FOUR -GOAL REECE LAIRD was the hero for Kildrum Tigers in their their Ulster Junior Cup win at Cavan Rovers.
Kildrum (pictured above) opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Damian Crossan finished off a great piece of play from the Tigers. Cavan scored a few minutes later thanks to a mix-up in the Kildrum defence. Kildrum dominated the remainder of the game with Laird banging in four goals afterwards.
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic 1-0 Gweedore Celtic
Kilmacrennan Celtic secured their first league win on Sunday when they defeated Gweedore Celtic in a game that was switched to Gweedore.
There was some good football being played with Kilmacrennan the stronger side in the first half. They had numerous chances but weren’t rewarded until the 42nd minute where Christy Connaghan converted with the help of Gavin Gorman and Michael McLaughlin.
Gweedore had a few good chances also but Kilmacrennan’s Gavin Gorman and Ryan Shields held strong at the back to deny them their equaliser. Gweedore came out fighting and dominated for the first 20 minutes of the second half, creating some good chances, but Kilmacrennan were hungry for a win. Kilmacrennan were awarded a penalty on the 76th minute.
It was taken by Christy Connaghan but Gweedore’s keeper pulled off a great save to deny them the chance to double their lead. The last 15 minutes were intense, it was looking like Gweedore were going to get their equaliser, but a few vital saves from Jason Hegarty ensured Kilmacrennan came away with all three points.
Best for Kilmacrennan were Caolan Kelly, Gavin Gorman and Ryan Shields. Best for Gweedore : A team effort.
Rathmullan Celtic 3-3 St Catherine’s
Dara Patton’s in-form side welcomed Premier League Champions St Catherine’s to a blustery Flagpole for what was an entertaining clash with both sides taking a share of the spoils in a 3-3 draw.
The Hoops got off to the perfect start with winger Ryan Connolly scoring with a glancing header from a Chris Doran cross after 10 minutes, but the reigning champions dug deep and were level after the quarter hour mark with their sharp shooter Rose volleying in from 20 yards out past Hoops’ keeper Mark Gallagher.
As the game approached half time the Saints hit a sucker punch to the Seasiders when their left midfielder Daniel Breslin volleyed into the roof of the net from outside the area, following a corner, to give the visitors that all important lead going into the interval. The second half saw the tempo lifted by Patton’s Hoops who dominated the possession and attacks with Ryan Gildea going close, after a solo run, and shooting just wide on 50 minutes.
A defensive mix-up gifted St. Catherine’s an opportunity allowing Rose straight through one-on-one with Hoops keeper Gallagher on the hour mark.
Rose’s strike was blocked by Gallagher with the breaking ball falling to Barry Cannon who had an open net to stroke the ball into and give the visitors a two goal advantage. Patton rang the changes with Eamonn Sheridan making an immediate impact. He led the line well and linked the play as Rathmullan fought to get something from the game.
A brace from Shea Coyle in the closing minutes did just that. Best for Rathmullan were Niall Caruthers, Eamon Sheridan and Shea Coyle. Best for St. Catherines was Rose.
Glenea United A-A Castlefin Celtic
This game was abandoned with the visitors leading by three goals to one.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Lifford Celtic 0-3 Donegal Town
Played in wintery conditions Lifford welcomed Donegal Town to Greenbrae in search of a much needed three points, but it wasn’t to be.
During the first half Donegal created the better goal scoring opportunities as Lifford dominated possession. Donegal got their opener following a goal mouth scramble on 20 minutes.
The second half was much the same as the first with Lifford keeping the ball for long spells but rarely threatening, Donegal capitalised on this and doubled their advantage on the hour mark. Donegal put a gloss on their performance and the result when they converted a late penalty.
Lagan Harps P-P Kerrykeel ’71 FC
(Match Postponed due to unplayable pitches)
Convoy Arsenal 4-4 Bonagee United
Convoy made in four wins in a row with a comfortable home win against Bonagee.
On a cold frosty day it was the away side who made the better start to the game and were well on top for the first ten minutes but never created any dangerous chances.
Convoy slowly came into the game and got on top of things in midfield and started to create chances through Robb, Brolly and Harvey.
The pressure paid off when the Bonagee keeper couldn’t hold on to a ball put into box by Elliott and Brolly was first to react to it and was brought down by the keeper. Up stepped Robb to put the home side one up from the spot.
The opening ten minutes of the second half saw both teams score. Convoy doubled their lead to 2-0 when Harvey slotted the ball under the Bonagee keeper. Bonagee responded by making a few changes and sending there danger man Mc Monagle up front. Immediately he pressed hard and won a corner.
From the resulting corner Temple managed to poke the ball into the roof of the net amongst all the bodies in the box.
With Bonagee confidence lifted they tried hard to break down the Convoy defence but with no luck. Convoy almost got their third from a speculative volley from Guthrie from twenty yards out only for the Keeper to tip it over the bar for a corner.
From the resulting corner Convoy got a deserved third through Robb who was on hand to poke the ball into the net in the crowded box. Convoy created chances still through Bogle, Patterson and Guthrie.
The result was finally put to bed in the eighty fifth minute when Gary Brolly beat the keeper from the edge of the box. One has to give credit to both teams, both teams played well in such poor conditions for a football match.
Raphoe Town 7-0 Cranford United
Raphoe welcomed Cranford to a bitterly cold Deele College Grounds on what was the last game for the home side before the Christmas break.
Raphoe started this game well and were a goal up inside the first 10 minutes when David Craig scored with a great header from a Christy Bogle corner. The pressure was kept on Cranford and Raphoe hit a second with a superb finish from Seamus Bogle.
Cranford had a few half chances after this and forced Roy Duffy into a couple of fine saves in the Raphoe goal. Then on the half hour Craig got his second after a great move involving Frankie Mc Brearty and Jamie Gallagher. the third came just before half time when Oliver Quinn finished with ease.
The second half was more of the same as the home side kept up the pressure and David Craig completed the hat-trick his performance deserved with a fine finish after good work by Jamie Gallagher. Then goal machine Seamus Bogle got his second after very unselfish play by the excellent Frank McBrearty.
Young sub Keelan Kelly finished the scoring when he got on the end of a Stephen Laird corner. A team effort from and under strength Cranford and a fine team performance from the home side.
CT Ball Division Two
Curragh Athletic 2-0 Ballybofey United
A goal in each half secured the three points from this match for Curragh Athletic. Ballybofey will have had little else on their mind during their short journey home other than how they were returning to the Twin Towns with nothing to show for their endeavours.
Countless missed chances was their main source of despair but some great goalkeeping from Jason Woods also added to their woes. Curragh will be glad of the three points as the League enters the Christmas break.
Deele Harps P-P Dunkineely Celtic
(Match Postponed due to unpayable pitches)
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