The Donegal Junior League returned to action with a small programme of games that included Castlefin’s narrow win over Glenea United to send them top of the Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division. Here’s a full wrap-up.
Picture: Convoy Arsenal, in their new strip, sponsored by McBride’s Joinery, before their game against Drumkeen United.
Sunday 6th January 2019
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Cappry Rovers 2 Donegal Town 2
Cappry Rovers gained a very valuable point from this game when they came from two goals down to draw.
Donegal took the lead in the sixteenth minute when a long ball from Ronan McHugh found David Graham and he scored.
The visitors had another chance to score in the forty third minute but the ball came back off the crossbar. Donegal got their second goal in the 57th minute when Ronan Mc Hugh crossed the ball for David Graham to head to the net from close range.
Aaron Kelly got a goal back for Cappry in the 65th minute following a great run. Cappry upped the tempo in search of an equaliser and were rewarded in the 89th minute when a corner was headed home by Tristan Ferris.
David Carr and Kristin Ferris were best for Cappry. Best for Donegal were David Graham and Joe McIntyre.
Referee Joe McHugh.
Castlefin Celtic 1 Glenea United 0
Castlefin secured a hard-fought win over a dogged Glenea side. The hosts created most the chances in the first half with JP Malley and Marty Owens going close but both of their efforts went narrowly wide.
The visitors were dangerous on the counter attack with Ciaran McGeady causing the home defence problems. In the second half Castlefin dominated with Malley going close again.
In the 55th minute Ronan Tourish broke through and shot over. In the 65th minute the hosts were awarded a penalty when Malley was hauled down and Tourish stepped up to slot home. In the closing stages the hosts restricted Glenea to long range efforts.
Best for Castlefin: Barry Tourish and Marty Owens. Best for Glenea: Ciaran McGeady.
Referee: Paddy Duffy
Kilmacrennan Celtic 1 St. Catherines 0
Kilmacrennan racked up another three points in their quest to lift the Premier League Title with a 1-0 victory over a stubborn St Catherines.
The game was played at Diamond Park, Ballyare. From the first whistle Kilmacrennan were on the front foot creating chance after chance but found the Killybeg’s keeper in fine form indeed Michael Mullen was the reason the score remained at 1-0.
Kilmacrennan did take the lead in the 13th minute after a great passage of play involving Seami Friel, Mark Friel and Enda McCormack.
They put Caolan Mc Daid through on goal and the young striker made no mistake from close range.
This goal proved to be the decisive and winning strike.
St. Catherines may have been under strength but they have a great future to look forward to with so many young lads coming through. Kilmacrennan looked solid and assured all over the park and look forward to the next game.
Best for Kilmacrennan Celtic: Ryan Shields and Caolan McDaid. Best for St Catherine’s: Michael Mullen.
Referee: Patrick Martin.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Convoy Arsenal 1 Drumkeen United 1
Convoy’s first chance came in the fourth minute with Gary Wilson’s free kick going wide of the post. Drumkeen broke up the pitch from the resulting kick-out and were awarded a penalty that Conor Lafferty struck the post with.
Gavin Sweeney reacted first and slotted home the rebound to give Drumkeen the lead. Drumkeen led a 1-0 lead at half time. Convoy equalised at the start of the second half when Joe McGill found himself one on one with the Drumkeen keeper and he calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner.
Conor Rodgers came off the bench in the second half and nearly gave Convoy the lead with his first touch, his shot coming back off the post and then cleared off the line by a Drumkeen defender.
Convoy pressed for the winner and were awarded a penalty in injury time but Anthony Bogle failed to convert leaving the score 1-1 at the final whistle.
Cranford United 1 Ballybofey United 1
The points were shared on a wet day at Cranford Park.
Cranford will feel the more disappointed of the teams having the best of the chances and conceding late. The game started with a high tempo and the first 20 minutes were battled around the middle of the field.
Cranford started to get on top and a looped header came off the bar and caused a scramble in the Ballybofey box. Kevin Doherty who was a constant threat throughout then forced a save out of the Ballybofey keeper.
Cranford were on the front foot again in the second half while Jason Hegarty in the Cranford goal was very quiet other than a couple of good catches from crosses.
Cranford took the lead on 70 minutes when Kevin Doherty was played through and he chipped the keeper.
Ballybofey pushed hard for the equaliser and just as it looked like Cranford would hold on they were awarded a penalty with three minutes to go which they dispatched to earn a draw.
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Copany Rovers 1 Deele Harps 4
(No report Submitted)
Letterbarrow Celtic 1 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 1
Letterbarrow’s pitch held up well on a wet day in Tymeen.
Both teams started strong but Kerrykeel soon took the lead when Letterbarrow failed to clear, Emmet Hewitt finishing well. The second half started fast and Letterbarrow equalised when Daniel Gallagher finished off a free kick from James McGroary which the keeper spilled.
The game finished even with both teams happy with a point.
Referee: Barry hunter.
Saturday 5th January 2019
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Strand Rovers 2 Glencar Celtic 0
Click here to read Charlie Collins’ report from this game
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Milford United Reserves 2 Drumkeen United Reserves 1
A strong Milford United squad welcomed Drumkeen to Moyle View Park for what became an entertaining match. Both teams started well with each side going close on several occasions, but it was Milford who took the lead.
A sublime cross from Connor Meakin was matched with a powerful looping header from Ciaran Blaney to put the home side one up.
Drumkeen responded well and a great through ball saw them level the game straight from the re-start, despite the best efforts of Barry Gallagher in the Milford goal.
The game continued at a high pace and it was the home side who had the best of the chances before half time. with Ciaran Blaney went closest when his shot was turned onto the post by the Drumkeen keeper.
The second half started much like the first with both teams playing some great football. Gibbons’ men regained the lead when a great pass from Ciaran Blaney found Jason McConigley who scored much to the delight of home support.
Drumkeen again responded well but were left frustrated on several occasions with some guilt edge chances being missed.
Milford tried to find the killer third goal and were unlucky not to get it when a fine individual effort from Darren Mc Laughlin was stopped on the line by Drumkeen after some last ditch defending.
Ulster Junior Shield
Oldtown Celtic 0 Arranmore United 3
The game was played in great conditions and both sides started well with Michael Devine testing the Arranmore keeper and Arranmore going close from a corner.
The breakthrough came when a long ball was well controlled and finished smartly by Martin Proctor. Oldtown then took control of the game for a while with Arranmore defending well.
The second half started brightly with both sides going close. Arranmore then hit Oldtown on the break with Proctor getting fouled and the resulting free kick was well dispatched by Dan O’Donnell.
Oldtown threw everything forward but Arranmore defended well and added a third late on.
