THE 2021/22 Voodoo Venue Cup swung into action with action aplenty across the various areas – here’s a round-up of the action.
Voodoo Venue Cup-Area 1
Glencar Celtic 3 Cranford United Reserves 0
Glencar Celtic ran out comfortable winners in Rathmullan with a 3-0 victory over a young Cranford side. Goals from Odhran Barron, Kevin Rafferty and Pajo Rafferty were enough to secure all three points for Glencar. A well contested game by both teams with experience prevailing over youth in the end.
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 5 Swilly Rovers Reserves 2
This game was played at the Community Centre in Letterkenny on Saturday. Kilmacrennan ran out convincing winners.
The ever-green Philip Buchannan rolled back the years with a vintage performance, helping himself to a hat-trick.
The goal machine is back in the Kilmacrennan colours. Kilmacrennan took an early lead through a Buchannan pile drive in the 13th minute. Niall Regan put Kilmacrennan two up when he finished well following a through ball from young Mark Gallagher in the 19th.minute.
Credit to Swilly who battled hard and upped the pressure and were rewarded on the 27th minute when Cathal Diver was quickest to react following a corner-kick, stabbing the ball past the Kilmacrennan net minder. Just before half-time Regan got his second and Kilmacrennan’s third goal when he held his nerve and finished well when he was through one on one with the Swilly Rovers’ keeper.
The second-half continued in the same vein as the first half. Philip Buchannan got his second goal ten minutes into the second-half with another pile driver from outside the penalty area.
Once again credit to Swilly who got their second in the 69th minute when Cameron Gormley produced a great finish when he raced through an kept his cool to slot the ball past the outrushing keeper.
The final goal belonged to the man of the match Philip Buchannan when he blasted home from just inside the penalty area in the 82nd minute.
Milford United Reserves 3 Ramelton Mariners 3
Milford welcomed local neighbours Ramelton Mariners to Moyle View Park for what was a very entertaining season opener.
Milford were the stronger in the first half and went in at the break two up thanks to goals from Ryan Toye and debutant Ciaran McGettigan.
The Mariners upped their game in the second-half and found themselves 3-2 up against a very tired Milford team.
A double from Barry Mooney and what the Mariners thought was a winner from Corey McCahill saw them hit the front.
Jamie Whelan however rose highest in the box and found the top corner with only minutes remaining to make it 3-3.
Area 2
Copany Rovers 0 Fintown Harps AFC 1
(No Report Submitted)
St. Catherines Reserves 5 Drumbar FC 1
(No Report Submitted)
Area 3
Glenea United Reserves 0 Arranmore United 5
Glenea United Reserves got their season underway with a heavy home defeat to Arranmore. The result was harsh on the young reserve side.
In perfect conditions for football both sides struggled to get a foothold in the game, but the islanders took the lead on 20 minutes when a through ball released Aidan Proctor and his effort from the edge of the box flew into the corner of the net.
The home side responded well and went close to getting an equaliser through efforts from Luke Mc Carry, Conor Mc Clafferty, Chris Barrett and Cathal Mc Geever but they were denied by a combination of good goalkeeping from Ben Boyle and desperate clearances off the line.
Arranmore almost extended their lead just before half-time but Martin McGarrigle saw his effort well saved by Thomas Ferry.
At the start of the 2nd half the home side were made to pay for failing to take their chances when Arranmore increased their lead, a cross from the left was stabbed home from close range by Paul Earley.
The home side pushed hard to get back into the game and went close with efforts from Chris Barrett and Calvin Murray but they were well saved by Ben Boyle.
Arranmore got their third goal on 75 minutes when a break down the right found Gavin Mc Glanaghey and his cross was converted by Paul Earley. Gavin Mc Glanaghey added to further two late goals from breakaways.
Keadue Rovers Reserves 3 Dunlewey Celtic 2
Keadue Rovers emerged victorious after a struggle with near rivals Dunlewey at Keadue on Saturday.
It was the first Donegal League game to be played on the club’s new pitch. Keadue had the better of the possession stakes in the first few minutes, but were rocked when on six minutes Sean McCafferty hit a bullet of a shot to the top corner of the home net. The home side still enjoyed most of the possession and had a few set pieces but to no avail.
Their first real chance came by way of a Luke Neely effort, he beat the defender but had his shot saved brilliantly by Daniel Roarty. The game became scrappy after the half hour mark which seemed to suit the visitors.
After a mix-up Conor Mc Mahon nipped in and tucked away an effort from a tight angle just before the half-time whistle to double Dunlewey’s advantage.
As soon as the second half began Keadue started on the front foot, making good use of the wings and sub Jack Doherty was causing problems down the left flank. Dunlewey still posed a threat and on fifty minutes Conor Mc Mahon shot wide after a good run.
The home side brought on another sub and it had the desired effect when after the hour a Eugene Byrne cross was fumbled by the keeper Damien Hanlon, on the line, poked the ball home.
On 69 minutes Brendan McCafferty had an excellent chance to level but his header was straight at the visiting keeper. Brendan McGeidigh went on a good run for Dunlewey a few minutes later and shot just over the bar.
On seventy six minutes though Keadue drew level as a clearance from the Dunlewey defence was met perfectly on the volley by Shaun Burns.
In the eightieth minutes Keadue went ahead when Brendan Mc Cafferty rifled home after a goalmouth scramble.
Strand Rovers 5 Gweedore Celtic Reserves 1
Strand started brightly when Shane O’Donnell scored the first goal of the new season in Maghery. Stand scored a second when Jordon Shavell completed a good team goal.
Gweedore started better in the second half when they scored to narrow the difference. Strand scored another goal through Shavell to make it 3-1.
Strand extended their lead further when they converted from the spot after a foul in the Gweedore penalty area.
The last goal of the match saw Matthew O’Donnell’s free-kick find Shavell who headed home to complete his hat-trick on his Strand debut.
Area 4
Ballybofey United Reserves 1 Kildrum Tigers Reserves 2
Kildrum Tigers Reserves returned to St. Johnston with all three points from this season’s opener against Ballybofey United Reserves at Dreenan on Saturday afternoon.
The Station Road men had plenty of experience in their ranks, unlike their hosts who this year are going mainly with a youth set-up.
Kildrum took the lead through Michael Devine midway through the first half. Ten minutes later Colin Kearns equalised for Ballybofey.
Devine got his and Kildrum’s second just before the interval. The second half was and evenly balanced affair with neither side able to find the net. Devine’s double strike was enough to secure the points on this occasion but the young Ballybofey outfit should be proud of their performance.
Cappry Rovers Reserves 2 Oldtown Celtic 3
Oldtown started the game well and put the youthful Cappry side under pressure. Oldtown were unlucky not to take the lead, foiled by a few saves for Dylan Doherty in the Cappry nets. Cappry came into the game as the half wore on and it was an even contest up to half-time. Oldtown took the lead early in the second-half with a fine finish from Tommy Mc Laughlin.
Joe McCarron made it 2-0 a few minutes later when he scored with a free-kick from 20 yards. Cappry didn’t give up and got back into the game when Luke Mc Glynn found the top corner with a free-kick. Both teams were pushing for more goals in what was an open and entertaining second-half.
Luke Nelis made it 3-1 and looked to have made the last 15 minutes comfortable for Oldtown. Cappry kept pushing and got one back through Daniel Marley who capitalised on a mistake in the Oldtown defence. Cappry pressed for an equaliser but Oldtown withstood the late pressure from the home side.
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 2 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 5
Castlefin and Drumoghill began their Voodoo Venue Cup campaigns on Saturday and they served up a seven goal thriller.
Castlefin took the lead in the 10th minute when Reece Gallagher headed home a Jordan Mc Kinney free from the right.
Drumoghill responded and equalised when Gareth Temple squared to Shay Mc Daid who tapped into the net in the 30th minute. Drumoghill began the second half the brighter and were rewarded when Mc Daid pounced after a goalmouth scramble.
The hosts responded in the 70th minute when Quintin Quinn slotted home a rebound after a Gallagher shot was saved. Gareth Temple then broke through the home defence to give the visitors the lead 5 minutes later.
McDaid completed his hat-trick in the 77th minute. McDaid and Temple linked up again with the latter firing home in the dying minutes to seal an away win.
