Saturday 19th November 2022
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Arranmore United 0 v 2 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Keadue came close from a corner on 25 minutes that was brilliantly saved by Brendan Green.
After a mistake by the Keadue keeper Mardy Mc Garrigle did well and crossed a ball in low and hard to Peadar Boyle who unfortunately couldn’t convert to the back of the net.
Arranmore were better in the second half. Peadar Boyle was played through and saw his fine shot tipped wide by the keeper.
After 65 minutes Keadue took the lead. Arran never got another chance to break Keadue down after that and on 85 minutes Keadue scored their second goal with a delicate through ball to their striker who converted. Referee: Gerald Devine
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 0 v 1 Dunlewey Celtic
Drumoghill welcomed Dunlewey to The Moss on Saturday. The game started well with the home side setting the pace. They were unlucky not to go one up through Conor Gallagher. The home team had another great chance when Karol Mc Ginley was through on goal but he hit the post.
The visitors took the lead on thirty-five minutes and that was the half time score. The second half started much the same with both teams having good chances but on a very cold day it finished with the visitors going home with all three points.
Glenea United Reserves 3 v 0 Copany Rovers
Glenea Reserves continued their good start to their league programme with a good victory over Copany. Despite playing against a strong breeze, it was the home side that started the strongest and took the lead on 3 minutes when the Copany defence failed to deal with a through ball and Chris Mc Elhinney was on hand to chip the ball over the keeper.
Glenea continued to press and came close to extending their lead through efforts from Calvin Murray and Michael Mc Hugh. As the half progressed Copany started to come more into the game and almost equalised on 40 minutes when Keelan Gallagher got onto a through ball but his effort was stopped by Shaun Mc Clafferty.
In the second half Glenea continued to press but failed to convert a number of chances that came their way. Glenea eventually extended their lead on 63 minutes when Cathal Mc Geever’s corner found its way into the net.
The home side looked to increase the lead and Michael Mc Hugh saw his long-range effort come back off the post. Copany keeper Stephen Dol kept his side in the game with a number of fine saves.
Glenea sealed the game on 75 minutes when Cathal Mc Geever picked up a loose ball and his fine strike found the corner of the net with an aid of a deflection.
Glenea tried to add to their tally, Reece Mc Bride saw his effort come back off the post. Seamus Doogan saw his efforts well saved by the Copany keeper. Best for Glenea were Dean Gallagher, Stephen Doak and Calvin Murray, while Stephen Dol and Daniel Brogan were best for Copany. Referee: John Coll
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 1 v 1 Ballybofey United Reserves
Castlefin and Ballybofey had to settle for a share of the spoils in a feisty local derby in Castlefin. In the opening half only half-chances created so the sides went in level at the break. In the second period Ballybofey took the lead, Barrie Mc Ghee rifled home a free kick from 25 yards.
Castlefin, who went down to 10 men when Ryan O’Hagan was sent off, began to pile on the pressure and they finally broke the visitor’s resistance when a Reece Gallagher free kick fell to Darran Mc Bride who poked the ball into the net.
Milford United Reserves 2 v 1 Drumbar United
Drumbar started of the game looking to be the better side. Drumbar opened the scoring. Milford came out for the second half with a better attitude and looked the more dominant side.
Jason Mc Conigley continued his good form with a goal. Another goal was added to their tally by a Ciaran Blaney header five minutes before the whistle blew.
Ramelton Mariners 1 v 3 Swilly Rovers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
St. Catherines Reserves 1 v 4 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Ulster Junior Shield
Strand Rovers 2 v 1 Oldtown Celtic
In the first half a few good chances for the Oldtown side had the Strand Defence under pressure. A free kick that was given to Oldtown a few yards out from the box went over the wall and straight into the bottom right corner.
Oldtown led 0-1 at the break. The home team came back fighting in the second half and within two minutes an excellent strike from Oran Gallagher from 30 yards curled into the top right corner levelling the score-line.
Four minutes later a perfectly executed kick-out from Strand keeper Dean Timoney found Darren Gallagher who crossed it for Darren O’ Donnell to send it straight to the back of the net.
Sunday 20th November 2022
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Bonagee United 0 v 4 Cappry Rovers
The visitors took the lead on seven minutes when a corner kick from Dean O’ Donnell was headed home at the near post by Michael Carroll. Lee Mc Monagle saw his strike for the home side just go wide of the post two minutes later from the edge of the box.
The visitors were two up on twenty minutes when Jack Burke Mc Bride crossed the ball into the box from the right the incoming Dean O’ Donnell hammered home from fifteen yards. They got their third seven minutes later when they were awarded a free kick thirty yards from goal, they took a quick free to Paddy Mc Nulty and he squared the ball in the box and Dean O’ Donnell scored from six yards.
The home side had a few half chances but nothing to bother the keeper. The fourth goal came on thirty-three minutes when Conor Laverty broke clear down the right, his cross into the box was headed home by Paddy Mc Nulty. The home side had several corners over the next five minutes but the Cappry defence managed well. Dillon Mc Ateer saw his strike from the edge of the box go just wide of the post on the stroke of half-time.
Paddy Mc Nulty saw his shot on goal on forty-seven minutes just go wide of the post. There were very few chances for either team in the second half as the visitors were happy to sit back and play in their own half and keep the lead they had. Team effort by both side. Referee: Dessie Mc Laughlin.
Keadue Rovers 1 v 0 St. Catherines
Keadue Rovers continued their excellent run of home form with this tight fought win over St. Catherine’s at a wintery Central Park on Sunday.
It was a scrappy opening ten minutes with neither side able to get on top. By fifteen minutes, however, the visitors were starting to get the better of things, moving the ball at pace and Conor Doherty was proving a useful outlet on the right wing with a lot of balls moving in his direction, with Dan Breslin a good focal point in attack.
Keadue made a substitution around the thirty-minute mark and the resulting change in formation benefitted them as Brian Proctor hit a shot just slightly over on forty-three minutes as Keadue finished the half slightly the stronger. At the start of the second half, aided by a stiff breeze, the home side took control of possession and territory and pinned St. Catherine’s back.
On fifty-five minutes a David Ward free kick was headed back across goal by Aidan Mc Hugh and Ryan Connors was there to fire home a fine volley low to the net to give Keadue the lead. The lead gave Keadue plenty of confidence and they stamped their superiority on things, keeping firm in defence and creating some good openings on the break.
Substitutions worked in the home side’s favour and they managed to stay in the visitor’s half for most of the closing twenty minutes. St. Catherine’s threw everything forward but to no avail as the Keadue backline proved strong in their defence and held on for a good win a clean sheet as well.
For St. Catherine’s, a decent performance and one that should see them stay in the division and for whom Conor Doherty, Conor Knox and Evan Broderick played well, while for Keadue, Ryan Connors, Mark Forker, Matthew Smith and Brendan Mc Cafferty were the stand out players.
Referee: Vincent Mc Laughlin.
Kilmacrennan Celtic 1 v 3 Fanad United
(No Report Submitted)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Convoy Arsenal 1 v 5 Donegal Town
This game was reversed to the hospital field due to the heavy rain on Saturday night. Town were quicker out of the blocks and dominated the first half.
Convoy to their credit never gave up and a 40-yard screamer from Anthony Bogle showed their intent. Town won the game 5-1 with Towns’ scorers, Robbie Murphy, Eoin Slevin, Glenn Harron x 2 and Joe Campbell.
Town created chances and missed a gilt-edged chance to score a sixth. Convoy to their credit never gave up, two good team performances from both sides.
Referee: Tony Mc Namee.
Letterbarrow Celtic 2 v 5 Swilly Rovers
Swilly march on and scoring freely too. Kyle Black and Conor Gormley twice went very close for Swilly early on. On fifteen minutes a superb Dylan Hegarty pass released Shane Mc Namee who showed great composure to score.
Letterbarrow Celtic levelled on the 35th minute when a Christy Mc Laughlin cross was finished well by the impressive Lorcan O’ Donnell. Swilly regained the lead again within a minute when the superb David Craig cut in to hammer home in style on his weaker right foot.
Conor Gormley with a powerful drive made it 3-1 in the 50th minute. Ryan Mc Daid with a wonder goal and a Kyle Black penalty in injury time completed the scoring for the Ramelton men.
Lorcan O’ Donnell got a consolidation goal with his second for the day with a close-range effort made it 5-2. Kevin Mc Brearty and Lorcan O’ Donnell excelled for Letterbarrow with Swilly dominant in lots of areas of the pitch.
Letterkenny Rovers 4 v 2 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Letterkenny Rovers returned to winning ways defeating Kerrykeel 4-2 on the resplendent Leckview Astro on Sunday afternoon.
Credit to both sides for what was an entertaining encounter which started with Rovers on the front foot coming close in the early exchanges through Conor O’ Donnell and Darragh Morrison but visiting goalkeeper Shaun Friel did well to deny the home side an opener.
Kerrykeel though will regret a huge chance for them to take a stranglehold on the game on 14 minutes when the lively Johnny Friel teed up James Kerr and he fired just wide from eight yards.
That was a huge let off for Letterkenny and they took maximum advantage minutes later when David O’ Donnell fired home with a neat finish after some good play from Darragh Morrison. Rovers doubled their lead on 28 minutes when Conor O’ Donnell scored with a decent effort low past Friel.
The game looked over as a contest on 61 minutes when David O’ Donnell added another but a resilient Kerrykeel got one back almost immediately when Kevin Loughrey expertly slotted home past Blake Forkan.
Conor Temple then beat the offside trap to fire high to the net on 66 minutes to restore the home side’s three goal margin but once again Kerrykeel replied quick when James Kerr capitalised on some defensive indecision to make it 4-2.
Kerrykeel had chances to reduce the deficit while Rovers also had chances to extend their lead in a lively encounter but it’s a welcome three points for the home side.
Milford United 1 v 2 Gweedore Celtic
Gweedore Celtic returned over Errigal with all three points against Milford which was played in Rathmullan. Milford had the better of the early exchanges and came close on a few occasions, the best chance falling to Joey Cullen who headed against the post.
Gweedore made the break through on 38 minutes from a penalty, following a hand ball by Paul Ryan. Gweedore started the second half strongly and went two up with a through ball that was neatly tucked away. Milford got one back on 75 minutes and tried hard to get an equaliser but a determined Gweedore back-line cleared the ball on numerous occasions and one was cleared off the goal-line.
On 85 minutes a great free kick by Gary Merritt was headed across the box by Joey Cullen and Darren Mc Laughlin headed home, but referee Michael Connolly, blew for offside. It was not to be for the home side but Gweedore will be thankful for the three points. Good fair competitive match by both teams.
Raphoe Town 5 v 1 Drumkeen United
It was a close affair in the first half with only one goal separating the teams and that goal came for Raphoe when DJ Kelly crossed early for Dylan Brolly to net from close range.
The second half was a more open game with both teams trying to get the next goal and after 7 minutes it fell to DJ Kelly when he shot from 20 yards into the bottom corner to make it 2-0. Ten minutes later Kyle Martin made a good run down the wing and squared the ball to leave it on a plate for Mark Duffy to slot home.
Drumkeen pulled one back straight away and it looked like the game was back on. But when Mark Duffy scored his second Raphoe was back on top and DJ Kelly finished the scoring off with his second of the day to leave Raphoe 5-1 winners in this hard-fought game. Good team performances from both.
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Ballybofey United 0 v 1 Cranford United
Cranford started strong, creating early half-chances. Chris Patton had one very good save for Ballybofey and Caolan Marley had the home side’s best chance of the first-half.
This match was contested by two evenly match sides and it always looked likely that a single-goal could win it. That’s how it transpired as ten minutes into the second-half Mc Groddy gave Cranford the lead and they never relinquished it.
Ballybofey thought they had found an equaliser late in the game but it was ruled out for off-side. An enjoyable match for the neutrals and Cranford will be delighted to take three points back through the Bullock Park.
Lagan Harps 2 v 2 Drumoghill F.C.
The points were shared in a well contested local derby in The Moss. Drumoghill started well but Lagan opened the scoring on ten minutes, Josh Hay scrambled home a Dean Murray corner at the back post.
Drumoghill continued to press and Kieran Cunningham was just over with an effort from the edge of the area. Colm Gardiner then forced a save out of Michael Toner. The equaliser arrived on twenty-five minutes when Chris O’ Donnell headed home from a free.
Lagan responded when Glenn Gallagher seized on a loose clearance but shot over. Drumoghill continued to boss the half but it finished level.
Lagan started strongly in the second half and Philip Doran had a shot pushed against the bar by Ryan Lockhart, the ball went out to Joe Mc Carron but Chris O’ Donnell headed his effort off the line. Drumoghill then took the lead when Lagan were caught in possession at the edge of the area.
Lee Smith slipped in Liam O’ Donnell and he finished well. Lee Smith then broke in to the box but shot across the area. Drumoghill went close again when Chris O’ Donnell headed another free against the bar. Lagan equalised when they were awarded a penalty after a foul at a corner. Glenn Gallagher put it away.
Ryan Lockhart then pulled off good saves from Josh Hay and Kenny Doran as Lagan finished strong. Drumoghill almost snatched it when Lee Smith charged down Michael Toner’s clearance but the rebound dropped over the bar. All-in-all a fair result with Drumoghill the better team in the first half but Lagan shading second. Referee: Sean Ferry.
Ulster Junior Shield
Cranford United Reserves 3 v 0 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
(No Report Available)
Whitestrand United 4 v 2 a.e.t. Deele Harps
On a bright brisk day, Whitestrand United welcomed Deele Harps to Mc Garvey Park. Whitestrand started on the front foot putting Deele under pressure.
Deele’s keeper pulled off a few good saves to keep the game at 0-0. Deele took the lead in the 43rd minute when they broke down the left on the counterattack and Aidy Gallagher struck from distance into the bottom corner.
Whitestrand started the second half in similar fashion to the first half with Michael Sweeney teeing one up for Daibhid Lynch who made no mistake with a great strike with his left foot from 20 yards. Whitestrand piled on the pressure and got a deserved lead when Michael Sweeney cut in from the left wing and pinged one into the top corner with his right foot in the 70th minute.
A good response from Deele, after going behind, resulted in them getting an equaliser from a corner swung in to the front post with Paul Lynch finishing from close range to make it 2-2 with all to play for in the last 10 minutes.
As the rainbow disappeared over Dunree the game ebbed and flowed with the best opportunity falling to Whitestrand with the ball sliding just past the post. The game ended 2-2 which forced extra time.
Whitestrand took the lead for a second time when an exquisite through ball from Daibhid Lynch set up Declan Brougham who unleashed a left footed rocket giving the keeper no chance.
Whitestrand doubled their lead with a great individual effort from Ben Orsi, skipping passed two defenders, sliding the ball past an advancing keeper on the stroke of half time in extra time.
The game finished Whitestrand 4 Deele 2. Excellent team performance from Whitestrand. Daibhid Lynch, Cormac Shovlin and James Tourish were the stand out performers. Good team performance from Deele. Referee: Zack Mc Laughlin
Aileach F.C. 3 v 0 Donegal Town Reserves
(No Report Available)
Gweedore United Reserves 2 v 1 Carndonagh F.C.
(No report Submitted)
Ulster Senior Cup
Finn Harps U-21 2 v 1 Castlefin Celtic
(No Report Available)
Kildrum Tigers 0 v 3 Bonagee United (USL)
(No Report Available)
Fixtures Week 14
Saturday 26th November 2022 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Cappry Rovers Reserves v Arranmore United
Copany Rovers v Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
Keadue Rovers Reserves v Kildrum Tigers Reserves
Strand Rovers v Glenea United Reserves
Dunlewey Celtic v Donegal Town Reserves
Glencar Celtic v Oldtown Celtic
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Ballybofey United Reserves v St. Catherines Reserves
Cranford United Reserves v Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Drumbar United v Ramelton Mariners
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves v Milford United Reserves
Swilly Rovers Reserves v Gweedore Celtic Reserves
Sunday 27th November 2022 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic v Cappry Rovers
Rathmullan Celtic v Bonagee United
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. v Drumkeen United
Letterbarrow Celtic v Donegal Town
Milford United v Raphoe Town
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Deele Harps v Ballybofey United
Drumoghill F.C. v Cranford United
Dunkineely Celtic v Lagan Harps
Gweedore United v Lifford Celtic
Whitestrand United v Curragh Athletic
FAI Junior Cup K.O. 12 Noon
Castlefin Celtic v Killarney Athletic AFC
Ulster Junior Cup K.O. 1.00p.m. (Unless Stated)
Kildrum Tigers v St. Catherines
Letterkenny Rovers v Gweedore Celtic
Illies Celtic v Fanad United