THE BRIAN MCCORMICK CUP opened the new season in the Donegal Junior Football League over the weekend.
Kildrum Tigers 1-1 Convoy ArsenalÂ
(Convoy Arsenal won 5-4 on penalties)
CONVOY ARSENAL held their nerve to win through in a penalty shoot-out against Kildrum Tigers at Station Road this afternoon.
It was the home side who went in front on 22 minutes when Marc Brolly was on target on his debut for the St Johnston club.
However, Convoy levelled on 52 minutes through Ryan Carlin. Nine of the 10 penalties that were taken in the shoot-out that followed were scored with Kildrum’s Glen Bouvaird the unlucky one who missed, with Christopher O’Donnell saving. Jason Elliott scored the winning penalty.
Curragh Athletic 1-4 Â Raphoe Town
A PENALTYÂ in each half helped Raphoe Town on their way to a comfortable win against Curragh Athletic on a bright Sunday afternoon.
Neil Lloyd’s side were well in contention in the first half and it took fantastic saves from Raphoe keeper Roy Duffy to deny Tim Callaghan and Gary Heaney, but the visitors went in at the break ahead thanks to a Keelan Gillen penalty in the 32nd minute.
Raphoe had chances to add to their lead at the start of the second half and the finally did that when Christy Bogle scored directly from a corner. They soon made it 3-0, again from the penalty spot, this time Jason Mc Brearty scoring.
Curragh kept plugging away and they were rewarded when Dan O’Brien scored from close range with just four minutes left, but Raphoe immediately restored their advantage when Keelan Kelly scored an excellent goal to leave the final score 4-1.
Curragh were well served by Tim Callaghan, Gary Heaney and Dan O’Brien while Raphoe keeper Roy Duffy and youngsters Mark Bogle, Michael Quinn, Keelan Kelly and Oran laird all did well for the visitors. Referee: Michael Mulhern.
Lagan Harps 2-2 Drumoghill FC
(Lagan won 3-1 on penalties)
THE fading Manorcunningham light meant that referee Joe McHugh put this gripping Brian McCormick Cup tie straight to penalties – and it was Lagan Harps who prevailed when the crunch arrived against the old foes from Drumoghill.
Click here for full match report.
Ballybofey United 2-6 Â Lifford CelticÂ
A LARGELY inexperienced Ballybofey United were beaten heavily Lifford Celtic in the Brian McCormick Cup at the Finn Valley Complex on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors, relegated last term from the Premier Division, still had too much know-how to be troubled by the young Finnsiders.
Lifford led by three goals to one at the break and the final scoreline was exactly double that if the interval. Jude Patton and James Connolly had a brace apiece and added to that an Alan Gethins strike and an own goals for the unfortunate John Gregg made the visitors total.
Christopher Mc Brearty and David White scored for Ballybofey.
Deele Harps 0-1Â Castlefin Celtic
PADDY DOOHERÂ natted an 80th minute winner as Castlefin Celtic advanced to the next round of the Brian McCormick Cup.
Click here for full match report.
Whitestrand United 2-0 Kerrykeel ’71 FC
WHITESTRAND UNITEDÂ opened their new campaign with the useful 2-0 win over Kerrykeel ’71 FC.
It was a first game for new Whitestrand manager Sean Barrett and he was looking to hit the ground running. The game started off at a frenetic pace which is to be expected from a local derby. As the game settled Whitestrand began to make the home advantage tell as they began to dictate the game.
It was a half of few clear cut chances up until the stroke of half time when Kevin Loughrey broke through but shot straight at the keeper. Shortly afterwards Kevin Mc Carry was through and he fired across the box but it was cleared off the line.
The second half started quickly and Philip Hegarty broke through and finished well at the second attempt. This opened the game up and Hegarty nearly got his second when he was through but his shot went narrowly over the bar. The second goal came when the ball was chipped over the top and Kevin McCarry finished his one on one chance. Whitestrand kept trying for more goals and there were chances for Matt McNulty, Kevin Loughrey and Philip Hegarty but the game ended with just the two goals and a winning start to the season for Whitestrand.
Best for Whitestrand were Anthony Fisher and Kevin Mc Carry.
Kilmacrennan Celtic 5-1 Bonagee United
KILMACRENNAN CELTIC began their season with a bang thanks to a 5-1 hammering of Bonagee United at Letterkenny Community Centre this afternoon.
Timmy Burke opened the scoring before two Michael McLaughlin goals put Kilmacrennan into a 3-0 lead by the interval.
Sean Sandilands’ side continued to press after the break and added a fourth on 50 minutes when Liam McBride scored before a fifth arrived in the closing stages thanks to Rob Sandilands. Bonagee scored an injury-time consolation through Jason Burke.
Milford United P-PÂ Rathmullan Celtic
MATCH will be played on Wednesday evening at Moyle View Park.
Gweedore Celtic 8-0 Cranford United
COLIN FERRY rammed in a hat-trick as Gweedore Celtic hammered Cranford United this afternoon.
Four first half goals from Ferry, who grabbed two, Kevin Friel and Tomás Diver eased the home team into a lead at half-time. Ferry completed his hat-trick and further goals from Brendan McGeady, Jamie Boyle and Damian O’Sullivan completed the scoring for the home team.
Cranford, who were depleted, to their credit kept trying and saves from Hugo Diver denied them of three occasions. Best for Gweedore were Damian O’ Sullivan, Shane Porter and Tomás Diver. Best for Cranford were Martin and Denis McBride and Brendan Logue.Â
Glenea United 4-1 Glenree United
GLENEA UNITED used Joe Coll out the field instead of in goal and reaped the reward against Glenree United.
The home side opened the scoring on 20 minutes when Padraig McGee’s effort from the edge of the box was well saved but the rebound broke to Dean Gallagher and he slotted home from 10 yards.
Glenree tried hard to get back into the game but were unable to create any clear cut chances. Â In the second half Glenea started well again and doubled their lead on 50 minutes when Dean Gallagher got onto a through ball, saw his shot saved but Coll was on hand to roll the ball in.
Glenea got their third on 55 minutes when Shane Coll’s corner was deflected in by a Glenree defender. Glenea extended their lead on 75 minutes, when Dean Gallagher broke from his own half and drilled the ball home.
Glenree pulled a goal back on 85 minutes when Marty McLaughlin got onto a through ball and slotted  home. Best for Glenea were Shane Coll, Dean Mc Carry and Dean Gallagher, while it was a team effort from Glenree.
Dunkineely Celtic 1-3 St Catherine’s
ST CATHERINE’SÂ emerged winners in Daniel Breslin’s first match in charge against their neighbours Dunkineely Celtic.
The hosrs were playing their first competitive game under new manager Paul Murrin and  gave a good account of themselves and could have taken the game to extra-time if their finishing had been better.
Dunkineely started well and were on top in the early exchanges. They took the lead on 10 minutes when Alan Lyons fired a fine shot to the bottom corner from 20 yards. The home team continued to play well and created a number of chances without troubling the visiting keeper.
They were caught on 25 minutes when St. Catherine’s were awarded a penalty which Brendan Mc Guire converted. St Catherine’s came more into the game after the break and took the lead on 50 minutes when David Conwell finished a good move with a neat chip.
Both sides kept pressing and it was St Catherine’s who found the net again on 70 minutes with substitute Ryan Ward finishing a good move. Dunkineely did not give up and Daniel Gallagher hit the post on 80 minutes but they could not find the breakthrough they needed.
Best for Dunkineely were Daniel Gallagher and Alan Lyons while Ryan Farrell and Ryan Mc Closkey were best for St Catherine’s.Â
Copany Rovers 0-6 Â Cappry Rovers
DARREN O’LEARY was in explosive form for Cappry Rovers as they won convincingly against Copany Rovers this afternoon.
O’Leary netted on four occasions, while Conor Lafferty and James Long were also on the mark.
Donegal Town 2-4Â Erne Wanderers
ERNE WANDERERS took advantage of a switch in venue to post a fine ‘away’ win over Donegal Town at the Lakeside Centre.
Erne started off the brighter of the two teams as they had most of the possession however nothing really came of it.
Donegal started to create a few chances but then in the 20th minute the Donegal defence got caught under a high ball leaving the goal keeper stranded and Eamonn Cleary chipped it into the net.
Erne struck again in the 37th minute through Michael McNeely. Donegal started the second half well but Erne grabbed another two goals, through Ryan O’Brien and Darren McNulty to make it 4-0. Donegal got two consolation goals near the end with James Byrne and Declan Brown scoring.
Eany Celtic 2-1Â Letterbarrow Celtic
EANY CELTIC had Shaun Griffin to thank for their narrow against neighbours Letterbarrow Celtic.
It was the visitors who started best with John Corley and Conor McDaid having chances early on but it was McDaid who slipped around the back of the Eany defence and slotted the ball home in the 15th minute.
Eany came more into the match but were unable to get back on terms by the end of the first half. On the hour a free kick just inside Letterbarrow half was well struck by Declan Gallagher. The kick took a deflection off a Letterbarrow defender and landed in the bottom corner of the net.
Eany stepped up the pressure and went in front on 75 minutes when Griffin latched onto a rebound following a shot from Pauric Mc Hugh . Letterbarrow pressed hard for the equaliser but  found the Eany defence and their young keeper Mulreany in fine form . This was a good performance from both sides.
Tags: