DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
Season 2022/’23
Reports Week 18
Saturday 14th January 2023
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Cappry Rovers Reserves 2 v 2 Glenea United Reserves
In game reversed to Glenea it was Glenea who started with the advantage of the wind in the first half and took the lead through Calvin Murray. It was all Glenea and they doubled their lead in 28th minute when Calvin Murray scored again. Cappry started the second half well and pressed to get a goal back.
Cappry did eventually get a goal back when Dylan Ramsey finished well from inside the box. Cappry pressed to get level but couldn’t find a way through. In the dying minutes of the game Cappry did get the point they deserved when Eoghan Wright found the net from 25 yards.
Donegal Town Reserves 4 v 2 Arranmore United
(No Report Submitted)
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 1 v 1 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Dunlewey Celtic P v P Copany Rovers
(Match Postponed, No Report Available)
Glencar Celtic 5 v 1 Strand Rovers
(No Report Submitted)
Oldtown Celtic 3 v 0 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Oldtown won a tough contest on a wet and windy day at the Letterkenny Community Centre. Keadue started brightly but Oldtown took the lead after 7 minutes when Luke Friel fired home from the edge of the area.
The game was back and forth for the rest of the half with the better chances falling to Keadue but Oldtown Keeper Paul Mc Cauley did well to keep the score at 1-0.
The 2nd half began with an early Oldtown penalty which Sean Cleary dispatched. Oldtown kicked on from that point and added a third when Luke Nelis fired home after a Gerard Patton header hit the bar. Keadue threw caution to the wind but the Oldtown defence stood firm to hold on for a 3-0 victory.
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Ballybofey United Reserves 1 v 3 Ramelton Mariners
In a game where Ballybofey were on top and out played their opposition, they will be disappointed by this defeat. Ramelton took an early lead in the game when they dispatched from close range after finding themselves with space in the box. Ballybofey then took control of the play and created some great changes but they couldn’t find an equaliser.
Aaron Mc Auley then came close directly from the corner, his cross came off the crossbar. Ballybofey then thought they scored when Darren Bonner’s 25-yard shot went through the keeper but the referee deemed it to have not crossed to the line.
Ballybofey started the second half well in control of possession and could have equalised but they didn’t find the required finish. Ballybofey then had efforts from Gavin Doherty and Leo Mc Aleer, with Leo’s effort being deemed to have once again not crossed the line after his effort again went through the keeper.
Totally against the run of play, Ramelton doubled their lead in the 75th minute with a close-range header. With five minutes to go, Ballybofey got themselves back into the game when the pacey and energetic Leo Mc Aleer caused havoc in the Ramelton rearguard and the ball ended up in the net.
Ballybofey then piled on more pressure and could have got themselves level in the 90th minute but again the move lacked the finish needed. Ramelton then broke and got their third to kill off the game.
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 0 v 8 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Kilmacrennan Reserves secured all three points after a comfortable victory on Saturday afternoon.
A hat trick from Michael Mc Laughlin, a brace from Cain Paige and a goal apiece from Phillip Buchannan, Connor Gibson and Phil Brennan told the story of a one-sided contest.
Cranford United Reserves 1 v 1 Drumbar United
This game was switched to Tri a lough and it was as windy as ever. Cranford started the game against the strong wind in the first half and had to work very hard.
They battled well and restricted Drumbar to very few chances in the first half, it was 0-0 at half time. Cranford started the second half at a frantic pace and nearly scored through Paddy Mc Geever but the keeper saved the one on one chance. Shortly afterwards Dale Mc Fadden scored at the back post after Dylan Mc Bride’s corner was flicked on at the front post.
The lead only lasted five minutes as Drumbar broke down the right wing with a quick counter attack that caught Cranford sleeping. The right winger made no mistake with his finish to make it 1-1. Cranford pushed as much as they could with the wind to find a winner and came close on a few occasions but couldn’t get the all-important goal as it finished in a 1-1 draw.
Fintown Harps AFC 1 v 1 Swilly Rovers Reserves
Fintown started the brighter with shots from Boyler and Mc Devitt. Swilly settled into the game and had a free kick that just went over the bar. Fintown took the lead with Dermot Gallier finding the net from close range after a great shot from Steve Boyle was parried into his path. Swilly pushed hard but Fintown went in 1-0 up at half time.
During the second half Swilly were on top and got their just reward on 60 minutes when Christopher Mc Laughlin got on to a ball and put it past Karl O’ Brien in the Fintown net. Both teams pushed hard for the winner with Fintown having the better chances.
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 1 v 2 Milford United Reserves
An injury time goal by Shane Mc Fadden handed Milford all three points in a game which was reversed to Gweedore. Both sides had chances to win this game but good goalkeeping and missed opportunities had both sides level going into injury time. Gweedore struck first after fifteen minutes when Damien O’Sullivan gave the home team the lead.
Colin Ferry hit the post shortly after and Neil Doran also had a chance to extend the home team’s lead while Corey Lee was denied three times by Joe Mc Gee in the Gweedore goals. Within two minutes of the second half Darren Mc Loughlin pounced on a loose ball following a free kick to equalise for Milford.
Colin Ferry crossed for Cronan Mc Fadden but he blazed his shot over the bar. Darren Mc Loughlin and Corey Lee had further opportunities for Milford but they got the winner in injury time when Mc Fadden struck following a corner which the Gweedore defence failed to clear and there was no time for Na Ceiltigh to hit back. For Gweedore Liam Wiggins and Oisín Diver stood out and Shane Mc Fadden was the Milford hero.Referee: Liam Mc Loughlin
Sunday 15th January 2023
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Keadue Rovers 4 v 2 Glenea United
Keadue Rovers put their recent poor run behind them with this important win over local rivals Glenea United at a wet and bitterly cold Central Park. Keadue had the first chance of the game when Aidan Mc Hugh had a close-range effort just wide. Glenea came back and had an effort wide of the post just two minutes later.
Then on eleven minutes Brian Proctor’s shot hit the Glenea crossbar. From that point until the twentieth minute the visitors were on top, getting lots of possession and forcing some set pieces which the home defence had to be at their best to keep out.
The opening goal came on twenty-one minutes, when Proctor picked up the ball on the edge of the area and hit a shot which took a big deflection on its way to the net. After that goal, Keadue really picked things up and Aidan McHugh had two good chances within ten minutes, both blocked by the keeper and the Glenea defence.
Keadue should’ve been a few clear at half time but at the break it was still close on the scoreline and Glenea would’ve felt confident. At the start of the second half Peter McGee went close but was blocked by the keeper. Keadue went two goals up on the hour when Aidan Mc Hugh took advantage of a slip by the Glenea defence and tucked neatly past the keeper to widen the gap. This was when Glenea came alive and unbelievably within five minutes were level.
Firstly, a shot was blocked down and Kevin Mulhern was quickest to react, tapping in for 2-1. Two minutes later, a good Glenea move was finished off with John Mc Fadden slotting home for 2-2. Within two minutes Keadue were once again ahead after Peter Mc Gee was upended in the box and Brian Proctor hammered home the spot kick.
Back came the visitors and they had a glorious chance when their striker’s shot was saved brilliantly on the double by Shane O’Gara. That proved to be the turning point as Keadue went up the field and Peter Mc Gee slammed home from 20 yards for 4-2.
That wasn’t the end of the drama though as Glenea in the last ten minutes were awarded a penalty but after a slight delay O’Gara was once again the hero, stopping the shot to his right and in the end Keadue saw out the last five minutes to gain a very valuable three points. A fine game to watch, best for Glenea were Kevin Mulhern, Sean Coll and Calvin Murray, while best for Keadue were Shane O’ Gara, Aidan Mc Hugh and Peter Mc Gee.
Referee: Mick Lagan.
Kildrum Tigers 2 v 3 Fanad United
(No Report Submitted)
Kilmacrennan Celtic 1 v 3 Castlefin Celtic
Kilmacrennan took lead on 50 minutes after Glen Mc Nulty was fouled in box and Daire Mc Daid scored the resulting penalty. Castlefin equalised on 55 minutes when Jordan Duffy scored a header from a corner at the back post. On 65 minutes Castlefin took lead when Gareth Sweeney scored another header from a great ball in from a Castlefin free kick.
Castlefin had man sent off on 70 minutes for two yellow cards and Kilmacrennan pushed hard but couldn’t find an equaliser. On 80 minutes Aaron O’ Hagan scored a penalty and Castlefin held on for three points. Good team efforts from both sides. Referee: Marty Mc Garrigle.
Rathmullan Celtic 3 v 1 Cappry Rovers
(No Report Submitted)
St. Catherines P v P Bonagee United
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Letterbarrow Celtic A v A Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
(No Report, Match Abandoned)
Letterkenny Rovers 3 v 4 Gweedore Celtic
Gweedore Celtic maintained their promotion hopes with a 4-3 win away to Letterkenny Rovers with all seven goals coming in a frenetic first half.Indeed, Rovers led on three occasions only for the visitors to respond each time before going on to take all three points.
Chris Malseed opened the scoring with a looping header on 9 minutes but it was a lead that lasted only 60 seconds as Gweedore went straight up the other end and drew level with a crisp strike from Cian Mc Bride.The hosts restored their lead with a brilliantly taken free-kick from Caolan Mc Connell on 23 minutes but again the lead was short lived as some generous defending from Rovers allowed Thomas Diver to capitalise and he set up Mc Bride who scored again to make it 2-2.
Rovers were back in front again just short of the half hour mark when Malseed grabbed his second goal of game, steering home from close range following a low cross by Conor O’Donnell.Gweedore came back a third time with a glancing header from Diver to restore parity before the pendulum really swung in their favour a few minutes before the break with Diver pouncing inside the box to put them 4-3 ahead at the break.The second half was a less eventful affair with few chances as Gweedore held firm for the victory. Referee: Paddy Martin
Milford United 1 v 0 Drumkeen United
(No Report Submitted)
Raphoe Town 1 v 4 Donegal Town
In the first ten minutes young Robbie Dolan made two greats saves to stop Raphoe going behind early in the game. Raphoe missed the chance to go ahead when Dylan Brolly hit the crossbar from long range.
Donegal struck first in the 20th minute and despite some Raphoe pressure it was 1-0 at halftime. Donegal scored within five minutes of the start of the second half and Raphoe battled hard to get back into the game.
Donegal scored two more to claim all three points. Raphoe got a consultation goal when Oisin Kelly sent Dylan Brolly through to score. Goalkeeper Robbie Dolan was best for Raphoe.
Swilly Rovers 6 v 0 Convoy Arsenal
Swilly Rovers defeated Convoy Arsenal 6-0 in a match that began with a moment of silence in memory of Patsy Boyce, a beloved member of the community who passed away over the weekend.
The home side took the lead in the 6th minute when Kyle Black scored from the spot after a foul on Corey Mc Cahill. Conor Gormley, David Craig, and Kyle Black all tested Convoy keeper Luke Mc Gee, who made some excellent saves to keep the score at 1-0 at halftime. In the second half Shane Mc Namee set up goals for Kyle Black and Corey Mc Cahill to give Swilly the upper hand.
Two powerful headers from Jordan Mc Daid and Ciaran Kelly, both from Mc Namee corners, put Swilly in control. Near the end, Shane Mc Namee scored a superb goal to round off a solid performance from the home side. In the final minutes, Darren Gibson of Convoy saw his penalty saved by Dane Dunworth in the Swilly goal.
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Dunkineely Celtic 0 v 8 Drumoghill F.C.
(No Report Submitted)
Gweedore United 4 v 2 Deele Harps
This game played in wet conditions saw the home side get back to winning ways. United got off to a great start with early chances for Ronan O’ Donnell. In the 8th minute Ethan Harkin put the home side one up after a good run and finish past Arthur in the Deele nets. Deele got one back in the 10th minute when Jack Mc Beth finished well past Cian Gallagher. The Deele net minder did well to deny Darren Ferry, Mark Mc Fadden and Jamie Mc Gee in the 16th, 19th and 21st minute respectively.
The visitors took the lead in the 22nd minute when Lewis Mc Gurn tapped home from close range after the United’s defence couldn’t clear the ball following a free kick by Gary Heeney. In the second half United went all out to get back on level terms playing excellent football throughout. David Arthur kept the score at 2-1 until the 52nd minute with some brilliant saves. United equalised in the 52nd minute when Ciaran Mc Fadden ran through to finish well after a good pass from Stephen Doyle Mc Fadden.
United took a deserved lead in the 79th minute when Mc Fadden again finishing well to get his 10th of the season. Stephen Doyle Mc Fadden got a 4th for United in the 90th minute to secure a vital three points for the Carrickboyle side. It was an excellent team performance from United with David Arthur and Sean O’Reilly doing well for Deele on the day.
Lagan Harps 3 v 1 Curragh Athletic
Lagan continued their push for promotion with a win over Curragh in difficult conditions. Playing with the aid of the strong wind Lagan got off to a dream start. Ciaran Quinn volleyed home when a corner broke to him on three minutes. Curragh, playing some neat football, then began to dictate.
Lagan then lost the influential Glenn Gallagher to injury. Lagan went close when a Josh Hay’s cross hit the crossbar. Curragh continued to play some good football with Oisin Mc Caul and Cormac Callaghan playing well. Lagan went 2-0 up on thirty minutes when Ross Hamlyn burst through.
Chris Burns did well to block his initial shot but he headed home the rebound. Lagan almost made it 3-0 minutes later when Kenny Doran lobbed Burns but Gary Doherty made a fantastic goal-line clearance, despite crashing into the post. Fortunately he was able to continue.
Curragh would have hoped, with the aid of the breeze, to start on top in the second half. However Lagan started really well and began to dominate possession. They increased their lead on fifty-five minutes when Joe Mc Carron sent Philip Doran through and he finished well. Matthew Doran, when introduced began to cause Curragh a lot of problems down the left. However Curragh went close when Conor Galvin forced Michael Toner in to a good save from distance.
Philip Doran went close again when Joe Mc Carron put him through, but he shot narrowly wide. Lagan sub Jack Duncan then hit the post. Curragh pulled a goal back in the final minutes when Cormac Callaghan finished well when the ball broke to him fifteen yards out. A good effort from both sides in trying conditions
Lifford Celtic 2 v 5 Cranford United
(No Report Submitted)
Whitestrand United 2 v 4 Ballybofey United
Whitestrand played Ballybofey in their opening home match of 2023 at Mc Garvey Park. Coming off a win last weekend, Whitestrand were looking to build on that result. Whitestrand started the game well and almost took the lead when Gerard Mc Ateer hit the post and the ball went across the line before Ballybofey’s defence got in to clear.
As the match wore on into the half, Ballybofey’s grip on the game grew and they took the lead when a ball was flashed across the box and it inadvertently bounced in off a Whitestrand defender. Ballybofey doubled their lead when a cross came in from the right and Niall Mc Closkey headed home.
Whitestrand forced their way back into the match when a Free-Kick from Daibhid Lynch was spilled by the keeper and Michael Sweeney pounced on the rebound. The second half started with Whitestrand on the front foot and Garth Ferry found the net at the back post from a cross to make the game 2-2.
However, Ballybofey became the stronger team as the weather conditions worsened and scored two goals in the final quarter of the game to seal the victory 4-2. In the end it was a deserved victory for Ballybofey but Whitestrand can take a lot from the game going into the remaining games of the season.