Saturday 23rd April 2022
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Arranmore United 4 v 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Arranmore hosted Kilmacrennan Celtic at Rannagh Park. The Islanders had all to play for as they’re still fighting to move out of the Relegation play-off position. It didn’t take long for the 1st goal to arrive as Arranmore’s John Roper’s corner kick went straight into the net.
Arranmore had a few more close chances before a deflection off a Kilmacrennan defender bounced into the net to double the home side’s advantage. Kilmacrennan pulled a goal back early in the second half. From then on it was all Arranmore as the home side took control of the game with the introduction of Gavin Mc Glanaghey.
His pass sent Aidan Proctor through for number three. Gavin then got on the scoresheet after a cross from a scintillating run from Roper up the wing. The islanders had a few chances before the final whistle but were unable to add to the tally.
Fintown Harps AFC 1 v 2 Oldtown Celtic
In glorious conditions for football the high flying Oldtown Celtic were the visitors to PÁIRC ACLA. They came up against a thought battling Fintown team who took the lead on 13 minutes when Michael Doherty, from the right-wing, found Aidan Mc Cahill who made no mistake from close range. Oldtown were rattled and had a great few chances but found Molloy in the Harps’ goal in good form pulling of a few great saves.
Harps got reduced to ten men when young John Gerard Mc Glynn got his second yellow and was shown the line. Oldtown were awarded a penalty from the challenge and Tommy Mc Laughlin stepped up to take the penalty but he hit the crossbar and Fintown cleared the danger.
A massive task lay ahead for Fintown as Paddy Molloy’s squad were tested to the limit. They remained one up at the break. Oldtown came out of the blocks fast in the 2nd half and got back on level terms when Tommy Mc Laughlin made up for his penalty miss finding the net on 55 minutes.
Fintown kept going but got caught again 10 minutes later when Gio Peoples found the range from the edge of the box. Oldtown then held firm to see out the game with Fintown pushing hard for an equaliser.
Glenea United Reserves 0 v 2 Donegal Town Reserves
Despite fine conditions neither side were able to create any clear-cut chances with the defences on top. In the 2nd half the away side pushed for an opening goal but were finding the home defence hard to break down while the Glenea attack were content to play on the break. The game changed on 67 minutes when Donegal Town were awarded a free-kick.
Oran Craig in the home goal pushed the free-kick onto the bar but Adam Wilson was on hand to stab home the rebound. Glenea pushed hard for an equaliser but were caught on the break in the last minute, which allowed Mark Jordan to score from a tight angle. Best for Glenea were Reece Bowyer and Cathal Mc Geever while Mark Jordan & Eoin Slevin were best for Donegal Town. Referee: Packie Coll
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Cranford United Reserves 1 v 2 Drumbar F.C
An early kick-off at a sunny Cranford Park and it was the visitors who got off to the better start taking the lead on 20 minutes, converting a penalty. Cranford came back into it for the rest of the first-half but were dealt a sucker blow just a minute before halftime.
A wicked deflection off Cathair Sweeney flew into the corner off the net leaving it 2-0 at the break. The second half was a tough battle with very little to choose between the sides. Paddy Mc Geever scored a late goal to make it 2-1 and despite Cranford’s best efforts that’s how it finished.
Ballybofey United Reserves 4 v 2 Swilly Rovers Reserves
Ballybofey United Reserves produced a great performance on Saturday at Dreenan to secure three points from their match against Swilly Rovers Reserves. Goals on ten, twenty and thirty-five minutes saw them go into the break with a three goal advantage. Swilly did get one back early in the second-half but Ballybofey regained their comfortable lead shortly afterwards.
Another goal from Swilly failed to throw United from their course and they sailed to victory under the watchful eye of match Referee: George Clinton. Ballybofey goalscorers were Shane Carlin(2), Johnny Bell and Conor Mc Glynn. Cameron Gormley got the Swilly goals.
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 0 v 3 Dunlewey Celtic
Dunlewey Celtic secured all three points after scoring three second-half goals in Castlefin on Saturday. Manus Cannon, Joseph Devanny and Eamon Collum all found the net to set the league leaders on course for three points in a game where the hosts rarely threatened.
Copany Rovers 1 v 2 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
St. Catherines Reserves 2 v 0 Gweedore Celtic Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Sunday 24th April 2022
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Bonagee United 3 v 0 Cappry Rovers
The home side came close to opening the scoring on thirteen minutes when a Jordan Gallagher strike from the edge of the box went just over the bar. Three minutes later a Lee Mac Monagle strike was blocked by the defender the ball broke to Aiden Mc Laughing but he shot wide from twelve yards.
The visitors came close on thirty-three minutes when a Paddy Mc Nulty header from ten yards was cleared off the line. Bonagee should have scored on thirty-seven minutes when Eamon Cannon squared the ball to Lee Mc Monagle but the striker shot wide from eight yards.
Eamon Cannon saw his strike on forty-six minutes go just past the post from outside the box. The home side took the lead on fifty-four minutes when Aiden Mc Laughing and the Cappry keeper went for the ball on the penalty spot the keeper punched the ball out but it fell to Lee Mc Monagle and he shot home from twenty-five yards.
Benny Bonner had a great chance for the visitors on sixty-five, his header from ten yards was deflected wide. Cannon made it two on sixty-five minutes when he won the ball outside the box and his strike on goal beat the keeper. The visitors had a few strikes on goal through Mc Nulty and Gethins but nothing to bother the home keeper.
Aiden Mc Laughing made it three on eighty-eight minutes when a Peter Carr cross into the box fell to him and the big striker hammered home from fifteen yards. The visitors never gave up and had several corners in the dying minutes but the home defence and keeper kept them out. Team efforts by both side. Referee: Marty Mc Garrigle.
Castlefin Celtic 2 v 2 Glenea United
Castlefin and Glenea played out an entertaining 2-2 draw on Sunday. Glenea’s Ciaran Mc Geady put the visitors ahead in the opening 10 minutes, Aaron Conroy equalised for the hosts just before the half time interval. Castlefin gained the lead when Gary Mc Nulty converted a spot kick in the early stages of the second period. In the closing stages Darren Mc Geever secured a point for Glenea.
Convoy Arsenal 0 v 3 Drumkeen United
(No Report Submitted)
Donegal Town 1 v 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Kildrum Tigers 3 v 0 Keadue Rovers
A Kevin McHugh hat-trick gave the Tigers all three points at Station Road. An evenly contested game throughout, it was from the penalty spot were Kildrum took the lead, Higgins was brought down in the area and it was Kevin McHugh who made no mistake from the spot.
Both teams had chances before the half time whistle, the impressive Mark Forker pulling the strings for the away side throughout. A second half brace just 12 minutes apart finished the game. As a young Keadue side began to control the pace of the game a moment of brilliance from the veteran striker McHugh saw him dribble past three defenders and finished perfectly. McHugh rounded off his hat-trick this time from a free kick to top off a fine display.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Drumoghill F.C. 0 v 3 Fanad United
Fanad United clinched promotion to the Premier Division thanks to this impressive victory at The Moss. Seamus Coyle and Kealan Mc Elwaine both scored in the second half after Eddie O’Reilly had given the visitors the lead at half time thanks to his opener. Although Drumoghill never made it easy for them, Fanad United were deserving winners.
They opened the scoring in the first half when O’Reilly raced onto a long ball to beat Duffy but had to withstand periods of pressure from the hosts with Peter Mc Glynn and Liam O’Donnell both going close although the lively O’Reilly was always a threat for the visitors. Enda Coll almost doubled the lead for Fanad on the stroke of halftime when he volleyed over the bar after a deep cross from Declan O’Donnell.
The game remained in the balance until the hour mark as both sides pressed for the next goal. Karol’s Rodgers was impressive in midfield for Drumoghill and drove his side forward in search of the equaliser but they were undone from a set-piece on 63 minutes as Fanad United doubled their lead.
Oisin Langan’s corner wasn’t properly cleared and the ball found it’s way to the unmarked Coyle who found the next from point blank range to effectively seal the points. Mc Elwaine then put the icing on the cake when he diverted home from a tight angle to complete the scoring. The result means that Fanad United remain on course for the Division One title whilst Drumoghill remain in a battle to remain in the division.
Gweedore Celtic 2 v 3 Rathmullan Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Raphoe Town 1 v 1 Milford United
In great conditions for football Milford started the better and took the lead through a great strike from outside the box. Raphoe had a great chance to equalise but missed from spot. The game swung from end to end in 2nd half and Raphoe equalised through a header from DJ Kelly. Both sides had chances to win it but it finished all square.
St. Catherines 4 v 0 Ballybofey United
Chris Patton needed to be in excellent form between the posts for the away team as it was all one-way traffic in the first half. He pulled off a string of excellent saves to keep Ballybofey in the game.
Ironically the saints first goal came from a breakaway from their own box as a goal-line scramble was cleared down the pitch by the home keeper to which Josh Maxwell latched onto at the half line and drove with pace and power into the away box and unleashed a superb cross keeper shot which found the inside of the side net for 1-0 on 40minutes.
Soon afterwards Evan Broderick lobbed an intelligent ball over the Ballybofey defence which Daniel Breslin meet bravely to guide it with his head into the net and a 2-0 lead at half-time for the home side. Ballybofey never dropped their heads and pushed hard for a goal that would unsettle the home team.
Daithí Mc Mahon and Michael Scully were working tirelessly on the flanks to create an opener but it was a mix-up in their experienced defence that gifted Ryan Cunningham a third goal as he calmly took control of a loose ball and slot under the keeper on 60minutes. This goal calmed the home support nerves.
An excellent performance by the home team was capped with a 4th goal on 84minutes as Ryan Cunningham spun his close marker and left him for dead before crossing superbly for Dan Breslin. Compliments to Ballybofey as this did not feel like a 4-0 game. Dreams of the title are still alive for St. Catherines.
Swilly Rovers 2 v 0 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
It’s three wins in a row for Swilly Rovers. A minute’s silence was observed prior to kick off in memory of Mrs Kelly, Moycullen, Galway grandmother of Swilly player Damien Friel who sadly passed away this weekend. Swilly went ahead on 26 minutes when good work by Kyle Black on the left set up Conor Gormley who lobbed the keeper from ten yards.
Swilly dominated possession against a depleted Kerrykeel side, minus a few regulars. Swilly’s second goal arrived on 74 minutes when Cameron Gormley shot home from 15 yards.
Swilly nearly had a third goal when Cameron Gormley thought he had scored towards the end but was ruled offside in a very tight call. Swilly travel to “The Moss” next Sunday for their final league game against Drumoghill F.C. Swilly boss Ciaran Boyle will be a lot happier but knows there is still work to be done.
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Curragh Athletic 2 v 2 Gweedore United
(No Report Submitted)
Dunkineely Celtic 2 v 3 Deele Harps
(No Report Submitted)
Lagan Harps 3 v 4 Letterbarrow Celtic
Lagan and Letterbarrow served up a goalfest in sweltering conditions. Lagan started well with Damien Nelis shooting narrowly wide. They opened the scoring on twenty minutes when Letterbarrow failed to clear a long throw-in and Ross Hamlyn drove home the loose ball.
Letterbarrow equalised on thirty minutes when Lagan failed to clear from a throw-in and Eoin Mc Hugh scored at the back post. The goals flowed in the second-half with Ross Hamlyn converting a penalty after he was fouled. Letterbarrow responded with Christy Mc Laughlin shooting home from thirty yards. Lagan went ahead on sixty minutes when Eric Roberts hit the crossbar and Damien Nelis fired home the rebound.
Letterbarrow responded again with Christy Mc Laughlin breaking down the right and shooting home from an acute angle. He repeated this on seventy minutes when Letterbarrow broke from a corner and he dummied his marker before getting clear and finishing expertly. There were a few close efforts at both sides but no more goals. Conur Crossan, Damien Nelis and Ross Hamlyn were Lagan’s best while Des Mc Groarty and James Mc Grory stood out for Letterbarrow with Christy Mc Laughlin man of the match. Referee: Zach Mc Laughlin.
Letterkenny Rovers 10 v 1 Glenree United
Letterkenny Rovers claimed the Temple Domestic Appliances Division Two title with an emphatic 10-1 success over Glenree United at Leckview Park on Sunday afternoon. Rovers went into the game with their championship fate in their own hands and started fast with goals from captain Ronan Curran on 6 minutes firing them in front before Jack Dwyer doubled the lead on 16 minutes when netting direct from a corner.
Rovers all but sealed the win when making it 3-0 on 31 minutes when the lively Darragh Morrison fired nearly low past Glenree goalkeeper Jake O’ Connor. Rovers then added further goals through Caolan Mc Connell and Patrick Gahir before Glenree got one back with a fantastic effort from Stephen Doak from his own half straight after Rovers had made it 5-0.
Rovers then made it 6-1 through a neat finish from James Barlow Gallagher just after the hour mark as the second half became a precursor to title celebrations with Rovers missing a number of good chances to add to their lead before Eddy Moore’s effort late on made its way home which was added to by Patrick Gahir, Jack Dwyer and Conor O’Donnell as the game ended 10-1. Rovers deserving title winners on their first season back in the Donegal Junior League ranks.
League PRO: Congratulations to Letterkenny Rovers from the Executive and Clubs of the Donegal Junior League.
Fixtures
Saturday 30th April 2022 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Cappry Rovers Reserves v Arranmore United
Donegal Town Reserves v Strand Rovers
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Ballybofey United Reserves v Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Copany Rovers v Ramelton Mariners
Sunday 1st May 2022 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Castlefin Celtic v Bonagee United
Kildrum Tigers v Glenea United
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Drumoghill F.C. v Swilly Rovers
Gweedore Celtic v Milford United
Raphoe Town v Cranford United
Rathmullan Celtic v Ballybofey United
St. Catherines v Fanad United
