DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
SUNDAY REPORTS
Brian Mc Cormick – Area Finals
Dunkineely Celtic 3 Copany Rovers 0
Dunkineely continued their good start to the season with victory in the Donegal Town Area Final of The Brian Mc Cormick Cup. Copany began this game very well and had all the early possession and pressure. They found it very difficult to create any clear openings against a home defence well marshalled by Shane Mc Whinnie and Paul Mc Geoghan. David Graham was a constant threat for Copany on the left wing and his deliveries into the box gave Dunkineely plenty to think about. The first clear chance of the game fell to Dunkineely after 10 minutes when Andrew Mackey was put through by Adrian Nesbitt but he pulled his shot wide. Copany kept working hard and forced a number of corners but could not find the target. On 26 minutes Adrian Nesbitt saw his shot well saved by William Given in the Copany goal and he then hit the post with the rebound. Nesbitt made up for this miss two minutes later when he broke into the box from the left and his low shot beat the keeper at the near post. Andrew Mackey came close for Dunkineely with a shot on 30 minutes and a header on 43 minutes.
The second half started as the first did with Copany putting the home side under some pressure. Thomas Given had a header from close range well saved by John Mc Mullin on 57 minutes. Dunkineely survived this pressure and doubled their lead on the hour mark when Alan Lyons found Andrew Mackey, with a great pass out of defence, and he ran through to beat the keeper from 10 yards. Copany fought back and Shane Harron saw his header come back of the bar. Despite their best efforts Copany could not get the goal that would have put them back in the game. Dunkineely squandered a number of good chances before Andrew Mackey finished the scoring with a tremendous shot from 25 yards which gave the keeper no chance.
A deserved victory for Dunkineely but a great effort from Copany Rovers and their Mc Cormick Cup efforts will stand them well for the coming season.
Rathmullan Celtic 3 Milford United 3
(4-4 a.e.t. Milford won 4-2 on penalties)
Milford United edged out defending Cup holders Rathmullan Celtic in the Area Shield Final of the Brian McCormick Cup after an exhilarating eight goal thriller at the Flagpole. Manus Boyce scored the all important spot kick to give Milford United a 4-2 triumph and secure a place in the semi-finals of the tournament in March.
This local derby served up a Sunday sizzler of an Area Final in front of a two hundred strong attendance at the Seaside town, sharing eight goals after extra time after both sides were inseparable at 3-3 after the regulation 90 minutes.
It was Paddy Sheridan and Paddy Burger Patton’s Rathmullan side that took the early advantage after six minutes when Kevin Mc Carry showed great composure in front of goal to beat Caolan Mc Gettigan inside the area after Dara Patton sent the winger through with a defence splitting lob from midfield.
However former Fanad United striker PJ Hagan equalised proceedings for the Swans on 16 minutes with a scintillating strike into the top corner from 18 yards following a cross from the left wing from Darren McLaughlin. The Hoops almost edged ahead with the very next attack following their centre with man of the match Eamonn Sheridan setting Paddy Craig Sheridan through on the left side, but the winger was denied by a superb reflex save from Mc Gettigan in goals.
The Seasiders pressed to regain the lead and duly did so on 35 minutes when Eoin Sheridan crossed to new signing Leonard Boyce inside the area and the striker tucked his strike into the bottom left corner. Yet again Milford responded and just on the stroke of half time Jimmy Heena took full advantage of a goal mouth scramble, following a corner, to strike low inside the six yard box and leave the derby tied at 2-2 at half time.
Niall Doherty was brought down inside the Milford box on 50 minutes and striker Eamonn Sheridan was calmness personified from the resulting spot kick to give the Hoops the lead for the third time in the match. Former Hoops midfielder Johnny Sweeney thought he had equalised for United on 58 minutes after unleashing a venomous strike from 30 yards which saw Rathmullan keeper Ian Strain produce a finger tip save to deny the midfielder.
Noel Gillespie and Peter Doherty’s Swans began adopting the Giovanni Trapattoni long ball game as the visitors heaped pressure on the Seasider’s defence and left winger Darren McLaughlin saw his strike come off the inside of Strain’s right hand post on 75 minutes. The Hoops were unlucky not to extend their lead on 85 minutes after Ryan Connolly was denied by another fine reflex save from Mc Gettigan. As the final whistle beckoned Darren Mc Loughlin popped up inside the area on 88 minutes to finish clinically and force the epic final into extra time.
The Seasiders took the lead for the fourth time of the afternoon when Eamonn Sheridan scored an exceptional goal from 20 yards out at an almost impossible angle. Once again Connolly was denied by a fine save from Mc Gettigan on 97 minutes as the Hoops pressed to close out the contest. The Swans pressed for an equaliser in the second period of extra time and just when it seemed it was beyond them, Mark ‘Spike’ Flood rose highest at the back post to score an unstoppable header in the dying seconds of extra time following a corner from McLaughlin to snatch a dramatic equaliser and force the dreaded penalty shoot out to decide the derby finale.
From the ensuing spot kicks, Milford advanced following Mc Gettigan’s heroics in goal and centre half Manus Boyce scored the winning penalty to give Gillespie and Doherty’s troops a 4-2 win in the shoot-out which sees them advance to the last four of the Brain McCormick Cup next March. Eamonn Sheridan had a stormer for the Seasiders with two goals and a composed performance up front while Milford’s never say die attitude saw them equalise four times and shade a classic derby after penalties after a dramatic eight goal thriller after 110 minutes of pulsating football.
Referee: Patrick Duffy
Keadue Rovers 1 Glenea United 2
Glenea United emerged victorious in the Gweedore Area Final after this tight and entertaining affair at Central Park. In what were ideal conditions for football it was Glenea who started the stronger moving the ball about at pace and using the wings well. After weathering the initial ten minutes Keadue came more into the game and Donal Rodgers did well holding the ball and shooting on the turn, but the shot was saved by Joe Coll. With the home side now doing well the best chance of the game came in the twenty second minute. Following some good work down the left by Adam Neely and Ryan Greene it was Martin Redmond who had a great chance from close range but it was saved again by Joe Coll. However by the twenty eighth minute it was 1-0 to the home side when Ryan Greene picked up a pass outside the area, avoided a tackle, and unleashed a fine effort to the left hand corner of the net. Glenea responded very well to this setback and within a few minutes Michael Barry did well to get a shot in but it was saved by Ciaran Sharkey in the Keadue goal. They followed this up with a succession of corners and it came as no surprise when they equalised on forty one minutes. From a Glenea throw in they won a penalty following a foul just inside the box and up stepped Padraig McGee to confidently convert to make it 1-1 and it stayed that way until half time. At the start of the second half Keadue were forced into a substitution when right back Ryan Rodgers went off injuired forcing a bit of a re-shuffle to the home team. Against the run of play it was Glenea who went ahead on fifty two minutes. Another penalty was awarded and again Padraig McGee slotted home. Keadue responded well and following a good move on the hour Adrian Hanlon hit a firm shot just wide. Glenea striker Ryan McFadden was proving dangerous and shot narrowly wide soon after and Keadue’s Martin Redmond had a half decent effort go just over the bar as the game went from end to end. In the last twenty minutes however Glenea were getting more possession around midfield and generally were on top It was Glenea’s Michael Barry who came closest to scoring in the eighty third minute when his header from a good cross skimmed the crossbar. Glenea were proving just that little bit stronger and more experienced in the second half and held on for a hard fought but deserved victory. They were presented with the Gweedore Area Shield of the Brian McCormick Cup by Nigel Ferry of the Donegal League afterwards. A good competitive encounter with Keadue, despite being a division below Glenea proving a match for them and hopefully will have a good season ahead in Division 1 of the League while Glenea will be certainly in the running for the Premier Division title.
Best for Glenea were Kevin McFadden, Padraig McGee and Ryan McFadden while best for Keadue were Ryan Greene, Paul Ferry and Adam Neely. Referee: Ed Moore.
Castlefin Celtic 3 Drumoghill F.C. 2
Drumoghill took the lead in the 12th minute after a mix up in the Castlefin defence saw the ball come across the box to Liam O’ Donnell who scored.
Kevin Kelly could have made it two from the edge of the box but his shot went over the bar. Brian Coll was in top form in the Drumoghill defence. Kelly had another chance to double the lead but his shot was straight at Castlefin keeper Paul Lafferty.
JP Malley should have equalised on 30 minutes but quick thinking from the Drumoghill defence saw his effort cleared off the line. PJ Mc Menamin then had a great effort from 30 yards saved by the Drumoghill keeper Greg Regan. Both midfields were playing well with Mark Carlin causing problems for the visitors.
Castlefin started the brighter in the second half with the Drumoghill keeper Regan making three good saves.
Kevin Kelly made it two nil to Drumoghill early in the second half. Despite being 2 down Castlefin never gave up and kept at the Drumoghill defence. Lack of communication in the Castlefin defence let Drumoghill in again but excellent work from Ciaran Brennan saw him clear of the line.
Castlefin’s hard work was rewarded when Colin Carlin found Ronan Tourish on the edge of the box in the 74th minute for Tourish to find the far corner and make it 2-1. Castlefin kept the pressure on with Greg Regan making a great save to deny JP Malley.
In the 83rd minute Castlefin found the equalizer when Drumoghill failed to clear a corner and PJ Mc Menamin found Colin Carlin who beat the keeper and tapped home from close range. With seven minutes remaining, as the big crowd was looking to extra-time, Ronan Tourish won a free kick. PJ Mc Menamin stepped up to hit the free and scored from 30 yards out to win the game FOR Castlefin Celtic. Referee: Kevin Logue. Best for Castlefin: Damien Mc Anenny, PJ Mc Menamin and Colin Carlin. Best for Drumoghill: Kevin Kelly and Greg Regan
DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
SATURDAY REPORTS
TUESDAY 03-09-2013
Brian Mc Cormick Cup
Mulroy Celtic 0 Bonagee United 4
Bonagee travelled to Fanad for the final Brian Mc Cormick Cup Group match and left with their tails up after sweeping the home team aside. They took the lead through Karl Duggan who followed in a loose ball to head home. Soon after their frontman turned the Mulroy defence and dispatched a fine strike to the top corner. The home side offered very little and struggled to get a foothold in the game. Three and four followed in a second half which the away side held possession for long periods. Mulroy fashioned a few half chances when they brought on Talbot. Strong team performance from Bonagee United. Andrew Friel served Mulroy Celtic well.
THURSDAY 05-09-2013
Donegal Area – Group 2
St. Catherines 0 Copany Rovers 2 a.e.t.
St Catherine’s and Copany Rovers went head to head for a place in the Donegal area final.
The game started slowly with both sides sloppy in possession but after 20 minutes both sides started to find their stride getting into good positions but the final ball letting both sides down. It remained 0-0 until halftime.
Copany came out determined for the second half and started to create a few clear cut chances with Thomas Given and Callum Gallagher going close. On 75 minutes Marty Mc Grath got on the end of a David Graham cross but he hit the bar and five minutes later David Graham hit the post. St. Catherines couldn’t break the deadlock either so the match went to extra time.
Copany again started sprightly and were rewarded with two quick goals one from the impressive Calum Gallagher and the second from David Graham. That’s how it finished 2-0 a.e.t. to Copany.
SATURDAY 07-09-2013
Old Orchard Saturday Division One
St. Catherines Reserves 2 Castlefin Celtic Reserves 2
Glenea United Reserves 0 Erne Wanderers 2
It wintry conditions it was the league champions who took home all three points. Playing with the elements to their back in the first half Erne had most of the possession but were unable to create any clear cut chances until the 37th minute when Stephen Curneen headed home at the near post. Into the 2nd half and it was the home side who took control of the game but, like Erne in the opening period, they were unable to create any clear cut chances and were made to pay on 70 minutes when Mark Dorrian cooly slotted home. Glenea pushed hard to get back into the game but were denied by a couple of good saves from the Erne keeper. Credit to both sets of players in what were difficult conditions.
Mulroy Celtic 3 Ramelton Mariners 2
Played in monsoon conditions Mulroy claimed three valuable early season points. They took the lead inside five minutes when Enda Coll stepped inside two men and dispatched a great shot inside the near post. Against a very strong wind the away side played some good football and it paid off when they equalised after a badly defended corner. Mulroy continued to press and should have regained the lead when Packie rounded the keeper only for a last ditch tackle to save the keeper’s blushes. The conditions improved for the second half and it was the home side who took the lead again through Seamus Coyle who raced clear and finished clinically. They doubled their lead soon after when Coyle let fly from the edge of the area and a sizeable deflection took the ball over the keeper. Ramelton pulled a goal back with fifteen minutes left on the clock when they chipped the keeper. Mulroy held out for a hard fought win. Excellent team performance from the home side while Mariners were served well by Gibby and Giles.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Keadue Rovers Reserves Arranmore United
Match Abandoned
Milford United Reserves Strand Rovers
Match Abandoned
Donegal Town Reserves 6 Cranford United Reserves 5
Donegal Town came out on top in this extraordinary game which saw six goals scored inside the first sixteen minutes of play. Cranford three times took the lead but were pegged back on each occasion by a stubborn Donegal outfit. Buchanan put Cranford in front with a tidy finish at the near post. Donegal equalised straight from kick off when Paul Gerard Duncan was put through and he finished superbly. A Ben Mc Bride penalty was then cancelled out when Gary Harron struck a fine first time shot from outside the area. Paddy Doohan flicked home a near post corner shortly after but yet again Donegal came back when David Bustard headed home to make it 3-3 to cap of an incredible first sixteen minutes. Cranford went in ahead at the break through Paddy Doohan’s strike. After the break Donegal were much more composed and played some good football at times. Paul Gerard Duncan slipped the ball to David Harron out wide and his cross was met by David Bustard to level things up once again. Bustard then headed Donegal in front after he pounced on a mix up in the Cranford defence. With the game now in the balance Cranford broke the offside trap and Brendan Giles squared things up with ten minutes to go. Both teams pushed forward in search of a winner and Donegal made the crucial breakthrough when their star performer David Harron headed home a Ciarán O’Reilly cross. A thoroughly entertaining game which was played in a sporting manner. Best performers on the day for Donegal were the front pairing of David Harron and David Bustard along with Padhraic Mc Glynn in the centre of midfield. Overall a quality team performance from Cranford.
Tullyvinney Rovers 0 Gweedore United Reserves 5
This first day of the new League season saw this match reversed to Carrickboyle and the Gweedore side took full advantage. Tullyvinney with the aid of the strong wind, in the opening half, pressed the United defence and created half chances through Adam Gardener and Dennis Mc Bride. They found it difficult to break down the Gweedore back four. The home side looked dangerous on the break and in the 35th minute Sean Paul Mc Fadden broke the deadlock when he finished well past Michael Shields following a good through pass from Stephen O’ Donnell. In the second half the home side had the aid of the strong breeze and went two up in the 46th minute when Sean Paul Mc Fadden got his second with a good free kick from 20 yards. In the 52nd minute Ciaran Cannon made it three when he finished well having spotted Shields off his line. In the 72nd minute Mc Mahon got his hat-trick and United’s 4th when his pace took him past two defenders to finish well. United made it five in the 85th minute with Stephen O’ Donnell finishing well. In difficult weather conditions both teams delivered good performances with Sean Paul Mc Mahon deserving of his hat-trick on the day.
Curragh Athletic Reserves 3 Glenree United Reserves 2
Curragh Athletic Reserves got their new Saturday League campaign underway with a victory over Glenree United Reserves. Glenree opened the scoring on seventeen minutes through Declan Nelis. Curragh equalised following a good move resulting in Shane Elliot being brought down for a penalty. Young Justin Mc Bride stepped up and coolly scored past the Glenree stopper. Glenree went ahead again in the 52nd minute through Damian Nelis. Curragh again equalised in the 65th minute after good approach work from Burnsy who whipped in a cross and Shane Elliot beat the defender to head past the keeper. Curragh won the game in the 85th minute when a through ball from Marty Mc Laughlin found Gary Heeney who expertly drilled the ball over the advancing keeper. Curragh held on for a deserved victory. Referee: Barry Hunter
DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
RESULTS
TUESDAY 03-09-2013
Brian Mc Cormick Cup
Mulroy Celtic 0 v`4 Bonagee United
THURSDAY 05-09-2013
Donegal Area – Group 2
St. Catherines 0 v 2 a.e.t. Copany Rovers
SATURDAY 07-09-2013
Old Orchard Saturday Division One
St. Catherines Reserves 2 v 2 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Glenea United Reserves 0 v 2 Erne Wanderers
Mulroy Celtic 3 v 2 Ramelton Mariners
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Keadue Rovers Reserves Av A Arranmore United
Milford United Reserves Av A Strand Rovers
Donegal Town Reserves 6 v 5 Cranford United Reserves
Tullyvinney Rovers 0 v 5 Gweedore United Reserves (Reversed)
Curragh Athletic Reserves 3 v 2 Glenree United Reserves
SUNDAY 08-09 2013
Brian Mc Cormick – Area Finals
Dunkineely Celtic 3 v 0 Copany Rovers
Rathmullan Celtic 3 v 3 Milford United
(4-4 aet Milford won 4-2 on penalties)
Keadue Rovers 1 v 2 Glenea United
Castlefin Celtic 3 v 2 Drumoghill F.C.
DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
FIXTURES
SATURDAY 14-09-2013 K.O. 2 p.m. (Unless Stated)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Milford United Reserves v Cranford United Reserves
Strand Rovers v Gweedore United Reserves
Donegal Town Reserves v Glenree United Reserves
Curragh Athletic Reserves v Keadue Rovers Reserves
SUNDAY 15-09 2013 K.O. 2 p.m. (Unless Stated)
FAI Junior Cup
Erne Wanderers v Cockhill Celtic Youths
Fintown Harps AFC v Ballybofey United
Glenea United v Illies Celtic
Raphoe Town v Ramelton Mariners
Curragh Athletic v Bonagee United
Gweedore United v Glenree United
Castlefin Celtic v Kilmacrennan Celtic
Suvtrus F.C. v Glencar Celtic
Gweedore Celtic v Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Drumoghill F.C. v Keadue Rovers
Lagan Harps v Cappry Rovers
Eany Celtic v Aileach F.C.
Milford United v Cootehill Harps
Lifford Celtic v Cranford United
Whitestrand United v Orchard F.C.
Deele Harps v Clones Town
Tullyvinney Rovers v Buncrana Harps