The Brian McCormick Cup has reached the Area finals stage after the respective semi-finals were played on Sunday.
Donegal Junior League
Reports
Lifford Area
Castlefin Celtic 0 v 2 Kildrum Tigers
Kildrum advanced to the Lifford Area Final with a hard fought away victory over Castlefin on Sunday. In a dull game both teams failed to create many clear cut opportunities. Kildrum took the lead when Gareth Colhoun picked the ball up outside the box and unleashed an effort which flew into the top corner just before half time. The hosts huffed and puffed but only created half chances through Emmett White and Barry Tourish. The visitors doubled their advantage when Ethan Coll latched onto a quick free kick and slotted home in the 80th minute. Referee: Joe Mc Hugh. Best for Castlefin: Damien Mc Anenny. Best for Kildrum: Gareth Colhoun.
Lifford Celtic 1 v1 Raphoe Town
(Lifford Celtic won 7-6 on penalties)
Donegal Area
Cappry Rovers 3 v 0 Letterbarrow Celtic
Cappry Rovers advanced to the Donegal Town Area Final of the Brian Mc Cormick Cup with a 3-0 win over Letterbarrow Celtic at Cappry Park. Cappry took the lead in the third minute when Joel Bradley Walsh scored with a shot from twenty five yards. Letterbarrow created a few chances but couldn’t get though the home defence. Cappry increased their lead in the fifty first minute when Conor Doherty scored with a tight angle following a pass from Oisin Gallen . The visitors kept pressing but to no avail. Cappry increased their lead further in the fifty seventh minute when a Letterbarrow player was adjudged to have handled the ball and Alan Getins scored from the penalty spot. There were a few chances by both teams but no further goals. Darren O’ Leary, Alan Getins and David Carr were best for Cappry. James Mc Groary , Christy Burke and John Corly were best for Letterbarrow. Referee: Dessie Mc Laughlin.
Donegal Town 12 v 0 Copany Rovers
Donegal dominated this encounter at the Hospital Field from start to finish. Donegal started quickly scoring a flurry of early goals. They hit 7 goals in a busy first half, the highlight being a long range wonder strike from Daniel McHugh. There were also goals for the returning Sean Boyle and debutants Michael O’ Donnell, with a brace and Avi Rosentha with his first for the club. McHugh completed the scoring with a first half hat-trick. Donegal began the second as they did the first dominating possession and creating numerous chances. McHugh grabbed another before Ryan Hegarty and Ciaran Monaghan got in on the act. O’Donnell completed his hat-trick before substitute Niall ‘Tino’ Gallagher completed the rout. Donegal will face stiffer opposition this season but credit to a battling Copany side who never stopped with Lee Doherty in the middle of the field a stand out performer.
Letterkenny Area
Drumkeen United 4 v 3 Rathmullan Celtic
For the second week in a row Drumkeen were involved in a high scoring game at St Patrick’s Park and for the second week in a row they came out on the right end of the score line. The first half an hour was fairly uneventful with very little of note created by either side. Then as we entered the last 15 Minutes things started to liven up a bit. Richie Moore got the opening goal for Drumkeen on 32 minutes and then at the other end Drumkeen midfielder Philip Whyte did brilliantly in front of goal to clear a Rathmullan shot that was heading for the back of the net. Drumkeen keeper Gallagher also saved an effort from Dara Patton. Drumkeen added a second just before the break when Richie Moore and Michael Guthrie combined well out on the right and Guthrie’s cross into the box was turned home by Aaron Doherty. Drumkeen began the second half well and should have added a third when Michael Guthrie shot just wide of the post from a Kevin Bonner cross. Richie Moore then had a superb long range effort saved by Sean Gallagher. The resultant corner was taken by Benny Bonner and it found its way to Kevin Bonner who fired it home with great authority. Arron Doherty could have added a fourth but his free kick went narrowly wide. Dara Patton pulled a goal back for the visitors and so began a Rathmullan comeback. Dara Patton put an effort over the bar and then they got a second goal when they were awarded a penalty which was slotted home by Eoin Sheridan. By now the game was been played almost entirely in Drumkeen’s half and the equaliser that had been on the cards for some time arrived when James Gallagher fired home on 75 minutes. Drumkeen then went on the attack and Michel Guthrie played in Peter McNamee who saw his effort hit the post. The home team did get what proved to be the winner with a few minutes left when Michael Guthrie was brought down in the box by goalkeeper Sean Gallagher. The keeper was shown a straight red and a penalty was awarded. Michel Guthrie bravely stepped up and calmly slotted home the penalty to put the home team in front again. Richie Moore could have added a fifth when his lobbed effort when wide but it did not matter as shortly after Referee Mick Lagan blew the final whistle and the home team had done enough to advance in the Brian McCormack Cup.
Drumoghill F.C. 0 v 2 Milford United
Milford United advanced to the area final of the Brian McCormick thanks to a hard working display that earned them a 2-0 victory over Premier Division rivals Drumoghill FC at The Moss. The architect behind the victory was, ironically, Terence Shiels who was playing against previous employers for the first time. Shiels slotted home a first half penalty and then produced a terrific delivery to set up Ciaran Gibbons to head home the second half clincher. There was little in this game in terms of territory and possession, but Milford’s ability to take their chances ultimately proved the difference. Drumoghill could have went ahead on 20 minutes when an exchange of passes between Marcus Oliver and Liam O’Donnell set up a chance for the latter but he narrowly was off target with Mc Gettigan helpless in goals for Milford. Milford’s best chance of the first half fell to Johnny Logue who drove wide from a 37th minute corner. The deadlock was broken on the stroke of half time when Joey Cullen was upended in the box and referee Marty Mc Garrigle correctly pointed to the spot. Shiels made it look easy by sending Paddy Doherty the wrong way and giving his side the half time lead. The next goal was always going to be crucial and the visitors grabbed it on 57 minutes. Dead ball expert Shiels delivered a terrific free kick and there was Gibbons at the back post to power his header home and sealed his side a place in the area final.
Gweedore Area
Glenree United 0 v 1 Glenea United
It was Glenea who reached the area shield final of the Brian McCormick cup in Glenree Park on a fine Sunday afternoon. But they had to earn it because it was a dogged effort from the home side throughout the match.
Before the match took place a minute silence was adhered by both teams and supporters for the late club member Mickey Buchanan who recently passed away.
As the first half grew both teams were trading punches but both keepers we’re in fine form on the day and pulled of a few top saves along with some last ditch tackles to deny inrushing strikers.
It was Michael Barry who grabbed the all important goal in the 36th minute after some fine wing play from Kieran Ferry who unselfishly passed for Barry to tap in and give Glenea the lead.
In the second half Glenea pressed for more goals but the Glenree defence were solid along with debutant Oran Blaney who was on hand to keep them at bay as he pulled of three point blank saves to keep his new side in the match.
Glenree had a few efforts from Barney Boyce, Aaron Mc Clafferty and John Doran but they were just off target. Hugh McFadden was causing trouble on the wing but just couldn’t find the penetrating through ball to unlock the away side’s defence.
In the final minutes John Mc Clafferty thought he had taken the game to extra time as he riffled it into the Glenea net but the whistle blew not for the goal to stand but for a foul which was deemed to have occurred in the build up and the goal was disallowed.
The game ended in victory for the away side and Glenree United would like to wish them well in the final. A team performance from both sides with Oran Blaney edging man of the match with his fine display. Referee: Liam McLaughlin
Kilmacrennan Celtic 3 v 0 Keadue Rovers
Keadue Rovers were unable to field a team so Kilmacrennan Celtic were awarded a Walkover.
Donegal Junior League
Results
Lifford Area:
Castlefin Celtic 0 v 2 Kildrum Tigers
Lifford Celtic 1 v1 Raphoe Town
(Lifford Celtic won 7-6 on penalties)
Donegal Area:
Cappry Rovers 3 v 0 Letterbarrow Celtic
Donegal Town 12 v 0 Copany Rovers
Letterkenny Area:
Drumkeen United 4 v 3 Rathmullan Celtic
Drumoghill F.C. 0 v 2 Milford United
Gweedore Area:
Glenree United 0 v 1 Glenea United
Kilmacrennan Celtic 3 v 0 Keadue Rovers
Fixtures from 27/08/2017 to 03/09/2017
Saturday 02nd September 2017
Saturday Division One
Team 1
Team 2
Referee
Venue
Glenea United
v
Arranmore United
TBC
Glasserchoo
Cappry Rovers
v
Glencar Celtic
TBC
Cappry Park
Milford United FC Reserves
v
Keadue Rovers FC
TBC
Moyle View Park Milford
Donegal Town FC
v
Orchard FC
TBC
Hospital Field
Castlefin Celtic
v
Strand Rovers FC
TBC
Park View Castlefin
Saturday Division Two
Team 1
Team 2
Referee
Venue
Drumoghill FC Res
v
Gweedore Celtic
TBC
The Moss
Lagan Harps FC
v
Dunlewey Celtic
TBC
Orchard Park-Manor
Raphoe Town
v
St Catherines FC
TBC
Deele College Raphoe
Drumkeen United
v
Killdrum Tigers
TBC
Drumkeen
Fintown Harps AFC
v
Drumbar FC
TBC
Pairc Achla Fintown
Sunday 03rd September 2017
Brian McCormick Cup
Team 1
Team 2
Referee
Venue
Donegal Town FC
v
Cappry Rovers
TBC
Hospital Field
Drumkeen United
v
Milford United FC
TBC
Drumkeen
Raphoe Town
v
Killdrum Tigers
TBC
Deele College Raphoe
Kilmacrennan Celtic FC
v
Glenea United
TBC
Flag Pole Field
