There were some impressive wins yesterday as the Donegal Saturday League got into action and there was no shortage of goals!
Dunlewey Celtic 0 Glencar Celtic 5
Great conditions in Glentornan Park for the season opener. The first half was very much to and fro but it was the visitors who struck first when they scored from a free kick with Odhran Barron finishing well with the header.
The second half started much the same as the first but Glencar slowly grinded the opposition down and Joe Friel stepped up to slot home a penalty for the visitors.
Shane Hilley then added a third and Glencar sealed the win with two late goals from Graham Cullen and Odhran Barron getting his second of the game.
Keadue Rovers Reserves 0 Donegal Town Reserves 5
Keadue Rovers Reserves welcomed Donegal Town Reserves to Central Park for the opening encounter of the season but it was the visitors who claimed all three points with a comprehensive display.
They had the better start and Keadue keeper Ben Boyle made an excellent save on five minutes to deny an opener.
They continued on top for the next few minutes and another header went wide on ten minutes. Keadue gradually got a grip of the game and after 15 minutes Damien Hanlon went close with a header which was cleared off the line and soon after that Mark Boyle’s close range header was saved by the visiting keeper.
The visitors were generally on top throughout the first half and they went ahead on the half hour mark when a good ball in from the right wing was met with a sliding finish by Adrian Ward.
A few minutes before half time they had an effort cleared off the line and Eoin Slevin was close with a shot over the bar. The hosts did have a decent closing few minutes to the half.
At the start of the second half the introduction of a few subs brought more positivity into their play but ten minutes in the game was effectively over when Eoin Slevin hit a great effort to the top right hand corner to make it 3-0.
They continued in that vain, creating a number of chances and were comfortable in possession while a youthful Keadue team did try their best.
Donegal Town made it 4-0 on seventy five minutes with a close range flick to the net from a left sided cross by Adam Enright.
They made it 5-0 in the last minute when Ronan McHugh hammered home a good effort from the edge of the area.
A very good performance from Donegal Town laying down a marker for the season, while for Keadue, it was a learning experience from a very young team, who no doubt will improve throughout the season.
Best for Keadue were Michael Greene and Ben Boyle, while best for Donegal Town were Ben Sweeney and Ronan McHugh.
Referee: Barry Hunter.
Oldtown Celtic 3 Glenea United Reserves 1
Click here to read a report from this game
Strand Rovers 4 St. Catherine Reserves 1
Strand Rovers began the new season with an excellent 4-1 home win. Ethan Ward, Matthew O’Donnell, Paddy Glackin and Brendan Glackin netted the goals for the winners.
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 1 Arranmore United 2
Castlefin and Arranmore got there repective seasons underway in a very competitive encounter in Parkview on Saturday.
The hosts took the lead in the 5th minute when a Reece Gallagher cross was headed home by Keith Nelis at the back post.
The hosts continued to apply the pressure with Rory Dalton and Brandon Bogan going close.
The Islanders equalised just before the break when Brian Procter poked home after a Justin McBride flick on.
The second half saw a game of few clear cut chances but the visitors broke through when Procter latched on to a through ball to slot home in the 85th minute.
Team Performances.
Referee: George Clinton
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 4 Fintown Harps 2
This match turned into a second half extravaganza at An Screaban between Gweedore Celtic and Fintown in their first league match of the new season.
It was Fintown who took an early lead in the second half but Gweedore coverted two penalties to go ahead.
Fintown keep pressing and scored their second to even matters with 15 minutes to go. Gweedore finished strongly getting two more goals to claim all three points in this closely contested match.
Milford United Reserves 2 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 3
A strong Milford United Reserve team began their Division 2 campaign against Drumoghill at Moyle View Park, but will be ruing a number of missed chances which unfortunately proved to be costly.
Milford started on the front foot and couldn’t have wished for a better beginning to the game when a Ciaran Gibbon’s corner was met by a bullet header from Raymond Friel.
Milford tried to build on this early lead, and from a second corner just moments after Ryan Campbell saw a shot blocked well by the Drumoghill defence. Milford then had further chances in the half through Lee Burke, Jason McConigley and Ciaran Blaney but a solid Drumoghill defence thwarted their efforts.
Drumoghill were then rewarded for a solid first half display when with minutes to go before the half time whistle, Ryan O’Donnell poked home from inside the six-yard box after a mix up in the Milford defence.
Drumoghill began the second half brightly and found themselves in front when Paddy O’Loan scored from a penalty.
Milford responded well to this and again went close on a number of occasions, before player-manager Ciaran Gibbons hit a crisp left footed volley in to the bottom right hand corner of the net to level the tie.
With their spirits lifted Milford pushed forward looking for a third and could count themselves extremely unlucky when after rounding the keeper Ciaran Blaney was unable to convert his chance.
Milford again went close on several occasions before Drumoghill were awarded a second penalty when leeper Barry Gallagher brought down the Drumoghill striker and Paddy O’Loan again converted the spot kick.
Milford made a number of changes from the bench to try and swing the course of the game but as the final whistle went it was Drumoghill who left Moyle View Park with all three points.
Drumbar United 1 Kildrum Tigers Reserves 3
Daniel McNulty scored a brace of goals as Kildrum Tigers Reserves began with a fine 3-1 away win at Drumbar. Just McGee netted the other goal for the Station Road Park side.
(No Report Received)
Drumkeen United Reserves P Cappry Rovers Reserves P
(Match Postponed)
Results:
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Dunlewey Celtic 0 Glencar Celtic 5
Keadue Rovers Reserves 0 Donegal Town Reserves 5
Oldtown Celtic 3 Glenea United Reserves 1
Strand Rovers 4 St. Catherine Reserves 1
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 1 Arranmore United 2
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Gweedore Celtic Reserves 4 Fintown Harps 2
Milford United Reserves 2 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 3
Drumbar United 1 Kildrum Tigers Reserves 3
Drumkeen United P Cappry Rovers Reserves P
