There was a full programme of action in all Divisions of the Donegal Junior League this weekend – here’s how it went:
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Arranmore United 1 Donegal Town Reserves 4
Donegal town made the journey to the Island and went away with all three points.
Gary Heaney went close for the home side when he found himself clean through but his touch let him down and the keeper saved. Seconds later a through ball found Michael O’Donnell and he got to the ball before Michael McHugh and the advancing home keeper.
Ten minutes later David Bustard scored with a tap in following a deflected free kick which was saved by the home keeper only to rebound kindly for Bustard.
The home side came out for the second half and pressed from the start with Brian Proctor and Gavin McGlanaghey both having shots saved.
Donegal Town got number three when a quality cross from the right found the head of Bustard and he made no mistake. The home side kept plugging away but saw Donegal hit a fourth when Bustard set up O’Donnell to finish from six yards out.
Arranmore got a consolation with 20 minutes to go as a direct ball up field found McGlanaghey and he fired home following a fumble by the visiting keeper. Michael O’Donnell impressed for the away side in a good performance. Team performance for the home side.
Referee: Michael McFadden
Keadue Rovers Reserves 2 Orchard F.C. 1
Keadue Rovers Reserves won a vital home game against Orchard FC at Central Park on Saturday to move on to six points and up a few places in the table.
Conditions were decent and it was a fairly open game to start with. Mikey McFadden had Keadue’s first chance on 20 minutes with his shot saved and then straight away Orchard broke down the field creating a cross from the right and a header well saved by Declan Ward in the home nets.
Orchard began to get on top in possession terms and their striker had a shot wide just before the half hour. On 33 minutes though, despite playing mostly on the break, Keadue took the lead when Mikey McFadden’s ball through to Christy Greene on the left was met with a firm finish by Greene low to the net.
Greene was again to the fore a minute from the break with a shot saved as the hosts finished off the half well.
At the start of the second half Keadue were again strong and Christy Greene had a shot saved well by the keeper. Orchard stepped things up close to the hour, aided by an increasing breeze, and had a free kick just after the hour excellently saved by Declan Ward who followed up with another great save.
It became a bit scrappy as the half went on and it seemed to suit Keadue who were dangerous on the break. On 73 minutes Mikey McFadden’s ball from the left made it through to Christy Greene and he fired past the keeper low to the net.
Keadue enjoyed a good spell after this with chances falling to both Adam McHugh and Malachi Boyle but Orchard, after a series of set pieces, got a goal back in the last minute following a goalmouth scramble and Michael Devine poked it home.
A good, vital win for Keadue after a few defeats and well fought against a more experienced Orchard outfit. A team effort from Orchard while for Keadue Mikey McFadden, Declan Ward and Christy Greene were impressive.
Referee: George Clinton.
Glenea United Reserves 2 Milford United Reserves 1
Glenea Reserves picked up another win with this hard fought victory over Milford. In a tight first half both sides were finding it difficult to create any clear cut chances though it took a fine save from Ciaran Gallagher in the home nets to deny Milford after 15 minutes.
Glenea’s best chance occurred after 35 minutes when good play down the left by Tommy Rodgers created a chance for Ciaran Coll but he couldn’t covert, his second attempt crashing off the crossbar. In the 2nd half the home side started well and opened the scoring on 50 minutes from the penalty spot through Padraig McGee.
But their lead was short lived as Milford equalised on 52 minutes when Raymond Friel headed home a free-kick from close range.
Both sides pushed for a winner without creating any clear cut chances, though it took another good save from Ciaran Gallagher from a miscued cross to keep the score level.
Glenea got the winner in the 90th minute when a Kevin McFadden corner was headed back across goal and debutant Nathan O’Brien was on hand to flick the ball home from close range. Team effort from both sides.
Referee: Tony McNamee
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Raphoe Town Reserves 2 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 1
Raphoe finally got their first win under manager Thomas McBride. Raphoe had most of the play in the first half but Drumoghill scored following with a mix-up in the back line. Raphoe didn’t drop their heads, they kept playing ball.
Zak Brolly and Paddy Gallagher came off the bench, Paddy Gallagher scored from a tight angle to make it one each. Zak Brolly scored Raphoe’s winning goal to make it 2-1, great performances from both teams.
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 4 Lagan Harps Reserves 1
Gweedore Celtic fielded a very youthful team against Lagan Harps at the Screabhan.
Gweedore took the lead on 40minutes when Michael Coll scored from five yards following good play by Michael Roarty.
Lagan equalised early in the second half and this seemed to be the wake-up call that Gweedore needed. Kyran Glennon crossed for Michael Cutliff to finish to the roof of the net. Kyran then got himself on the score sheet when he finished a well-placed cross from Fiachra Coyle.
Michael Roarty then put Kyran through for his second and Gweedore’s fourth of the match.
Fintown Harps AFC 0 St. Catherines Reserves 4
In damp conditions Fintown Harps welcomed St. Catherines to Pairc Achla. Fintown started sharp, the St. Catherine’s keeper saving a penalty after 5 minutes. Fintown kept up the pressure but the Killybegs net minder pulled off save after save. The second half started with Fintown again on the offensive but a defensive mix-up in the Fintown defence led to Paul Mc Fadden slotting home for St. Catherines. The Killybegs outfit then knocked in a further 3 goals in quick succession with goals from Paul Mc Fadden, Connor Knox and Charlie Boyle. Fintown continued to press but couldn’t find a way past St. Catherine’s man of the match Shane O’Gara. Referee: Leo Devenney.
Drumbar F.C. 3 Kildrum Tigers Reserves 1
The opening half saw both sides play spells of decent football although neither side looked convincing or comfortable in the final third when the chances fell. A small bit of complacency by the visitor’s full back led to David Giblin dispossessing him on the edge of the box and smashing it to the bottom corner.
Kildrum were unlucky not equalise shortly afterwards when the ball spilled but was cleared at the back post by Kevin Martin.
The home side started the second half as they finished the first, forcing several corner kicks, but the visitors were up to the task. Keelan Heeney again forced a mistake in the Kildrum defence high up the pitch and slotted home from a tight angle. A goal direct from a corner kick brought the Tigers back into the game, both Brendan Mundy and Gavin Bennett were only able to watch the ball drift into the top corner.
With time running out a set piece put Enda Brogan in behind the defence but his header was just over the bar.
Another set piece, delivered by Bennett, was met by centre forward Keelan Heeney, his effort was saved but Tirone O’Shea reacted to the rebound and sealed all three points for the home side
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Castlefin Celtic 15 Lagan Harps 1
Click here for report from this game
Kilmacrennan Celtic 0 Glenea United 3
Kilmacrennan hosted Glenea and as expected the game started off very evenly contested with both teams creating chances at both ends of the park. Kilmacrennan were very unlucky not to take the lead after some slick play between Micheal McLaughlin, Rab Sandilands and Mark Friel but the shot failed to bother the Glenea keeper.
It was Glenea’s turn to take the lead, but on three occasions found the Kilmacrennan keeper Jason Hegarty and the defence in good form with a Ryan Shields clearance off the line. Glenea then were handed a lifeline when they were given a free kick outside the edge of the box and made no mistake in driving the ball neatly into the top corner.
The game remained 1-0 until halftime.
The game continued as it started in the first half with both teams matching each other and creating half chances but it was Glenea who got the all-important second goal when they caught Kilmacrennan on the counter-attack and put the striker through one on one. A two goal lead is a dangerous one but the Kilmacrennan men gifted Glenea a third goal after a mix up in the back line left their striker one on one and he once again make no mistake from close range to secure the three points.
Referee: Paddy Duffy
Donegal Town 0 Kildrum Tigers 1
Kildrum left the Hospital Field with all three points after a solid performance saw them come out on top. In a tightly contested game it was a header from Damien Crossan ten minutes before the break that decided things.
Crossan was quickest to react from a corner to head the ball home. Donegal enjoyed large periods of possession in the second half without creating many clear-cut chances.
It was the visitors who had the best of the chances and should have made it 2-0 midway through the half but for a fine double save from Dermot Mc Cafferty.
Despite some late Donegal pressure Kildrum held on for a crucial three points.
Referee: Michael McLaughlin.
Rathmullan Celtic 1 Drumoghill F.C. 2
On what was a perfect day for football in the Seaside town Drumoghill came from behind to inflict defeat on Rathmullan Celtic. Rathmullan started brightly and got their just reward midway through the first half as Ryan Connolly cut in from the left and rifled his shot past the hapless Drumoghill keeper. Rathmullan had chances to add to their tally but both Dara Patton and the returning Eamonn Sheridan fired wide.
These misses turned out to be costly as early in the second half Drumoghill hit back Chris O’Donnell’s unstoppable header levelled things up.
Rathmullan were guilty of overplaying after this but Drumoghill’s more direct approach led to a second when the Rathmullan defence failed to win two headers and John O’Kane was there to capitalise on their indecision sending the sizeable travelling support into raptures.
Eamonn Sheridan looked sharp coming back into the fold and David Fisher made a difference for Rathmullan when he came on, possibly too late. But the day belonged to the youthful Drumoghill side that showed great character coming back from 1-0.
Rathmullan have questions to answer but their faithful supporters are hopeful for the rest of the season.
Referee: Patrick Martin
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Bonagee United 1 Ballybofey United 2
The visitors came close on three minutes when a strike from Damien Glackin from 15 yards was well saved by Carr in the home goal.
Carr again was called into action on ten minutes when Mark Griffin broke down the right he cut inside the defender and his shot from just inside the box was turned round the post. Kevin Kelly for the home side saw his effort on goal well saved three minutes later by Ger Hanley.
Both defences were on top from here on and both teams played some great football with Cannon and Kelly and O’ Donnell for the home team testing Hanley in the visitor’s goal. Carr was called into action from strikes from Glackin, Griffin and Lafferty who were a constant threat.
The home team took the lead on fifty minutes when Kevin Kelly played a great ball down the right to Noel O’ Donnell and the big Striker cut inside the defender and hammered home to the roof of the net from inside the box. Glen Rainey came close two minutes later when his header from a corned just went wide of the post.
The visitors also came close on 73 minutes when a shot from the edge of the box by Mark Griffin west wide of the post. The visitors levelled the match on seventy-five minutes when a ball in from the right was drilled home from ten yards by Damien Glackin.
They got their second two minutes later when the ball broke to Mark Griffin on the left, after a clearance from inside the box, and he cut inside and slid the ball past the keeper from ten yards. Team effort by both sides. Referee: Mick Lagan.
Keadue Rovers 5 Erne Wanderers 2
Keadue Rovers moved up to mid table after this good victory over Erne Wanderers at Central Park. It was a decent day for football and it was the visitors who were a bit sharper at the start despite not creating anything in the way of chances.
Meanwhile, at the other end Cory Gallagher shot wide twice in as many minutes as Keadue got their passing game together. Erne went ahead slightly against the run of play when on 16 minutes they were awarded a penalty and Ryan O’Brien slotted to the corner with a left foot shot.
Erne did have a decent spell of possession after this but the home side got on top again creating plenty of half chances but failing to make the final connection. On 41 minutes though they were level when following excellent work from Cian Boyle on the right-hand side his cross was headed home by Cory Gallagher.
It got even better just before half time when Cian Boyle again sent over a cross from the right and Cory Gallagher with a close range header made it 2-1 just on the half time whistle. Keadue got on the front foot again and Michael Greene’s excellent ball over the top led to Cory Gallagher finishing for his hat-trick early in the second half.
Erne though were workmanlike and didn’t give up, getting a goal back on 78 minutes when Josh Ritchie tapped in on the left-hand post following a goalmouth scramble.
At this stage Erne were battling away and looking stronger but all the while Cory Gallagher was proving dangerous on the break and hit the post five minutes from the end. Keadue however were not to be denied and two late goals on 87 and 90 minutes from Cory Gallagher sealed three valuable points.
A team performance from Erne while best for Keadue were Cory Gallagher, Chris Greene and Cian Boyle. Referee: Liam Mc Conigley.
Dunkineely Celtic 2 Raphoe Town 3
Dunkineely welcomed Raphoe to Darney Park. Raphoe started this game on the front foot, pressing high up the field, but the first real chance fell to young Darragh Murrin whose effort was well saved. Raphoe opened the scoring on the 17th minute through Zack Brolly following a mix up in the home defence. T
hey further increased their lead in the 24minute, a good strike from outside the box through Keenan Kelly. Celtic had some great chances but they got their reward in the 34minute through Cian Kennedy from a Paul Murrin free. Celtic started the second half pressing high up with Daniel Gallagher very impressive in midfield. Darragh Murrin spurned some great chances. Celtic got level in the 70th minute thanks to Paul Murrin. Daniel Gallagher was very unlucky after some lovely play to see his shot come back of the post.
When it looked like it was going to end up a draw Raphoe struck in the 95th minute to take all 3 points. Daniel Gallagher Aaron Byrne & Rory Boyle were best for Dunkineely while Keenan Kelly stood out for Raphoe.
Lifford Celtic 2 Convoy Arsenal 1
Lifford Celtic won 2-1, all goals coming inside it first 20 minutes, James Connolly got the first and Marty Vance equalised for Convoy before James McNulty got Lifford’s winner.
Donegal Physiotherapy Division Two
Whitestrand United 2 Cranford United 3
Whitestrand took on Cranford on a cold Autumn’s afternoon at McGarvey Park. Cranford got the early goal when Lorcan O’Connor scored. Whitestrand got back into the game and pressed for an equaliser. Cranford were always very dangerous on the counter-attack.
They got the second goal from a penalty that Keelin McGroarty slotted home. The second goal was scored on the cusp of the half time whistle. Whitestrand seized the initiative early in the second half and Liam O’ Riordan broke through from a great pass from Johnny Sweeney and slotted home.
Another ball along the floor and Liam O’Riordan shot narrowly wide. Whitestrand scored the equaliser when Kevin Loughrey broke free and calmly slotted home. The game went from end to end and Pauric McGinty headed home to settle the tie. Whitestrand pushed for an equaliser but it didn’t come
Best for Whitestrand were Liam O’ Riordan and Ken Dempsey
Letterbarrow Celtic 1 Eany Celtic 1
A local derby that was played in great spirit started with an early Eany goal from Alan Neil against the run of play. Letterbarrow responded well and almost got one back when Alan Foxton’s amazing strike from 30 yards smashed the upright.
Letterbarrow trailed at half time and were beginning to think this wasn’t to be their day after numerous chances were kept out by Eany’s Cathal Charlton.
They finally got their break through with a great strike from Gerard McBrearty. Barry Kemp, Declan Gallagher and Christopher Burke all came close but it was a day to remember for Eany’s keeper Charlton.
Drumkeen United 2 Curragh Athletic 0
Drumkeen continued their good start to the season but were made to fight hard for this victory by visitors Curragh Athletic.
The home team started well and enjoyed a lot of possession before taking the lead after 13 minutes. The goal came after a great move which was started at right back by Shane Laverty and involved several players before it came to Niall Bonner in the middle who finished well. Curragh then saw an effort go just wide but opinion on the sideline was that stand in goalkeeper Chris Kyle had it covered.
Drumkeen could have added a couple more in the first half as Niall Bonner had an effort which hit the base of the post, Benny Bonner had a free kick saved by the Curragh Keeper and Lee Guthrie saw his effort go wide.
As the second half wore on Curragh came more in to the game and had a few half chances. The closest they came was from a corner when Tim Callaghan’s diving header at the near post went just over the bar. Drumkeen kept trying to get the third goal but it didn’t come but they had done enough earlier to secure all three points.
Referee: Frank Duff
Glenree United 5 Gweedore United 0
After a week off the Glenree team followed up their previous victory with another commanding win in Glenree Park.
The away side made a tough match of it in the first period of the game and a sluggish start from Glenree to the game while also passing up some glorious opportunities to take the lead almost cost them dearly as Gweedore won a penalty kick in the 19th minute after their player was taken down. Conor Cassidy stepped up to take the spot kick but the ever-reliant Oran Blaney got down well to save his effort.
This was the catalyst in the game for the home side and spurred them into life as John McFadden received the ball out wide and drove past two defenders and finished well past the keeper in the 37th minute.  Gweedore was under immense pressure from the attackers but it was Danny Langan’s effort from a free kick that almost grabbed the second goal.
In the second half the home side started much brighter and deservedly got their second when again John McFadden found the back of the net in the 52nd minute after some fine build up play. Â The furnace was burning strong in the Glenree engine room as they scored their third in the 58th minute when some fine one-twos from both John McFadden and Marty McLaughlin saw McFadden eventually get the ball in the net to claim his hat-trick.
Credit to Gweedore they never let their heads drop and they tried to muster a few chances but the Glenree defensive unit was well marshalled by John Mc Clafferty and debutant Stephen Doak.
Gweedore were also dealt a blow when they lost a player to injury which stopped the match for a period of time and Glenree United wish him a speedy recovery. After the match restarted it was back to business for Glenree and a sublime pass through from Hugh McFadden, which Andrew Kelly smartly dummied and fooled the defence to let the hard working Marty McLaughlin one on one and he expertly finished past the goalie in the 71st minute.
The final goal came in the 79th minute when both substitutes Gary Mc Clafferty and Paul Coyle linked up for Coyle to score an absolute clinker of a goal. It was a fine display of football by the home outfit in the second half and they ran out deserved winners.
The best on the day for Glenree United were John McFadden, Naoise Cullen and Marty McLaughlin. Team effort from Gweedore United.
Referee: Sean O’Donnell
Deele Harps 3 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 1
Deele entertained Kerrykeel in perfect conditions for football. The home side started well with Jordan Duffy causing problems for the Kerrykeel rearguard. It was an even contest but Jordan Duffy put Deele ahead on 27 minutes, firing home from close range.
The lead was short lived when a set piece header from Tony McBride drew Kerrykeel level on 32 minutes. The second half was more controlled by Deele who found their feet and regained the lead when Evan Bonner was on his toes in the box and scored his second of the season following a corner on 65 minutes.
Kerrykeel had a couple of chances to draw level but Deele were wasteful up front and should have been out of sight. But the killer goal came on 72 minutes when Jordan Duffy grabbed his second of the day to seal the points. Team performances.
Referee: Michael Connolly.
Results
Saturday 7th October 2017
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Arranmore United      1 v 4 Donegal Town Reserves
Keadue Rovers Reserves      2 v 1 Orchard F.C.
Glenea United Reserves      2 v 1 Milford United Reserves
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Raphoe Town Reserves      2 v 1 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
Gweedore Celtic Reserves      4 v 1 Lagan Harps Reserves
Fintown Harps AFC Â Â Â Â Â 0 v 4 St. Catherines Reserves
Drumbar F.C. Â Â Â Â Â 3 v 1 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
Sunday 8th October 2017 Â
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Castlefin Celtic     15 v 1 Lagan Harps
Kilmacrennan Celtic      0 v 3 Glenea United
Donegal Town      0 v 1 Kildrum Tigers
Rathmullan Celtic      1 v 2 Drumoghill F.C.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Bonagee United      1 v 2 Ballybofey United
Keadue Rovers      5 v 2 Erne Wanderers
Dunkineely Celtic      2 v 3 Raphoe Town
Lifford Celtic      2 v 1 Convoy Arsenal
Donegal Physiotherapy Division Two
Whitestrand United      2 v 3 Cranford United
Letterbarrow Celtic      1 v 1 Eany Celtic
Drumkeen United      2 v 0 Curragh Athletic
Glenree United      5 v 0 Gweedore United
Deele Harps      3 v 1 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Fixtures
Saturday 14th October 2017 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Strand Rovers v Arranmore United (K.O. 1p.m.)
Orchard F.C. v Glencar Celtic
Castlefin Celtic Reserves v Keadue Rovers Reserves
Donegal Town Reserves v Glenea United Reserves
Milford United Reserves v Cappry Rovers Reserves
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves v Lagan Harps Reserves
Dunlewey Celtic v Raphoe Town
St. Catherines v Drumkeen United
Kildrum Tigers v Fintown Harps
Drumbar United v Gweedore Celtic
Sunday 15th October 2017 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)Â
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Cappry Rovers v Castlefin Celtic
Glenea United v Milford United
Drumoghill F.C. v Kilmacrennan Celtic
Lagan Harps v Donegal Town
Kildrum Tigers v Rathmullan Celtic
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Erne Wanderers v Gweedore Celtic
Raphoe Town v Keadue Rovers
Ballybofey United v St. Catherines
Bonagee United v Lifford Celtic
Dunkineely Celtic v Convoy Arsenal
Donegal Physiotherapy Division Two
Curragh Athletic v Deele Harps
Eany Celtic v Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Cranford United v Glenree United
Copany Rovers v Drumkeen United
Whitestrand United v Letterbarrow Celtic
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