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Old Orchard Saturday Division
Orchard F.C. P Arranmore United P
This match was postponed due to the adverse weather conditions however the pair retained their positions at the top of the Old Orchard Saturday Division without kicking a ball. Drumkeen have joined Orchard on fourteen points, having gained a point against Glencar Celtic, but the Letterkenny side remain in second with a game in hand.
Glencar Celtic 3 Drumkeen United 3
This game was played in perfect conditions at The Flag Pole and didn’t lack goals. Drumkeen started well and had an early spell of possession but Glencar soon found their rhythm and came into the game with crisp passing but just couldn't find the killer ball to create a clear opening. Drumkeen went one up when a route one ball over the top turned into a foot race between Liam Doherty and Peter Brannigan. Doherty seemed to have done enough to win a goal kick when the two clashed shoulders in the box only for the referee to point to the spot much to the confusion of Doherty and the rest of his Glencar team mates. Chris Kyle stepped forward and buried his spot kick high into the side netting giving the keeper no chance. Glencar fell victim to that decision and lost concentration and Brannigan and Drumkeen took full advantage doubling their lead two minutes after the restart. A Garvan Grieve strike from the edge of the box halved the advantage making it 2-1 at the break.
Glencar got off to a flier at the start of the second half, Grieve played a ball over the top of the Drumkeen defence and Eddie McLaughlin latched onto it and fizzed a ball across the 6 yard box and Jordan McGinley slotted home. It was end to end then for a period with both teams having chances but both defences stood firm. The visitors took the lead again when a cross from the right wing caused confusion in the Glencar defence and veteran Brannigan rose highest to head home. Glencar dug deep and had three corners in quick succession but the Drumkeen defence were equal to everything Glencar threw at them. It was looking like another home defeat for Glencar but they showed good character and played right to the end and got their reward two minutes from time. They won a free kick 20 yards out and Eddie Mc Laughlin’s daisy cutter, under the wall, was well saved down to the keepers right but he could only parry and Mark Graham’s backheel found Jordan McGinley who slotted home for his second of the game to break Drumkeen hearts and there large support. Good team effort from both sides.
Glencar Inn Saturday Reserve Division
St. Catherines Reserves 3 Erne Wanderers Reserves 1
Erne opened the scoring on 19 minutes when Peter Boyle raced through and fired past Paddy Byrne in the Saints goals. Kristian McNelis had Saints back on level terms after 30 minutes. Saints should have been out of sight at half time with Kristian McNelis and Donal Mc Guire missing numerous good chances.
Brian Smith put the home team in front from the penalty spot on 75 minutes after Stevie Anderson was taken down in the box. On 87 minutes Stephen Muirhead made sure of the points when he headed home from a free kick. Good team performances. Referee: George Clinton
Milford United Reserves 0 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 1
Drumoghill won the bragging rights in this hard fought game which had been switched to The Moss due to a water logged pitch in Milford. Milford however will wonder how they did not get something out of this game as they pressed Drumoghill to the final minute looking for that all important equaliser. Both teams had played some good football in the first half with Ethan Mc Cready and Mark Gibson having their goal bound shots well save by the Milford net minder and John Maddigan. Drumoghill started the quicker in the second half and where ahead on sixty minutes when Mc Cready delivered a lovely ball into the box which John Rodgers fired home. Milford did fight back but found the defence duo of Tinney and Maddigan hard to break down. Milford did have one last chance when the ball fell to Ryan Gamble in a one on one with Micheal Toner but his shot was well saved by the Drumoghill keeper. Referee: Brian O’ Kane
Keadue Rovers Reserves 1 Glenea United Reserves
This game which was reversed to Glenea was played in testing conditions and it was a strong Glenea team who drew 1st blood when they broke through the Keadue defence and their striker finished well. The first half finished 1-0 to Glenea. Keadue started the 2nd half much brighter and levelled the game when a Daniel Bonner strike from the edge of the area found the net. Glenea’s second goal was a little fortuitous as a mistake in the Keadue defence allowed Glenea in to capitalise and make it 2-1. Keadue pushed hard for a leveller but were caught on the break as Glenea rounded off the scoring to finish the game 3-1 in their favour. Team effort from Keadue with Kevin Mulhern and Paudgie Mc Gee best for Glenea.
Donegal Town Reserves 2 Cappry Rovers Reserves 0
The game was scoreless at half time following a quiet first half. Both teams played some very tidy football but neither could break the deadlock. The game began to stretch in the second half and it was Donegal who opened the scoring through David “Ted” Bustard. Donegal’s Nathan Ward carried the ball through the middle of the park and slipped a through ball between the Cappry defence to Ben Sweeney. Sweeney’s inch perfect cross found Bustard who made no mistake from close range. Cappry pushed hard for an equaliser but it was Sweeney who secured all three points for Donegal. Following a Cappry free kick the ball broke loose and Sweeney picked it up on the half-way line, drove into the Cappry box and finished neatly into the bottom corner. 2-0 to Donegal at the final whistle.
Glenree United Reserves 1 Castlefin Celtic Reserves 3
Castlefin took the lead midway through the first half when possession was given away in midfield by the home side. A nice bit of football unlocked the Glenree defence and the ball was coolly slotted into the back of the net. Glenree pushed for the equaliser with Conor Casey running riot on the right wing for the home side but some good defending by Castlefin stopped the strikers from getting a clear shot on goal. The second half was one-way traffic with Castlefin trying their best to get the second and put the points out of Glenree’s reach. The home side held on well up until 70 minutes when a free for the away side was whipped in from the half way line and the ball wasn’t dealt with resulting in Castlefin’s second. With 5 minutes left the away side got their third, and what a gaol it was. A free from the left hand side of the box whipped in and smashed off the opposite post just under the bar and zipped into the net. Glenree got a consolation goal within two minutes of the restart. A good performance from Glenree’s young players who are getting better by the game. Best for Glenree: Conor Casey, Cathal Mc Ginley Jnr. & Ian Mc Elhinney. Team effort by Castlefin Celtic.
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Milford United 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic 0
Milford United came out on top with a great win over neighbours Kilmacrennan Celtic at Moyle View Park on what was a heavy pitch for both teams. It was a fairly even contest in the first half with both sides creating half chances but no goals for either side as the teams went in at half time. In the second half Milford started to get a grip of things and were rewarded with Gary Merritt finishing off a good move. Milford's second goal in the 60th minute was a bit more fortunate when a poor back pass put the Kilmacrennan keeper under pressure and his clearance came off the back of Gary Merritt and ended up in the back of the net. Merritt completed his hat-trick on 75 minutes after some good spade work by Kyle Black. Kieran Gorman was best for Kilmacrennan and it was a great team performance form Milford, Final score.
Gweedore Celtic 1 Kildrum Tigers 2
Despite being down to ten men Kildrum staged a remarkable comeback to turn a one nil deficit into a two one victory. Two late strikes from Damien Crossan and Shane Mc Intyre cancelled out a lead which Gweedore held from the fifth minute. Shane Porter poked home to give the home team the perfect start. Gweedore had further chances to extend their lead through Jay Dee Alawiye and Thomas Diver but they failed to hit the target. Kildrum were reduced to ten men when Lynch was sent off in the 60th minute but this only spurred them on and they took the game to Gweedore and got their just reward with those two late strikes. Referee: Mick Lagan
Cappry Rovers 1 Glenea United 1
(No Report Submitted)
Castlefin Celtic 3 Rathmullan Celtic 0
Castlefin took an early lead on 4 minutes, Ronan Tourish's excellent free kick from 25 yards went straight into the top corner. Rathmullan’s best chance of the half fell to Eoin Sheridan who's effort came off the cross bar after 15 minutes. Both teams struggled to create any clear cut chances for the remainder of the half. Castlefin doubled their advantage three minutes into the second half when Ronan Tourish's through ball found Mark Lafferty one on one with the Rathmullan keeper Mark Gallagher. Lafferty tapped the ball past the keeper and into the bottom corner. Castlefin then began to pile pressure on the Rathmullan defence, Ronan Tourish's chance going the closest bringing a great save from Mark Gallagher. Castlefin wrapped up all three points in the 70th minute. Mark Lafferty's cross from the left wing found JP Malley who got a head to it from 6 yards out to finish into the net at the front post. Referee: Paddy Duffy. Best for Castlefin: Peter Bryson and JP Malley.
Best for Rathmullan: Team performance.
St. Catherines 1 Drumoghill F.C. 2
(No Report Submitted)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Cranford United 0 Gweedore United 7
(No Report Submitted)
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 3 Lifford Celtic 2
(No Report Submitted)
Keadue Rovers 1 Donegal Town 1
(No Report Submitted)
Bonagee United 1 Lagan Harps 3
Lagan opened the scoring on six minutes when Mark Hunter shot home from six yards. Lagan came close again on ten minutes when Mark Hunter broke down the right and his strike from the edge of the box went just wide of the post. Kenny Doran for the visitors shot over on twelve minutes from ten yards after he was put through by Glen Gallagher. Lee Mc Monagle came close for the home team on twenty minutes after a good cross from Paddy Mc Gowan from the left. Hunter again came close on twenty five minutes for the visitors after a great cross from Doran which he headed over from six yards. Eamon Cannon and Gareth Temple had strikes on target but nothing to bother Mc Fadden in the Lagan goal. Lagan got their second through Kevin Doran on forty minutes when a Mark Hunter cross from the right into the box he hammered home from twelve yards. Lee Mc Monagle scored for Bonagee on fifty five minutes when he shot home to the roof of the net from just outside the box. Mark Harkin got Lagan’s third on sixty three minutes when he broke down the left cut inside the defender and hammered home to the bottom corner of the net. Team effort by both sides. Referee: John Mc Glanaghey.
Convoy Arsenal 3 Raphoe Town 1
As with most matches between these two teams the game started at a hectic pace. Raphoe had the better of the opening exchanges and never let the home side settle on the ball. Keelan Gillen looked sharp up front for the visitors and came close to breaking the deadlock on a couple of occasions. Despite all the Raphoe pressure it was Convoy who took the lead through Darren Harvey who curled a lovely free-kick into the top corner. Convoy lifted their game after this point and got their second in the 34th minute when Gary Brolly tapped in after the Raphoe keeper couldn't hold another Convoy free-kick. It looked like Convoy would go in at half time with a two goal lead until Raphoe scored a free-kick of their own when Stephen Laird riffled home from 25 yards out. The second half was more of the same with both teams battling it out in the middle of the pitch. Convoy looked to keep things tight and hit Raphoe on the counter attack for the remainder of the game and it worked well as the home side were creating the better of the chances and only for some great work from the Raphoe goalkeeper they could have extended their lead. Raphoe started to force a lot of free-kicks around the Convoy penalty area and these looked to be their best chance of an equaliser. Lee Guthrie then put the game to bed with 10 minutes to go when he broke from deep to beat the offside trap and at the second attempt headed the ball home to give Convoy the two goal cushion they were searching for. Raphoe pushed to get back into the game but Convoy held out comfortably in the end to continue a good start to life in Division One. Best for Convoy were James Kee and Anthony Bogle with Roy Duffy and Keelan Gillen best for Raphoe. Referee: Liam mc Laughlin
CT Ball Division Two
Dunkineely Celtic 1 Eany Celtic 2
This game was evenly balanced for the first 15 minutes with both sides playing some good football. Cian Kennedy had a shot just over in the third minute and Emmet Kennedy had a great effort cleared off the line when he lobbed the keeper from the edge of the area as the home team threatened. On 16 minutes a through ball caught the home defence out and resulted in the keeper receiving a red card. Stephen Griffin scored the resulting penalty to give Eany the lead. Eany started to take control of the game and doubled their lead on 25 minutes when Mark Ward fired home from 20 yards. Dunkineely to their credit came back into the game and pulled a goal back on 32 minutes when Jon Gallagher headed home a Paul Murrin corner. Aaron Byrne saw his header from a Paul Murrin free go just wide as Dunkineely pushed for an equaliser. Eany came out strongly in the second half to try and kill the game off. Stephen Griffin had his shot on 49 minutes blocked by a last ditch tackle. Dunkineely came more into the game and dominated for long spells. They had numerous chances and only a combination of poor decision making and resolute defending kept them from getting the equaliser their play deserved. Despite the pressure from 10 man Dunkineely Eany held on for the win. Dunkineely had good performances from Jon Gallagher and Ronan Kennedy who took over goals and made a number of fine saves. Stephen Griffin and Mark Ward were best for Eany. Referee: Martin Mc Anenny
Ballybofey United 4 Letterbarrow Celtic 0
Ballybofey United welcomed Letterbarrow Celtic to town on Sunday afternoon but sent them back home with little to celebrate. Niall Mc Closkey gave PH Bonar’s men a half time lead at the Finn Valley Complex. In the second half the home side started to get their game into a higher gear and added to their tally through Damien Glackin, Conor Doherty and Ronan Mc Menamin. This victory keeps the Twin Towns men in contact with the table toppers as December looms on the horizon. Although lagging behind on points they have two games in hand which they will need to win to make up the ground on Glenree United and Erne Wanderers. Deele Harps are also well in the mix at this stage.
Copany Rovers 0 Whitestrand United 2
(No Report Submitted)
Erne Wanderers 0 Deele Harps 3
Erne Wanderers hosted Deele Harps on Sunday at the Lakeside Centre in perfect conditions and it was the away side that went back through the gap happiest after some clinical finishing saw them leave with all three points. The game was fifteen minutes in when Deele got in behind the home team and Ryan O’ Brien could only bring down the Harps’ striker inside the box and Gallagher dispatched the penalty to Boyle’s left. Erne were seeing a lot of the ball but were lacking a cutting edge as the away side proved hard to break down. Harps then doubled their lead on forty minutes when Wanderers lost possession in the middle of the pitch and Deele broke at pace with numbers and their striker finished well past Boyle. The second half was a lot better from Erne and they laid siege to the away goal but chance after chance went abegging with some terrible finishing and excellent saves kept them scoreless. Harps broke in the 90th minute, to rub salt into the wounds, and the midfielder slotted under Boyle for number three. The scoreline didn't reflect the game but Deele defended very well and played brilliant on the counter attack and leave Wanderers scratching their heads at the scoreline. Referee: John Coyle.
Glenree United 3 Curragh Athletic 2
Glenree hosted Curragh today in an entertaining affair. The away side took the lead when Neil Lloyd rose highest to power a header home leaving the home side trailing at half time. Glenree started brightly in the second half and won a penalty through Colin Gallagher. Barney Boyce made no mistake from the spot. The home side then took the lead when a free kick was palmed out by the goalie and fell at the back post for Johnny Mc Clafferty who volleyed home. Glenree extended their lead from another corner when Pat Mc Groddy found space and finished well. The away side pulled one back through Gary Heaney when he broke through and drilled home. Glenree held on to take all three points.
RESULTS
Saturday 21st November
Old Orchard Saturday Division
Orchard F.C. P v P Arranmore United (K.O. 1 p.m.) Postponed
Glencar Celtic 3 v 3 Drumkeen United
Glencar Inn Saturday Reserve Division
St. Catherines Reserves 3 v 1 Erne Wanderers Reserves
Milford United Reserves 0 v 1 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves Reversed
Keadue Rovers Reserves 1 v 3 Glenea United Reserves Reversed
Donegal Town Reserves 2 v 0 Cappry Rovers Reserves
Glenree United Reserves 1 v 3 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Sunday 22nd November
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Milford United 3 v 0 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Gweedore Celtic 1 v 2 Kildrum Tigers
Cappry Rovers 1 v 1 Glenea United
Castlefin Celtic 3 v 0 Rathmullan Celtic
St. Catherines 1 v 2 Drumoghill F.C.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Cranford United 0 v 7 Gweedore United Reversed
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 3 v 2 Lifford Celtic
Keadue Rovers 1 v 1 Donegal Town
Bonagee United 1 v 3 Lagan Harps
Convoy Arsenal 3 v 1 Raphoe Town
CT Ball Division Two
Dunkineely Celtic 1 v 2 Eany Celtic
Ballybofey United 4 v 0 Letterbarrow Celtic
Copany Rovers 0 v 2 Whitestrand United
Erne Wanderers 0 v 3 Deele Harps
Glenree United 3 v 2 Curragh Athletic
FIXTURES
Saturday 28th November K.O. 2 p.m. ( Unless Stated )
Ulster Junior Shield
Glenea United Reserves v Orchard F.C. (K.O. 1.30 p.m.)
Old Orchard Saturday Division
Mulroy Celtic v Arranmore United (K.O. 1p.m.)
Fintown Harps AFC v Drumkeen United
Glencar Celtic v Drumbar F.C.
Glencar Inn Saturday Reserve Division
St. Catherines v Glenree United Reserves
Sunday 29th November K.O. 2 p.m. ( Unless Stated )
Oscar Traynor Trophy The Moss, Drumoghill
Donegal Junior League v Sligo / Leitrim League