Biggest ever Donegal League season gearing up for September kick-off

An increased interest in playing Saturday football and the return of some old friends has led to a larger and expanded Donegal Junior Football League.

The new Donegal Junior Football League season which kicks off on the first weekend in September sees a number of big changes.

“The difference this year is we have three divisions on a Saturday compared to two with the usual three divisions on a Sunday,” explained Donegal Junior League secretary Nigel Ferry.

The secretary was speaking following the launch of the newly expanded Donegal Junior League season at the Donegal League headquarters, in Ballyare, on Monday night.

“There seems to be an increase in interest in Saturday football with a lot of clubs entering second teams. We also have Erne Wanderers back on board after a number of years absent again this year which is good to see.”

Following the winding up of the Ulster Senior League a number of former members of the league are back on board again for the new season.

“Letterkenny Rovers and Bonagee United had teams in our Sunday leagues for the last few seasons while Fanad United, Lagan Harps, Gweedore United and Drumkeen United have joined for this season.

“All those clubs have excellent facilities and unless they had good facilities they would not be allowed in. We are delighted to have them back on board again; they can only be good for the league.”

The former Ulster Senior Leagues teams will play in the Temple Domestic Division One. The reserve teams from Letterkenny, Bonagee, Fanad, Lagan, Gweedore United and Drumkeen, along with the returning Erne Wanderers, will make up the new Saturday Division Three League.

In all the league has 60 teams competing in six leagues over two days. The three Sunday Leagues are the Brian McCormick Sports, Premier Division; The Temple Domestic, Division One; Donegal Physiotherapy, Division Two. The three Saturday leagues are; The Glencar Inn, Division One; The Old Orchard Inn, Division Two and the Finn Travel, Division Three.

Ferry said: “It is the biggest league we’ve ever had and the league is going from strength to strength. We have 40 affiliated clubs and 60 teams competing every weekend. We’ve all our sponsors back again and because of the additional league on Saturday we have a new sponsor Finn Travel in Ballybofey. We are delighted to have them and hopefully it is the beginning of a good and long relationship.”

The League also runs two Cup competitions with the Brian McCormick Sports Cup for Sunday teams and the Voodoo Venue Cup for Saturday teams.