Strand Rovers lead the way in a congested Glencar Inn Division 1 – with eight points between the top five – while Kildrum Tigers are now eight points clear in the Old Orchard Division 2. Here’s a full roundup from the Saturday League:
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Strand Rovers 2 Arranmore United 2
This game was very tight in the opening quarter of the first half with no clear-cut changes for either team. On thirty minutes Strand took the lead when a Jack Doherty cross looped over the Arranmore goalkeeper Ben Boyle and fell to Matthew O’Donnell to tap into the net.
Arranmore replied with ten minutes remaining to half-time when a Conor Proctor free-kick hit the crossbar and his brother Aidan reacted quickest to head home.
Strand missed a good chance to take the lead just before the break.
The second half was another tight half of football. Arranmore had the better changes and took the lead with a Brian Proctor header.
Strand threw everything forward for the last five minutes of the game and they were rewarded when from Dolaty Boyle’s corner Conor Greene headed past the visitor’s goalkeeper.
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 1 Glenea United Reserves 2
Glenea claimed all three points in a vital clash at the bottom of the table in Park View. In a tight affair Glenea had the first chance when a Martin Maguire header was well saved by Christopher McBrearty in the home goal.
The hosts took the lead in the 25th minute when a James McMenamin corner was headed home by Keith Nelis.
The visitors equalised when Micheal McHugh stabbed home after a mix up in the home defence in the 38th minute.
In the second half Castlefin just didn’t get going and their keeper Mc Brearty kept them in the game.
The visitors got the winner when a Maguire free-kick was deflected into the net with 10 minutes remaining.
Best for Castlefin: Christopher McBrearty. Team Performance from Glenea.
Referee: Zack McLaughlin
Oldtown Celtic 0 Donegal Town Reserves 4
This match started off as a close affair, but Donegal Town took the lead from the penalty spot on 20 minutes. Two minutes later they were awarded another spot kick which was cooly dispatched.
Oldtown tried hard to get back into the game but found the Donegal defence on top form. Paul Gormley made a save just before half time to keep the game at 0-2.
The second half was a battling affair but it turned 3-0 after a lovely team move.
Oldtown pushed hard to get back into the game and had chances they were unable to finish and a fourth goal was added late on.
Keadue Rovers Reserves 0 Glencar Celtic 2
Glencar came went away victorious from Central Park to keep up their title push with a deserved win. It was an ideal day for football and the visitors were quick out of the blocks with good movement up front.
Keadue started to get into the game after ten minutes with chances falling to both Christy Greene and Mikey McFadden, however neither could score.
On 20 minutes Paddy Cullen shot narrowly over the bar and a few minutes later Glencar had another good chance from a mix up in the home defence.
Glencar continued on top, creating plenty of openings, but some poor final touches just let them down. It became scrappy towards half time and the final action of the first half was when another very good chance came for Glencar but this time their effort was excellently saved by Ben Boyle in the Keadue goals.
At the start of the second half we saw a much-improved performance from the home side. On 40 minutes Noah Boyle crossed and Mikey McFadden’s header went just wide.
On 50 minutes Mc Fadden again went close to scoring. Glencar had a great chance on 55 minutes but they couldn’t find the required final ball.
On 75 minutes, following a series of set pieces, Glencar took the lead when a left footed effort went into the net from Paddy Cullen.
Two minutes later the result was sealed when a firm header to the net by Odhran Barron made it 2-0. Keadue made some substitutions and had a decent closing period.
Glencar held out for a good victory. Best for Glencar were Paddy Cullen, Conor Gibbons & Dominic Friel while best for Keadue were Ben Boyle, Noah Boyle and Mikey McFadden.
Referee: George Clinton.
Dunlewey Celtic 4 St. Catherines Reserves 1
Both sides started well at Glentornan Park. The home side broke the deadlock when Daniel Cannon slotted the ball home after great work down the right wing from Conor McMahon who found his teammate with a great cross.
St. Catherines pushed hard for the equaliser but could not break through the Dunlewey rearguard.
The sides came out for the second half and St Catherine’s pushed and pushed and were rewarded when they broke from a Dunlewey corner and scored a great counter attacking goal.
Dunlewey upped their game after the equaliser and Conor McMahon stepped up to the plate causing havoc for the St. Catherines defence and scored his first with a powerful drive at the near post.
Conor McMahon got his second when Dunlewey broke after a St. Catherines’ attack had broken down.
McMahon completed his hat-trick with a fantastic chip to beat the keeper.
It finished 4-1 to the home side who climb off the bottom of the table.
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Kildrum Tigers Reserves 4 Milford United Reserves 3
Kildrum Tigers were made earn their corn on Saturday, but the St Johnston side continued their quest for the Old Orchard Saturday Division Two title as they defeated Milford by the odd goal in seven.
Ciaran McGinley’s penalty in the opening exchanged gave Milford the lead, but Gareth Colhoun levelled after taking a pass from Oran Higgins.
It was Higgins who put Kildrum into the lead early in the second half, but Lorcan Friel drew Milford level.
Colhoun restored the lead for Kildrum and the Station Road men looked to have it wrapped up when James McNulty fired home.
They still had to work, though, when Ciaran Blaney fired home to make it a nervy ending, but Kildrum held on and have the silverware in their sights.
Cappry Rovers Reserves 5 Gweedore Celtic Reserves 2
Cappry started the game well and took the lead in the 9th minute when Ronan Carlin headed home.
Gweedore weren’t behind for long and they got level in the 14th minute when Lorcan Mulligan capitalised on a mistake in the Cappry defence. Cappry came back into the game strong and got their second goal in the 28th minute when Petie Lafferty fired home from 30 yards.
Cappry kept the pressure on and made it 3-1 in the 36th minute when James Speight headed home a Ryan Mc Gee corner. Cappry made it 4-1 in the 67th minute when Ronan Carlin rounded the keeper to tap into an empty net.
Cappry made it 5-1 in the 80th when Ross Doherty played Liam Gallagher through and he finished well. Gweedore got a late consolation goal through Sean Paul Gallagher from the penalty spot. Two Team Performances.
Referee: Michael Lagan
Drumkeen United Reserves 4 Drumbar 2
It was the battle of the Drums on Saturday afternoon as Drumkeen welcomed Drumbar to St Patrick’s Park.
The home team went into this game in good spirits after a good win last week and they continued their good form with a victory over their visitors by 4 goals to 2.
Jason McDaid fired Drumkeen ahead after three minutes. The visitors responded well and Keelan Heeney got them back on level terms very quickly. Caolan Loughney then added a second goal to put the visitors in front.
Just like last week when Drumkeen went behind they managed to come back and Eoghan Kennedy had them back on level terms with a great free kick just before the half time break.
Drumkeen played well in spells in this game and got themselves back in front when Marty Gallagher added goal number three early in the second half. A one goal lead is always dangerous and Drumbar never gave up but Jason McDaid eased the home nerves when he scored his second and Drumkeen’s fourth with about 10 minutes left.
This was a good hard game of football played in the right spirit by both teams. Referee: Brian O Kane
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 5 Fintown Harps 5
Shane Duffy scored a last gasp goal to earn Drumoghill the point. It was a flick on from Kyle Devine and a volley from Duffy from a tight angle.
Drumoghill went 0-1 down but got it back to 1-1 each through an own goal. Another own goal then made it 2-1.
Somehow a cross from Ciaran Hunter found its way into the back off the net to make it 3-1.
Fintown got it back to three each before the break. Kyle Devine got a goal in the second half to make it 4-3 to Drumoghill.
Fintown got two quick goals to go 5-4 ahead way with ten minutes to go. Shane Duffy came off the bench to volley home after a Kyle Devine flick on to end the game 5-5 each
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Strand Rovers 2 v 2 Arranmore United
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 1 v 2 Glenea United Reserves
Oldtown Celtic 0 v 4 Donegal Town Reserves
Keadue Rovers Reserves 0 v 2 Glencar Celtic
Dunlewey Celtic 4 v 1 St. Catherines Reserves
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Kildrum Tigers Reserves 4 v 1 Milford United Reserves
Cappry Rovers Reserves 5 v 2 Gweedore Celtic Reserves
Drumkeen United Reserves 4 v 2 Drumbar F.C.
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 5 v 5 Fintown Harps AFC
