdone Mc Gowan added another equaliser on seventy-five minutes to set up a keenly contested last fifteen minutes. Neither side could find a winner however and the game ended with the sides gaining a point apiece on the League Table. The goalscorers Merritt and Mc Gowan were the pick of the sides on the day.
Gweedore Celtic 3 v 0 Cranford United
Gweedore Celtic bagged all three points against Cranford at a windy Screaban on Sunday. They made life easy for themselves scoring twice in the first half when playing against a strong breeze. The first half was only ten minutes old when the impressive Cian Mc Bride put the Celts ahead with a shot from the edge of the box after good inter-play with Thomas Diver.
Cranford had several long-range efforts from Danny Mc Bride well dealt with by Gweedore keeper Micheal Mc Kelvey. With Ciaran Mc Hugh and Liam Mc Fadden controlling matters in midfield it was Gweedore who struck for a second goal in the thirtieth minute. Shaun Gallagher and Jamie Doherty combined to set up Cian Mc Bride and his goalbound effort took a deflection off a Cranford defender to end up in the net.
Aidan Breathnach had a chance to extend the lead shortly after but his effort was well saved by the Cranford keeper. With the aid of the breeze in the second half Gweedore had numerous chances to add to their tally but last gasp defending and good goalkeeping kept the scoreline at two nil until Liam Mc Fadden showed his strikers the route to goal when he squeezed in a Diver cross at the far post with twenty-five minutes remaining.
Try as they might Cranford were unable to get any goals thanks to a solid defensive performance from Fiachra Coyle and Colin Mc Nichols in the centre and Ryan Greene and Shaun Gallagher at full back. Others who showed well were Mc Hugh and Mc Fadden in midfield with Cian Mc Bride impressive throughout the game. Chris Carr and Danny Mc Bride were best for Cranford. Referee: Diego Rainey.
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 4 v 1 Drumoghill F.C.
The ‘71 got back to winning ways on Sunday with a well-deserved victory over the men from ‘The Moss’. They went in front on 2 minutes when a corner was headed home at the back post by Semie Friel. Drumoghill drew level on 10 minutes when Carlos Rodger’s fired home after a mix up in the Kerrykeel box.
Paddy Carr then scored twice, on 15 and 30 minutes, the first from a penalty and the second from a header after a great cross from young Sparky Mc Ateer. After the break the home side stayed in control and missed chances through Sweeney and Mc Ateer to make the result more comfortable.
Drumoghill hit the post on 76 minutes from Liam O’ Donnell but the ‘71 made the points safe on 85 minutes when Calum McAteer found Mc Ateer in the box and he finally got the goal he deserved. Best for the ’71, Mark Sparky Friel and Paddy Carr. Team effort from Drumoghill. Referee: George Montgomery
Rathmullan Celtic 1 v 2 Fanad United
Rathmullan Celtic welcomed neighbours Fanad United to a blustery Seaside in a top of the table clash which saw the visitors take all the spoils with two second half goals from Liam Mc Granaghan and Patrick McGinley cancelling out Jay Curran’s first half strike for the Hoops.
Fanad created more of the chances in the opening half but it was Sheridan’s Hoops who scored the only goal of the half on 35 minutes when in form striker Curran pounced inside the area to convert from a scrappy corner swung in by Kevin Doran.
Lynch’s troops upped the tempo in the second half in search of an equaliser and it came on 68 minutes when left back Mc Granaghan hit a pile driver free kick from 35 yards which nestled into the bottom right corner of Shaun Gallagher’s goals.
They went one better in the 84th minute when winger Dylan Dorrian crossed into the unmarked Dorrian who made no mistake with his finish inside the area to win a tough Derby and clinch the all-important three points to put Lynch’s team right back into title contention at the top of Division One. Both sides did well to contend with the blustery Northern wind. Referee: Alister Gourley
St. Catherines 3 v 1 Swilly Rovers
All the early chances fell to the home side despite playing into a very strong breeze. Ryan Cunningham and Alex Mc Ginley both came close after excellent service from Conor Knox on the right-hand side.
Swilly grew into the game and started exploiting the helping breeze by playing deep balls into the box and forcing Kevin Martin in the Saints’ goal to pull off some excellent saves. On 35minutes the home side got a deserved lead when Ryan Cunningham latched onto a loose bobbling ball and fired confidently into the roof of the Swilly net.
Swilly kept pushing with the deep ball over the top of the and got a scrappy equaliser on 44 minutes when Damien Friel squeezed the ball under the home keeper. The windy conditions prevailed in the second half and made for some scrappy football but the ever-alert Ryan Cunningham broke down the left and fired in a cross that was headed home by Alex Mc Ginley.
This seemed to settle the home side who started to control the pace despite the best efforts from Swilly’s best player, Conor Gormley. Substitute Barry Cannon had a tap in on 85 minutes as Barry Gallagher failed to hold on to a fierce strike from the left. Conor Knox and Evan Broderick put in excellent shifts for St. Catherines.
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Deele Harps 1 v 5 Letterbarrow Celtic
Deele entertained Letterbarrow in difficult conditions with the away side claiming the three points. In a typical game of two halves, it was Letterbarrow who made the most of the conditions. Deele led 1-0 at the break through an early Adi Gallagher goal but that’s as good as it got for the home side.
Letterbarrow stormed out in the second half and within 10 minutes of the restart were 1-3 ahead with goals from Kian O’ Brien and a Dan Meehan brace. Further goals from Christy Winkers on 80 minutes and a Christy Burke header from a corner in stoppage time sealed victory for the ‘Barrow. Team performances.
Dunkineely Celtic 2 v 6 Glenree United
The game kicked off at a bitterly cold and windy Darney Park which did not lend itself to good football. The 1st chance went to Dunkineely but Kyle Breslin could not hit the target from 6 yards. Breslin had another chance after 25 minutes but it was Kellan Mc Cruddy who put Glenree ahead with a fine counter attack.
Mark Hutchinson put the ball narrowly over the bar 5 minutes later but again Glenree responded and went two ahead with a goal from Darragh Shields. Adrian Nesbitt pulled one back for the home team after 38 minutes when he converted from the penalty spot after Mark Hutchinson was taken down. Glenree restored their advantage 3 minutes later with a goal from Owen Kelly.
Glenree were quickly off the mark in the 2nd half with a second from Keelan Mc Cruddy after 49 minutes. Mark Hutchinson chipped the Glenree keeper for Dunkineely’s 2nd goal after 55 minutes and the game petered out until the 70th minute when Conor Boyle added another goal for Glenree and a well-deserved win.
Lagan Harps A v A Gweedore United
The game was switched from Manor to Gweedore as Orchard Park was unplayable. The start was held up due to the strong gales. When it got underway Lagan with the aid of the diagonal wind started well.
Josh Kildea had a few dangerous runs down the right but Lagan created no real chances. Gweedore went close from a corner before Lagan forced a few corners at the other end. Gweedore had a couple of good counters but Jack Duncan and Conor Crossan got in last ditch tackles.
Play was stopped for a few minutes when a heavy hail shower blew in but soon resumed. Minutes later Ryan Mc Fadden burst through for Gweedore but shot narrowly wide. Lagan keeper Jadon Quinn went to take the kick-out, the ball blew away on a couple of occasions, so referee Con Mc Laughlin called a halt to proceedings.
Letterkenny Rovers 3 v 1 Whitestrand United
Letterkenny Rovers came from behind to maintain their 100 per cent record in Division Two with a hard fought 3-1 win over a stubborn and dogged Whitestrand United at the Aura Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Tough overhead conditions made it a tricky 90 minutes for players and supporters alike but thankfully it was the prevailing wind rather than any rain which dominated matters but fair play to both sides for serving up an entertaining spectacle.
Whitestrand had the better of the opening exchanges with Jordan Nugent particularly prominent as he came close on two occasions to giving his side the lead while the nearest Rovers came was when Patrick Tobin almost netted following a corner. Whitestrand then came close through a Nugent header before Conor O’Donnell forced a good stop from Whitestrand keeper Kyle Burns on 38 minutes after some fine play by Patrick Gahir.
The game really exploded into life on 41 minutes when a speculative effort from Nugent found its way home past Blake Forkan to the wild delight of the travelling contingent but Rovers responded immediately and drew level straight from the restart as Luke Parke did well on his left before his teasing cross cannoned off a couple of defenders past a stranded Burns.
Those cheers were magnified just two minutes later as Rovers took the lead when Darragh Morrison was alert to finish high past Burns from six yards after some decent build-up play from Rovers down the right-hand side. It was the home side who started the second half the brightest and Gahir and Conor O’Donnell fired just wide with decent efforts with Luke Parke also coming close after a neat run and shot.
Rovers also had a huge penalty claim waved away when Morrison appeared to be upended in the area on 51 minutes while Whitestrand did have a purple patch of sorts and piled on some pressure without really forcing Forkan in the home goal into any real saves. The game though was still in the melting pot entering the final stages until the points were sealed for Letterkenny with a fine strike from O’ Donnell as his 18 yard rasper gave Burns no chance.
A good win for the home side in what was their toughest game of the season to date and they now have a break from league action next weekend when hosting Bonagee United in the Brian Mc Cormick Area Cup final.
Fixtures
Saturday 12 th February 2022 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves v Kildrum Tigers Reserves (K.O. 11a.m.)
Arranmore United v Fintown Harps AFC
Donegal Town Reserves v Cappry Rovers Reserves
Milford United Reserves v Keadue Rovers Reserves
Oldtown Celtic v Glencar Celtic
Strand Rovers v Glenea United Reserves
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Castlefin Celtic Reserves v St. Catherines Reserves
Copany Rovers v Ramelton Mariners
Cranford United Reserves v Gweedore Celtic Reserves
Drumbar F.C. v Swilly Rovers Reserves
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves v Dunlewey Celtic
Sunday 13 th February 2022 K.O. 1p.m.
Brian Mc Cormick Cup – Area Finals
Donegal Area
Cappry Rovers v St. Catherines
Lifford Area
Kildrum Tigers v Convoy Arsenal
Gweedore Area
Kilmacrennan Celtic v Keadue Rovers
Letterkenny Area
Letterkenny Rovers v Bonagee United
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Raphoe Town v Fanad United
Swilly Rovers v Cranford United
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Lagan Harps v Deele Harps
Whitestrand United v Gweedore United