FOOTBALL: DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE REPORTS, RESULTS, TABLES AND FIXTURES

DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE REPORTS

Old Orchard Inn Division One

Mulroy Celtic 2 Fintown Harps AFC 3

Played in perfect weather conditions both teams had their chances in the first half. It was the away side who took the lead when a mistake in the home defence allowed the Fintown forward to race clear and dispatch the ball under the Mulroy keeper. The home side upped their game and created numerous chances but failed to convert. The equaliser came through Packie Mc Elwaine when he fired the ball home from close range after great work from Griffin down the right wing. The teams went in at the break level. The home side took the lead on the hour mark when the ever adventurous Griffin sprung the offside trap and rounded the keeper. Fintown got back on level terms when they were awarded a penalty as Thompson was taken down in the box. Darragh Gallagher stepped up and rifled the ball home from the spot. The home side threw the kitchen sink at Fintown in the closing stages and thought they should’ve had a penalty of their own when Mc Elwaine was hacked down in the area but the referee waved play on despite a strong protest from the home players. Somewhat against the run of play deep in injury time Fintown grabbed an unlikely winner when a looping free kick was headed out but the resulting shot wasn’t closed down and was deflected in for the winner. Packie Mc Elwaine and Griffin excelled throughout and a battling team performance for the away side with Thompson a constant threat.

Glencar Celtic 7 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 1

After a slow start Glencar opened the scoring through Pajo Rafferty. Kilmacrennan equalised in the 32nd minute but Glencar went ahead again through Pajo in the 35th minute. Glencar dominated the second half and goals from Pajo 52, Decky Scanlon 55, Paddy O’ Kane 60, Shane Hilley 74 with Pajo completed the scoring with his fourth on 88 minutes. Man of match Mickey Molloy and good overall team performance by Glencar in the second half. Referee : Michael Mulhern

 

Glenea United Reserves 0 Castlefin Celtic Reserves 2

Glenea completed their league programme with this home defeat. Glenea started brightly and dominated the 1st half but failed to convert a number of chances that were created with Tommy Rodgers coming closest on 25 minutes when he saw his effort from the edge of the box come back off the bar. In the 2nd half Glenea continued to dominate the game but were again guilty of not taking their chances and they were punished on 55 minutes when Brian Dooher wriggled his way past the home defence and slotted the ball home. Glenea pushed hard for an equalizer but were still unable to finish the chances that came their way and were caught on the break in the last minute when Gerard McNulty was on hand at the back post to extend Castlefin’s lead. Best for Glenea Shane Penrose & Sean Sweeney, while it was a good team effort from Castlefin. Referee: Ed Moore.

 

Glencar Inn Division Two

Cranford United Reserves 0 Tullyvinney Rovers 0

Cranford started off the game on top and they had a number of good chances to open the scoring through Andrew Kelly and Kevin Fisher. Cranford were unlucky not to go one up when a Paddy Shiels’ header went over the bar from a corner. In the second half Tullyvinney came into the game more and had a number of good chances through Renato. Then in the last 20 minutes, Cranford pushed forward and were awarded a penalty after James Lee was brought down in the box, but unfortunately the resulting penalty came off the crossbar and was cleared by Tullyvinney. In the closing stages Andrew Kelly’s shot went wide of the post when through on goal. Good team efforts from both sides.

Gweedore United Reserves 0 Downtown United 0

This was a lacklustre encounter played in perfect conditions at Carrickboyle with both teams labouring throughout to create goalscoring opportunities which ensured the game ended in stalemate. On 16 minutes Downtown’s Niall Bonner saw his shot come off the bar. Gweedore responded well and nearly took the lead on 22minutes when Sean Pol Mc Mahon was played in by Stephen O’ Donnell but could not find the target. Before the interval Downtown lost Bonner to injury. The second half began brightly with both teams pressing for the opener. The chance of the game came in the 55th minute when Mc Mahon found himself with only the keeper to beat and the goal at his mercy, but his right footed effort went narrowly past the wrong side of the post. Downtown then had two chances in quick succession that were dealt with comfortably by Darren Whoriskey in the Gweedore goal. On 75 minutes Gweedore came close again when an inswinging corner whipped to the near post was saved well by Tommy Mc Laughlin. In the last ten minutes Downtown had the lion’s share of possession and had the Gweedore defence under pressure, But the home side still posed a threat on the counter attack up until to the final whistle.

From Gweedore United a team performance and best for Downtown were Sean Sweeney and Tommy Mc Laughlin. Referee: James Malseed.

Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division

Lifford Celtic 3 Rathmullan Celtic 1

Played in perfect conditions in Greenbrae Park, Lifford gained revenge on a Rathmullan side who previously had the upper hand this season when they met on two separate occasions. Lifford had regained Gavin Gallagher, JP Malley and Damien Patton since their previous meeting in the Brian McCormick Cup semi final but had also lost a few to recent injuries. Rathmullan were missing their usual sweeper Patrick Patton. Lifford where dealt a further blow when centre half Marcus McDonald had to be replaced very early in the game by striker Paul Mc Daid. This didn’t affect the game whatsoever as the home side raced into an early lead when Mark Neeson was on hand to score from 14 yards following good work from Jude Patton down the right flank. Both sides where creating chances although the more clear cut efforts where being created by Lifford who should have been further in front by the half hour mark. As Rathmullan came more into the game a free kick from wide on the left was not dealt with and Oisin Mc Menamin was on hand to slot the ball home through a crowded penalty box with 35minutes on the clock to leave the game level at half time. The second half began with Rathmullan pressing more and more but they could not find a way past the influential backline of White, Carlin and Mc Daid. With half an hour remaining JP Malley broke the offside trap to round Rathmullan keeper Ian Strain and send Lifford back in front. From the re-start Rathmullan began committing more men forward but were limited to long range efforts by the Lifford rear guard. For the remainder of the game Lifford soaked up the Rathmullan pressure, then countered and really should have wrapped up the game as Johnny Mahon rattled the crossbar with a fine volley when well placed. With only seconds remaining Gavin Gallagher got on the end of a long range free to head to the net and ensure the 3 points where staying in Lifford. Best for Lifford were Daniel Carlin and Gavin Gallagher. Team performance for Rathmullan.

 

Watson Hire Division One

Drumoghill FC 5 Arranmore United 0

Drumoghill FC took another significant step towards safety with this emphatic victory over a weakened Arranmore United side at “The Moss” and thoroughly deserved to win a game in which they produced their most impressive performance of the season.

The injury hit Islanders arrived with a depleted squad and found Drumoghill in no mind-set to show them any sympathy and the home side – still needing to secure points to secure their safety – set about their task from the early moments. Top scorer Liam O’Donnell had the best of the early chances but failed to break the deadlock.

However, Andrew McDermott settled the nerves of the home side on 20 minutes as Drumoghill finally turned their superiority into a goal. Carlos Rodgers created the opening, allowing McDermott to slide home right footed giving the Arranmore keeper no chance.

Although dominant throughout, it took Drumoghill until just past the hour mark to double their lead. This time it was Liam O’Donnell that was creator, setting up Stephen Davenport to fire home left footed from the edge of the area. Minutes later it was three and effectively end of contest with O’Donnell himself turning and firing home from 20 yards.

Victory was now secure and Drumoghill turned on the style in the last quarter with further strikes from Andrew McDermott (set up by Johnny McGee) and a stunning free kick from Shane McIntyre completed the rout on 87 minutes.

 

 

Curragh Athletic 4 Ballybofey United 1

Curragh Athletic produced a well deserved victory over near neighbours Ballybofey in this local Finn Valley derby played at the Curragh Sports Complex. Going into the game Curragh needed the win to be in a position to win the league next Sunday and man of the match Ryan Carlin duly obliged with four well taken goals. But the away team managed by former Curragh manager Derek Roulston put it up to title chasing Curragh and managed to take a shock lead on twenty nine minutes when Shaun Breen scored after a pass from Darragh Redmond. But if ever Curragh needed a wakeup call this was it and from here, the pressure began to be applied with man of the match Ryan Carlin, Dan O’ Brien and Shane Barclay beginning to cause problems for Ballybofey. It began to look a lot better for Curragh on thirty nine minutes, when a quick short corner from Dan O’ Brein to Shane Barclay was crossed to be headed into the top corner by Ryan Carlin. It was almost two one to the home side on forty five minutes when Dan 0’ Brien narrowly missed, but he made amends on forty nine minutes when his low cross was met by Carlin’s low drive to gave Eamon Mc Auley no chance and put Curragh on their way. Carlin completed his hat-trick on sixty eight minutes when he ran the whole way from the half way line to score and added his and Curragh’s fourth on eighty seven minutes to round off a man of the match performance. For Curragh, this was promotion guaranteed and a win next week in Donegal town will guarantee them the title. They had also good performances from Michael O’ Brien, Shane Barclay and Garth Gallagher. Ballybofey were well served by Eamon Mc Auley, the Gallen Brothers Packie and Dan, Conor and Gavin Doherty and Michael Lynch. Referee: Bernard Mc Laughlin

 

Raphoe Town 0 Cappry Rovers 3

Raphoe had the first chance of the game after 5 minutes when Darren Kelly blasted over the bar from 2 yards. It was the away side who scored first on 10 minutes when Eunan Doherty shot from the edge of the box to the top corner. Brendan Mc Laughlin made it 2-0 just before halftime when he looked to be offside but it was not given. Raphoe pressed hard and looked likely to score but could not convert any of the chances they had and Cappry wrapped it up in the 90th minute with Brendan Mc Laughlin scoring his second.

 

Keadue Rovers 1 Cranford United 4

Cranford went away from Central Park with all three points and moved very close to sealing the third place play-off spot when defeating Keadue Rovers on Sunday. It also puts to an end Keadue’s slight hopes of making the play-off. Played in breezy but reasonable conditions it was Cranford who were on top in possession from the start, making some good runs and the home side were fairly content to hit on the break. Cranford’s first real chance came on thirty eight minutes when a header was cleared off the line by Corey Gallagher. Their follow up shot hit the crossbar. Keadue then took the lead on forty minutes against the run of play when a James Boyle inswinging free kick was misjudged by the Cranford keeper and flew into the net. Cranford levelled matters two minutes into injury time when Hughie Bradley beat the defence and put the ball through the keeper’s legs. Into the second half and it was all Cranford in possession but not much threat to towards the home keeper apart from long range efforts. Keadue had a good chance on fifty nine minutes when Gerard Walsh shot wide from the edge of the box. On sixty eight minutes though Cranford took the lead when Philip Buchanan reacted well to a ball on the edge of the box and volleyed home. At this stage Keadue pushed men forward and Cranford made the most of this with two late goals, a Sean Mc Elwaine header on eighty seven minutes and Marty McLaughlin tapping in from close range in injury time.

 

 

Eany Celtic 1 Donegal Town 2

This was a typical local derby with both sides working hard for the early periods of the first half. Eany settled better and had the better chances early on . The home side went into the lead on the half hour when Barry Rose fired home from close range. Donegal Town started the second half brightly but the home defence held firm. With 15minutes remaining “The Town” equalised through Declan Brown . They got the winner in the 85th minute with John Paul Burke find the net.

CT Ball Division Two

Convoy Arsenal 0 Kerrykeel’71 FC 2

Game started well with Kerrykeel applying most of the pressure and within 28minutes they had the ball in convoy’s net only to be ruled offside. Kerrykeel again came close when a strike beat the Convoy keeper but rolled outside of post.

Kerrykeel started the second half where they left off with Convoy rooted in their own half. Again they came close on 50minutes with another strike going narrowly past the Convoy post. The Deadlock was finally broken when a clearance from a Kerrykeel corner was played back into the penalty area and headed home by Benny Callan in the 58th minute. A Convoy corner in 62nd minute saw Jonny Kee rise highest to head just over. Further pressure saw a snap shot from Mickey Melaugh again going the wrong side of the crossbar for Convoy. Victory for Kerrykeel was assured in 75th minute when good play on the left side allowed Mark Friel to beat the defence and slot the ball home.

Good team effort from Convoy but a deserved win for Kerrykeel in the end. Mark Friel, Seamie Friel and Benny Callan were best for the visitors.

 

Bonagee United 4 Drumbar FC 1

Drumbar’s David Gibbons came close on ten minutes when his header from a corner kick was cleared off the line by Shane Kelly. Bonagee took the lead on twelve minutes when Kevin Doran put Ross Hanlyn through and the Bonagee man beat the keeper from ten yards. Drumbar had a few half chances through Enda Cassidy and Danny Hughes. Bonagee had chances from Shane Kelly on twenty minutes but he headed over the bar from six yards and Ross Hanlyn shot over from ten yards on twenty five. The visitors levelled the game on thirty four minutes when a free kick wide on the right was floated into the box and fell to Ciaran Nixon, at the back post, who hammered home from six yards. Bonagee got their third on fifty seven minutes when a Kevin Doran free kick from thirty yards found the back of the net. Bonagee were well in control of the game at this stage and a solo run from half way by Ciaran Gibson, beating four defenders before he was fouled in the box, saw the midfielder made no mistake from the penalty spot on seventy eight minutes. Team efforts by both sides. Referee: Paul Doherty.

 

Whitestrand United 1 Gweedore United 2

No Report Available

Glenree United 1 Dunlewy Celtic 1

Glenree’s last home game of the season resulted in a 1-1 draw. The Carrigart men got off to a flyer when Paul Coyle used that creative gene of his and unlocked the visiting defence and Damien Nelis was first to react and lobbed the keeper from just outside the box. This goal seemed to stop Glenree in their tracks and it invited Dunlewey to put the home team under pressure but they weren’t able to capitalise on their superiority. The second half was a more physical affair and Dunlewey got their reward when and inviting cross was scored by way of an own goal. The half wore on and both teams had several chances to win the game. It was a good team performance by both teams. Referee: Gerry Rodden

Letterbarrow Celtic 3 Copany Rovers 2

A minute’s silence was observed before this match in memory of Aaron Scott. Copany Rovers started the brightest and were rewarded on twenty minutes when Glen Harron scored with a super overhead kick from the edge of the box after Letterbarrow half-cleared from a corner. The home side eventually settled and were able to retain some possession. A good move from Declan Gallagher put Paul Murrin through on goal and he slotted home to bring the sides level on thirty minutes. Letterbarrow started very strongly in the second half and were rewarded when Christy Burke nodded home from a James Mc Groary free kick. Despite the home side having a lot of possession Copany found an equaliser in the eightieth minute when Thomas Given poked home after a scramble in the box when Letterbarrow failed to clear a corner. The home side pressed hard and Kevin Campbell broke clear in the eighty second minute to put the home side 3-2 ahead. Emmett O’Neill and Shane Coneelly were best for Letterbarrow. A fine team effort from the visitors.

 

Knockalla Caravans Cup 2013

Swilly Rovers P Dunkineely Celtic P

Glenea United 1 Letterkenny Rovers 1 (aet.) ( Letterkenny won on Penalties)

A youthful Glenea side bowed out of this year’s Knockalla Cup despite putting on a great performance against their USL opponents. In blustery conditions it was the home side that settled the quickest and started to create the chances. They were rewarded on 30 minutes when Sean Coll’s through ball beat the offside trap to allow Shane Ferry to break down the right and when he centred Lee O’ Brien was on hand to slot the ball home. In the 2nd half Letterkenny started to come more into the game but were finding it difficult to create any clear cut chances thanks to the home side’s tight defence. Glenea looked dangerous on the break and were unfortunate not to extend their lead, especially when Sean McBride was taken down in the box as he was going through one on one with the keeper. Just as it seemed that Glenea were going through, Letterkenny equalized on 87 minutes. A free-kick into the box was headed back by Kieran Gorman and Glenn Gallagher was on hand to force the ball into the net. Extra-time failed to break the deadlock and it was Letterkenny that were fortunate to go through on penalty kicks. Best for Glena were Paul Sweeney, Sean Coll and Ryan McFadden, while Glenn Gallagher was best for Letterkenny. Referee: Kevin Logue.

Glengad United 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic 0

Milford United 0 Kildrum Tigers 3

Derry City 4 – 0 Moville Celtic

The 1st goal of the game was on 23mins when Mark Griffen scored from 20yds. On the half hour mark Ryan Curran made it two when he received a cross from Griffen and controlled the ball 6yds from goal and vollied home. The Inishowen Junior club battled hard but Derry’s fitness especially in the 2nd half told as they scored from a fantastic strike from Michael Duffy and minutes later Curran got his second and his teams fourth. Both teams had good performances.

Glencar Inn Division Two 

Deele Harps 6 Keadue Rovers Reserves 1

Deele were crowned league champions on a glorious day at The Athletic Grounds. Paul Lynch started the celebrations in the 10th minute after a short corner, the left back unleashed a left footed shot to the top corner. Aidy Gallagher then doubled Deele’s lead with a super individual goal in the 15th minute. Aaron Conroy got on the score-sheet 3 minutes later after a one – two with Shane Gallagher, the youngster finished cooly to the top corner. Leading marksman Shane Gallagher then added a third goal after 28 minutes. Keadue to their credit never gave up and pulled a goal back in the 35th minute with an acrobatic finish and but for Christopher Roulstone pulling off a number of fine stops Keadue could have narrowed Deele’s lead. Deele were much improved in midfield during the second half and eased to the title with further goals from Paul Lynch , direct from a corner and on an afternoon of top quality goals Shane Gallagher probably hit the best, a sweet strike to the top corner. Best for Deele was Christopher Roulstone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE

RESULTS

 

Old Orchard Inn Division One

Mulroy Celtic 2 v 3 Fintown Harps AFC

Glencar Celtic 7 v 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves

Glenea United Reserves 0 v 2 Castlefin Celtic Reserves

 

Glencar Inn Division Two

Cranford United Reserves 0 v 0 Tullyvinney Rovers

Deele Harps 6 v 1 Keadue Rovers Reserves

Gweedore United Reserves 0 v 0 Downtown United

 

Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division

Lifford Celtic 3 v 1 Rathmullan Celtic

 

Watson Hire Division One

Drumoghill FC 5 v 0 Arranmore United

Curragh Athletic 4 v 1 Ballybofey United

Raphoe Town 0 v 3 Cappry Rovers

Keadue Rovers 1 v 4 Cranford United

Eany Celtic 1 v 2 Donegal Town

 

CT Ball Division Two

Convoy Arsenal 0 v 2 Kerrykeel’71 FC

Bonagee United 4 v 1 Drumbar FC

Whitestrand United 1 v 2 Gweedore United

Glenree United 1 v 1 Dunlewy Celtic

Letterbarrow Celtic 3 v 2 Copany Rovers

 

Knockalla Caravans Cup 2013

Swilly Rovers P v P Dunkineely Celtic

Glenea United 1 v 1 (aet.) Letterkenny Rovers (Rovers won on Pens.)

Glengad United 3 v 0 Kilmacrennan Celtic

Milford United 0 v 3 Kildrum Tigers

FIXTURES

 

DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE

FIXTURES

 

WEDNESDAY 10-4-2013 K.O. 6.30 p.m.

Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division

Kilmacrennan Celtic v Rathmullan Celtic

 

Glencar Inn Division Two

Deele Harps v Downtown United

Milford United Reserves v Cranford United Reserves

 

SATURDAY 13-4-2013 K.O. 2 p.m. (Unless Stated)

Old Orchard Inn Division One

Castlefin Celtic Reserves v Glencar Celtic

Ramelton Mariners v Mulroy Celtic

Fintown Harps v Erne Wanderers

 

Glencar Inn Division Two

Tullyvinney Rovers v Milford United Reserves

Deele Harps v Donegal Town Reserves

Gweedore United Reserves v Glenree United Reserves

Keadue Rovers Reserves v Cranford United Reserves

 

SUNDAY 14-4-2013 K.O. 2 p.m. (Unless Stated)

Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division

Rathmullan Celtic v Milford United

Dunkineely Celtic v Kilmacrennan Celtic

Lagan Harps v Castlefin Celtic

Lifford Celtic v Gweedore Celtic

Glenea United v St. Catherines

 

Watson Hire Division One

Arranmore United v Keadue Rovers ( K.O. 1 p.m.)

Drumoghill F.C. v Raphoe Town (Saturday 13th, K.O. 6p.m.)

Donegal Town v Curragh Athletic

Cappry Rovers v Cranford United

Ballybofey United v Eany Celtic

 

CT Ball Division Two

Dunlewy Celtic v Copany Rovers

Gweedore United v Glenree United

Drumbar United v Whitestrand United

Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. v Bonagee United

Convoy Arsenal v Letterbarrow Celtic