HERE’S THIS WEEKEND’S reports from the Saturday Divisions of the Donegal League.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Arranmore United 0 Glencar Celtic 0
Arranmore welcomed Glencar to the Island for what is always a tight match and so it proved again.
[adrotate group=”85″]The home side started, determined to stop the negative results that have materialised over the last number of weeks, and settled into the game well with Gary Heaney doing well to force his way in on goal only for his shot to be saved by Dominic Friel the visiting keeper. Glencar came close through Conor Gibbons and Paddy Collins but they couldn’t beat Johnny Greene in the home goals.
Glencar were awarded a penalty when Keeper Greene was penalised for a foul on Paddy O’ Kane but credit where credit is due the home keeper regained his composure to make a brilliant save from Conor Gibbons. The second half started at a blistering pace with both side’s defences on top. Greene again in the home goals did brilliantly with a double save from Garvan Grieve. Gary Heaney and Chris Mc Glanaghey nearly got on the end of through balls for the Islanders but Friel did well on both occasions.
Arranmore looked like they had scored with ten minutes remaining as Michael McHugh side footed a Declan Proctor free kick towards goal but Dominic Friel’s outstretched leg managed to prevent the ball from crossing the line. Glencar had the chance to win the game late on when they were awarded a penalty for a hand ball. Up stepped Eddie Mc Laughlin but Johnny Greene wasn’t to be denied a clean sheet as he dived right to make the save. Glencar had the better of the final five minutes but excellent defending and goalkeeping saw the score remain 0-0.
Saturday Reserve Division
Cappry Rovers Reserves 4 St. Catherines Reserves 0
The visitors to Cappry Park made a strong start, putting pressure on the home team.
It didn’t take long for Cappry to turn things around. St. Catherine’s had a penalty claim turned down as both teams created chances. Cappry had the majority of possession in the first half but we’re just unable to capitalise from their efforts leaving the game scoreless at half-time.
St. Catherine’s came out battling in the secnd half, putting the Cappry defence under pressure. They were denied by a couple of fine saves from Paddy Friel in goals. The play went from end to end with both teams trying to break the deadlock. A fine strike from midfielder Shane Laverty in the 68th minute put the home team ahead.
Three minutes later Cappry added to their tally when Shane O’Donnell headed home their second goal. It didn’t stop there, the St. Catherine’s keeper stopped a shot from Colm Melaugh but it came back out to Conor Laverty who buried into the back of the net from outside the box.
St. Catherine’s didn’t give up the fight and they kept pressurising the Cappry defence however fine performances from Conor Scanlon and Darren Bonner held the defence intact. Things got worse for the visitors when a ball played to Kyle O’Meara on the left wing led to him swinging a superb cross into the box for Gerard Melaugh to finish in style.
Keadue Rovers Reserves 4 Milford United Reserves 1
Keadue Reserves had their first victory of the season in the league with this comprehensive win over Milford at Central Park on Saturday.
In wet conditions throughout it was Milford who had the better opening and they were unlucky with a chipped effort after ten minutes. Keadue’s first attack of the game came in the thirteenth minute when James Boyle had an effort just wide. The home team were getting well on top by the twentieth minute with Boyle again having his close range effort saved by the Milford keeper.
[adrotate group=”86″]Daniel Bonner then had an effort saved from a header. As the game approached half time Keadue were still dominating and a few chances came to Ryan Greene. In the thirty ninth minute Keadue took a deserved lead when, following a good move, James Boyle’s through ball was met by Ryan Greene who wrong footed the defender and finished low to the net.
Early in the second half Boyle and Greene again combined well with Ryan Greene hitting the post. They went two up just after the hour when a ball played back into the Milford defence left the keeper exposed and Ryan Greene took the ball round him into the net. As conditions dampened the game became a bit scrappier and Milford came back into it forcing a few free kicks. Keadue then went three up with a Ryan Greene penalty.
Milford did pull one back in the eighty first minute when Ryan Campbell finished off a good move down the left. Two minutes later they could’ve got a second with the ball going just wide of the far post. Keadue wrapped it up in the last minute of play from a breakaway.
James Boyle picked up the ball and held off a defender to hit a fine finish high into the net to give Keadue the three points. Best for Milford was Ryan Campbell while best for Keadue were Ryan Greene, James Boyle and Michael Greene.
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Donegal Town Reserves 2 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 2
Donegal started brightly and shaded the early exchanges in a tightly fought game.
They opened the scoring when Ben Sweeney used his pace to latch onto Gary Harron’s through ball to put the Town ahead. Shortly after half time Gary Ward reacted quickest to a quick throw and crossed to the back stick for Ciaran Monaghan to double the lead.
Donegal looked comfortable at this stage but the game turned on 75 minutes when Drumoghill pulled one back. A long ball over the top which Donegal failed to clear was neatly converted by Ross Hamlyn. Mark Gibson had his team level shortly after when he headed home a well delivered free kick. Both teams had chances late on but it finished honours even.
[adrotate group=”37″]Glenea United Reserves 5 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 0
Glenea reserves continued their good form at home with a victory over Kilmacrennan.
The home side started well with Aodhan Ferry and Edward Muldowney forcing good saves from the visiting keeper. Glenea eventually took the lead on 25 minutes when the Kilmacrennan defence hesitated and Aodhan Ferry reacted quickest to drive the ball home from 10 yards.
Glenea almost extended their lead on 28 minutes when some quick passing released Eamonn McHugh down the left and his cross was headed against the bar by Jason Mc Gee. Glenea got their 2nd goal on 35 minutes when Aodhan Ferry was fouled in the box. Jason McGee converted the resultant penalty.
In the second half the home side continued to press and went close to extending their lead with efforts from Ciaran McFadden and Michael Mc Clafferty. As the second half progressed Kilmacrennan came more into the game and almost pulled a goal back on 65 minutes when Eddie Doherty’s close range effort was well saved by Ciaran Gallagher.
Glenea extended their lead on 75 minutes when good interplay between Chris Cannon and Ciaran McFadden released Martin Ferry and he fired home from 20 yards. Glenea completed the scoring late on when firstly, Ciaran McFadden directed Martin Ferry’s effort into net from close range and then on fulltime, Tommy Rodgers broke down the left and his cross was drilled home by Aodhan Ferry from the edge of the box. Best for Glenea were Tommy Rodgers, Eamonn McHugh & Aodhan Ferry while Darren Toland was best for Kilmacrennan.
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