It was another busy weekend of action in the Donegal Junior League – here’s how it all panned out.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Arranmore United 1 Glencar Celtic 5
(No Report Submitted)
Glencar Celtic won the Glencar Inn Saturday Division with this victory on the Island
Fintown Harps 0 Strand Rovers 7
In wet conditions in Fintown Strand Rovers ran away with this encounter. They took the lead early in the first 5 minutes and soon after doubled that lead. Fintown came into the game after that but couldn’t find a way past the Strand keeper. Just before the half-time it was 3-0 to Rovers. They went on to add a further four goals to move four points ahead of Fintown in the table.
Saturday Reserve Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves P Milford United Reserves P
(No Report – Match Postponed)
Keadue Rovers Reserves 2 Castlefin Celtic Reserves 3
League leaders Castlefin came away with maximum points from Central Park on Saturday to close in on the title.
It was a really poor day for football with damp conditions throughout and they were made to fight all the way by a tough home outfit in what was an entertaining and open game despite the bad weather.
Keadue opened the better and could well have had a penalty on three minutes and remained on the front foot for most of the first ten minutes.
However Castlefin started to get more possession and had an effort over the bar on twelve minutes. Two minutes after, Keadues’ Michael Greene shot just wide. A few minutes later, after some good Castlefin pressure they took the lead, following a move down the right hand side, the ball made its’ way to Keith Nelis and he tapped in from close range.
As they were on top it like they might carry on from there but to their credit Keadue equalised just after twenty minutes when a long-range effort from Jordan Doogan deceived the keeper making it to the bottom corner of the net.
The home team followed this up with a good effort wide on 26 minutes from Packie Mc Gonagle. The away side again stepped things up on 28 minutes and following a defensive mix up, missed a sitter of a chance.
A minute later they were back in front when Ronan Tourish finished well to the net from the edge of the area. Keadue were back in it five minutes later when, from a free kick Ryan Greene’s long range effort found the net. Greene was causing problems for Castlefin and was very unlucky just a few minutes later when his shot was cleared off the line which brought the first half to an end.
For the first ten minutes of the second half, the home team were well on top, passing and moving well but not making any chances.
Castlefin had a good period after the hour and Shaun Yank Boyle made a fine save from an attack in the 67th minute.
Soon after Castlefin turned possession into the winner when Gary Mc Nultys’ corner went in off the post. Keadue responded very well to that and Ryan Greene was again unlucky on 78 minutes when running solo on the right, had his shot saved by the keeper.
They kept on the front foot and despite a number of free kick and corners were unable to breach a tight Castlefin defence.
A very open and entertaining game of football despite the inclement conditions with Castlefin digging out a victory against a Keadue team who would’ve merited a draw. Best for Castlefin were Simon Mc Glinchey and Paul Logue while best for Keadue were Ryan Greene and Michael Greene.
Referee: Michael Mulhern.
Glenree United Reserves 1 Cappry Rovers Reserves 2
(No Report Submitted)
Sunday
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Glenea United 1 Castlefin Celtic 1
Glenea had to settle for a point in this closely fought game. It was the visitors that started the quickest and had a couple of half chances to opening the scoring.
Their best effort being from a JP Mailey free-kick that just went narrowly wide. As the half progressed the home side came more into the games created a number of chances.
Ryan McFadden saw his effort smothered by the keeper on 28 minutes, while Lee O’Brien headed just over from a free-kick. Ciaran Mc Geady on 40 minutes saw his close range effort come back off the post.
Glenea opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime when Sean Coll’s clearance was picked up by Ciaran Mc Geady and he drove at the defence and his low shot found the corner of the net.
The second half was a tight affair with both defences on top and chances at a premium, however Castlefin equalized on 70 minutes when the ball broke to JP Mailey and he slotted home from close range. Glenea pushed on looking for another goal and Ciaran McFadden went close on 75 minutes but his effort was well saved.
As Glenea pushed forward they were almost caught on the break and it took a fine block from Dean McCarry to deny the away team.
Right on full time Darren Ferry was denied a late winner with another fine save from the away keeper. Team efforts from both sides.
Drumoghill F.C. 1 St. Catherines 0
Champions Drumoghill maintained their bid to successfully defend their title by holding on to secure a vital victory over an impressive St. Catherines.
Jay Dee Alawiye was the hero on the day with his first half strike proving decisive. The winner arrived on 24 minutes after good work from Malseed and Ritchie Moore in midfield, it was left to Alawiye to beat Mullin at his near post.
Drumoghill, playing with the benefit of a breeze in the first half, had chances to extend their lead before half time but failed to convert on each occasion.
St. Catherine’s were dominant during the second half and will still be wondering how they didn’t equalise on 54 minutes. Mickey Toner couldn’t hold a decent effort from Barry Cannon, Toner then saved from Cannon’s follow up before the ball fell to the onrushing Ryan Farrell whose goal bound effort was somehow flicked away from goal by Tristan Ferris.
Although the visitors were dominant in pursuit of what would probably have been a deserved equaliser, it was Drumoghill that actually created the better of the chances with Pajo Rafferty twice denied in one on one situations on the counter attack, Mullin saving superbly on each occasion.
In the end, Drumoghill held out for 3 crucial points in a league season that looks like it will go down to the wire.
Referee: Mick Lagan
Milford United 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic 1
(No Report Submitted)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Glenree United 4 Keadue Rovers 3
(No Report Submitted)
CT Ball Division Two
Drumkeen United P Eany Celtic P
(No Report — Match Postponed)
Lifford Celtic 3 Cranford United 2
The first half started well for Lifford with them putting Cranford under pressure from the off. They went close through Mahon, McBrearty and McNulty but the Cranford defence held firm and they were dangerous on the counter attack throughout. The game burst into life early in the second half when Niall Doherty raced clear and beat Given with a cracking finish into the top corner.
Lifford regrouped and were level almost immediately when Jason McBrearty scored from 20 yards after a pass from a Paul McNulty.
The home team went 2-1 up when they were awarded a penalty after Marcus Mc Donnell was fouled in the box, Mc Brearty stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way for his 2nd of the day.
Lifford made it 3-1 on 75 minutes when Stuart Carlin played a neat 1-2 with James McNulty and finished into the bottom corner. Cranford scored deep into injury time to make it 3-2 but it was too late to affect the result. Lifford were happy to welcome back Daniel McNulty who came on for the first time in around seven months after a serious leg injury earlier in the season.
A valuable three points for Lifford as they continue to fight for promotion. Jack Mahon, James McNulty and Marcus McDonnell impressed for Lifford, Niall Doherty best for Cranford.
Curragh Athletic 1 Whitestrand United 2
(No Report Submitted)
Ballybofey United 6 Copany Rovers 1
RESULTS
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Dunlewey Celtic P v P Orchard F.C.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Arranmore United 1 v 5 Glencar Celtic
Fintown Harps 0 v 7 Strand Rovers
Saturday Reserve Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves P v P Milford United Reserves
Keadue Rovers Reserves 2 v 3 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Glenree United Reserves 1 v 2 Cappry Rovers Reserves
Sunday 19th March 2017
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Glenea United 1 v 1 Castlefin Celtic
Drumoghill F.C. 1 v 0 St. Catherines
Milford United 1 v 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Glenree United 4 v 3 Keadue Rovers
CT Ball Division Two
Drumkeen United P v P Eany Celtic
Lifford Celtic 3 v 2 Cranford United
Curragh Athletic 1 v 2 Whitestrand United
Ballybofey United 6 v 1 Copany Rovers
FIXTURES
Saturday 25th March 2017 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Ulster Junior Shield
Glenea United Reserves v Illies Celtic
Glencar Celtic v Cavan Town
Voodoo Venue Cup Semi-Finals
Arranmore United v Orchard F.C.
Strand Rovers v Milford United Reserves
Saturday Reserve Division
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves v Donegal Town Reserves
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves v Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Glenree United Reserves v St. Catherines Reserves
Erne Wanderers Reserves v Keadue Rovers Reserves
Sunday 26th March 2017 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic v Kildrum Tigers
Lagan Harps v Milford United Reserves
Rathmullan Celtic v Drumoghill F.C.
St. Catherines v Castlefin Celtic
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Cappry Rovers v Gweedore Celtic
Donegal Town v Raphoe Town
Keadue Rovers v Gweedore United
Bonagee United v Glenree United
Deele Harps v Erne Wanderers
CT Ball Division Two
Cranford United v Ballybofey United
Whitestrand United v Drumkeen United
Curragh Athletic v Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Letterbarrow Celtic v Lifford Celtic
