The opening round of the FAI Junior Cup took centre stage in the Donegal League this weekend, but there were a sprinkling of League games too – here’s a full round-up:
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Glencar Celtic      7 v 1 Keadue Rovers Reserves
This was a superb performance from the Letterkenny men from start to finish. They were back to their stubborn never die attitude chasing and harrying down every ball. Glencar were two up at the break, first through veteran Kieran Doherty and then Lee McMonagle netted on his debut.
Glencar should have been home and dry going in at half time after hitting the woodwork on three occasions and drawing several fine saves by the Keadue netminder. Keadue had chances on the break but couldn’t capitalise.
Glencar then made it 3-0 before Keadue got one back from the penalty spot before Glencar pulled away with second half goals from Doherty, Rafferty (2), Joe Baker and Garvan Grieve.
Cappry Rovers Reserves      3 v 3 Donegal Town Reserves
In wet conditions Donegal and Cappry played a very entertaining game. The home side should have taken the lead only for Shaun McGlynn’s shot to cannon off the crossbar and be cleared to safety.
This seemed to spur on Donegal and after several corners they eventually broke the deadlock when JP Byrne headed in following a corner from the left.
The game was end to end now and it wasn’t long before Cappry equalised when Kyle O’Meara shot low and hard to the bottom corner. Donegal regained the lead following a free kick from Gary Ward.
The second half saw Cappry pushing hard and they got their reward when Aaron Kelly weaved through to score his first goal. Donegal kept attacking and Ronan Mc Hugh scored Donegal’s goal.
Cappry never lay down and Aaron Kelly scored to level the affair at 3-3 with time all but up. Best for Cappry was Aaron Kelly and best for Donegal was Ronan McHugh.
Milford United Reserves      3 v 5 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Castlefin secured their first three points of the season in a game reversed to Park View. Milford took the lead within the first minute when Ryan Campbell headed home an Adam Bolton free kick. Castlefin piled on the pressure and were rewarded when a Gary McNulty shot flew into the top corner.
The hosts took the lead when Conor Dalton crossed to Rory Dalton who slammed home after 36 minutes. The visitors kept plugging away and equalised when JJ Fleming headed home a corner just before the break.
The visitors regained the lead when Lee Burke scored. The home side equalised when Ronan Tourish picked the ball up on the right and took on three men and finished well in the 75th minute. Tourish got his second to put the hosts ahead when he finished after a cross from the right wing.
Tourish put the game to bed when he linked up with Mc Nulty and finished into the bottom corner in the 85th minute. Best for Castlefin: Rory Dalton. Best for Milford: JJ Fleming. Referee: Frank Duff.
Old Orchard Saturday Division
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves      2 v 6 St. Catherines Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Dunlewey Celtic      3 v 2 Gweedore Celtic Reserves
Due to the adverse weather conditions the match between Gweedore Celtic Reserves and Dunlewey Celtic was reversed to the An Screaban.
The first half ended scoreless with some good football and hard tackles from both sides.
The second half was a more exciting affair and after ten minutes Ryan McFadden Ferry was fouled in the box with Micheal Coll converting. Gweedore’s lead was short lived when Paul Coll pounced on a rebound from the keeper to even matters.
Liam McFadden scored from a Fiachra Coyle cross to give Gweedore the lead.
Dunlewey kept pressing and were rewarded when John Cannon converted from five yards. Daniel Sharkey netted the winner for Dunlewey with five minutes remaining.
Lagan Harps Reserves      2 v 5 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
Kildrum came out on top in a high scoring match in difficult conditions.
They took the lead on twenty minutes with a thunderbolt from out wide by Damien Keyes. Justin Magee scrambled home their second on thirty-two minutes.
Louis Cole then scored a screamer from 30 yards to bring Lagan back into it. Lagan equalised on sixty minutes when Jason Burke put Reece Shortt through and he finished well. Kildrum had more of the play but Lagan were always a threat.
Kildrum got the decisive goal on eighty minutes with Justin Magee again getting on the scoresheet. Oran Alan Coyle made it 4-2 to Kildrum on 85 minutes with Justin Magee completing his hat-trick in the last minute. F
or Lagan Kevin Fisher and James Tourish were best. Gary Crossan and Justin Magee were best for Kildrum. Referee Seamus McGrory.
Raphoe Town Reserves      0 v 0 Drumbar F.C.
This was a hard-fought game with very little between the sides. Drumbar had a free kick from 30 yards which Raphoe goalkeeper Thomas McNride did well to tip over the bar.
Man of the Match for Raphoe was Gary Mc Cullagh and Drumbar produced a solid team performance.
Sunday 17th September 2017Â
Fai Junior Cup
Arranmore United      0 v 6 Greencastle F.C.
Greencastle ran out 0-6 winners on the Island as they showed their class in this 1st Round tie. Arranmore defended well from the start and looked like keeping it 0-0 until the break but a great left footed finish put the visitors ahead.
The game remained tight with Gavin McGlanaghey having a half chance for the Islanders but the visiting keeper did well to save his effort. Greencastle got their second with a tap in after the home custodian had saved a long range shot but the rebound fell kindly for the Greencastle attacker.
They soon added goals 3 and 4 with their 5th and 6th strikes coming as the game reached it’s conclusion.
Ruan Reynolds was best for Arranmore with Greencastle producing an impressive team performance.
Referee: Mick Lagan
Glenree United      1 v 2 Drumkeen United
The home side got off to a bad start when a cross was collected by Glenree keeper Oran Blaney which was challenged by the Drumkeen attackers ending up in the net. The goal was given by the referee and Drumkeen were one up within 3 minutes.
Drumkeen played some nice passing football throughout the opening 20 minutes and had an excellent free kick tipped over the angle by in form Oran Blaney.
Hughie Bradley and Conor Shiels at centre back marshalled the home defence well. Glenree played their way back into the game with some excellent attacking play and were unlucky on several times not to get an equaliser.
A quality cross into the Drumkeen box from Marty McLaughlin was met by Andrew Kelly but was well saved.
McLaughlin was unlucky to head marginally over the crossbar moments later from an excellent cross into the box from John McFadden on the left wing. Drumkeen capitalised on a slip in the Glenree defence in the second half and Kevin Bonner finished off a rebound into the net to put Drumkeen two up.
Glenree finished strong and quality football from John McFadden resulted in a shot coming off the Drumkeen upright.
Glenree were on top in the second half exchanges and eventually got the goal back they deserved with a close-range header from Andrew Kelly.
The game finished 1-2 to Drumkeen who progress into the next round of the FAI Junior Cup. Best for Glenree were Oran Blaney, Dylan McBride and Marty McLaughlin. Team performance from Drumkeen.
Cappry Rovers      3 v 0 Drumkeen United Reserves
(No Report As Result Was Walkover)
Convoy Arsenal      2 v 0 Cranford United
Convoy welcomed Cranford to Orchard Park on Sunday morning. The game started evenly enough with no clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges.
The deadlock was broken in the 17th minute when Anthony Bogle received the ball and charged towards the Cranford box. As the young Convoy man was about to shoot his heels were clipped and the referee had no option but to point to the spot.
Eunan Kelly stepped up and rifled the ball into the bottom corner to give Convoy the lead. In the 32nd minute when Convoy failed to clear the ball properly Caolan Mc Groddy was taken down in the box to give Cranford a penalty of their own.
Unfortunately for the away side Joe Gallagher’s strike was expertly kept out by Ciaran Bonnar in the Convoy nets. Convoy recovered well from that scare and went in at halftime with a one goal advantage. Cranford almost had the dream start to the second half when another mix-up in the Convoy box gifted them a great chance but it was missed with the goal at their mercy. Cranford kept the pressure on and nearly had the equaliser on the hour mark only for Chris Carr to head wide from 6 yards out.
This seemed to waken Convoy up and they started to play some of their best football. Firstly, after some good build up play Marty Vance had a rasping shot saved by the Cranford keeper then a great ball in by Luke Harkin was headed wide by Marty Vance at the back post.
The move of the match then saw Joe Mc Gill hit the post from just outside the box.
Following this sustained pressure by Convoy they did double their lead in the 83rd minute when Anthony Bogle scored a great goal from outside the penalty area. Convoy saw the game out for the remaining minutes to seal a 2 – 0 victory and progress to the next round.
Best for Convoy were Emmett Mc Nulty and Anthony Boggle with a good team performance from Cranford. Referee: James Malseed.
Kilmacrennan Celtic      3 v 1 Orchard F.C.
Kilmacrennan hosted Letterkenny side Orchard F.C. on Saturday in the first round of the FAI Junior Cup. Both teams were depleted but this did not reflect on the quality of football played and the teams were evenly matched in the first half.
All the scoring action happened in the second half with the Letterkenny side going ahead in the 63rd minute when they broke down a Kilmacrennan attack and their sheet lightning counter attack found Michael Devine one on one against Jason Quinn in the Kilmacrennan goal and he made no mistake to put his side ahead.
Just 90 seconds later Kilmacrennan equalised through Ciaran Maloney who got on the end of a superb move involving Timmy Burke and Michael Mc Laughlin.
With 72 minutes on the clock Ciaran Mc Ginley received the ball in midfield he turned three men before finding young Kevin O’Donnell who went on a purposeful run resulting in him finding his partner Ciaran Maloney who steered the ball past Thomas McLaughlin in the Orchard goal to give Kilmacrennan a deserved lead.
As the game progressed Kilmacrennan were in control and sealed a place in the next round when Chris Dillon put the game to bed in the 81st minute when he rifled home from the edge of the box following a great ball from Paddy Sheridan.
Rathmullan Celtic      2 v 0 Strand Celtic Youth
(No Report Submitted)
Keadue Rovers      1 v 3 Lifford Celtic
Lifford Celtic advanced to the next round of the FAI Junior Cup with this victory at Central Park at Keadue’s expense.
There were no chances of note in the opening 20 minutes with Keadue having a lot of possession and Lifford content to sit back and hit on the break.
As the game moved towards half time Cory Gallagher had a couple of efforts, firstly having his shot saved on thirty nine minutes and then shooting over on forty one minutes.
Into the second half and the home side were once again to the fore creating plenty of attacks and some good chances fell to Cory Gallagher and David Ward whose shot was well saved.
Ten minutes into the second half Lifford had to replace their goalkeeper and Keadue remained on the front foot but a combination of some fine centre half play by Mark and James McNulty and some fine keeping by substitute Lee White kept Keadue at bay.
Keadue should’ve taken the lead on sixty-five minutes when, following good work on the right, Shaun Boyle laid the ball off to Daniel Mc Hugh whose chipped effort was well saved.
Four minutes later, against the run of play, Lifford went ahead when James Connolly ran well onto a through ball and lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box.
Twelve minutes from time Lifford seemed to have the game wrapped up when a run through the Keadue defence yielded a penalty from which James Connolly converted off the woodwork and keeper. Keadue kept battling with several substitutes making an impact and Adam McHugh’s through ball was met by Cory Gallagher who drilled home low to the net with a minute left.
In the third minute of injury time though Lifford got the insurance goal when Connolly sealed his hat-trick and the result.
Overall the home side can consider themselves very unlucky having created lots of chances but just not converting them.
Best for Keadue were Cory Gallagher, Jack Boyle & Chris Greene while best for Lifford were James Connolly, Mark & James McNulty. Referee: Michael Mulhern.
Whitestrand United      1 v 0 Kildrum Tigers
On a perfect day for a game of soccer Whitestrand hosted Kildrum Tigers at McGarvey Park.
Whitestrand were defending well and trying to play on the counter attack against the Premier Division side. Clear chances were at a premium with both defences on top.
Large swathes of the game were played in the Whitestrand half but they were always dangerous on the counter attack.
Kildrum were on top as the first half ended in stalemate. Whitestrand started the second half well when Sean Martin seized on an opportunity and finished well.
Kildrum gradually put more pressure on the hosts and they had a free kick from 25 yards that was tipped onto the post by the Whitestrand keeper. Kildrum were putting on huge pressure but Whitestrand were defending stoutly on the edge of their box. It was a great team performance from Whitestrand with outstanding performances from Sean Barrett and Patrick Kelly in goals.
Glenea United      4 v 0 Lagan Harps
Glenea qualified for the next round of the FAI Junior Cup with victory over Lagan. Glenea started the game strongly and took the lead on 20 minutes when Ciaran Mc Geady was played through and he fired the ball home.
Glenea continued to press but failed to convert a number of chances that came their way until the 36th minute when the ball broke to Martin Maguire on the edge of the box and his shot found the corner of the net.
Glenea got their 3rd on 40 minutes when the away defence failed to clear a corner and Ciaran Mc Fadden was on hand to bundle home from close range. In the 2nd half Lagan started well and it took two good saves from Shaun Mc Clafferty to keep them scoreless.
Glenea started to come back into the game as the half progressed and got their final goal on 80 minutes when Dean McCarry converted a free-kick form 25 yards.
Best for Glenea were Dean McCarry, Martin Maguire & Ciaran Mc Geady while it was a team effort from a youthful Lagan side. Referee: Paddy Melaugh.
Cavan Town      4 v 3 Ballybofey United
Ballybofey travelled to Cavan Town to take on the local side in the 1st Round of the FAI Junior Cup. After the journey their task wasn’t helped by the fact that the Referee was almost half an hour late for the fixture. Despite this Ballybofey, although short a few regulars, went close to causing an upset and were only beaten by the odd goal in seven. Damien Glackin with two and Ronan Mc Menamin were the Ballybofey scorers.
Castlefin Celtic      3 v 0 Clones Town
(No report as Result was a Walkover)
Milford United      4 v 2 Bonagee United
(No report Submitted)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Donegal Town      7 v 2 Drumoghill F.C.
Donegal started much the brighter of the two sides and took the lead through Ben Sweeney after a high ball into the box from Daniel McHugh caused all sorts of problems in the Drumoghill defence.
Drumoghill got back into the game shortly after when O’Donnell headed home after good work out wide. Donegal regained the lead straight away when Aaron Slevin reacted quickest inside the area to fire home from a corner.
After the break Donegal took complete control with three goals in the opening seven minutes. Daniel McHugh made it three with a sublime two touch finish inside the area.
McHugh doubled his tally to make it four a minute later from the spot after he was brought down inside the area.
Niall Gallagher finished well minutes later after good work from Stephen Graham. McHugh completed his hat-trick with a header with ten minutes remaining before O’Donnell got a late consolation from the spot for the visitors.
Joe McIntyre completed the rout with a fine effort from a free kick. Referee: Patrick Martin
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore Celtic      3 v 0 Dunkineely Celtic
This game was played in fantastic conditions at An Screaban. The first half was a tight affair with both teams creating chances with Gweedore’s Michael Cutliffe particularly lively.
Gweedore started the second half brightest with Liam McFadden and Liam Wiggins leading the way.
Gweedore opened the scoring through Sean Conall O’ Donnell after a fine cross by Eugene Noel Ferry. Sean then doubled the lead after a great cross from Fiachra Coyle.
He then completed his hat-trick when he finished well after being set up by Michael Cutliffe. Best for Gweedore were Liam Mc Fadden and hat-trick hero Sean Conall O’Donnell. A good team effort by Dunkineely. Referee: Sean O Donnell
St. Catherines      3 v 2 Raphoe Town
The home team settled the quickest and with some superb crosses from Aaron Doherty they looked the most likely to take the lead.
However this was not the case, when St. Catherines were calling from a free kick in the middle of the park, Raphoe kept going and a superb header from Ryan McCullagh made it 1-0.
On 60minutes a poor free kick from the home keeper fell to a Raphoe player who in turn put Keelan Kelly through for a simple tap in which made it 2-0.
The home team got back into the game on 62minutes when Dan Breslin glanced a header past the Raphoe keeper to make it 1-2. St. Catherines levelled on 70 minutes with a simple tap in by Dan Breslin. With the score now at 2-2 the home team pressed for a winner and it arrived on 72 minutes.
A superb dead ball cross, again from Aaron Doherty, was met amid a goalmouth scramble by Stephen Muirhead to secure the three points for the Saints in their first home game of the season.
Best for St. Catherines was Ryan Carr in the middle of defence while Keelan Kelly looked sharp and dangerous for the visitors.
Donegal Physiotherapy Division Two
Letterbarrow Celtic      5 v 3 Copany Rovers
A beautiful day in Tymeen started with Copany dominating the opening few minutes but they failed to capitalise on their early supremacy.
Letterbarrow began to find their rhythm and opened the scoring with a great strike from John Corley.
Gerrard McBrearty then celebrated his birthday with a well composed finish with his weaker right foot and soon after Nathan Carr finished a great team move to give Letterbarrow a 3-0 lead at half time. A few injuries saw several changes in the home team but Alex McNelis kept the momentum in Letterbarrow’s favour with a great strike from 20 yards.
Copany got back into the game with goals from Lee Doherty and MJ O’Loughlin however a James Mc Groary corner crept inside the back post leaving Copany with too much to do in the little time that was left in the game.
MJ O’Loughlin got a late consolation goal for Copany.
Referee: Frank Duff
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.      4 v 3 Curragh Athletic
Kerrykeel got their League campaign off to a perfect start with a win over a well drilled Curragh Athletic.
The away side took the lead on five minutes when Dan O’Brien took advantage of sloppy defending from Kerrykeel and slotted home from ten yards.
The home side responded in the best possible fashion when veteran Niall Doherty sent a looping header over the advancing keeper after a great ball from Kerrykeel captain Cathal Martin.
Curragh went in front on 26 minutes when young Tim Callaghan scored direct from a corner. Kerrykeel came out fighting in the second half and were level within three minutes. Shaun Patton broke down the right side and found the in-rushing Conor Meekan who coolly slotted home.
The home side went in front five minutes later, Meekan again to the fore as he beat the off-side trap and brilliantly fired home from sixteen yards.
Curragh responded promptly when awarded a penalty with Dan O’Brien slotting home. Curragh were reduced to ten men as Chris Darby was shown his second yellow.
Kerrykeel threw everything into the last fifteen minutes and got the winner five minutes from time when Niall Doherty scored a fantastic low header from a Shaun Patton corner.
Best for Kerrykeel: Tony Mc Bride, Shaun Patton and Conor McFadden. Dan Callaghan best for Curragh.
Referee: Liam McConigley
Deele Harps      3 v 1 Gweedore United
Deele entertained Gweedore United on a glorious day for football. The two teams were even in terms of possession in the opening stages however it was Deele who looked more threatening and indeed it was the home side who took the lead on 25 minutes when Declan Lafferty’s right wing dribble and cross was rifled home at the back post by Evan Bonnar.
Deele were top at this stage and doubled their lead on 30 minutes, again Lafferty down the right beat two defenders and crossed for Tom Mullen who stooped to head home.
Gweedore had a couple of chances when a one on one ended with Chris Roulston standing big and saving well.
On 40 minutes Gweedore had a penalty awarded but Chris Roulston saved brilliantly again to preserve Deele’s advantage.
The second half saw Deele fly out of the blocks and killed the game as a contest when on 50 minutes Tom Mullan fired home at the second attempt. Â Gweedore grabbed a consolation on 78 minutes but Deele could and should have added to their tally.
Referee: Brian O Kane.
