VICTORIES FOR Drumoghill FC, Donegal Town and Glenree United confirmed their places at the top of the respective Donegal League Sunday Divisions.
On a weekend of numerous postponements, Drumoghill FC (pictured above) won 2-1 against Rathmullan Celtic in the Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division, while Donegal posted a fine victory against Lagan Harps in the Temple Domestic Appliances Division 1. Glenree were 4-1 victors against Dunkineely Celtic in the CT Ball Division 2.
Brian Mc Cormick Premier Division
Drumoghill FC 2-1 Rathmullan Celtic
Drumoghill FC went top of the table with this hard earned victory against fellow title hopefuls Rathmullan Celtic.
But they had to do it the hard way, coming from behind after Niall Carruthers early strike had put the sea-siders into the lead.
Liam O’Donnell’s strike in the second half was enough to clinch victory after Paddy Collin’s equaliser just before half time. There were little between the sides for much of the game with both sides enjoying large spells of good possession.
Rathmullan took the lead on 12 minutes when Connolly’s cross found the unmarked Carruthers and the big midfielder had all the time in world to pick his spot. The goal triggered the home side into action and they were the dominant team for the remainder of the half and they deservedly levelled matters on 38 minutes.
Chris Malseed’s free-kick was flicked on by Paddy Rafferty, partially cleared by Rathmullan’s net-minder Gallagher but the ball fell kindly for Paddy Collins who was in the right place at the right time to head home.
Drumoghill picked up from where they left off by starting the second half in the ascendency and they regained the lead in the 52nd minute. Richie Moore was the architect when he sent Liam O’Donnell clear in the inside right channel and the striker made no mistake from 22 yards.
From then on though Rathmullan were on top with Eamon Sheridan a constant thorn in Drumoghill’s side. The striker had two efforts saved and will feel he should have restored parity on 82 minutes when he headed straight at McCauley.
Although dominant the visitors were constantly thwarted as Ray Quinn Benny Bonner and Chris O’Donnell were in no mood to relinquish their slender lead and they deservedly held out for three crucial points. Referee: Paddy Martin
Cappry Rovers 3-2 Castlefin Celtic
Cappry Rovers claimed a deserved three points at a wet and windy Cappry Park when they defeated Castlefin Celtic in an entertaining game.
Cappry took the game to the visitors and were a goal up in the ninth minute when Aaron Kelly won the ball and raced forward to put the ball in the net past the advancing keeper. Castlefin were close to equalising from the centre but a save from the Cappry keeper kept the home team in front.
Cappry doubled their lead in the 18th minute when the Castlefin defence failed to clear the ball and Aaron Kelly nipped in to score his second. Castlefin kept pressing to get a goal back but the Cappry defence held firm. Castlefin went a goal further behind in the 37th minute when Brian Lafferty broke through the defence to slot the ball past the keeper for Cappry’s third.
In the second half Castlefin went in search of a quick goal to put the pressure on the home team and they were rewarded in the fifty second minute when Matthew O’ Rourke won the ball and he shot to the top corner of the net from 20 yards.
Cappry’s backs were to the wall at this stage as the visitors upped the pressure but they held firm. J P O’ Malley got Castlefin’s second goal in the sixty third minute when he scored from close range following a free kick. Conor McBride made a very crucial double save in the dying minutes to keep Cappry in the driving seat and claim all three points as they bid to get up the table again.
Best for Cappry were Brian Lafferty and Aaron Kelly. Best for Castlefin were Ian Ward and Johnny Doherty.
Gweedore Celtic 1-1 Glenea United
The two North West teams shared the spoils at An Screaban in this local derby.
Glenea were sharp in the opening 10 minutes and hit the front as early as the seventh minute when Lee O’Brien rose unchallenged and headed home from a corner by Kevin Mulhern.
Gweedore were rocked by the goal but gradually they managed to get back into the game. They nearly managed an equaliser when Shane Porter’s free came off the crossbar but it was cleared to safety. The second half saw Gweedore in the ascendancy but it was the away team who nearly scored.
From a breakaway Glenea piled forward and with only the keeper to beat Mulhern shot wide. They were made to rue that miss as Gweedore equalised in the 25th minute when Declan Doherty shot through a crowded goalmouth.
Brendan Mc Geady saw his shot go wide shortly afterwards and Ciaran Gallagher saved Porter’s free as the home team looked for the winner, but it ended all square.
Best for Gweedore Eugene Ferry, Damien O’ Sullivan and for Glenea Kevin Mulhern and Sean Coll.
Milford United P-P Kildrum Tigers
(This match was Postponed)
St. Catherines P-P Kilmacrennan Celtic
(This match was Postponed)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Lagan Harps 1-3 Donegal Town
Donegal Town went to the top of Division One after a deserved win over Lagan in a match switched to Rathmullan.
Playing with the aid of a strong wind Donegal pinned Lagan back from the start. The Lagan keeper pulled off two good saves early on to keep Donegal at bay.
The Lagan defence struggled to cope with Donegal’s lively strikers Joe Mc Intyre and David Graham throughout and they were to prove central to the result.
Donegal scored on eleven minutes when Joe McIntyre got free down the right and his cross was headed in by David Graham.
They increased the lead on 15 minutes when Donal Mc Hugh beat off a few weak challenges before crossing for Joe Mc Intyre to bundle home.
It was 3-0 to Donegal Town on 20 minutes when Donal Mc Hugh again held off a couple of challenges before firing home. Lagan improved as the half wore on and Kenny Doran passed up a good opportunity when pulling his shot wide when through on 40 minutes.
A great effort from Chris Toner was well saved by the Donegal keeper just on the stroke of halftime. Lagan pressed more in the second half with the aid of the wind but Donegal were always dangerous on the break.
Mark Hunter pulled a goal back when he scrambled the ball home on seventy minutes but Donegal held on well to the end. For Lagan Chris Toner and Marty Brogan for best. For a committed Donegal Town side Joe Mc Intyre and David Graham were excellent.
Gweedore United 1-2 Bonagee United
This game played in wintry conditions at Carrickboyle saw the visitors take the three points thanks to a brace from Shane Kelly. Bonagee with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening half began well.
However the home side settled well and played well in spells throughout the first half limiting Bonagee to long range efforts.
The visitors had decent chances from long range with the best shot from Austin Marring in the 26th minute which was excellently saved by Shaun McClafferty.
Gweedore did well against a strong breeze however Bonagee broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time with a good 10 yard finish from Shane Kelly.
In the second half the home side went all out in search of an equaliser with John Carr making a great save from a Shane O’ Donnell free kick in the 46th minute. The home side continued to press and got their deserved reward in the 55th minute when Ciaran Mc Fadden finished well from 12 yards after good work by Michael Barry.
Gweedore had good chances to take the lead with Shane O’ Donnell hitting the post and Darren Ferry hitting the crossbar.
Bonagee got the winner on the break in the 79th minute when the home defence didn’t clear their lines and Shane Kelly again finished well from six yards. Good team performance from Bonagee and Shane O’ Donnell was excellent for the home side.
Convoy Arsenal 5-2 Kerrykeel ’71
Despite the cold weather conditions were perfect for football in Orchard Park on Sunday.
The game started at a hectic pace with the ball moving from end to end. The deadlock was broken after only five minutes when Conor Cairns pocked the ball home from a Darren Harvey corner. Convoy nearly doubled their lead two minutes later only for a great save from the Kerrykeel keeper.
It proved crucial as in the 10th minute Kerrykeel drew level via a Ducky Callaghan header. The tempo never dropped and after a few more missed chances Convoy regained the lead in the 22nd minute.
It all started from a Kerrykeel corner with Lee Guthrie winning the ball in the Convoy box and driving up the pitch. He then proceeded to release Johnny Robb who twisted his way free to slot a finish in off the post.
Convoy extended their lead in the 39th minute when Johnny Robb got his second with a fine volleyed finish after some good work by Emmett McNulty and Marty Vance down the Convoy right.
Five minutes into the second half Kerrykeel got a foot back into the game when Niall Doherty scored a screamer of a free-kick.
This gave the visitors a bit of hope and they put Convoy under some pressure for the next five minutes.
The home side started to settle again after this though and had a great opportunity to regain the two goal advantage when they were awarded a penalty.
Johnny Robb stepped up to try and complete his hat-trick only for the keeper to pull of another fantastic save. Convoy weren’t going to sit back though and did get their fourth when Ryan Carlin curled in a lovely strike from 25 yards.
It was 5 -2 minutes later with Ryan Carlin knocking in a rebound after some more great work from the Kerrykeel stopper.
The last 20 minutes saw Kerrykeel pushing forward with Convoy looking a constant threat on the break and only for the Kerrykeel keeper Convoy could have had another two or three goals. Best for Convoy were Marty Vance and Conor Cairns with the Kerrykeel goalkeeper outstanding.
Lifford Celtic P-P Raphoe Town
(This match was Postponed)
Keadue Rovers P-P Cranford United
(This match was Postponed)
CT Ball Division Two
Dunkineely Celtic 1-4 Glenree United
Played in very wet conditions at Darney Park Glenree will be very happy to come away with all three points.
The first half was evenly contested and finished scoreless. Both teams created half chances but failed to convert them. Dunkineely took the lead on the hour mark when Paul Murrin converted from the penalty spot.
Glenree equalised from the spot on 65 minutes with a twice taken penalty by Barney Boyce. Glenree continue to press and added three more goals in the final 15 minutes through John Doherty, Conal Gallagher, and Carl McElhinney.
Ballybofey United 4-3 Eany Celtic
This game was switched to Eany Park as the corresponding fixture had been switched to Ballybofey in the first half of the season.
Ballybofey travelled weary of the battle that lay ahead, they would be meeting a team who, after making a poor start to the season, were improving almost weekly.
Ballybofey went ahead through Mark Griffin but Eany soon replied. Des Mc Groarty got them level and Stephen Griffin gave them the lead. Griffin then scored his second to give Eany a two goal advantage.
United could not withstand another reversal if they were to keep in touch with the CT Ball Division Two pacesetters.
Shaun McGowan and Damien Glackin both scored to bring the sides level at 3-3. This was a great open tussle played in a sportsmanlike manner and neither side wanted to lose the game.
That said neither sat back to hold out for a draw and with the final whistle nearing Mark Griffin added to his season’s tally to give Ballybofey a victory which was hard earned against a competitive Eany side.
Erne Wanderers 4-0 Whitestrand United 0
Erne Wanderers hosted Whitestrand on Sunday in the Lakeside Centre in wintery conditions and recorded a comfortable win.
The home team got off to the best possible start when Alan Russell scored inside five minutes when he latched onto a through ball and tucked it under the keeper.
Erne were enjoying a lot of possession but couldn’t force the second goal until the 37th minute when a long punt from Karl O’Brien was nodded down by Michael Ward and Seamus Kane shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.
Russell then did brilliantly down the left and crossed into the box for Ward to head home from five yards.
Kane got his second of the match on 55 minutes when Ward won the ball off the centre back and squared it for Kane to shoot into the top corner. Erne had all the ball after this but couldn’t add to the scoreline hitting the post through Ward but were happy enough with the outcome.
Best for Erne was Seamus Kane while Strand tried hard all game
Copany Rovers P-P Letterbarrow Celtic
(This match was Postponed)
Deele Harps P-P Curragh Athletic
(This match was Postponed)
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