With leaders Kildrum Tigers not in action, Castlefin Celtic and Cappry Rovers took the chance to close the gap at the top of the Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division this afternoon with wins over Kilmacrennan and Rathmullan.
Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic 0 Castlefin Celtic 4
Kilmacrennan Celtic played host to Castlefin Celtic in a Premier Division clash played at the Flagpole in Rathmullan.
Kilmacrennan had a few chances at the start of the game for Christopher Dillon and Rab Sandilands but they didn’t convert.
Castlefin’s Ronan Tourish got the first goal of the game on the 18 minute mark.
Castlefin kept the Kilmacrennan keeper Jason Hegarty busy for the rest of the first half pushing for a second goal. Just 2 minutes into the second half Castlefin doubled their lead with a goal from Matthew O’Rourke.
This seemed to liven the Kilmacrennan men up and they pushed hard for a goal but just couldn’t score. Castlefin were given a penalty around the half hour mark and Ronan Tourish put the game to bed from the spot. Nine minutes later Matthew O’Rourke found himself one on one with the keeper and scored his second goal. Kilmacrennan kept pushing for a goal with great chances falling to Aidan Sweeney, Garry Gorman and Rab Sandilands but it wasn’t to be their day.
Drumoghill F.C. 2 Milford United 3
Milford United produced a thrilling comeback to claim all three points from this entertaining clash at The Moss.
The visitors were 2-0 down but produced a remarkable turnaround and eventually sealed the points through Ryan Toye’s brilliant free kick 5 minutes from time.
With the scores level at 2-2, referee Mick Lagan awarded a free kick on the edge of the Drumoghill area and Paddy Doherty had no chance as Toye drove the ball emphatically into the corner of the net.
The strike sealed a man of the match performance for the young full back as it was his run and cross that set up Joey Cullen to equalise on 75 minutes.
This came after Anthony Hegarty had lifted his side from the canvas on 61 minutes with a strike from the half way line.
Hegarty’s goal came directly from the re-start after his side went 2-0 down when he spotted Paddy Doherty off his line and executed the perfect effort that had Doherty scrambling back.
Doherty’s efforts were all in vain the ball crept over the line.
This goal proved to be the turning point and Drumoghill will be disappointed that they let their opponents back into the game in such a manner.
They were in control at that point with Liam O’Donnell having just put his side 2-0 ahead, the striker latching onto John O’Kane’s pass to lift the ball over the advancing Caolan McGettigan.
Colm Gardiner had earlier opened the scoring in the first half when the latched on to Ethan McCready’s pass to round McGettigan and finish well from a narrow angle.
Despite letting a two-goal lead slip Drumoghill looked the more likely for a spell at 2-2 with Ethan McCready and John O’Kane both going close to putting the home side back into the lead.
They will learn from this though and on another day could have claimed all 3 points.
Glenea United 0 Donegal Town 0
In fine conditions both sides played out a hard fought scoreless draw. In the first half it was the away side that looked the more dangerous with Daniel McHugh twice forcing Joe Coll into making good saves with long range efforts.
As the half progressed Glenea came more into the game but were unable to create any clear cut chances. In the second half the home side began to take control and Ciaran McGeady almost opened the scoring on 60 minutes when he got onto a long ball but saw his effort saved.
Glenea went close again when Barry McGinley’s free-kick evaded everyone but went the wrong side of the post.
Donegal threatened on 75 minutes when Daniel McHugh just headed over from a free-kick.
Glenea when went close on 84 minutes when Dean Mc Carry’s header was well saved. Best for Glenea were John Harley and Lee O’Brien, while Daniel McHugh was best for Donegal Town.
Referee: Joe McHugh
Cappry Rovers 8 Rathmullan Celtic 1
Cappry Rovers secured another three points in their quest to stay in the Premier Division with this win in Cappry Park.
Cappry started the game the livelier and they hit the front in the fifth minute when Patrick Mc Nulty scored with a shot following a corner by Alan Getins.
Cathal McShane got his first goal when he scored Cappry’s second in the eighth minute when he rounded the visitor’s keeper following a cross from Patrick McNulty.
Rathmullan’s Eamon Sheridan had a great chance to get a goal in the 20th minute when he beat the Cappry keeper Eoin Gallen only to see his shot cleared off the line.
Calvin Bradley got his first goal and Cappry’s third in the 27th minute when he chipped the keeper. In the 31st minute Calvin Bradley got his second and Cappry’s fourth when he shot to the net following a cross from Alan Getins.
Cappry increased their lead in the 33rd minute when Aaron Kelly got on the end of a cross from Cathal McShane.
Calvin Bradley completed his hat-trick in the 37th minute when he scored Cappry’s sixth goal following a cross from Cathal McShane.
Cappry started the second half where they finished the first. Cathal McShane scored his second and Cappry’s seventh in the 48yj minute following a cross from Calvin Bradley. Cappry took the foot off the pedal after this when several changes were made.
Cathal McShane completed his hat-trick when he scored Cappry’s eighth goal in the 69th minute when he chipped the keeper from 20 yards.
Rathmullan got a consolation goal in the 80th minute when Darragh Black scored from close range following a corner.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore Celtic 3 Bonagee United 2
This game was played in glorious conditions at an Screaban.
Gweedore opened the scoring when Lee Ferry’s free kick was fumbled by the away keeper leaving Tommy Diver with an easy tap in on 33 minutes.
Gweedore doubled their lead when Christopher McFadden’s cross was headed down by Eamonn McGee into the path of Tommy Diver who finished neatly.
In the second half Bonagee came flying out of the traps and scored on 53 minutes through Conor Park. They then equalised two minutes later when Paddy Mc Gowan intercepted a poor back pass and finished with aplomb.
It was end to end stuff with both teams looking like they could win it but it was The Celts who nicked it when Tommy Diver whacked home a free kick, that was well won by Christopher McFadden, to complete his hat-trick.
A great game and best for Gweedore were Eugene Noel Ferry, Christopher McFadden and Cathal Campbell. Referee: Liam Mc Conalogue.
Keadue Rovers 2 Convoy Arsenal 1
Keadue continued their fine league form with this vital, hard fought win at home to Convoy.
The visitors started the brighter and hit the crossbar in the opening minute. In the third minute Daniel McHugh’s run down the left for Keadue ended with a shot narrowly wide.
Eunan Kelly headed over on eleven minutes and two minutes later David Ward shot wide for Keadue.
On 14 minutes the home side hit the front when Jack Boyle fired home a fine effort from the edge of the area. By the midway point of the half Keadue were getting on top with David Ward again going close.
Hugh Moy was close on the half hour and the home side were still doing well coming up to the break and could’ve gone in two goals up.
Into the second half and Convoy were much brighter, creating runs and openings.
Eunan Kelly shot wide but they were deservedly level on 52 minutes when, after a good spell of passing, Fergus Carson shot low to the net from twenty yards.
At this stage Convoy looked much stronger. Eunan Kelly had a shot saved. It was opening up by midway in the 2nd half and both sides were creating chances. Convoy had greater possession while Keadue were at their strongest after the break.
On 81 minutes Cory Gallagher had a close range shot brilliantly saved by the Convoy keeper.
It looked like it was heading for a draw but just into inquiry time a free kick from the left into a crammed box led to a header to the net.
It had been flicked off a Convoy defender for an OG. Convoy threw everything forward in the last few minutes but Keadue held firm to maintain their place at the top of the table.
Convoy showed good play and will surely be near the top come end of the season. Best for Convoy were Paddy Dolan, James Ken and Eunan Kelly while best for Keadue were Daniel McHugh, Chris Greene and David Ward.
Referee: Barry Hunter.
St. Catherines 3 Dunkineely Celtic 2
St Catherines scored first against the run of play on 22 minutes, a great solo effort by Ryan Farley, giving the home team a 1-0 lead which they held until half time.
The second half was a feistier contest and Alan Nesbitt scored on 47 minutes to level the game.
On 65 minutes the ball skidded across the box low and hard and Niall Campbell had a simple tap in for 2-1 to the home team.
Dunkineely kept coming and best for Dunkineely, Nesbitt, made it 2 – 2 with a low shot into the corner of the net. On 87 minutes the Saints got the winner, Daniel Breslin slotting calmly past Paddy Gallagher low to his left from inside the box.
An entertaining game from both teams with St Catherines holding on for a 3-2 home win
Ballybofey United 1 Raphoe Town 0
In a game where there was little between the sides Ballybofey emerged victorious by virtue of a late penalty. While neither side dominated the game both created chances to take the lead.
Ballybofey were unusually wasteful in front of goal while at the other end Chris Patton rose to the challenge with some fine saves when Raphoe threatened.
The winner, three minutes from the final whistle, came in a period of Ballybofey ascendancy. Michael Lafferty sent a great cross from the right wing to the far post where Damien Glackin was pushed when he looked certain to nod the ball to the net.
Glackin, as so often before, dispatched the penalty with ease giving the keeper no chance of stopping his powerful shot.
Both teams plated as solid units on the day on a fine Finn Valley Complex sward.
Donegal Physiotherapy Division Two
Drumkeen United 0 Whitestrand United 1
Drumkeen lost their 100 per cent League record when they went down by a goal to nil at home to Whitestrand on Sunday afternoon.
They have been playing Cup matches in the last couple of weeks which has allowed Deele Harps to overtake them at the top of the Table.
Whitestrand themselves have been going well this season and they also have games in hand so a difficult match was always to be expected.
The hosts began well and had a few chances early on, most notably a Lee Guthrie effort which was well saved by Whitestrand keeper Paddy Kelly.
While Drumkeen had plenty of possession in this game they could not seem to get their normal game going properly and they were finding it hard to break down a well organised and determined Whitestrand defence.
As the game progressed Whitestrand seemed happy enough to sit back and defend but they did have a couple of corners in quick succession early in the second half which caused a bit of anxiety in the Drumkeen defence. Drumkeen were made to pay for their inability to convert their possession into goals when a bit of uncertainty in their defence allowed Liam O’Roirdan to nip in and score what proved to be the only goal of the game.
Drumkeen did their best to find an equaliser in the last 20 minutes and their best chance was probably when Philip Whyte headed over the bar from a corner.
As the game was drawing to a close the home team kept pushing for an equaliser but it was not to be their day as the visitors held firm and indeed almost added another goal themselves at the other end.
This was an enjoyable enough game played in a good sporting manner in difficult underfoot conditions.
Referee: Michael Mulhern.
Glenree United 4 Copany Rovers 2
In Glenree Park United claimed three points when they scored four goals in a rip roaring first half which was enough to see off a battling Copany team.
The opening goal came from Gary McClafferty when Danny Langan went past two defenders to slip a pass through for Mc Clafferty to finish in the bottom corner in the 17th minute.
A few minutes later the goal of the game came when good work up the right wing fed a pass into Peter Witherow who back-heeled it into the path of the Keelan McGee who slotted it past the goalie in the 22nd minute.
The third goal came in the 31st minute when good advantage was played by the referee after a late foul was committed on Aaron McClafferty who’s through ball had found John McFadden who duly finished well past the outrushing keeper.
The fourth goal was scored by Stephen Doak after a fine cross from John McFadden found him at the back post to climb highest and nod past the helpless net minder in the 37th minute.
In the second half Copany came out a different outfit and made a few tactical changes which made them more composed on the ball.
They started to cause the back four of Glenree a few problems after they had been in total control in the first half.
They got their first goal in the 57th minute when Gary Simmons finished well from a poor clearance from Glenree.
The home side just couldn’t get kick started in the second half but still created a few good chances for Gary McClafferty, John Mc Clafferty and Peter Witherow but no one could convert.
The final goal of the game came in the 86th minute for the away side when a through pass from Martin Roper was not dealt with.
Best for Glenree United were Stephen Doak and Eoghan Kelly.
A team effort from Copany Rovers.
Referee: Brian O’Kane
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 1 Cranford United 6
Cranford left Rab’s Park with all three points but the scoreline was harsh on the home team. The home side started the better with Shaun McGarvey and Tony McBride both going close.
Cranford went in front on 10 minutes when Keelan McGroddy scored from the penalty spot when Michael McDevitt was adjudged to have taken him down.
Kerrykeel responded well and were rewarded on 18 minutes when Conor Meakin scored from the spot after Patsy Friel was taken down.
Kerrykeel pushed to go in front but the Cranford defence held tight and were gifted two goals again before half time with both coming from McGroddy due to terrible defensive errors from the ‘71.
Kerrykeel started the second half well with McBride and Patton both testing the keeper but to no avail.
Again a defensive error resulted in a fourth for Cranford. While pushing forward Kerrykeel left gaps at the back for Cranford to score two further goals through Kevin Doherty and Kevin O’Donnell.
Best for Kerrykeel: Tony McBride, Shaun McGarvey and Patsy Cruel. Team Performance from Cranford.
Deele Harps 3 Eany Celtic 0
(No Report Available)
Gweedore United 0 Curragh Athletic 5
This game played in glorious conditions a Carrickboyle saw the visitors take all 3 points against a home team really struggling to get their first team out this season.
Curragh went in at half time 2-0 up with the two goals from Tim Callaghan in the 27th and 44th minutes.
In the second half Curragh added another three with Gavin Sweeney scoring a good third goal with an individual run and finish in the 76th minute. A free kick from Christy Brown in the 83rd made it 4-0 and a penalty from Tim Callaghan to make it 5-0 in the 88th minute.
Referee: Michael Mc Fadden.
Tags: