DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE REPORTS: BONAGEE WIN PLAY-OFF FINAL

Bonagee United Play-Off Winners

DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE REPORTS

Division One / Division Two – Play-Off

Ballybofey United 1 Bonagee United 1

(Bonagee United won 4-3 on penalties a.e.t.)

Having finished the season third from bottom in Division One, Ballybofey United came to Diamond Park, Ballyare for the fourth season in a row to contest the Division One / Division Two play-off. Bonagee United for their park had remained in the Division Two title race right up to the final day of the league season but ultimately they found themselves having to settle for third position and a place in the play-off.

A strong breeze swirled around Diamond Park as both sides took time to settle into the action. Bonagee went in a goal to the good at the interval, Kevin Doran scoring from the penalty spot after John Gregg had been booked for an altercation in the Ballybofey box. That strike came just as the half looked like ending scoreless.

While Bonagee had the better of the opening exchanges Ballybofey had played their way into the game and would have been disappointed to be behind at the interval. They immediately chased an equaliser on the resumption of play. Bonagee had netminder John Carr to thank on three or four occasions for keeping their lead intact. On thirty four minutes John Gregg sent Darragh Crossan racing clear and as the Ballybofey striker rounded Carr the custodian brought him down inside the box an referee Gerry Gallagher had no hesitation in sending the keeper off. Having played so well this would have been disappointing for Carr. Crossan dusted himself down and took the spot kick himself as substitute Anthony Gildea replaced Carr. Crossan’s effort was weak and well off target. Had Ballybofey missed their chance of retaining their Division One status?

Five minutes later John Gregg was sent off for a second bookable offence. This brought the playing numbers back level at ten a side. As the clock ticked down Ballybofey were awarded a free kick thirty yards from the Bonagee net. Alan Patton stepped up to send a well flighted kick just under the Gildea’s crossbar, sending the match into extra-time.

With no further scores in additional time the match then went to penalties. Having missed in normal time it was Darragh Crossan who took the first kick. The Ballybofey player got his kick on target this time however Gildea saved to great cheer from the Bonagee fans. Michael Lynch, Alan Patton and Conor Doherty all converted for the finnsiders but it wasn’t enough as Doran, Gibson, Mc Laughlin and team captain Shane Kelly all scored sending Bonagee United up to Division One for next season while Ballybofey United will drop to Division Two.

Ballybofey United: Eamon Mc Auley, Paul Kelly, Eoin Mc Auley, Gavin Doherty, Daniel Gallen, John Gregg, Michael Lynch, Alan Patton, Darragh Redmond, Conor Doherty, Darragh Crossan. Subs: Benny Kyle, Sean Breen.

Bonagee United: John Carr, Seamus Mc Ginty, Paddy Mc Laughlin, Darren Hunter, Damien Mc Clafferty, Ciarán Gibson, Reece Shortt, Kevin Doran, Darren Coyle, Ross Hamlyn, Shane Kelly. Subs: Gary Mc Cracken, Duncan Mac Intyre, Stephen Keys, Sean Crossan, Anthony Gildea.

Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division

Milford United 2 Dunkineely Celtic 0

Milford maintained their good finish to the season with a commanding victory over a Dunkineely team fighting for survival . Milford played good football but failed to convert possession into goals. A TJ Evesson cross, after good work on the left, was missed in the box by Murray. Mc Ginley and Cathal Mc Gettigan had Milford’s best chances apart from long range efforts. In the second half Peter Doherty came off the bench to score a cracker from 20 yards. Cathal Mc Gettigan made it two nil with fifteen minutes to go. Dunkineely pushed hard and were denied by the excellent Caolan Mc Gettigan. Peter Doherty then broke away late on, beating the off side trap before rounding the keeper, but delayed a little to miss an open net opportunity. Referee: Patrick Martin

Lifford Celtic 2 Kilmacrennan Celtic 0

Two first half goals from Lifford Celtic were enough to send the league into it’s final day with silverware still up for grabs. Despite missing a penalty in that opening period Lifford Celtic had done enough to stay within striking distance of defending champions Glenea United with only one game remaining. With Glenea having the day off it was important that the border town side gained the points necessary to give themselves the chance of lifting the Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division Trophy should they defeat Dunkineely Celtic at Darney Park next Sunday and Glenea fail to defeat Rathmullan Celtic at Flagpole Park. It has all come down to the final series of fixtures and who would dare to predict the outcome.

Glencar Inn Division Two

Cranford United Reserves 3 Gweedore United Reserves 2

Cranford and Gweedore played out an entertaining game in a sunny Cranford park. Both teams attacked from the outset and both teams got chances. Cranford took the lead in the 20th minute when a good move on the left involving Brendan Giles released Johnny Wilhare who finished from close range. Gweedore responded well and got a equaliser when Patrick Mc Bride scored from the penalty spot to make it 1- 1. Cranford then went ahead after a cool finish from Dale McFadden from edge of box.

Cranford pushed forward in second half and had chances to extend the lead through Marty Mc Bride and Johnny Wilhare. Gweedore equalized in the 70th minute with a neat finish from close range. Cranford got their winner inside the last ten minutes through great header from Brendan Giles converting a Johnny Wilhare free kick.

Glenree United Reserves 1 Deele Harps 1

On a perfect day for football in Glenree park it was a game where both teams had nothing to play for but pride. Glenree had previously been well beaten at the start of the season by the visitors and the away side would have been thinking they were going to have an easy win, but the homeside had a different opinion. Throughout the game apart from a small period in the second half Glenree were in control. It was a pity it was an end of season match as it most undoubted had to be one of the best games of football by the home team all season. It was a hotly contested first half with very few chances created by either side as their final ball was poor in the final third. The second half started the same with few scoring opportunities. Deele then, in the 60th minute, won a corner and it was well met by ‘Froggy’ at the back post. The crucial moment in the game came in the 70 minute when Mickey ‘the bullet’ was introduced. In the 75 minute he latched onto a through ball and used his ‘bullet’ like pace to beat the Deele defence and then he calmly lobbed the keeper to make it one each. The game ended in a draw and Deele played out their season unbeaten. It was a much improved season for the Glenree outfit compared to previous years and only for a poor second half of the season they would have been pushing for a promotion spot. It was a great team effort by the players all year and if they keep the same team they should be in contention for promotion next season.

Tullyvinney Rovers 2 Donegal Town Reserves 1

This was the last game of the season for both teams with Donegal Town looking for victory to secure promotion into the first division. They found a well organised and resilient Tullyvinney team. The first twenty-five minutes of the game produced end to end football with both teams creating chances but failing to score. In the twenty-eighth minute O’Reilly for Donegal Town opened their account with a header from the edge of the six yard box after a fine cross from the right wing. Tullyvinney’s best effort in the first half came when Martin Alexander who beat two defenders and produced a lovely chip over the advancing keeper but the ball deflected off the Donegal crossbar. Donegal Town failed to increase their lead in the fiftieth minute when Thomas McBride in the Tullyvinney goals produced a fine save from a Donegal forward. Tullyvinney eventually got their reward when a pass from Michael Shiels found the advancing David Gardiner whose first touch controlled the ball and rounding the advancing defender he slotted home from an acute angle. Donegal try as they might to get back into the game but could not break down the Tullyvinney defence in which captain for the day Paul Mc Daid and Paddy Cassidy were outstanding. Tullyvinney secured all three points when David Gardiner was taken down and the resulting free kick from Renato, a looping shot from thirty yards, sealed the victory.

Referee: Marty Mc Garrigle

Milford United Reserves 1 Downtown United 4

Downtown secured promotion after a comfortable win in Moyle View. Downtown opened the scoring on twenty minutes when a long range free from Sweeney deceived the keeper and flew into the top corner. Milford pushed for an equaliser with Ciran Blaney being denied by an excellent save. Downtown got their second before the break when Bonner latched onto a long ball, beat the defender and slotted home. Milford were unable to break down a resolute defence and were caught in a breakaway from a corner for Downtown’s third. Emmet ‘Suarez’ Eastwood came off the bench to get a consolation goal from the spot with Downtown’s fourth also coming from a penalty in the final minute.

DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE

FIXTURES

SATURDAY 04-5-2013                    K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)

Old Orchard Inn Saturday Division One / Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two

Promotion /Relegation Play-Off

Kilmacrennan Celtic                v                      Donegal Town Reserves @ Diamond Park, Ballyare

SUNDAY  05-5-2013                         K.O. 2 p.m. (Unless Stated)

Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division

Rathmullan Celtic                   v                      Glenea United

Dunkineely Celtic                   v                      Lifford Celtic

St. Catherines                          v                      Lagan Harps

Kilmacrennan Celtic                v                      Castlefin Celtic

Milford United                       v                      Gweedore Celtic