IT might only be game week two, but there is already some tasty results and interesting games across the various divisions in the Donegal League. Here’s how today’s action panned out.
Brian McCormick Cup Sports Premier Division
Drumkeen United 0 Castlefin Celtic 8
Castlefin took all three points with an emphatic victory over Drumkeen. The game was reversed to Castlefin and the home side set a high tempo and took the lead within five minutes, Emmett White rounding the keeper after being played through by Ronan Tourish.
The hosts doubled the lead when Stevie Roulston crossed to Tourish who hammered home. In the 25th minute Sean Ferry increased Castlefin’s lead when he shot on the turn to the bottom corner of the net.
In the 35th minute the home side made it four, Tourish broke down the right-hand side, played through Ferry who cut inside and his shot flew into the top corner.
Early in the second half Ferry completed his hat-trick when he peeled off his man and fired into the bottom corner after good work from Matt O’ Rourke.
In the 65th minute Ferry made it six and completed his scoring for the day when he slotted home from 12 yards.
Corrie Lee Bogan increased the host’s lead further when a 25-yard free kick was rifled into the bottom corner. Castlefin completed the scoring in the 85th minute when a Chris Bryson header found the net after a Gary McNulty corner.
Glenea United 1 Cappry Rovers 1
There was very little action in the first half hour, both teams not over committing and exchanging shots from distance. Cappry took the lead on the half hour when Conor Doherty played a great through ball to the feet of Jamie Murray and he made no mistake from 12 yards. Glenea started off the second half with more intent, Shane Coll coming close with a 30-yard strike which skimming the crossbar.
Cappry had a golden opportunity to get their second in the 70th minute, Jamie Murray was through on goal and got his shot off from 6 yards but Joe Coll made a great block to keep Glenea in the game.
Glenea started to dominate the game in the last 15 minutes but found it hard to penetrate the Cappry defence.
In the 75th minute Michael McHugh played a neat pass across the box, Calvin Murray created the dummy run and left the ball from the incoming Cathal McGeever who had a great strike from 20 yards, but Eoghan Gallen in the Cappry goal got down well.
Three minutes later Ryan Mc Fadden was through on goal after skipping past two defenders, but Gallen was quick off his line to smother the danger.
In the 85th minute Mc Fadden was through again, his cutback found McHugh who struck well, but his effort was cleared off the line by several Cappry bodies. With time running out Glenea finally put the ball in the Cappry net, Cathal McGeever played in Calvin Murray who picked his spot from 6 yards.
Keadue Rovers 0 Donegal Town 2
On a good day for football it was the away side who prevailed with a deserved win. Although Donegal had more possession it was Jay Doherty who almost scored on ten minutes Keadue.
It got a little scrappy from then on with Donegal almost scoring on twenty minutes and then Aaron Mc Cafferty had a shot saved on the half hour. Before half time the visitors really upped the tempo, forcing Keadue back, forcing a succession of corners and set pieces. From one of those corners, full back Tom Cutts headed home to give the visitors a half time lead.
At the start of the second half it was scrappy which suited Donegal Town who were defensively very solid.
A few substitutes brought fresh energy to Keadue though they were finding it hard to break through and create chances. Donegal again began to open gaps in the Keadue defence with Joe Mc Intyre firing over from the edge of the area.
The home side started to get more possession but still were not able to create an opening.
The visitors were very dangerous on the break and could’ve been two clear but for a last-ditch tackle by a Keadue defender.
Calum Boyle was clean through on eighty three minutes but shot wide with Keadue’s best chance, while sub Oran Fallon caused plenty of panic in the Donegal ranks but in the final minute a Keadue free kick was cleared and Joe McIntyre ran free and rounded the keeper to ensure a win for the visitors.
Kildrum Tigers 4 Convoy Arsenal 0
A thrilling encounter at Station Road saw Kildrum claim all three points, however the score-line didn’t reflect the game in many ways as the visitors had numerous chances on the day.
Convoy came out of the traps the quickest and on another day could’ve found themselves a goal or two to the good.
Darren Mc Elwaine saw his header come off the inside of the post and also a fantastic save from Carr in the Kildrum goal denied the veteran striker.
Kildrum were forced to play on the break and this is how their lead came about, Luke Toland broke and crossed to find Kevin Mc Hugh who finished superbly.
Moments later it was down the right the counter came, this time Ethan Coll squared perfectly and Mc Hugh again made no mistake as he saw his side go in at half time two goals to the good.
It was much of the same in the second half, the visitors will rue missed chances again. After a fantastic cross Macca again rose highest in the box but couldn’t keep his header down.
JP Malley had a similar chance at the back post but couldn’t get the goal that would see his side back into the game. Kildrum added a third, Jack O’ Donnell broke down the left and after a great run finished perfectly across the keeper. The fourth came with ten minutes remaining on the clock, Gary Crossan smashed home from the edge of the box.
Kilmacrennan Celtic 2 Bonagee United 1
Click here to read a report from this match
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore Celtic 1 Fanad United 3
Fanad United followed up their first day draw with a victory over Gweedore Celtic.
They started the brighter and their first half dominance was reflected in the half time scoreline when they led by two goals to nil.
Eddie O’Reilly opened the scoring after twenty minutes when he lobbed the keeper after some careless defending.
Fanad got their second goal in the 40th minute when Declan O’Donnell rose unchallenged to head home a free delivered by O’Reilly.
The second half saw an improvement in the home team’s approach and they got themselves back into the game with 25 minutes remaining when Thomas Diver scored after being set up by Ryan Doherty.
They went close to equalising a short time later when Mano Galligan, on his debut, saw his close-range effort saved by McConigley. The game was put beyond the home team with 15 minutes remaining when O’ Reilly secured the victory with his second of the match.
Dean O’Donnell had his shot from 20 yards brilliantly saved by Mc Conigley with minutes remaining.
Gweedore Celtic would like to thank Fanad for contributing to the Donegal Down Syndrome fund and to the referee, Con McLaughlin, who gave his fee for the day to the same fund.
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 2 Ballybofey United 0
Kerrykeel got their league campaign off to the best possible start with a win over Ballybofey. It was the hosts who started well and went close on 10 minutes when Johnny Nanny fired just wide.
Damien Glackin then went close for the visitors but Kerrykeel keeper Eoghan Jordan, making his debut, made a great save.
Kerrykeel took the lead on 25 minutes when a Paul Coyle cross found Mark Friel at the back post and he brought the ball under control and fired home.
Ballybofey started the second half the better but Peter Curran and McDevitt stood tall along with Fergal Friel and Coyle.
Paddy Carr made it two on 70 minutes with a great header from a Mc Ateer corner. Ballybofey keep plugging away and Glackin went close again on 80 minutes but again Jordan did well to push the ball past the post.
Raphoe Town 1 Swilly Rovers 1
Raphoe and Swilly Rovers renewed old rivalries in a cracking contest at Raphoe’s new pitch on Sunday afternoon and nothing could separate the sides in the end.
Swilly had pipped Raphoe to the title in Division Two and were kicking off their Division One campaign, while Raphoe came into the game on the back of an excellent away victory last weekend.
It was the home side who had the best of things in the first half with chances for Conor Friel and Dylan Brolly among a few they had to break the deadlock in a tightly fought affair.
They finally managed to take the lead three minutes after the re-start when Conor Friel sidestepped his marker to fire home, but instead of inspiring Raphoe to add to their tally, it seemed to kick Swilly into action and they dominated the last half hour of the game.
They were back on level terms with 15 minutes to go when James Mc Cahill found space in the box and drove low into the bottom corner and for most of the remainder of the game it was Swilly who looked the more likely to nick a winner.
They forced a series of corners that were well dealt with by the Raphoe defence and in the end both sides had to be content with a share of the spoils in a well-matched and entertaining encounter.
Rathmullan Celtic 2 Milford United 1
A clinical Eamonn Sheridan strike late in the second half was the difference as Rathmullan Celtic edged a nervy derby over their bitter rivals Milford United at a sun-kissed Flagpole Field.
With both sides jostling for supremacy, the first half ebbed and flowed until a Hoops corner in the 37th minute resulted in a spot kick for the home side.
Milford midfielder Anthony Hegarty fouled Kevin Doran in the box with referee Seamie Ferry pointing to the penalty spot and Doran hit his strike straight down the centre of Caolan McGettigan’s goal.
The second half saw Milford come into the game but the visitors can only look back and rue not being more direct in front of goal as Killian McBride and Darragh Kelly Cullen worked tirelessly to create an equaliser
Hoops’ manager Sheridan came on for the final quarter and his expertise in holding up the ball and creating play paid dividends.
Sheridan latched onto a Doran cross to double Rathmullan’s lead on 82 minutes.
Mark Wilson struck from inside the area to pull a goal back for Milford.
Rathmullan forward Jay Curran was denied by McGettigan, who saved from his venomous drive.
St. Catherines 3 Cranford United 0
The home team caught Cranford napping within the first 60 seconds as Josh Maxwell met Ryan Cunningham’s delightful cross with a diving header at the back post to score.
St. Catherines made plenty of chances throughout the first half but failed to capitalise on their good possession.
This encouraged the visitors who grew into the game as the half progressed and tested the Saints’ keeper on several occasions, but failed to register a score.
The second half started with the home team leading by a single goal but this was soon doubled after some superb one-touch football carved open the Cranford defence and Barry Cannon rounded the keeper and slotted calmly home on 53 minutes.
This settled the home side and Cranfords’ two best players Conor Mc Fadden and Chris Drury could do nothing to stem the tide and a third goal followed on 65 minutes when Ryan Cunningham superbly chipped the keeper after some super work on the left from Kyle McGeoghan.
Cranford kept pushing and referee John McGlanaghey awarded them a penalty on 75 minutes which in turn was magnificently saved by Michael Mullin.
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Glenree United 3 Dunkineely Celtic 2
Glenree Park will be a happy place this week as the men’s team got their season started with a win at home to Dunkineely Celtic. Glorious weather was on show albeit with a breeze that grew stronger as the day went on. It was a fast-paced start and Glenree found themselves 1-0 up almost immediately as Ultan McGroddy powered the ball past the keeper and into the top corner after being played in behind by Martin McBride.
Glenree took the game by the scruff of the neck and began to boss proceedings from front to back with returning goalkeeper Oran Blaney sweeping up any balls that came his way.
Glenree’s pressure and control paid off and they were awarded a penalty after Martin McBride was hacked down. Martin then stepped up to hit the penalty but the keeper saved it as he went down the middle. Martin was on hand to blast in the rebound to make the score 2-0.
After this the two sides fought for control but the game had to be stopped after the Dunkineely right back went down with a bad injury, his foot getting stuck in the ground. The game was paused until ambulances arrived. Everyone at Glenree would like to wish Barry all the best in his recovery.
The game later resumed and Dunkineely, with nothing to lose, threw the kitchen sink at it. They were rewarded when Glenree overplayed it at the back and the number 9 finished well past the keeper.
Later Martin McBride found Kevin Doherty and he lived up to the nickname of “Gooch”. He fired past the visiting keeper and Glenree’s two goal lead was restored.
Dunkineely kept pushing and got another goal back after an individual error within the Glenree defence left them open for a counter.
The Dunkineely number 9 again was on hand to fire into the corner. Glenree would go close again with Daire Shields and Martin McBride both having efforts but 3-2 is how it finished. Referee: George Montgomery
Gweedore United 2 Lagan Harps 2
This game played in nice conditions in Gweedore saw the home side disappointed with a draw after a good display. The game started at a high tempo with both sides battling hard but creating very few openings.
In the 12th minute Ronan Carlin shot wide after a decent spell by Lagan. In the 15th minute Ronan O’ Donnell brought the best out of Jason Quinn with a good shot from a tight angle.
There was very little between the sides until the 27th minute when Padraig Mc Fadden put the ball over the visitor’s defence to Ciaran Mc Fadden who rounded Quinn and tapped into the net to make it 1-0.
The game was going well with very little between the sides in a tight and fair contest. Lagan got back on level terms in bizarre circumstances that changed the whole complexity and outcome of the game.
In the 44th minute Lagan got a corner and scored after a goal mouth scramble, however the referee blew the whistle before the ball hit the net to award a penalty to the visitors.
No one knew why the penalty was awarded, however one if United’s players was given a straight red for apparently handing the ball.
The Gweedore captain who questioned the decision was also given his marching orders reducing the home side nine men in a strange two-minute period just before half time. Lagan scored the resulting penalty through Damien Nelis to make it 1-1 at half time.
In the second half it looked like United would have a mountain to climb with only nine men, however the nine men were the better side in the second half creating chances throughout.
This play paid off in the 74th minute when Padraig McFadden scored an excellent free kick from the edge of the box into the top corner, past Quinn who had no chance, to make it 2-1.
The home side had decent chances through Ownie Gallagher, Stephen Mc Fadden and Jamie Mc Gee however Quinn in the Lagan nets did well to keep it at 2-1.
As the home side though they had a hard fought three points in the bag, Lagan were awarded a second penalty in the 96th minute which Nelis again scored to make it 2-2 at full time.
Jason Quinn in nets played well for Lagan and it was a great effort and excellent performance from the home side who dug deep with nine men for majority of the game. Referee: Leo Devenney.
Letterbarrow Celtic 3 Deele Harps 1
(No Report Submitted)
Whitestrand United 0 Letterkenny Rovers 3
Whitestrand took on Letterkenny Rovers at McGarvey Park. Whitestrand and Letterkenny were well matched in the early stages. Whitestrand were dangerous on the counter and nearly took the lead when they bit the bar with a shot from well outside the box.
Whitestrand also had another great chance and the shot was thwarted by an excellent save from the Letterkenny Rovers’ keeper.
The first half ended 0-0.
The second half started with Letterkenny on top and they made Whitestrand pay for the missed chances when Ronan Curran scored.
They soon scored a second when the excellent Nathan Plumb broke through and calmly slotted into the bottom corner.
The scoring was completed when Caolan McConnell scored with a rasping shot that the keeper didn’t stand much chance of stopping.
Letterkenny dominated the second half but overall the score-line slightly flattered the visiting team and there are positives for Whitestrand to take from this game but Letterkenny look to be one of the teams to beat in the Division
