Donegal League reports: Lagan Harps crowned Division 2 champions

Lagan Harps posted the victory they needed at Gweedore United, to win the Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two.
Meanwhile, a Ciaran McHugh hat-trick for Gweedore Celtic ensured a promotion courtesy of a second-placed finish in the Temple Domestic Appliances Division One was confirmed following a 5-0 win at Drumkeen United, who were relegated.

Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division
Cappry Rovers 1-2 Fanad United

Fanad United have returned to the summit of the Premier Division after coming from behind to win away at Cappry Rovers. 

The hosts took the lead on the half hour via a strike from Conor Doherty and Fanad replied courtesy of an effort from Eoin Logue moments before the interval.  Patrick Carr netted a towering header just minutes into the second half to claim the three points that has put Arthur Lynch's side two points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.

Kildrum Tigers 1-1 Kilmacrennan Celtic

Bonagee United 3-0 Glenea United

The home team took the lead on three minutes when Aidy Mc Laughlin won the ball in midfield, he sent Aaron Wasson clear down the right and his cross into the box was hammered home from 15 yards by McLaughlin. 

Bonagee got their second on seven minutes when Aaron Wasson broke clear down the right wing and his cross into the box went in off the back post. 

Darren Mc Geever came on as a sub for the visitors and he had a few good chances. On sixty-five minutes from just inside the box he hit the side netting. The hosts got their third on 75 minutes when Cian in the home goal found Paddy Mc Gowan with a long kick out which he headed on to Aaron Wasson who shot home from just inside the box. 

Castlefin Celtic 2-0 St Catherine’s

Castlefin secured all three points in a closely contested affair with St. Catherine's.

A second half brace from JP Malley saw the home side secure a much-needed victory. A fully deserved victory for the hosts who went close from Emmet White, Ronan Tourish and Malley all before Malley's double.

Rathmullan Celtic 3-0 Keadue Rovers

A perfect afternoon for football at the Seaside saw Rathmullan scoring three unanswered goals to claim maximum points against a visiting Keadue side,The first half was an even affair with both sides looking to get the ball down and play on a perfect Flagpole surface. Rathmullan led thanks to Oisin Mc Menamin's cool finish beyond the half-hour, with Shaun Gallagher denying Keadue an opener with a superb one-handed claim on the goal-line before that. 
Eamonn Sheridan's side attacked the town end after the interval and doubled their lead with a superbly crafted move finished by Reggie Miller on 53 minutes, with the lively Mark Mc Ateer getting the goal he craved on 83 minutes to seal the win.

Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore Celtic 5-0 Drumkeen United

After seven seasons in the First Division, Gweedore Celtic gained promotion to the Premier Division with this victory over a gallant Drumkeen, who find themselves going in the opposite direction, having finished at the bottom of the division. 

The game was put beyond Drumkeen as early as the fifth minute when the home team raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of goals from Ciaran Mc Hugh and Thomas Diver. 

Na Ceiltigh, inspired by this start, went in search of further goals to maintain their promotion push and by half time they were in a comfortable position leading by five goals. Much of the inspiration was supplied by team captain Ciaran McHugh who hit two early goals and finished the game with a hat-trick.

The third of his goals was the pick of the bunch when he volleyed Ryan Greene's cross to the back of the net from 12yards. Energetic midfielder Liam Wiggins finished the scoring with a thirty-yard strike to leave Gweedore five ahead at the break. 

The second half was a tamer affair with Gweedore dominating possession but they found Drumkeen in no mood to let them increase their goal tally. With news of Milford's defeat at the hands of Swilly coming through at the final whistle Na Ceiltigh could celebrate promotion to the delight of players, supporters and the management of Paul Rua Mc Bride and Paul Lynch in their first season in charge. 

Gweedore had fine performances but the stand-out performance was that of captain and hat-trick scorer Ciaran Mc Hugh.

Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. P-P Donegal Town

Letterbarrow Celtic P-P Convoy Arsenal

Letterkenny Rovers 3-0 Raphoe Town
Letterkenny Rovers finished off their league campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Raphoe Town at Leckview Park. 

The hosts opened the scoring inside the opening 15 minutes when a neat interchange between Danny Hall and Jordan Nugent resulted in Hall smashing the ball into the net past former Rovers’ goalkeeper Aaron Hepburn.  The Raphoe netminder did well a couple of minutes later with a smart save to deny Luke Parke while at the other end Oisin Kelly stuck the wall with a free-kick from just outside the box. 

Parke was again denied by Hepburn on the hour mark before Rovers doubled their lead on 65 minutes. Substitute Moukthar Bouasrea fed the ball through to Hall who produced an accomplished finish from close range for his second goal of the game.  Rovers wrapped up the victory courtesy of a Gareth Temple piledriver with just a few minutes remaining on the clock. Raphoe will play in Division  Two next season.

Swilly Rovers 5-0 Milford United
Swilly Rovers put on an impressive performance to secure a 5-0 win over Milford United as they completed their league campaign unbeaten with 17 wins and a draw. 

Kyle Black, who has been in fine form throughout the season, added to his tally with three clinical finishes. Corey Mc Cahill was also exceptional on the day, scoring two goals to contribute to Swilly's victory. Milford United showed glimpses of their ability in the first half, playing some good football and pressing hard.

However, they were unable to break through Swilly's defence, marshalled superbly by Ciaran Kelly, who stood firm to keep a clean sheet. Milford's best chance came in the 80th minute when Gary Merritt's free-kick produced a brilliant save from Swilly's goalkeeper. 

Barry Gallagher parried the ball out and then blocked Cathal Mc Gettigan’s rebounded effort. With this victory, Swilly Park bids farewell to another season, having showcased their talent and consistency throughout the league campaign. 

Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Gweedore United 0-3 Lagan Harps

This game played in perfect conditions in Gweedore saw the visitors claim the three points they needed to win the league. 

Lagan got off to the best possible start when they scored in the third minute following a defensive error that saw the ball fall to Travis Crawford who scored. In the 23rd minute Lagan made it 2-0 following another defensive error that was excellently finished by Matthew Doran. 

On the stroke of half time Marty Brogan scored a powerful header from a corner to make it 3-0. In the second half the home side, left with a mountain to climb, pressed the game and played well with all the possession in the Lagan half, however they couldn't find the breakthrough their play deserved. It was a case of too little too late for the home side who have one game left against Ballybofey in a winner takes all game for the play-off spot in this division. 

Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Dunlewey Celtic 1-2 Kildrum Tigers Reserves

Kildrum started the game brightly and won a penalty after three minutes when the Dunlewey keeper was deemed to have fouled the Kildrum attacker. 

Kildrum managed to squeeze home the penalty when the ball slid under the keeper’s body. Kildrum dominated the first half and created a lot of chances. They managed to add another goal before half-time to go in two up at the break, though they should have been more ahead. Dunlewey came out for the second half and with the wind at their backs, started the better creating more chances. 

The hosts pulled a goal back when Dillon Mc Fadden scored from 25 yards into the top corner. Dunlewey pushed for an equaliser but Kildrum held out to take the three points home after surviving the last 15 minutes of the game having had a man sent off. 

Cappry Rovers Reserves 1-4 Donegal Town Reserves
This game was reversed to the Hospital Field in Donegal Town. 

Donegal Town went one up in the opening ten minutes through Noel Gavigan. Donegal had a lot of possession in the first half but Cappry defended really well and the score remained 1-0 at half time. Donegal started the second half well and stretched the lead to 2-0 through Gavigan again. Donegal Town then added another two goals with David Graham getting both.  Cappry never gave up and pulled one back through Eoghan Wright with a neat finish to the corner.

Copany Rovers 1-4 Arranmore United

Glencar Celtic 9-0 Glenea United Reserves

Oldtown Celtic 5-0 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
Oldtown controlled possession in the early stages but struggled to break down a well-organised Drumoghill defence. They did make the breakthrough when Joe Friel produced some nice footwork in the box before finishing into the corner. Sean Cleary soon doubled the lead by breaking the offside trap and slotting past the advancing Drumoghill keeper.

Cleary then immediately added his second and Oldtown’s thrd, this time rounding the keeper to add to the lead. Cleary completed his hat-trick for the second week in a row early in the second half, heading home after good work down the left-hand side from Paddy Mc Laughlin. Kevin Mc Grath added a fifth with a well struck effort from the edge of the area. Drumoghill pushed to get back into the game but the Oldtown defence were well marshalled to hold on to a clean sheet.

Strand Rovers 2-2 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Despite Wintry conditions in Strand Park there was a great show of support for both sides in this weekend’s local derby. After eight minutes a throw-in taken by Matthew O’ Donnell came off the Keadue defender back to Cain Mc Gee who scored at the second attempt. 

Oisin Mc Kelvey levelled the scoreline when he scored a long-range free-kick and that is how they stood when the half-time whistle sounded. The second-half saw Strand Rovers almost take the lead when an excellent shot from Jordan Saville from outside the box was saved by Keadue keeper Caolan Bonner.

Strand tried hard to regain the lead, they went close from a header from Matthew O’ Donnell that went just over the bar. They finally took the lead in the 84th minute when another throw-in from Matthew O’ Donnell bobbled around in the box before Jordan Saville tapped it over the line. Their lead was short lived as another free-kick from Oisin Mc Kelvey found the head of Martin Ferry who restored parity. 

Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Drumbar United 1-5 Fintown Harps AFC

St. Catherines Reserves 1-0 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
St. Catherines continued their recent good form with a narrow, hard earned, win over Castlefin. The first half was a largely forgettable affair with few chances created and it only came to life shortly before half time when JP McGuinness twice went close for the home side and Daniel Foy had an attempt on target for the visitors.

The Saints started the second half brightly and scored the decisive goal in the 50th minute. A long ball played forward found Paul Murrin who outpaced the defence and finished low into the corner. Two minutes later he beat two defenders but his shot was brilliantly tipped round the post by Reece Gallagher.

Swilly Rovers Reserves 1-2 Ballybofey United Reserves