The following are the reports, results and fixtures from a busy weekend in the Donegal League.
Brian mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Fanad United 0 v 3 Rathmullan Celtic
Newly crowned Donegal League Premier Division Champions Fanad United welcomed Rathmullan Celtic to Traigh-a-Loch on Wednesday evening and it was the visitors who took the three points home. Rathmullan pushed from the start and were unlucky not to take the lead after 5 minutes. David Edwards made a good run down the right and when he found Mark Mc Ateer, he shot just wide. On 20 minutes Charlie Mc Ateer had 2 chances in a matter of seconds to give Rathmullan the lead but twice he was denied my fine saves from Fanad keeper Mark Mc Conigley. Just a minute later Rathmullan’s pressure was rewarded when Mark Mc Ateer found Oisin Mc Menamin and he fired low into the corner. Fanad started to come into it after that and on the half hour mark Keelin Mc Elwaine did well to find Paddy Carr but his shot produced an excellent save from Rathmullan keeper Shaun Gallagher. In the first minute of the second half, Mark Mc Ateer forced Mark Mc Conigley into another fine save. On 50 minutes Rathmullan scored their second. Following a scramble in the box, Fanad defender James Gallagher was adjudged to have handled the ball and a penalty was awarded and Mark Mc Ateer made no mistake from the spot. They made the points safe with 15 minutes to go when Mark Mc Ateer set up Charlie Mc Ateer to score from 6 yards. Referee: Mick Lagan
Saturday 13th 2024
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Arranmore United 3 v 0 Glencar Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Fintown Harps AFC 3 v 0 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Keadue Rovers Reserves 3 v 0 Cappry Rovers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 1 v 1 Donegal Town Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
St. Catherines Reserves 0 v 2 Oldtown Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Strand Rovers 2 v 1 Glenea United Reserves
The weather in Strand Park played a big factor making it hard to play any type of football and that was evident in the first half as it took both teams quite a while to adapt. Glenea played the better football in the first few minutes but failed to make any inroads and failed to hit the target and trouble James Mc Eniff in the Strand net. Strand got a grip of the game mid-way through the half and looked the more dangerous and had the better of the chances but the Glenea keeper pulled off some good saves to keep it level heading in at half time. The second half started and Strand were finding it hard to get out of their own half and it was Glenea who hit the front just 10 minutes in when the ball was pin balling about the Strand area and fell to PJ Duggan and he finished it into the back of the net. Strand pushed hard for an equaliser and their efforts were rewarded when a cross from Dylan Boyle found Shane in the box and his shot was saved by the keeper but fell to Brendan Glackin and his shot went high into the net making the score 1-1. Strand pushed on for the winner and 10 minutes later they had the ball in the middle of the field with Darragh Hanlon and he played a delightful outside of the boot pass in to Dylan Boyle and he dribbled it into the box and finished it into the back of the net through the keeper’s legs.
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Ballybofey United Reserves 1 v 1 Ramelton Mariners
Ramelton Mariners left it very late but they eventually got the point they needed to clinch the Saturday Division Two League Title at Dreenan on Saturday afternoon. Ballybofey were the better of the two sides on show and deservedly took the lead through Kieran Thompson who added another goal to his season’s impressive tally. Indeed, they were unlucky not to go further ahead on several occasions however it wasn’t to be. Mariners for their part seemed to be suffering from stage-fright will their champagne on ice but the job not quite finished. Their cause wasn’t helped by a resolute Ballybofey defence who were well backed by Daniel Crawford who produced several top drawer saves during the match. With the final whistle looming a goal-mouth scramble ensued and amid the foray the Mariners got a decisive touch to notch the goal they needed and it signalled party-time by the banks of the Lennon. Congratulations to Ramelton Mariners, well done to Ballybofey United Reserves who were, despite losing that late goal, the better of the two sides on the day. It is over the season that matters in Leagues and Ramelton deserved their crown for a consistent run of results. League Administrator Jimmy Haughey was present to present the Cup to a jubilant Mariners outfit.
Copany Rovers 2 v 3 Gweedore Celtic Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Cranford United Reserves 2 v 4 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Drumbar United 5 v 0 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Dunlewey Celtic 2 v 2 Swilly Rovers Reserves
Dunlewey started the game well and pushed for an early opener but in the conditions, it proved difficult to find that final pass to open up the opposing defence. Nothing of note occurred until 20 minutes in when Chris Cannon scrambled the ball home in the 6-yard box to put Dunlewey ahead. The hosts pushed on for a second and created another couple of half chances and went 2 up on 35 minutes when Darren Gallagher broke through the defence and finished well into the bottom corner. 2-0 to the hosts at half time.
Swilly started the second half well and started to put the pressure on the Dunlewey backline and began creating chances with Marty Mc Daid proving a handful for Dunlewey, picking the ball up in space. Christopher Barrett was unlucky when he struck the post with a fine effort for Dunlewey. The hosts had another few chances but Swilly’s keeper stopped them well. Swilly won a free kick for on the edge of the Dunlewey box on 64 minutes and Ryan Mc Daid stepped up and curled the ball inside the far post with a fine effort. Swilly continued their pressure to get back onto level terms and their perseverance paid off when Marty Mc Daid scored with a header into the top corner from a set piece on 77 minutes. Both sides pushed for a winner late on but to no avail. Referee: Con McLaughlin
Sunday 14th April 2024
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Castlefin Celtic 1 v 0 St. Catherines
Castlefin finally secured a league victory after a hard-fought win over St. Catherines. In a game of very few clear-cut chances, Castlefin had a few long-range attempts from Corrie-lee Bogan, Ronan Tourish and Rabeh. Castlefin finally broke the deadlock just before half time when Dan Foy headed home an Emmett White corner. The second half followed the same pattern with very few chances created and the hosts held on for the victory
Gweedore Celtic 2 v 0 Milford United
The home team managed to get by fellow relegation strugglers, Milford United, at An Screabán with two second half goals and will now face a play off in a few week’s time to see if they can maintain their Premier status for next season. Na Ceiltigh put Milford under pressure from the start and could have been ahead on five minutes when Martin Coyle just failed to get on the end of Aidan Breathnach’s cross. Gweedore were dominating possession but the Milford defence restricted them to long range efforts and veteran goalkeeper, Caolán Mc Gettigan, dealt with crosses and corners that posed any threats to Milford. The first goal was going to prove crucial for either side and it was the home side who struck after ten minutes to eventually break Milford’s resistance. Ciaran Mc Hugh sent Martin Coyle free on the left and his cross was volleyed to the net by Jamie Doherty from the corner of the box for a well taken goal. Gweedore Celtic went in search of a second and had opportunities through Crónán Mc Fadden, Aidan Breathnach, and Martin Coyle but they failed to extend their lead. Sensing a chance of an equaliser Milford threw players forward and almost snatched it when a free kick from the left was missed at the back post by Killian Mc Bride. With time almost up Gweedore secured the points when Coyle’s reverse pass set up Ciaran Mc Hugh to squeezed the ball past Mc Gettigan at the far post. The win sees them leap frog Milford into the play-off position. Referee: Mick Lagan
Kildrum Tigers A v A Fanad United
(No Report, Match Abandoned)
Rathmullan Celtic 0 v 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Swilly Rovers 2 v 2 Keadue Rovers
Swilly Rovers and Keadue Rovers shared the spoils in this battle. Chris Greene’s attempt was thwarted by Barry Gallagher in the Swilly goal at 21 minutes. Swilly took the lead at 31 minutes when Brad Patterson’s pass found Laurence Toland who stylishly fired home. Keadue equalised at 47 minutes with Aiden Brennan’s close-range shot. Chris Greene put the visitors ahead at 56 minutes from the spot, but Matthew Mc Laughlin levelled for Swilly at 70 minutes from a penalty. Keadue pressed hard in the final 20 minutes with the wind advantage but Barry Gallagher’s excellent goalkeeping denied them thrice. Keadue couldn’t find a winner and the match ended in a draw.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Cranford United 2 v 2 Bonagee United
The points were shared on a windy day in Cranford Park. Bonagee had a lot of the ball but were frustrated by the Cranford game plan that was successful throughout. Cranford took the lead after 20 minutes when Paddy Sheils was released and beat his man and finished well. Bonagee responded quickly and went 2-1 up in the space of 5 minutes. The second half was the same with Bonagee having a lot of the ball but couldn’t get the goal to put them 2 clear and were punished when Cathair Sweeney crossed in to Paddy Mc Geever who headed home. Jason Hegarty pulled off some great saves at the end to ensure the points were shared.
Letterkenny Rovers 3 v 1 Donegal Town
In a thrilling encounter at Leckview, Letterkenny Rovers secured the league title with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Donegal Town. Despite an evenly matched first half, Rovers showcased their dominance in the second half, scoring the necessary goals to seal their triumph. The game began with both sides struggling to gain control. Donegal Town threatened early on, with Ronan Mc Hugh’s effort from a throw-in causing some nervous moments in the Rovers’ defence. However, Blake Forkan stood tall to deny the visitors. Donegal Town took the lead in the 9th minute through a stunning free-kick from Oisin Gorrell, but Rovers responded swiftly, with Caolan Mc Connell levelling the score just a minute later, courtesy of a Gareth Doherty cross. The first half continued with both teams creating chances but failing to capitalise. As the second half unfolded, Rovers began to assert their dominance but had to weather a stormy spell as Donegal applied pressure. In the 68th minute, Lee Mc Monagle put Rovers ahead with a composed finish, sparking jubilant celebrations among the home supporters. Just five minutes later, Joel Gorman extended their lead with a superbly drilled free-kick from the edge of the box. Despite several further chances from Donegal Town, Rovers held firm to secure the victory and the league title. The final whistle confirmed Letterkenny Rovers as deserving champions, capping off a remarkable season with a well-deserved victory and 2 games in hand.
Results Week 31
Wednesday 10th April 2024
Brian mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Fanad United 0 v 3 Rathmullan Celtic
Saturday 13th 2024
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Arranmore United 3 v 0 Glencar Celtic
Fintown Harps AFC 3 v 0 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
Keadue Rovers Reserves 3 v 0 Cappry Rovers Reserves
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 1 v 1 Donegal Town Reserves
St. Catherines Reserves 0 v 2 Oldtown Celtic
Strand Rovers 2 v 1 Glenea United Reserves
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Ballybofey United Reserves 1 v 1 Ramelton Mariners
Copany Rovers 2 v 3 Gweedore Celtic Reserves
Cranford United Reserves 2 v 4 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Drumbar United 5 v 0 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
Dunlewey Celtic 2 v 2 Swilly Rovers Reserves
Sunday 14th April 2024
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Castlefin Celtic 1 v 0 St. Catherines
Gweedore Celtic 2 v 0 Milford United
Kildrum Tigers A v A Fanad United
Rathmullan Celtic 0 v 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Swilly Rovers 2 v 2 Keadue Rovers
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Cranford United 2 v 2 Bonagee United
Letterkenny Rovers 3 v 1 Donegal Town
Fixtures Week 32
Wednesday 17th April 2024
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore United v Letterkenny Rovers (K.O. 6.30p.m.)
Lagan Harps v Donegal Town (K.O. 7.30p.m.)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Glencar Celtic v Keadue Rovers Reserves (K.O. 7.30p.m.)
Friday 19th April 2024
Brian Mc Cormick Cup – Gweedore Area
Kilmacrennan Celtic v Keadue Rovers (K.O. 8.15p.m.)
Saturday 20th 2024 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Glencar Celtic v Arranmore United
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Milford United Reserves v Drumbar United
Sunday 21st April 2024 K.O. 1 p.m. (Unless Stated)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Bonagee United v Letterbarrow Celtic
Cappry Rovers v Letterkenny Rovers
Donegal Town v Convoy Arsenal
Glenea United v Gweedore United
Lagan Harps v Cranford United
Brian Mc Cormick Cup – Letterkenny Area
Swilly Rovers v Milford United
Donegal League: All the reports, results and fixtures was last modified: April 15th, 2024 by