A late Oran Higgins goal edged Kildrum Tigers to a nervy win over Milford United yesterday as Shane Brown’s men inches another step closer to the title – but Castlefin and Cappry continue to breathe heavily on their necks.
Kildrum have both Cappry and Castlefin to play while Castlefin and Cappry also have to meet at the end of the month.
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Glenea United 1 Drumoghill F.C 0
In fine evening condition this hard fought game ended with Glenea taking the victory, ensuring their Premier Division status for another season. In an open start to the game both sides created a number of half chances but failed to convert any of them.
Glenea eventually took the lead on 28 minutes when the Drumoghill defence failed to deal with a corner and Ciaran Mc Geady was on hand to drill the ball home.
Drumoghill pushed for an equaliser but were finding hard to create a chance.
In the second half Drumoghill continued to look for a goal, but Glenea were looking dangerous on the break and missed a number of good chances to increase their lead.
Despite the pressure from Drumoghill, the Glenea defence held firm and took all three points. Team efforts from both sides.
Referee: Joe McHugh.
Kildrum Tigers 1 Milford United 0
The game started off slow in very windy conditions. Both sides played well and created chances but neither could find the net.
The second half started off with a lot more intensity than the first.
Again, there was plenty of action however it was Kildrum who got the game’s only goal on 80 minutes.
Damien Crossan slid the ball through to Oran Higgins who fired into the bottom left corner. A great end to a hard-fought game in tough weather conditions. Best for Kildrum were Brian Coll and Damien Crossan.
Team effort from Milford.
Lagan Harps 0 Kilmacrennan Celtic 4
Kilmacrennan boosted their chances of avoiding the drop with a determined performance against Lagan. In a scrappy first half Liam McBride cracked home the opener from the edge of the box.
Lagan had battled well against the stiff breeze.
Lagan continued to battle in the second half but despite the wind in their favour, rarely troubled the Gorman brothers at the back for Kilmacrennan.
Kilmacrennan added a second when Eamonn Martin prodded home from close range on 70 minutes.
Rab Sandilands converted a penalty on eighty and Paddy Sheridan a fourth on 85 minutes. Best for Lagan were Ronan Gibson and Conor Temple. For Kilmacrennan Gary Gorman, Timmy Burke and Paddy Sheridan were best. Referee: Dessie Mc Laughlin.
Rathmullan Celtic 0 Castlefin Celtic 5
The Seasiders suffered a heavy defeat to title chasing Castlefin. Emmet White opened the scoring in the first half.
The visitors set the pace from the start and opened their account on the half hour mark when White struck a ferocious free kick from 25 yards out which took a slight deflection off the Hoops defence giving keeper Sean Gallagher no chance to save, in what was the only real action of the opening half.
Castlefin dominated proceedings in all departments after the break.
On 58 minutes Ronan Tourish had the easiest of finishes inside the six-yard box after Shane Gallagher set the midfielder up with a precision pass which split the Hoops’ defence wide open.
The highlight of the game occurred moments later when JP Malley capitalised on a poor clearance and chipped Hoops’ keeper Gallagher, who was off his line, from the half way line. Raymond Foy added two further goals to secure three important points for Castlefin as they remain in contention for the premier Division Title.
Referee: Joe Mc Hugh
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Dunkineely Celtic 2 Gweedore Celtic 3
This game was played in perfect conditions at Darney Park which saw Gweedore Celtic take the lead in the 20th minute from Colin Ferry who followed up a spillage by the Dunkineely keeper.
Dunkineely were level 5 minutes later with a great cross from Adrian Nesbitt which floated into the corner of the net.
Gweedore Celtic were awarded two penalties in the 56th and 70th minutes which Thomas Diver neatly poked home.
Conor Shovlin got a header late on but Gweedore came out victorious in the end. Best for Gweedore Willy Beag and Thomas Diver, a team effort for Dunkineely
St. Catherines 2 Bonagee United 1
Read a report from this game here
Keadue Rovers 1 Lifford Celtic 1
Keadue Rovers and Lifford Celtic ended level in this encounter at Central Park.
Lifford took the lead on twenty-seven minutes when, after a few efforts were blocked and saved by Danny Rodgers, Jude Patton was on hand to stroke home a rebound to give the visitors the lead.
It was short lived however as four minutes later a free kick on the halfway line from Chris Greene got the very slightest of touches from Cory Gallagher’s head and it went into the corner of the net.
The game was played out in an open fashion but ended in a draw. Best for Lifford were Jude Patton, Johnny Robb and Mark Neeson, while best for Keadue were Danny Rodgers, Cory Gallagher and Aaron McCafferty.
Referee: Liam McLaughlin.
Raphoe Town 0 Convoy Arsenal 1
This was a hard-fought derby game played in windy conditions up at Deele Park.
Not many chances fell for either team. Convoy scored what was to be the winner in the 35th minute with a good header at the back post.
Raphoe had a few half chances in the second half but couldn’t score. Convoy held on to take the points in the end.
Referee: Con Mc Laughlin.
Ballybofey United 5 Erne Wanderers 0
Ballybofey United are well known for their 50/50 fundraising project. They carried this theme into this season’s Division One and finished in fifth spot having played eighteen matches, winning nine and loosing nine.
Friday night’s victory over Erne Wanderers dispelled their lingering Relegation Play-Off fears. Having won Promoting last term and consolidating their status this term they will surely look to push for Division One honours or even Promotion in 2019.
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Letterbarrow Celtic 1 Glenree United 4
Glenree secured their playoff spot in Tymeen when they took on a Letterbarrow side who were missing a few of their players due to other commitments.
Letterbarrow started strongest and scored early on when Alex McNelis finished off a James McGroary free kick.
Glenree responded well and soon levelled after a well worked goal from their left midfielder. They soon took the lead and went in at half time one ahead.
Letterbarrow responded well and pushed hard but failed to score.
They ultimately left themselves exposed and conceded two late goals when caught on the break.
Referee: Barry Hunter.
Cranford United 1 Drumkeen United 1
Read Charlie Collins’ report here
Curragh Athletic 7 Gweedore United 2
(No Report Submitted)
Deele Harps 1 Whitestrand United 2
This game, played in blustery conditions had a real end of season feel to it and Whitestrand took the points against a lacklustre Deele side.
Strand took the lead on 30 minutes when Shane Mc Glade provided the finish to a good counter-attacking move.
Deele equalised on 40 minutes when Conor Mc Gurn finished well following good work from Tom Mullen.
The game was a tight affair in the second half but it was Shane Mc Glade who hit the winner on 68 minutes tapping home from close range.
Deele created plenty of chances to equalise but found Paddy Kelly in great form. Team performance from Deele.
Referee Tony McNamee.
