The following are all the weekend reports from the Donegal League as well as results and fixtures.
Reports
Saturday 11th September 2021
Voodoo Venue Cup-Area 1
Cranford United Reserves 2 v 3 Milford United Reserves
Milford left Cranford Park on a very wet day with all three points. In truth, it was harsh on a young Cranford team who dominated most of the game. Cranford came out of the blocks fast and were one up after five minutes through Martyn Cullen. It was 2-0 ten minutes later when Connor Shiels scored from the spot. Cranford should have extended their lead but couldn’t take their chances. Milford were handed a lifeline after an hour as they were awarded a penalty and Jason Mc Gonigley dispatched it. Milford completed their comeback and went on the take the points courtesy of an assist and free-kick from Ciarán Blaney.
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 3 v 3 Glencar Celtic
Kilmacrennan went one up in the 2nd minute through a penalty when Timmy Burke was fouled in the penalty area. They pressed hard in the opening twenty minutes and should have taken a commanding lead as they spurned a bunch of golden opportunities. Glencar gradually got to grips with the game and earned a deserved equaliser on 32 minutes when Pajo Rafferty beat the offside-trap to rifle home from close range. Glencar gained the momentum and took the lead through Shane Hilley following a defensive error on the 38th minute. Glencar extended their lead when marksman Rafferty fired home following another Kilmacrennan defensive error in the 70th minute. Referee Con Mc Laughlin sent a Glencar defender off following a second yellow card. In the final ten minutes Kilmacrennan threw the kitchen sink at Glencar and pulled a goal back through Owen Browne who fired home from just inside the penalty box. With seven minutes still remaining goal machine Philip Buchannan rifled home the equaliser from an acute angle at the near post. Kilmacrennan pressed and pressed in the final minutes. Overall a draw was a good result for both teams. Both teams gave a good account of themselves but Timmy Burke rolled back the years and gave a man of the match performance.
Swilly Rovers Reserves 1 v 2 Ramelton Mariners
The Mariners took the lead in the 30th minute when Paul Gallagher scored from a low cross into the box. Mariners had another chance near the end of the half when the ball was played through but the Swilly keeper saved well. Ten minutes into the second-half Cameron Gormley equalised for Swilly. Swilly then went down to ten men when Gormley got a 2nd yellow-card. Mariners re-took the lead through Corey Mc Mc Cahill and held on to win the match.
Area 2
St. Catherines Reserves 1 v 7 Donegal Town Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Area 3
Arranmore United 1 v 2 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Arranmore welcomed Keadue Rovers to the Island on Saturday. The game started off fast with both teams getting stuck in. Keadue were first to find the net after ten minutes with Daniel Devlin carving his way through the Arranmore defence. Arranmore equalised through an unbelievable 30 yard free-kick from Brian Proctor. Both teams kept up the tempo with Keadue looking the more threatening and they got their winner from Daniel Devlin who, after a good run, scored when one on one with the keeper. In the second half Arranmore got a lot more of the ball and were making more chances but they just couldn’t get an equaliser. Referee: Diego Rainey
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 2 v 0 Dunlewey Celtic
An early goal and a late goal from the home team helped Gweedore overcome Dunlewey at An Screaban on Saturday. Cathal Boyle scored his second goal in a week when his spectacular effort from twenty yards gave the Celts the lead. However, for the rest of the half it was Dunlewey who created the chances and they were unlucky not to go in level at the break. Joseph Mc Gee had to be at his best to stop efforts from Mc Mahon, Brendan Mc Geady and Keith Sweeney. The second-half was a more even affair with Colin Ferry coming close to extending the home team’s lead on several occasions. Gweedore sealed the points when Cathal de Burca finished with a neat chip over Daniel Roarty in the eighty ninth minute having been put through by Pauric Winters. Best for Gweedore were Joseph Mc Gee, Liam Wiggins and Dean O Donnell.
Best for Dunlewey were Brendan Mc Geady , Christopher Cannon and Daniel Roarty.
Referee: Shaun O Donnell
Strand Rovers 4 v 0 Glenea United Reserves
After a slow start to this game Dylan Boyle smashed a superb shot into the top corner from the edge of the box on twenty minutes to break the deadlock. Matt Mc Cole and James Mc Cole then linked up well to set up Brendan Glackin who scored on thirty minutes. The second half saw a spirited Glenea go close but a superb save from Dean Timoney kept them at bay. Leo Ó Chnáimshí knocked in the third on 65 minutes to make the game safe. A nasty head injury for Glackin saw him make way for Darren O’ Donnell and Darren made the most of his chance firing a fine effort into the roof of the net to complete the scoring
Area 4
Castlefin Celtic Reserves P v P Cappry Rovers Reserves
(No Report Available, Match Postponed)
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 3 v 2 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
Drumoghill started strongly with Richard Tinney rolling back the years pulling the strings in midfield. They went ahead after 25 minutes when Gavin Johnston slotted home after good work from Shea Mc Daid. Mc Daid fired home a second ten minutes later from a sweeping counter-attack. The evergreen Tinney was unlucky not to add a third before half-time when his strike smashed off the bar. Kildrum came back into the game in the second-half and got one back when they broke the offside trap to score. Gavin Johnston raced through to score Drumoghill’s third soon afterwards but Kildrum replied with a Square Mc Nulty penalty. Drumoghill had chances to extend their lead through John O’ Kane and Oisin O’ Boyle as Kildrum pushed forward. In a frantic finish Drumoghill held on to record a well-earned victory. Referee: Michael Conlon
Oldtown Celtic 5 v 0 Ballybofey United Reserves
The game got off to a quiet start before Oldtown went down to ten men after a red card was shown for an off the ball incident. Oldtown battled hard and took the lead when a cross from the right found its way to Joe McCarron who volleyed home from twelve yards. The second-half began with Oldtown controlling possession and they went two ahead when a Joe Mc Carron free-kick went in via a deflection. Ballybofey battled hard to try get into the game but Oldtown went three ahead when Tommy Mc Laughlin turned and found the top corner from 25 yards. Mc Carron completed his hat-trick from another free-kick from the edge of the area. Ballybofey pushed for an equaliser and forced a good save from Gibson in the Oldtown goal. Sean Cleary added a fifth with a strike from outside of the area before Oldtown ended with nine men.
Sunday 12th September 2021
Brian Mc Cormick Cup-Area Shields
Donegal Area
Curragh Athletic 2 v 4 St. Catherines
(No Report Submitted)
Donegal Town 3 v 1 Drumkeen United
Donegal Town welcomed Drumkeen to the Hospital Field and it was Donegal who were quicker out of the blocks with Ronan Mc Hugh netting after five minutes. Drumkeen, to their credit, kept chasing the game but just before half time Eoin Slevin curled a glorious free kick to the roof of the net to make it 2-0.
Donegal started brightly in the second half and were 3 0 up through Ghazi after the restart. Drumkeen got one back on 30 minutes, Conor Laverty netting after a poor clearance from a corner. Mark Jordan, who made his “Town” debut, jinked his way round the Drumkeen defence and lifted a glorious ball which was expertly headed to the net by Curneen who was adjudged off-side. Team performance from Drumkeen
and Declan Brown, Ghazi and Eoin Slevin were to the fore for the “Town”. Referee: Diego Rainey.
Dunkineely Celtic P v P Ballybofey United
(No Report Available, Match Postponed)
Letterbarrow Celtic 0 v 11 Cappry Rovers
(No Report Submitted)
Gweedore Area
Glenea United 1 v 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Glenea went one up after 5 minutes when John Mc Fadden pounced on a defensive error and chipped the keeper from 25 yards. Kilmacrennan dominated the next 20 minutes, Gerald Mc Granaghan and Chris Flanagan coming close to scoring. In the 26th minute Kilmacrennan were back on level terms, Liam Mc Bride shooting from 30 yards to the roof of the net. The visitors were awarded a penalty in the 31st minute but Joe Coll saved well. The second half started with Kilmacrennan keeping the pressure on but they found it hard to break down a hard-working Glenea defence. In the 76th minute Kilmacrennan went in front, a defensive clearance fell to Chris Flanagan and his strike from 12 yards found its way to the net through several bodies. Within three minutes Kilmacrennan added their 3rd, Terence Shields floated in a cross which Liam Mc Bride caught on the volley to find the bottom corner of the net.
Glenree United 1 v 5 Cranford United
Cranford were fast out of the blocks and their early pressure paid off. A scramble after a corner-kick ended with Chris Carr getting his foot to the ball and putting it in the net. Cranford seemed to find inspiration in this and pressed forward again. They were awarded a penalty after 10 minutes but it was blazed well over by Chris Duffy. Duffy redeemed himself several minutes later as his high lofted free-kick dropped in over the Glenree keeper. Glenree began to push forward but after a series of corners and pressure they were undone by Cranford again. Naoise Cullen hit the crossbar from the edge of the box and his persistence for the rebound led to Cranford’s third. The second half was better for Glenree as they began to grow into the game. Glenree were probably the better side for the opening exchanges but their heads dropped somewhat after Martyn Cullen slotted home Cranford’s fourth past goalkeeper Kyle Donegan. The 5th came the same way as the second, a free kick from Chris Duffy. Kevin Doherty scored Glenree’s late consolidation goal. Best for Glenree was Kevin Doherty. Referee: Sean O’Donnell
Gweedore United 0 v 7 Keadue Rovers
Following a comprehensive win last week an injury hit Gweedore side were comprehensively beaten by a hard working Keadue Rovers. The game started at a quick pace with both sides working hard. Keadue began the scoring in the 31st minute when Aaron Mc Cafferty finished well from close range after a good cross from Jack Doherty. Mc Cafferty made it 2-0 a minute later after a good move which he competed by tapping home from close range. Jack Doherty made it 3-0 in the 39th minute after his shot took a deflection. In the second-half Jack Doherty added another as did Peter Mc Gee and a brace from Jay Doherty made it 7-0 at full time. A good performance from the visitors and it was one of those days for United. Referee: George Montgomery
Letterkenny Area
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 1 v 2 Bonagee United
Premier Division side Bonagee left Rabs’ Park with allthree3 points on Sunday but the ‘71 put up a gallant display. The ‘71 had to call on the management team today as James Martin played the full game and both Hughie Walsh and Shane Sandilands came off the bench. James Martin is a credit to the club and never lets us down and put it a brilliant display today rolling back the years. Bonagee started well and tested the Kerrykeel keeper on a few occasions. Kerrykeel were dangerous on the break with Mc Ateer and Friel holding up play well in the middle and they had a goal harshly ruled out for offside on the stroke of half-time when Matt Stewart finished well from a great Mark Friel through ball. Bonagee started the second half well and went in front on 58 minutes when Darragh Harper fired home from close range
Kerrykeel dug deep and drew level on 65 minutes when, from a Mc Ateer corner, Manager Hughie Walsh sent a cracking header into the top corner giving Carr no chance. Both teams went for the win in the last 15 minutes and it was Bonagee who got the winner on 85 minutes when a great run down the right found Gallagher at the back post and he beat the keeper from six yards to seal victory. Great team effort from both sides. Referee: Seamus Ferry
Milford United 4 v 1 Whitestrand United
Milford came out on top in a competitive encounter at Moyle View Park. The visitors started at a frantic pace and created a few half chances but as the half progressed Milford began to take charge and seen Jonny Logue’s well hit penalty saved by Kyle Byrnes. From the resultant corner-kick Darren Mc Laughlin headed home and three minutes later Darren’s perfect cross was headed home by Ryan Campbell. Milford made it 3-0 when young Gavin Rainey came on and scored from close range. Whitestrand got a life-line when Kevin Loughrey converted from the penalty spot on 75 minutes. As they pushed for a second a counter-attack by Milford’s impressive Liam Donnelly set up Ryan Campbell to score his second. Best for Milford were Liam Donnelly, Killian Mc Bride and Ryan Campbell. Team performance from Whitestrand. Referee: Barry Hunter
Rathmullan Celtic 6 v 1 Fanad United
Many a great afternoon Dara Patton had in the red and black of Fanad United, but it was the Hoops of green and white that benefitted on Sunday as the veteran forward sank his old club with a hat-trick. Fellow front man Kevin Doran matched that treble in a rare double hat-trick afternoon as the home side took advantage of what was an understrength Fanad team. The goals flowed in the first half at the Flagpole Field. Doran slotted the opener on nine minutes after good work from Patton in the right-hand channel. The lead would last only three minutes with Declan O’Donnell firing home from close range to bring the men from the Kingdom back on terms. The next goal was to arrive in double-quick time. Patton this time curled a 20-yarded inside Mark Mc Conigley’s right-hand post to restore Rathmullan’s lead with the quarter-hour mark not yet reached. The frantic opening spell continued and on 22 minutes Kevin O’Donnell’s tempting free kick from the right got the slenderest of glancing touches from the laces of Patton’s right boot to find its way into the bottom corner. The goal of the game arrived on the half hour. Gavin O’ Donnell, Eoin Sheridan and David Edwards were all involved before Patton’s neat pass allowed Doran to beat Mc Conigley to the ball and send it across goal into the bottom corner for a really pleasing team move. That left Rathmullan 4-1 ahead at half-time. Early in the second half the Hoops were awarded a penalty as Doran was upended in a challenge with goalkeeper Mc Conigley. Patton rounded off his treble with a cool finish from 12-yards. With the result beyond any reasonable doubt, the second half went by at testimonial pace. With two minutes left on the clock Doran was again the man in the mix as Rathmullan gained a second spot-kick. Doran stepped and despite the ball seemingly rolling off the spot just as he was about to strike, he somehow pulled off a fine dink down the middle to complete his hat-trick and make it ‘six of the best’ for the Rathmullan.
Swilly Rovers 2 v 3 Letterkenny Rovers
Letterkenny Rovers qualified for the Area Final of the Brian Mc Cormick Cup after defeating Swilly Rovers 3-2 in a thriller of a game at Leckview Park on Sunday afternoon. The game was played in great spirit and it looked like heading for a share of the spoils until Letterkenny were award a 90th minute penalty which was cooly slotted home by Jack Dwyer. It was a blistering start to the game with Letterkenny taking the lead on just three minutes with a rasping effort from Nathan Plumb which gave Swilly netminder Jamie Lee Blaney no chance. The home side then had loud claims for a penalty waved away on 7 minutes after Blaney appeared to foul Darragh Morrison and that seemed to be a turning point as just a minute later Swilly were level when the lively Marty Doyle levelled matters after getting clear of the Rovers’ defence to fire past Bryan de Coats Alves in the Letterkenny goal. Swilly then went in front on 13 minutes when Oisin Coyle again showed great pace to latch onto a through ball to slot home. Chances came and went for both sides with Dwyer forcing a good stop from Blaney while Damien Friel had an excellent chance to extend Swilly’s lead but saw his free header from six yards go wide of the far post. Swilly were made to rue those missed chances as a fine Nathan Plumb headed effort on 40 minutes had Letterkenny level at 2-2 while Letterkenny were indebted to Alves de Costa who made a great stop to deny Doyle from close range on the stroke of halftime. The second half wasn’t as lively as the first period although there was plenty of endeavour from both sides. Chances were at a premium and it seemed to be heading for a share of the spoils until a quick break in the 90th minute from debut boy Sheldon Nyoni saw his teasing cross into the box and Plumb was first to the ball but was taken down by Oisin Coyle and Jack Dwyer blasted the resulting spotkick home to complete a 3-2 win for Letterkenny. Swilly still have a chance of qualifying for the Area Final if results go their way.
Lifford Area
Convoy Arsenal 4 v 2 Raphoe Town
As with any local derby this game started at a frantic pace and Raphoe had their only clear chance in the first half as early as the first minute from which Matthew Gallagher pulled a point blank save. In the 10th minute Macca opened the scoring for Convoy with a well taken header after a flick on from JP Malley.
Malley had a header well saved by the Raphoe keeper in the 37th minute however this seemed to spur him on and in the 42nd minute he finished well from a Darren Harvey Cross. Whatever Shane Dolan said to his team seemed to work after the restart and they were rewarded in the 49th minute when Corey Mc Bride cut in from the left wing, beat two Convoy players, and gave the Convoy keeper no chance. However Convoy reacted well and two minutes later they restored their two goal lead when Macca flicked a header on to JP Malley and he chested it and met it on the volley to give the Raphoe keeper no chance. Ryan Mc Cullagh could have reduced the deficit in the 67th minute but he seemed to scuff his shot. In the 83rd minute Raphoe got their 2nd with a good team goal that was finished well by Jamie Gallagher. This set up a grandstand finish, Raphoe throwing everything at the Convoy defence and should have scored in injury time when the Raphoe forward just pulled his shot inches wide of the post. Gallagher in the Convoy goal then sent the ball to Malley and his quick ball across the 18yard line saw Macca finish with a shot to the bottom corner of the net. The game was played in excellent spirits with both teams giving it their all.
Drumoghill F.C. 3 v 3 Castlefin Celtic
A Second half hat-trick for Gary Mc Nulty rescued an unlikely point for visitors Castlefin Celtic as they somehow came back from a three-goal deficit. Drumoghill will be wondering what hit them after they dominated the opening period with strikes from Liam O’ Donnell, Conor Temple and Peter Mc Glynn.
They did have chances to extend their lead and grab a 4th goal that would have killed the game off but the game turned on its head when Gary Mc Nulty reduced the arrears before helping himself to two more goals to level what was an entertaining game.
Kildrum Tigers 3 v 2 Deele Harps
It was all about the visitors in the first half at Station Road, after some early chances for the home side it was Deele who took the lead. Declan Lafferty slid a perfect ball through to Tom Mullen who calmly slotted home to put the visitors ahead. On the half hour mark it that man again, Tom Mullen perfectly placed his header into the top corner to double Deele’s lead from a wide free kick. Kildrum got one back through the ever-reliable Kevin Mc Hugh after he forced his way through and smashed home. Before the break Kildrum hit the post and also had a penalty saved but Deele went in ahead and deserved their lead. Kildrum drew level with 25 minutes left to play. A move involving Luke Toland and Aaron O’ Donnell found was Damien Crossan who finished neatly. Kildrum snatched all three points in the end as Kevin Mc Hugh got his second of the day to finally end Deele’s resilient play. The visitors had some impressive performers including Jordan Duffy but it was the Deele netminder David Authur who deserves a special mention, not just an outstanding penalty save from McHugh but numerous saves that had everyone at Station Road showing their appreciation.
Results
Saturday 11th September 2021
Voodoo Venue Cup-Area 1
Area 1
Cranford United Reserves 2 v 3 Milford United Reserves
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 3 v 3 Glencar Celtic
Swilly Rovers Reserves 1 v 2 Ramelton Mariners
Area 2
St. Catherines Reserves 1 v 7 Donegal Town Reserves
Area 3
Arranmore United 1 v 2 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 2 v 0 Dunlewey Celtic
Strand Rovers 4 v 0 Glenea United Reserves
Area 4
Castlefin Celtic Reserves P v P Cappry Rovers Reserves
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 3 v 2 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
Oldtown Celtic 5 v 0 Ballybofey United Reserves
Sunday 12th September 2021
Brian Mc Cormick Cup-Area Shields
Donegal Area
Curragh Athletic 2 v 4 St. Catherines
Donegal Town 3 v 1 Drumkeen United
Dunkineely Celtic P v P Ballybofey United
Letterbarrow Celtic 0 v 11 Cappry Rovers
Gweedore Area
Glenea United 1 v 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Glenree United 1 v 5 Cranford United
Gweedore United 0 v 7 Keadue Rovers
Letterkenny Area
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 1 v 2 Bonagee United
Milford United 4 v 1 Whitestrand United
Rathmullan Celtic 6 v 1 Fanad United
Swilly Rovers 2 v 3 Letterkenny Rovers
Lifford Area
Convoy Arsenal 4 v 2 Raphoe Town
Drumoghill F.C. 3 v 3 Castlefin Celtic
Kildrum Tigers 3 v 2 Deele Harps
Fixtures
Saturday 18th September 2021
Voodoo Venue Cup-Area 1 K.O. 1 p.m. (Unless Stated)
Area 1
Glencar Celtic v Milford United Reserves
Ramelton Mariners v Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Swilly Rovers Reserves v Cranford United Reserves
Area 2
Donegal Town Reserves v Copany Rovers
Fintown Harps AFC v St. Catherines Reserves
Area 3
Dunlewey Celtic v Strand Rovers
Glenea United Reserves v Keadue Rovers Reserves
Gweedore Celtic Reserves v Arranmore United
Area 4
Cappry Rovers Reserves v Ballybofey United Reserves
Kildrum Tigers Reserves v Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Sunday 19th September 2021
Brian Mc Cormick Cup-Area Shields K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Donegal Area
Ballybofey United v St. Catherines
Cappry Rovers v Donegal Town
Drumkeen United v Dunkineely Celtic
Letterbarrow Celtic v Curragh Athletic
Gweedore Area
Cranford United v Glenea United
Keadue Rovers v Glenree United
Kilmacrennan Celtic v Gweedore Celtic
Letterkenny Area
Bonagee United v Milford United
Letterkenny Rovers v Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Swilly Rovers v Rathmullan Celtic
Whitestrand United v Fanad United
Lifford Area
Castlefin Celtic v Kildrum Tigers
Drumoghill F.C. v Convoy Arsenal
Lagan Harps v Raphoe Town
