Inishowen League: FAI Junior Cup gets underway

THE FAI JUNIOR CUP trail begins for the clubs this weekend with only four Inishowen teams participating.

Illies Celtic have been handed a bye into round three while Glengad United host Raphoe Town at the Crua.

Greencastle have also been handed a home draw against Erne Wanderers while Carrowmena travel to Kildrum in a tough tie.

On the domestic front there are games in all divisions with Buncrana and Clonmany meeting in the Premier Division, Aileach hosting Illies and Moville and Culdaff clashing.

The First Division sees Redcastle and Dunree meet while Rasheney and Cockhill clash at the Isle venue.

 

FAI JUNIOR CUP, 1.30pm (extra time and penalties if necessary)

Greencastle FC v Erne Wanderers

PAT McLaughlin’s side have the benefit of home advantage when they entertain Saturday league side Erne Wanderers.

They will know little about each other but the home side should be warned that on their day Erne are a capable side who dumped QPS from the Ulster cup last season.

But with the likes of Gavin Harkin, Sean Cavanagh and Eunan Hegarty leading they should advance.

 

Glengad United v Raphoe Town

SHANE Byrne’s Glengad side look the best equipped side to make serious inroads into the latter stages of this competition provide the draw is reasonably kind to them.

They have a strong squad assembled with the acquisition of Nigel McMonagle and the return from injury of Michael Byrne adding to an already talented bunch.

They will know little about Raphoe who ply their trade in the First Division of the Donegal League and who have won one and lost one from their opening two games. Glengad will be huge favourites.

 

Kildrum Tigers v Carrowmena FC

DONEGAL LEAGUE Premier Division Kildrum Tigers will be hot favourites to advance to the nest round when they entertain Raymond Dougal’s Carrowmena side.

The Tigers have made a steady start winning one and losing one scoring five and conceding six in their two clashes.

Carrowmen will look to the likes of Tony McClenaghan, Shane Skelly and Ruairi Dougal and if they can contain the home side in the opening period then they could give themselves a chance.

 

JACKIE CROSSAN PREMIER DIVISION, 2pm

 

Aileach FC v Illies Celtic (W Harvey)

THE home side suffered a huge blow last week when they lost the services of Anthony Doherty who picked up a serious ankle ligament injury which will probably keep him sidelined for a couple of months at least.

They face an Illies side who suffered a home defeat to Buncrana a fortnight ago and who will be looking to bounce back.

Key man for the home side will be Gavin Doherty while for the visitors William McLaughlin will need to command the centre of defence. Aileach start slight favourites.

 

Moville Celtic v Culdaff FC (C Doherty)

BOTH these two sides are struggling badly at the wrong end of the table and have been hit by injuries and defections. The home side have lost Joe Doherty and Nigel McMoangle while Shane Canning picked up an injury.

The visitors have lost Brendan Mclaughlin and have also lost Dean O’Connor last week with Patrick McGrenaghan and JJ Doherty also carrying knocks.

Even at this early stage of the season defeat could be ominous. Moville start slight favourites.

 

Buncrana Hearts v Clonmany Shamrocks (E Doherty)

HUGH McGonigle’s young side continue to perform excellently and that with regular centre half John McLaughlin having to take over between the sticks.

Ryan Doherty, Calvin Gallagher and Craig Doherty are all excellent players and indeed will only get better with experience.

They face a rejuvenated Clonmany side who have started well and with the likes of Jamie Coyle, Jason Doherty and Jason Devlin all in flying form they could well be the main title challengers to Glengads crown.

If they are to challenge they must win here.

 

 

STRAND HOTEL FIRST DIVISION, 2pm

 

Redcastle United v Dunree United (T Moyne)

THE home side are in a period of transition and a fortnight ago went down two nil to Cockhill away from home.

David Cunningham will look to the likes of Michael McCole, Gary Kelly and Robert McLaughlin to keep the ship afloat.

Dunree have been playing excellently all season but a failure to convert the chances they have been creating have cost them in all their games to date.

They look to Gerry Farrell, Darryl Moran and Tommy Doherty to rectify that.

If they can they could emerge on top here.

 

Rasheney FC v Cockhill Celtic Youths (T McAree)

LEADERS Cockhill under Shaun McLaughlin travel to Rasheney to take on the home side who have yet to show any consistency.

Rasheney defeated Dunree in their opening game but then lost away to Carrowmena a fortnight ago.

Cockhill have recorded three wins from three and with the likes of Michael O Connor, Darren Coyle and Ronan McLaughlin pulling the strings they will be expected to add another three points here.

But Rasheney, despite their inconsistency, will look to Damien Friel, Declan and David McLaughlin to cause an upset.

 

Inishowen Football League Fixtures, 27^th September

 FAI Junior Cup, 1.30pm, extra time and penalties: Greencastle FC v Erne Wanderers (D McLaughlin), Glengad United v Raphoe Town (M McGonigle), Kildrum Tigers v Carrowmena FC.

 Jackie Crossan Premier Division 2pm: Aileach FC v Illies Celtic (W Harvey), Moville Celtic v Culdaff FC (C Doherty), Buncrana Hearts v Clonmany Shamrocks (Eamon Doherty).

Strand Hotel First Division 2pm: Redcastle United v Dunree United (T Moyne), Rasheney FC v Cockhill Celtic Youths (T McAree).

 Donegal Signs Reserve League Shield, 11am: Rasheney Reserves v Carrowmena Reserves (J Porter), Greencastle Reserves v Illies Reserves (L Davenport), Culdaff Reserves v Moville Reserves (A McAleer), QPS Reserves v Sea Rovers (G McLaughlin), Aileach Reserves v Redcastle Reserves (S Deeney), Gleneely Colts v Carn Reserves (L Porter), Aileach Youths v Glengad Reserves (John P Houghton) Buncrana Reserves v Dunree Reserves (JJ Lafferty).

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