Here are all of the results and match reports from this weekend’s Donegal League footballing action.
Saturday 17th February 2024
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Cappry Rovers Reserves 3 v 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Kilmacrennan got off to a dream start in this game when they scored early through Eoghan Quinn who finished well. The first half was a scrappy affair with both teams cancelling each other out. The hosts started the second half well and pressed to get their goal back and got their reward when Jack Burke Mc Bride finished off a very good Cappry move. Cappry kept pressing and got another a few minutes later when Ryan Mc Gee scored from a tight angle. Kilmacrennan came close on a few occasions to get level but didn’t manage to convert. Cappry wrapped up the points when Callum Long scored to make it 3-1. Two team performances.
Donegal Town Reserves 3 v 1 St. Catherines Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Fintown Harps AFC 2 v 2 Arranmore United
In wet and windy conditions at Páirc Acla Arranmore started the game on the front foot and took the lead as early as the 6th minute, playing a through ball to Alan Stevenson who scored. Fintown almost equalised through Michael Doherty. Arranmore pushed hard and went 2-0 up when Paul Early pounced to beat Karl O’Brien in the Fintown net. It was a hammer blow to Fintown on their own patch, being 2-0 down with only 15 minutes played. Harps pressed and pulled a goal back from the penalty spot through Keelan Mc Monagle. Both teams had chances after that with Paul Early pulling off some great saves for the away team. The second half was all Fintown and they got the equaliser on 50 minutes with Peter Mc Glynn getting his first senior goal. That was the end of the goals and it ended at 2-2. Team performances from both teams. Referee: Seamus Mc Grory
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Drumbar United 1 v 2 Gweedore Celtic Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 3 v 3 Cranford United Reserves
Christy Smith opened the scoring for Drumoghill on 20 minutes with Cranford equalising straight away to leave it level at the break. Drumoghill came out with more spirit in the 2nd half and took the lead through Paddy Kelly with a fine low strike. Cranford were then gifted two goals, one of which was a penalty, to leave it at 3-2 to visitors. Eunan Kelly scored a fine header to level the score on 90 minutes. 3-3 a fair result given both teams could have won it at the death with good chances spurned.
Dunlewey Celtic 0 v 1 Milford united Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Swilly Rovers Reserves 5 v 2 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Swilly opened the scoring on 8 minutes when Ryan Moore found the back of the net from close range.
Moore doubled his tally for the day 2 minutes later after receiving the ball at the edge of the box, turning and finishing into the bottom left. It was 3 on 13 minutes when William Buchannan received the ball from wide and his first effort was well saved by the Castlefin keeper, but Buchannan was sharpest to the ball again and finished with the outside of his boot. Castlefin created a few good chances but the Swilly defence was able to deal with the pressure that was being put on them. Leon Boyce made it 4 in the 41st minute. Late in the first half Castlefin were reduced to 10 men after a foul on Boyce. Halftime Swilly 4 – 0 Castlefin. The 10 men of Castlefin started the second half sharper and in the 54th minute a long ball found the feet of the Castlefin striker who calmly finished. Castlefin brought it back to 4-2 in the 84th minute after the Swilly keeper’s save rebounded to the Castlefin attacker and he scored. Daniel Mc Ateer wrapped up the scoring on the 87th minute after some quick play from the Swilly team and a neat finish from the striker. The game saw 4 of the Mc Daid family take the field with Marty, Ryan, Darragh and Calvagh all taking part. Referee: Marty Mc Garrigle.
Finn Travel Saturday Division Three
Fanad United Reserves 2 v 4 Bonagee United Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Lagan Harps Reserves 1 v 7 Erne Wanderers
Erne proved too experienced and too strong for a young Lagan side at the Aura. They took an early lead when an inswinging corner came off a Lagan defender’s head and finished in the far corner. Lagan played some good football through the middle but found it difficult to threaten a solid Erne defence. Caolan Crossan had a shot well saved by Peter Boyle after a good move. Ciaran Quinn also went close with a free. Lagan were struggling to deal with Erne’s electric front two of Adam Mc Glone and Jakub Naperski. Mc Glone made it 2-0 when he got in round the back and finished from a narrow angle. He was denied a second when Kai Brown got down well to save his penalty when Naperski was fouled. They weren’t to be stopped with Naperski powering through twice to score before half-time. Lagan defended better at the start of the second-half but were struggling to trouble the Erne defence Jakub Naperski added two more with Lagan restricted to a few long-range efforts from Noel O’Donnell. Conur Crossan battled his way through to pull one back for Lagan in the final minutes. Erne had the final say though with Niall Murray scoring in the final minute.
Letterkenny Rovers Reserves 12 v 1 Drumkeen United Reserves
Letterkenny Rovers dominated Drumkeen United in a commanding 12-1 victory at home. With a full bench, Rovers maintained relentless pressure, overwhelming Drumkeen from the start. Despite Drumkeen’s valiant effort with just 11 players, Rovers’ attacking prowess prevailed. Early goals by Danny Hall and Jonnie Robb set the tone for Rovers’ dominance. Drumkeen managed to pull one back, but Rovers’ continued pressure led to a flurry of goals in the second half. Despite Drumkeen’s goalkeeper making impressive saves, Rovers’ clinical finishing secured a convincing win.
Voodoo Venue Cup
Copany Rovers 0 v 3 Ballybofey United Reserves
(No Report Available)
Ulster Junior Shield
Keadue Rovers Reserves 4 v 2 Aileach F.C.
Keadue Reserves are through to the semi-finals of the Ulster Junior Shield after this good win over Aileach in tricky conditions on Saturday at Central Park. Despite the damp and the swirling breeze, both teams tried to play football and it was played at a good, intense pace throughout. The home team were first to get to grips and pushed Aileach back for the first five minutes, without creating anything in the way of chances. The visitors then enjoyed a good few minutes of probing with lively full back Emmet Mc Carron doing well on the right wing. Keadue had a lively wing back of their own with Aaron Neely showing really well. Keadue took the lead on thirteen minutes when a free kick from Oran Fallon was well worked into the path of Aidan McHugh who turned, shrugged off a defender, and fired high to the roof of the net for 1-0. Aileach came straight back into it and missed two good chances within a number of minutes. They deservedly equalised on nineteen minutes when Josh Boyle struck well from 10 yards. It was all go at this stage and Keadue retook the lead on twenty-one minutes, when, from an Oran Fallon corner, Jack Ward rose highest at the near post to head in for 2-1. The home side were moving the ball about nicely now and were on top but Aileach again came close on thirty-two minutes when an inviting ball into the box by Kevin Boyle evaded the strikers. Keadue consolidated their strong position on forty-five minutes when another corner from Oran Fallon was met by Aidan Mc Hugh with a near post header, a carbon copy of their second goal to make it 3-1 for half time. Early in the second half the home team seemed to be in control, knocking it around against a stiff breeze but on fifty-five minutes, Aileach were nearly back into it only for a fine save by Aaron Mc Cafferty at point blank range. However, it wasn’t long before Aileach reduced the deficit when, from a long range free kick, it bounced awkwardly over the defence and keeper. Despite the closeness of the scoreline, Keadue seemed to weather the storm, with a few substitutions giving them extra energy up front but all the while the visitors were still dangerous and it wasn’t until injury time that the game was sealed when Pauric Neely was on the end of a good passing move before taking aim and lashing home off the post for 4-2. That was the end of the action on what was overall an entertaining game and for this young Keadue side.
Oldtown Celtic 4 v 1 Greencastle F.C.
Oldtown started quick and took the lead when Drew Connolly fired home after 5 minutes. Greencastle began to come into the game and equalised when Evan Davenport capitalised on a miskick at the back to fire them level. Greencastle almost took the lead immediately but Oldtown Keeper Michael Gibson produced a fine save. Oldtown regained the lead when Tommy Mc Laughlin lobbed the keeper after being put through by Moe Friel. Connolly added his second and Oldtown’s third when flicking home a Kevin Mc Grath shot. 3 – 1 at the break. The second half was at a fast-flowing pace but most shots were from distance. Gibson again produced another fine save from a header before Kevin Mc Grath added the final goal of the game with a neat finish from inside the box. Greencastle pushed to get back into the game but were unable to break down the Oldtown defence. Referee: Stephen Laird
Sunday 18th February 2024
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Lagan Harps 2 v 2 Gweedore United
Lagan had to dig deep to survive a Gweedore onslaught to pick up a valuable point. Gweedore pressed from the start with Lagan restricted to the odd break. Gweedore took the lead when Stephen Mc Fadden sent a rocket of a free to the net from wide at the edge of the area. Lagan survived some near things before equalising on thirty-two minutes. Jordan Gallagher hooked over a cross which Dylan Doogan headed in on the line. Lagan then took the lead when Philip Doran seized on hesitation in the Gweedore defence to just beat the keeper to the ball and poke home. Gweedore were fired up at the start of the second half, forcing several corners. Stephen Mc Fadden clipped the bar with a free before they equalised on sixty minutes. Ethan Harkin converting a penalty for a foul. Mark Mc Fadden hit the bar with a great curling effort but Lagan held on for the point. Referee: Paddy Martin.
Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two
Ballybofey United 3 v 0 Deele Harps
Ballybofey continue their unbeaten run and took another step towards clinching the Division Two Title. The victory leaves United six points clear of Lifford Celtic who won convincingly in Raphoe. That means a point at home to Lifford next Sunday will secure the Division Two Title. United started the game on the front foot and within 16 minutes they found themselves 2-0 up. Firstly, Barrie McGhee and Daithí Mc Mahon combined to set up the ever-reliable Damien Glackin to put Ballybofey one up inside 10 minutes. Their 2nd came from a Bobby Hennigan free-kick from inside his own half. He lofted the ball into the box and Gary Dunnion rose highest to head the ball into the top corner of the net. Half Time 2-0. Ballybofey started the 2nd half strong and got their 3rd of the game on 47 minutes when Chris Patton’s goal kick beat the Deele defence to find the feet of Glackin who took the ball around the keeper to score his 2nd of the day and his 17th of the season.
Drumkeen United 1 v 1 Curragh Athletic
Curragh Athletic were the visitors to St Patrick’s Park on Sunday afternoon for this Donegal Physiotherapy Division Two game. The opening half-hour was pretty uneventful with goal scoring chances at a Premium. Drumkeen had dominated that half hour in terms of possession but their only efforts of note were firstly a great strike from Dara Patton which forced a great save from Curragh Goalkeeper Jason woods and then a Gavin Sweeney effort which went well wide. Curragh gradually worked their way into the game and Drumkeen keeper Mc Cauley had to be out quickly to dive at the feet of a Curragh attacker to deny him a goal scoring opportunity. Despite their Domination of the first half the home team found themselves behind at the break after a long-range effort from Yahse Ahmed deceived keeper Mc Cauley and ended up in the Drumkeen net after 35 minutes. Drumkeen started the second half with a bit more urgency as they went in search of an equaliser but were still struggling to trouble the Curragh keeper. Benny Bonner put a free kick over the bar and a little later Drumkeen attacker Freddie couldn’t quite get on the end of a great cross from young Dabhan Doherty. Gavin Sweeney headed over the bar from a Benny Bonner corner. Jack Patton came on as a substitute and it could have been some introduction as he nearly scored with his first touch but he saw his effort go narrowly wide of the post. Benny Bonner had moved up front for the last third of the game and it was he who got the equaliser as he ran into the box and showed all his quality and experience as he finished well into the bottom left hand corner. Drumkeen went in search of a winner but the Curragh defence held firm as they had largely done throughout the game The winning goal proved to be elusive for Drumkeen as time ran out and Referee Barry Hunter blew the Final Whistle to end yet another close affair between these two teams.
Dunkineely Celtic 2 v 3 Whitestrand United
The fixture was played in almost ideal conditions at Darney Park, Bruckless, Whitestrand started the brighter and forced a fine save from Jamie Kelly in the Dunkineely goal after just 3 minutes. They continued to pile the pressure on the home team and were rewarded with the opening goal from a fine strike from James Tourish after 7 minutes. Whitestrand were not content with a one goal lead and went in search of a second only to be denied again by Jamie Kelly after 14 minutes. Dunkineely came into the game and there were chances at both ends but it was Whitestrand who doubled their lead after 35 minutes with another fine strike from the boot of Cormac Dunleavey and five minutes later Cormac struck again to give the visitors a three-goal lead at half-time. Dunkineely started the 2nd half brightly and were rewarded for their efforts after 3 minutes when Pauric Cunningham was taken down in the box, Adrian Nesbitt stepped up to take the penalty but his effort was parried by the Whitestrand keeper however, Nesbitt showed his years of experience and pounced on the rebound and smashed it into the back of the net. Dunkineely were rejuvenated and took the game to Whitestrand and the gap was narrowed to a single goal on 55 minutes when Nesbitt struck again from a free kick on the edge of the box. The game opened up with both teams hitting the post in the closing stages but Whitestrand held out for the win in what was an entertaining fixture.
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 1 v 2 Drumoghill F.C.
(No Report Submitted)
Raphoe Town 0 v 5 Lifford Celtic
Lifford took the lead after just 2 minutes after a mix-up in the Raphoe defence. However, that didn’t faze the young guns who looked more likely to score for the next 40 minutes, with some great passages of play but just could not hit the net. On the stroke of halftime another defensive error let Lifford in for the second to make it 0-2 at the break. Raphoe started the second half brightly and again were controlling the play but getting no clearcut chances. Raphoe got punished 3 more times for not clearing their lines at the back but overall, they had a good team performance that will stand to them in the future.
Ulster Junior Shield
Cockhill Celtic Reserves 3 v 0 Glencar Celtic
Donegal League – this weekend’s results and match reports was last modified: February 18th, 2024 by