The latest weekend of reports from the Donegal Junior League are available as the league prepares for its 50th anniversary next weekend.
Saturday 26th February 2022
Voodoo Venue Cup
Area 1
Ramelton Mariners 4 v 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Cappry Rovers Reserves P v P Kildrum Tigers Reserves
(No Report, match Postponed)
Glenea United Reserves P v P Donegal Town Reserves
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Strand Rovers 2 v 2 Oldtown Celtic
Strand took the lead through a James Mc Cole free kick but Oldtown levelled through Luke Nelis before a fine finish from Sean Cleary had Oldtown ahead just before the break. Oldtown then saw a Tommy McLaughlin penalty saved before Aaron Ward equalised with a fine effort. Both sides had chances to win it late but it finished all level.
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Copany Rovers 2 v 3 Drumbar F.C.
(No Report Submitted)
Dunlewey Celtic 1 v 0 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
This fixture was reversed to Castlefin due to a postponement earlier in the season. Blustery conditions made for a very dogged and tough battle.
Dunlewey started the better and had the better of the chances in the first half but were unable to make the most of their opportunities. Castlefin had a couple of opportunities themselves in the first half but nothing that really troubled the Dunlewey keeper. The sides went in level at half time.
The second half started much the same with the wind at Dunlewey’s backs but a much-improved performance from Castlefin in the second half saw them in contention with a few chances to break the deadlock. Dunlewey had several chances to score but could not find a way to break the deadlock. Castlefin were reduced to ten men after one of their players, already on a yellow, committed a foul when Dunlewey were breaking down the field.
This gave Dunlewey the impotence to push for a winner and in the dying minutes Conor Mc Mahon crossed the ball wonderfully into the six-yard box for Joseph Devenney to seal the win for Dunlewey in this tight battle and increase their advantage at the summit of the table.
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Sunday Division Two
Curragh Athletic 3 v 1 Dunkineely Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Ulster Junior Shield
Glencar Celtic 3 v 1 Buncrana Hearts
(No Report Submitted)
Sunday 27th February 2022
Brian McCormick Cup
Letterkenny Area Final
Letterkenny Rovers 0 v 1 Bonagee United
The derby day Letterkenny Area Final of the Brian McCormick Cup saw Bonagee United emerge victorious 1-0 in a keenly contested encounter at the Aura Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides went into the game flying high in their respective Divisions with Bonagee 2nd in the Premier and Rovers leading the way in League Two and it was the Premier outfit who started the game the quicker and aided by a strong wind came close through Aidan Mc Laughlin with a free kick.
McLaughlin again forced home goalkeeper Blake Forkan into a save before Lee McMonagle tried his luck with the resultant header while Rovers had big claims for a penalty waved away by match referee Mick Lagan while Conor O’Donnell came closest for the home side in the early stages.
It was the visitors who took the lead on 21 minutes when Darren Hunter’s shot from outside the box took a slight deflection giving Forkan no chance.
Rovers responded with Jack Dwyer teeing up O’Donnell while Sergey Alcorn came close for Bonagee with a headed effort but in truth neither John Carr in the Bonagee goal or Rovers Blake Forkan had many saves to make in an intriguing opening half full of endeavour but lacking any real quality.
The second half started much as the first half had ended but it was Rovers who were on the front foot for most of the period and aided by a strong wind tried hard to get back on level terms but a stubborn, and well drilled Bonagee rearguard sniffed out any real threats.
The nearest Rovers came were a couple of Jack Dwyer snapshots while Caolan McConnell’s late strike just whizzed over the bar.
Bonagee were happy to sit in and absorb any pressure and attack on the break but they saw the game out well to advance to a semi- final with St Catherines on Friday night as part of the Donegal Leagues 50th Anniversary Celebrations at Ballyare.
Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division
Cappry Rovers 2 v 1 Drumkeen United
In a match that was dictated by a swirling wind, Cappry got on top early on when Gary Wilson got a touch on a free kick to put them one up.
Cappry made it 2-0 when Benny Bonner scored from a free kick early in the second half. Drumkeen pulled one back late in the second half. Team performance from both teams.
Castlefin Celtic 1 v 1 Convoy Arsenal
Castlefin and Convoy played out a score-draw in a feisty local Derby. Convoy were reduced to ten men in the early stages of the game but managed to stay in the game.
A Ronan Tourish strike in the closing stages of the first half put Castlefin ahead and the home side continued to create chances, Aaron Conroy and Mark Lafferty both going close.
Convoy snatched an away point when Noah Mailey scored direct from a free kick with five minutes remaining on the clock.
Donegal Town P v P Kildrum Tigers
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Glenea United 3 v 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Glenea picked up all three points at home with a well-deserved victory over Kilmacrennan. Both teams playing safe in the first half with very few chances created.
Glenea started the 2nd half with more intent and were rewarded in the 55th minute, Michael Mc Hugh laying the ball off to Martin McGuire who struck low to the corner from 20 yards. Kilmacrennan were back on level terms within five minutes, Gary Whoriskey getting on the end of a cross and slotting home from 3 yards.
Glenea took the lead again in the 78th minute, Darren McGeever with in a teasing cross for Dean Gallagher to volley into the roof of the net.
Not content on trying to hold on to the 2-1 lead, Glenea went for the jugular and were rewarded when Lee O’Brien pressurised the Kilmacrennan defence into an error, resulting with a tap-in to an empty net. Both teams played well and battled hard in windy conditions.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Ballybofey United 3 v 6 Cranford United
It proved to be a very bad day at the office for Ballybofey United on Sunday when Cranford United were the visitors to Dreenan.
The only highlight for the home side was the fact that they actually took the lead in this Division One clash. Once Cranford drew level and then took the lead they never fell behind again despite the scoreline showing level on a few occasions.
The visitors eventually pulled away and never looked back as they secured three points on the road.
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 0 v 0 Raphoe Town
Kerrykeel will wonder how they didn’t get the three points against Raphoe at Rabs Park. Playing with the breeze in the first half the ‘71 threw everything at Raphoe but their keeper made some great saves to deny Darren McElwaine and Seamie Friel.
It was all Kerrykeel and Marty McAteer hit the crossbar from 20 yards and Mark Mc Ateer tested Brolly again on the stroke of half time. It was a hot-tempered game and referee Seamie Ferry had a few yellow cards to dish out. Kerrykeel went three at the back for most of the second half in search of the goal they deserved but just couldn’t find the net.
Darren McElwaine went close on 55 minutes and Michael Sweeney then headed wide. The best chance came on 85 minutes when Johnny Nanny rounded the keeper and thought he had got the all-important goal but Scott Devenney somehow cleared the ball off the line.
Soon after that Sweeney had a great chance but his header went over the bar. Raphoe will be happy with a point and Kerrykeel will be really disappointed not to take all three. Scott Devenney was excellent for Raphoe. Best for Kerrykeel were Mark McAteer along with Darren McElwaine and Marty McAteer.
Milford United 2 v 3 Fanad United
In another closely contested derby Fanad went away with the three points. Aided by a strong breeze Milford started brighter with Gary Merritt and Mark Wilson proving a handful for the Fanad defence.
Fanad conceded a few corners from which Milford were unlucky not to score after working a few short corners. It was Fanad though who took the lead on the half hour when Milford failed to clear and Keelin McElwaine poked the ball home from a tight angle.
Fanad got their second on forty minutes through Edward O’ Reilly from twenty yards. Milford pulled one back when Gary Merritt latched on to a dropping ball and scored from twenty-five yards with a contender for goal of the season. Fanad got off to the perfect start in the second half when Milford failed to clear a corner and Kyle McGarvey headed home.
Darren McLaughlin got Milford back into the game on sixty minutes after a good move down the left-hand side. Against the breeze, Milford found it hard to get out but had a few chances on the break where they were unlucky not to draw level.
For the last ten minutes Milford threw everything at Fanad but we’re just unable to apply a finish. Another entertaining derby with Fanad happy to take the three points from Moyle View.
Rathmullan Celtic 1 v 1 Swilly Rovers
(No Report Submitted)
St. Catherines 4 v 1 Drumoghill F.C.
Both teams started aggressively trying to make their presence felt early on. The home keeper was lucky not to concede an early penalty as the away forwards were giving him little space and time to clear his lines.
The breakthrough came on twelve minutes for St Catherines as a cross from Josh Maxwell was easily headed home by Daniel Breslin. The away keeper was the busier of the two in the early exchanges and he found himself picking the ball out of the net again on 22 minutes after a superb 25-yard free kick from Ryan Cunningham.
Gareth and Connor Temple both had decent strikes at goal for the away team but nothing was going to pass Michael Mullen softly. The score remained at 2-0 until the break and the Saints knew they needed a third goal to settle things. This looked extremely possible when Ryan Cunningham was bundled down from behind on 47minutes and referee Tony McNamee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Daniel Breslin stepped up but an excellent save from the Drumoghill keeper down low to his right denied the Saints’ centre forward. Daniel was not to be denied a second however and almost immediately after the penalty he latched onto a superb inswinging corner kick from the left and his shot found the roof of the net to make it 3-0. The veteran striker completed has hat-trick with a classy low finish after beating the offside trap via an elegant chip over the away defence from Odhran McGuinness.
4-0 was looking odds on to be the final score but to Drumoghill’s credit they kept probing away for a consolation goal and got their just rewards on 80 minutes as poor defending from the home side saw the ball ricochet around the box and eventually go in for an Own Goal. Gareth Hamilton had an excellent game for the visitors and Evan Broderick was once again in total control of the midfield battles for St Catherines.
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Gweedore United 1 v 3 Letterbarrow Celtic
This game, played in extremely windy conditions in Carrickboyle, saw the visitors take a good three points. United started well playing the best of the football against the wind.
However, they suffered a sucker blow in the 32nd minute when a cross come shot by Christy Mc Laughlin was carried in by the wind to make it 1- 0. Five minutes later Mc Laughlin made it 2-0 with a good shot into the bottom corner. In the 42nd minute Letterbarrow made it 3-0 when an error by United at the back saw the ball fall to Daniel Meehan who tapped in.
In the second half United pressed the visitors hard however Letterbarrow managed the game well. Frank McGee got one back for the home side in the 86th minute for 3-1 at full time. Referee: Diego Rainey.
Whitestrand United 2 v 1 Deele Harps
Whitestrand United picked up their seventh win of the season, ending a poor run of three successive defeats, with a hard-earned victory over a spirited Deele Harps side. Despite both teams being missing several regular starters, this was an entertaining and keenly contested match.
The opening 25 minutes saw both sides cancel each other out with few chances of note on offer for either team. The game came to life when the home team, playing with the aid of the breeze, went ahead on the 28th minute, with Aaron Curran slipping Jordan Nugent through on goal in a central position and he calmly finished to the left past the outrushing David Arthur in the Deele nets.
Harps’ greatest threat was from their lively left winger, Aidy Gallagher, who had an interesting battle all afternoon with the returning Warren Mc Ginley, who was making his first appearance of the season for Whitestrand United. Deele’s only effort of note in the first half came in the 43rd minute when a free kick from Shane Gallagher on the left-hand side of the penalty area was well defended at the near post by Warren Mc Ginley and cleared for a corner kick.
The half time whistle went with the home team leading 1 – 0. The second half saw Harps play with the assistance of the wind but it was the home side that doubled their advantage courtesy of a fantastic long range effort from Ryan McGinley in the 61st minute.
Substitute Charlie Crerand held the ball up well and offloaded to McGinley who unleashed an unstoppable effort from 35 yards that flew in past the helpless Arthur. Deele could have, and possibly should have, got a goal back in the 65th minute when substitute, Ronan Gallagher’s effort was brilliantly saved by Johnny Gallagher in the Strand nets and cleared for a corner by the home defence.
The home team were then reduced to ten men on 70 minutes when referee, Michael Connolly, issued a 2nd yellow card to Ryan McGinley who was booked in the first half, for a foul. This rallied the away team and they were denied a goal in the 81st minute from a fantastic save from the Strand netminder, Johnny Gallagher, who turned a low drive from the impressive Aidy Gallagher around the near post for a corner.
Two minutes later however, Deele got a goal back when Corey Lindsay, scored with a header from a long through ball that deceived the home defence, his looping effort going beyond the outstretched arms of the advancing Gallagher in the home nets. However, despite their backs being to the wall, the home team held out for a much needed win.
Friday 4th March 2022 K.O. 7.45p.m.
Brian Mc Cormick Cup Semi-Final
Bonagee United v St. Catherines @ Diamond Park, Ballyare
Saturday 5th 2022 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Voodoo Venue Cup Semi-Finals
Fintown Harps AFC v Oldtown Celtic @Dreenan, Ballybofey
Ramelton Mariners v Strand Rovers @Carrickboyle, Gweedore
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Cappry Rovers Reserves v Kildrum Tigers Reserves
Keadue Rovers Reserves v Glencar Celtic
Milford United Reserves v Arranmore United
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Drumbar F.C. v Cranford United Reserves
Swilly Rovers Reserves v Drumoghill F.C.
Sunday 6th March 2022 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian McCormick Cup Semi-Final
Keadue Rovers v Kildrum Tigers @Flag Pole Field, Rathmullan
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Gweedore United v Dunkineely Celtic
Lagan Harps v Deele Harps