The following are the Donegal League reports and results from the past week.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Arranmore United 0 v 0 Drumbar F.C.
Arranmore and Drumbar ended in a stalemate on a windy day at Rannagh Park. The first half was an even contest with Drumbar having the better chances only to be denied by Dan Ward in the Arranmore goals. Drumbar were the better side in the second half but they were unable to put the ball in the back of the net. With the last kick of the game Drumbar thought they scored the winner but Aidan Proctor deflected their shot onto the post.
Hard-working team performances from both sides. Referee: Seamus Ferry
Keadue Rovers Reserves 0 v 4 St. Catherines Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Dunlewey Celtic 0 v 0 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Castlefin started the game with the wind at their backs and created a few chances in the opening exchanges but couldn’t find the finishing touch. Dunlewey came into the game later in the first half but didn’t create anything that troubled the Castlefin defence. 0-0 at the end of the first half. The second half was more of the same with both sides creating chances, the better of which falling to Castlefin again. Neither side could find the net and shared the spoils. Referee: Thomas Ferry
Glenea United Reserves 2v 2 Fintown Harps AFC
Both teams served up an entertaining game in windy conditions. The home side started quickly and took the lead in the first minute when Seamus Doogan’s cross from the left was bundle in by Sean Geaney from close range. Glenea continued to dominate and doubled their lead on 30 minutes when Jamie Hunter’s through ball played in Seamus Doogan, he was fouled in the box and Patrick Doohan converted the resultant penalty. In the 2nd half it was the away teams turn to play with advantage of the breeze, and they started to come more into the game, but it was Glenea’s Chris Barrett that had the chance to extend the lead but he was denied by a fine save from O’Donnell. Minutes later Fintown pulled a goal back through Kieran Gallagher after he had held up a through ball and fired his shot into the corner. Fintown continued to press and equalised on 60 minutes when Aaron Mc Glynn finished from inside the area leaving Matthew Ryder with no chance. Both sides pushed for a winner, and it was the away side that came closest, Kieran Gallaghers header was cleared off the line by Patrick Doohan. Good team performances. Referee: Paddy McCauley..
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 3 v 6 Erne Wanderers
With both teams occupying spots in the top 4 this was always going to be an open encounter and so it proved with the away side more clinical in front goal and headed back through the Gap with all 3 points. The opening 15 minutes were shared in terms of possession and chances but it was Erne who scored first after 19 minutes when the impressive Damian Weber cut inside and his crisp shot found the bottom corner. Five minutes later and Kilmacrennan were level, good work down the left from Oisin Harkin who crossed for Steve Mc Elwaine to slot home from close range. Erne regained the lead on 36 when winger Roper cut in from the left and fired low in to the far corner and that lead was increased on 41 when hard working front man Dylan Gallagher seized on a loose ball to fire home from the edge of the box. With halftime approaching the home side were awarded a penalty after a handball in the box and Harkin calmly slotted home to leave it 2-3 at the break. Within 2 minutes of the restart it was all square, Harkin beating the offside to fire home with a cracking shot from 25 yards. Yet again Erne came forward and went ahead with goal of the day, Darren Russell smashing the ball home from fully 40 yards in the 49th minute to put the away side 4 – 3 up and from here they took control, adding further goals on 63 minutes from Declan Roper and 85 from Dylan Gallagher again. Despite playing some excellent football the home side will be disappointed at the manner of defeat today but Erne were good value for their win. Referee: George Clinton.
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Fanad United Reserves 6 v 0 Gweedore United Reserves
League leaders Fanad United remain unbeaten in the Finn Travel Saturday Division Three after a comfortable 6-0 over Gweedore United Reserves at Traigh-a-Loch on Saturday. It took just 2 minutes for Fanad to open the scoring. A corner from the right was flicked on by Paul Friel to Shea Cannon who swivelled 7 yards out to fire home. With 20 minutes gone Fanad missed a good chance to get their second when Adam Carr went on a great run but his final effort went just wide. Fanad did score their second just minutes later. Centre half Paul Friel fired a lovely pass to Dylan Mc Glone on the left and he showed great skill to control the ball first time and finish high into the net. Just 4 minutes later Fanad scored their third. Shea Cannon did well down the right and his low cross was deflected into his own net by an unfortunate Gweedore defender. Fanad did create a few more chances before half time with the best one falling to Niall Toland who shot wide after good work from Alan Mc Ateer. The second half followed in a similar fashion with Fanad creating the bulk of the chances. Ten minutes into the half Fanad got their fourth when Niall Toland scored with a great shot from just outside the box. Fanad went further ahead in the 65th minute when Ryan Moffitt hit a great cross to the back post where Charlie Mc Ateer controlled the ball before slamming in home from 12 yards. The sixth goal then came 5 minutes later. Darragh O’ Doherty’s dangerous free from the right eventually fell to Ryan Moffitt who made no mistake from close range. The final chance of note came with 15 minutes remaining. Conor Mc Conigley released Caolan Gibbons down the right and his excellent cross found Ryan Moffitt who shot just wide. Referee: Matthew Hull
Lagan Harps Reserves 3 v 0 Cranford United Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Ballybofey United Reserves 2 v 0 Copany Rovers
Barrie McGhee had the first chance of the game but his deflected effort went wide of the post. On the half hour mark a great ball from Leo Mc Aleer found Evan Sproule in behind the Copany defence, he was then brought down inside the area and up stepped Barrie who cooly slotted his penalty into the bottom corner. Ballybofey nearly added a second not long after, it was Leo again, this time with some good work down the right-hand side, he pulled it back to James Sweeney who rifled a shot at goal but the Copany keeper made a great save to deny him. Copany piled on the pressure at the start of the second half and it took two brilliant saves from goalkeeper Daniel Crawford to keep Ballybofey ahead. Ballybofey had their first chance of the half after a lovely over the top from Aaron Mc Auley found Ronan Mc Hugh through on goal but his effort was well palmed away by the keeper. Copany had another great chance to level it after a dangerous low ball was driven into the box and nearly found its way into the Ballybofey goal. With ten minutes to go Oran Gallen sealed all three points for Ballybofey after he took it past two men in the Copany area and finished well past the keeper. The final ten minutes saw Ballybofey defend very well to secure the win against a strong Copany side.
Bonagee United Reserves 3 v 0 Drumkeen United Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Ulster Junior Shield
Donegal Town Reserves 1 v 2 Sea Rovers
Sea Rovers had total control of the early stages but squandered some good chances with sub keeper Eamonn Jordan in fine form in Donegal’s goal. Early in the second half Sea took the lead from a goalmouth scramble from a corner. For the rest of normal time Town dominated and got the equaliser from Cornell Flannery who turned in a Benny Byrne header. Sea regained the lead early in Extra-Time and held on to take the victory.
Glencar Celtic 0 v 6 Letterkenny Rovers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Kildrum Tigers Reserves 2 v 0 Gleneely Colts
The half started with the home side pressing from the start with Shane and Daniel Mc Nulty both coming close. With 15 minutes gone Aaron O’ Donnell opened the scoring with a run-in from the left and his shot beat the keeper to put the Tiger’s ahead. With a few minutes left in the first half Gleneely forced a fine save from the Tiger’s keeper Hepburn to keep the Tiger’s ahead at the break. The second half started with Gleneely applying all the pressure but with 53 minutes gone Aaron O’ Donnell got onto a great through ball from Daniel Square Mc Nulty to put the Tiger’s 2 up. Minutes later the Tiger’s were through again but Shane Mc Nulty was brought down in the box and the Ref awarded the Tiger’s a penalty which the Tiger’s failed to convert and that is how it finished 2-0 to the home side.
Culdaff F.C. 1 v 4 Gweedore Celtic Reserves
(No Report Available)
FAI Junior Cup
Letterkenny Rovers 1 v 3 Mervue United
(No Report Submitted)
Fanad United 3v 0Harding FC
(No Report submitted)
Sunday 19th January 2025
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Bonagee United 2 v 0 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Bonagee came out on top on Saturday night in a match which was switched to Letterkenny Community Centre before a large crowd. In the first half Kilmacrennan had the better of the chances and should have taken the lead on 25 minutes when John Sandilands fired just over after great build up play from Paul Bradley and Shane Mc Namee. Bonagee also hit a crossbar on 35 minutes and it was level at the break. The game was decided by 2 quick goals on 62 and 64 minutes from Jamie Harris. On 62 minutes, he headed home from Fintan Hassan cross and two minutes later a mix-up in Kilmacrennan defence was punished with a clever finish inside the box. Kilmacrennan pushed hard and finished game strong and James Doherty should have pulled goal back on 85 minutes but his shot was just over the Bonagee bar. Best for Bonagee was Jamie Harris while Owen Browne was Kilmacrennan’s best player.
Referee: Gerard Devine
Keadue Rovers 0v 0St. Catherines
Keadue and St. Catherine’s played out a decent game in Keadue on Sunday and the outcome was as tight as the league placings of both sides would suggest. Played in fine conditions for January, it was St. Catherine’s, with the aid of the breeze, who started off the brighter and got the ball forward quickly to their front men without creating anything in the way of chances. The home side got more of a grip after 10 minutes, with front men Peter McGee and Aidan Brennan proving decent outlets. The game was played at a good pace, with plenty of firm but fair tackles going in from each side. Towards the half hour, more chances started to develop for either side, firstly from St. Catherine’s, when their full back Alex Mc Brearty hit a fine long range effort but Adam Boyle in the Keadue nets produced a superb save to flick it round the corner of the goal. On thirty minutes, Aidan Brennan cut in from the left and struck it well only for Padraig Byrne to save well. Towards the end of the half, Paul O’Hare was showing well for St. Catherine’s on the left flank and the visitors created a few openings but again, nothing to threaten the Keadue goal. At half time it was 0-0 with the visitors having slightly the better of things. In the second half though, Keadue started off at a good pace, pushing St. Catherine’s back and forcing some openings, particularly in the first fifteen minutes. Aidan Brennan had an excellent chance on fifty-three minutes, but just didn’t get his shot away quickly enough and the visitors scrambled it clear. Adam Mc Caffrey did well on a solo run on the hour but hit his shot just over the crossbar. The game then hit a bit of a scrappy patch which suited the visitors, who were content to defend. With a quarter of an hour left, Oran Fallon came off the bench and within minutes, almost had the desired effect with a hard-struck shot, well saved by Byrne in the Killybegs net. Just before that, St. Catherine’s had a good chance when a cross from the left was headed wide at the back post by Joshua Maxwell. Keadue made another sub in the last ten minutes with Oisin Mc Kelvey entering the fray. The game became more stretched and on eighty-nine minutes, despite having not much forward play, St. Catherine’s almost got the winner when their substitute Josh Cunningham was through and hit the post, with the resultant rebound struck wide by Joshua Maxwell. Then in the last minute, Oran Fallon, following some good work, again hit a fine strike, saved well again by Padraig Byrne. Shortly after the whistle blew and it finished scoreless at the end. Keadue with more possession and openings in the second half will be disappointed not to take the three points. Despite the absence of goals, it was a decent, well fought game and both sides showing they can compete well with teams above them in the league table. A game where keepers and defence were largely on top. Best for St. Catherine’s were Padraig Byrne, Alex Mc Brearty and Paul O’Hare, while for Keadue, Paul Yank Boyle, Martin Ferry and Brian Proctor did well.
Referee: Dessie Mc Laughlin.
Swilly Rovers 1 v 3 Gweedore Celtic
Victory for the Gweedore men in a very entertaining game at Swilly Park. Points were crucial in this game for both teams who are in the lower regions in the table. Swilly played very well in the first half with Duncan Patterson back with his hometown team dominating the midfield sector. Swilly went ahead on 25 minutes when a superb Laurence Toland free kick was headed home in style by Swilly centre back Ciaran Kelly. Martin Mc Daid then came close with a shot against the side netting. Gweedore made three changes at the break and came out a different team as Swilly faded out of the game .Thomas Diver with a penalty levelled matters after his first attempt was saved by Barry Gallagher. Ciaran Mc Hugh with a close-range effort and a solo effort by Stephen Mc Fadden near the end sealed the points for the west Donegal team. Referee: Mick Lagan.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Cappry Rovers 2 v 0 Castlefin Celtic
Cappry Rovers delivered a commanding performance to claim a 2-0 win over Castlefin in a game they controlled from start to finish. From the opening whistle, Cappry looked sharper and more determined, consistently creating chances and pressing the Castlefin defence. The team, a blend of youthful energy and experienced players, gelled seamlessly throughout the match. Castlefin’s best chance of the game fell to Jude Patton who his powerful shot well saved by Joe Boyle in the Cappry nets. Despite their dominance, Cappry went into halftime frustrated with the score still locked at 0-0. The second half began with Cappry resuming their control. An early chance was ruled out for offside, but the home side kept pushing and were eventually rewarded. Aaron Kelly got on the end of a flick-on from Jack Burke and coolly lobbed the keeper to put Cappry ahead 1-0. Veteran striker Paddy Mc Nulty then came off the bench to make an immediate impact. Picking up the ball on the right, he powered past two defenders and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper to double Cappry’s lead. Cappry continued to push for more goals and could have extended their lead on another day.
Donegal Town 7 v 2 Gweedore United
A great win for Donegal Town with a 7-2 victory over Gweedore United in the Hospital Field. Town had a few good chances early in the game but the Gweedore goalkeeper held firm. Joe Campbell broke the deadlock with a great strike from distance. Soon after Ronan Mc Hugh finished nicely after a good knock down from Killian Faulkner. On the stroke of half time Declan Duignan made it 3. Town started the second half strongly and scored 3 quick fire goals from Stevie Graham, Decy Duignan and Aidan Mc Hugh to lead 6-0, however Gweedore battled and scored twice from Brian and Stephen Mc Fadden to leave it 6-2 but Town saved the best for last with a great long range finish from Ian Campbell to leave a final score of 7-2. A very solid all round team performance.
Glenea united 3v 0Lifford Celtic
Lifford were the visitors to Pairc Joe where the home side had the first chance of the afternoon when Luke Mc Carry’s header went just wide of the post. Glenea had a shot cleared off the line shortly after when Calvin Murray got on the end of Ciaran Coll’s through ball. Glenea took the lead in the 26th minute when PJ Doogan found Calvin Murray on the edge of the box and after composing himself he finished well into the bottom corner. The second half started with Glenea looking to immediately extend their lead and the home side began to pile pressure on the Lifford defence, Calvin Murray picked the ball up inside the halfway line and his run found him space to get a shot away which ended up in the top corner. Murray completed his hat-trick in the 65th minute with a long-range effort into the bottom corner. Glenea looked comfortable from this point on and although Lifford didn’t give up, the home side were well organised and dealt with any threats that came their way.
Best for Glenea was Calvin Murray. Referee: Liam Mc Laughlin.
Lagan Harps 1 v 0 Milford United
Some dogged defending combined with superb goalkeeping from Bryan Da Costa saw Lagan survive a second half bombardment to pick up three valuable points. Lagan got off to a great start with a goal on six minutes. Matthew Doran sent a ball in behind the Milford defence and Kyle Martin just got a touch on it. Milford hit back with Cathal Mc Gettigan just off target with two free-kicks. Milford were then awarded a penalty for handball on thirty-five minutes. However, Bryan Da Costa got down well to save Kyle Black’s kick. Lorcan Friel then headed just over from a corner. Lagan finished the half strongly with Caolan Mc Gettigan pulling off a great save from a Josh Hay header. Right on halftime he did really well again to claw away an inswinging corner from Oisin Harkin. The second half was dominated by Milford with the Lagan defence led by Ciaran Quinn and Rory Mc Crossan hanging on doggedly. Milford went closest when Kyle Black seized on a Conor Bonner miskick and dinked the ball over Bryan, but Conor did brilliantly to get back and hook the ball off the line. The rest of the game was Milford piling on pressure with Darren Mc Laughlin going close and left back Niall Murray hitting in dangerous crosses. Josh Hay defended resolutely at left back for Lagan and along with Codey Brogan provided Lagan’s main attacking outlets. Lagan sub Ross Hamlyn almost scored immediately on coming on but couldn’t manage to steer a cross past Caolán Mc Gettigan. Milford continued to press but just couldn’t get the equaliser.
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 2 v 2 Drumoghil F.C.
The ‘71 lost ground at the top of the league at home to Drumoghill in an excellent game of football. The home side started well and were in front inside six minutes when Kevin Loughrey tapped home a James Kerr cross. Well on top Kerrykeel were playing all the football and missed some great chances to extend their league and were denied a penalty when Kevin Loughrey was taken down inside the box and moments later Drumoghill were level when Doran finished well from inside the box. Shaun Friel made a great save from O’ Donnell and on the counter attack Kerrykeel went in front when Brandon Mc Clafferty headed home a flick-on from Shaun Carr. The game turned on its head in a five-minute spell at the start of the second half first Richie Moore got the away side level with a great finish and moments later Shaun Carr saw red for being the last man. After this Kerrykeel played with real intent and looked like the team with ten men and forced Drumoghill back and missed some glorious chances to win it. Team performances from both teams. Referee: Thomas Ferry
Letterbarrow Celtic 5 v 2 Raphoe Town
After an even opening 20 minutes Letterbarrow were unlucky not to open the scoring when a Dillion Mc Groary header was cleared off the line. Barrow were rewarded for their pressure when Rory Kennedy set up Christian Ward to make it 1-0. The lads upped the pressure after half time and Dillion Mc Groary made it 2-0 from a corner. Chances continued to flow and Dillion again made it 3-0. Raphoe didn’t let their heads drop and made it 3-1 with a well worked counter attack. Some great football was being played and Christian Ward went on a great run and won a free kick. Christian reacted quickest at the back post to make it 4-1. With time running out there was still plenty of goals. Raphoe managed to make it 4-2 with a penalty, however Conor Mc Daid sealed the win with the last kick of the game. Best for Letterbarrow: Dillion Mc Groary, Christian Ward and Rory Kennedy.
Ulster Junior Shield
Cranford United 5 v 4 Quigleys Point Swifts
Cranford came out on top after penalties after a comeback victory. QPS playing with a strong wind in the 1st half took the lead after 15 minutes from a great strike on the edge of the box. It was 2 soon after when they got in behind to double their lead. From then on, Cranford started to dominate the play, and only for the QPS keeper could have been level at half time. Cranford, playing with the wind in the second half, pinned the opposition in and got one back from a rocket of a shot from Ethan Ferry that went into the top corner. He doubled his tally soon after and levelled up the game. Quigley Points keeper again pulled off great saves in normal and extra time to keep them in the tie. But Cranford scored all of their penalties, and Dean Fleming saved one as Cranford progressed to the next round.
Deele Harps 1 v 3 Convoy Arsenal
Deele welcomed Convoy to Marty Duffy Park for this Ulster Shield match in fine conditions for a game of football. The opening exchanges were even with the defences on top. Deele took the lead on 16 minutes following some neat football and a Declan Lafferty through ball found Conor Breslin who raced through on goal and made no mistake with a fine finish. Convoy drew level on 30 minutes when an in-swinging cross was glanced home by Gary Brolly. Convoy took the lead on 72 minutes when Oran Patterson scored from a free kick on the edge of the box. As Deele pushed for a late equaliser they were caught on the break when the Convoy substitute capitalised on a defensive mistake. Team performance from Deele, Gary Brolly was best for Convoy. Referee Raymond Gallagher
Quigleys Point Swifts Reserves 4v 2Oldtown Celtic
(No Report Available)
RESULTS WEEK
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Arranmore United 0 v 0 Drumbar F.C.
Keadue Rovers Reserves 0 v 4 St. Catherines Reserves
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Dunlewey Celtic 0 v 0 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Glenea United Reserves 2v 2 Fintown Harps AFC
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 3v 6Erne Wanderers
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Fanad United Reserves 6 v 0 Gweedore United Reserves
Lagan Harps Reserves 3 v 0 Cranford United Reserves
Ballybofey United Reserves 2 v 0 Copany Rovers
Bonagee United Reserves 3v 0Drumkeen United Reserves
Ulster Junior Shield
Donegal Town Reserves 1 v 2 Sea Rovers
Glencar Celtic 0 v 6 Letterkenny Rovers Reserves
Kildrum Tigers Reserves 2 v 0 Gleneely Colts
Culdaff F.C. 1 v 4 Gweedore Celtic Reserves
FAI Junior Cup
Letterkenny Rovers 1 v 3 Mervue United
Fanad United 3v 0Harding FC
Sunday 19th January 2025
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Bonagee United 2 v 0 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Keadue Rovers 0v 0St. Catherines
Swilly Rovers 1 v 3 Gweedore Celtic
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Cappry Rovers 2 v 0 Castlefin Celtic
Donegal Town 7 v 2 Gweedore United
Glenea united 3v 0Lifford Celtic
Lagan Harps 1v 0Milford United
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 2 v 2 Drumoghil F.C.
Letterbarrow Celtic 5v 2Raphoe Town
Ulster Junior Shield
Cranford United 5 v 4 Quigleys Point Swifts
Deele Harps 1 v 3 Convoy Arsenal
Quigleys Point Swifts Reserves 4v 2Oldtown Celtic
