Donegal League: Kilmacrennan Celtic two clear at the top of Premier Division

Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division

Fanad United 2-0 Castlefin Celtic

Fanad United got back to winning ways on Sunday when they defeated Castlefin Celtic 2-0 at Traigh-a-Loch.  Fanad started on the front foot and had the first chance of note in the 12th minute when Declan O'Donnell headed over from a Darragh O'Doherty corner. 

Fanad then took the lead in the 15th minute when they were awarded a free kick out on the right, Darragh O'Doherty stepped up and his left-footed effort flew into the top corner. 

Castlefin came into the game after that and in the 25th minute Ronan Tourish won possession in midfield and after a good run his shot was saved by Fanad keeper Mark Mc Conigley. A minute later Eddie O'Reilly broke free down the left but his shot went just wide of the Castlefin post. 

Just after the break, a Darragh O'Doherty corner was met by Paddy McGinley but his header went wide. Fanad did have a chance to extend their lead on 55 minutes when an excellent Eoin Logue cross was met at the back post by Eddie O'Reilly however he was denied by a superb point-blank save by Castlefin keeper Marty Owens. F

Fanad continued to push and got their second goal with 15 minutes remaining. Carlos O'Reilly exchanged passes with Eddie O'Reilly, and his fine cross fell to Dylan Mc Glone and he took a touch and fired home. Just minutes later Castlefin came agonizingly close to getting a goal back when a thunderous free kick from 30 yards by Ronan Tourish came back off the angle of the post and crossbar. 

A flash point in the 85th minute resulted in Mark Lafferty of Castlefin and Paddy McGinley of Fanad receiving red cards. In the dying minutes, Fanad should have added a 3rd goal when Eddie O'Reilly sent his brother Carlos through on goal however he dragged his shot wide. Referee: Patrick Martin. 

Kildrum Tigers 0-0 St. Catherine’s

Honours even at Station Road today as both teams failed to find a winner, played in perfect conditions, a fast-paced game throughout. Neither team could produce that cutting edge needed to take all three points.

Kilmacrennan Celtic 5-0 Keadue Rovers

Kilmacrennan took the lead on 15 minutes through Chris Dillon when he cut inside from a Paul Bradley pass and calmly scored in the bottom corner. 

On 35 minutes Gerard Mc Granaghan scored a header at the back post from a Paul Bradley corner. On 48 minutes Chris Dillon scored his second goal after being put through by Caolan Curran. 

Kilmacrennan were well on top and Curran scored on 75 minutes from inside the box after good work from Chris Dillon. Cathal McDaid scored a great header from a terrific cross from Paul Bradley on 85 minutes.

A great start to the season from Kilmacrennan. Best for Kilmacrennan were Chris Dillon, Caolan Curran and Paul Bradley. Team effort from Keadue Rovers. Referee: Dessie Mc Laughlin.

Rathmullan Celtic 1-2 Milford United

Milford’s goalkeeper John Matthews stole the show at the Moss Road Derby as Milford United took the much-desired bragging rights back to the home of the Swans with an emphatic 2-1 victory over a spirited Rathmullan Celtic at a completely packed out Flagpole Field.  

Eamonn Sheridan’s hoops got off to the dream start in the very first minute when Oisin Mc Menamin crossed into the unmarked Jay Curran and the striker volleyed in to give the hoops the perfect start and send the hoops into euphoria. 

Milford should have equalised on 30 minutes when Swan’s talismanic striker Garry Merritt crossed in to Corey Lee Blaney who had an open goal but his header came off the crossbar. 

Milford United replaced their goalkeeper Caolan Mc Gettigan at halftime with John Matthews, who completely stole the show with world-class saves denying Davitt Walsh on three separate occasions with fingertip saves over the crossbar and around the posts. 

Cathal Mc Gettigan fired in a corner kick on 65 minutes which flew into the top corner of Sean Gallagher’s net to give the visitors a much-surprised lead. 

The hoops tried in vain for an equaliser but Matthews was simply not to be beaten in goals, accompanied by his skipper at centre half Lorcan Friel, who threw his body on the line in a frantic final 20 minutes which deserved the victory and the bragging rights for the neighbours of Milford.

Referee: Michael Connolly.

Temple Domestic Appliances Division One

Bonagee United 6-1 Cranford United

The first chance of the game came on eight minutes when a strike from Liam Mc Fadden from the edge of the box went just wide of the post. 

The home side took the lead on ten minutes when a Michael Funston shot from twenty yards came off the bar and struck the keeper and ended up in the back of the net. 

On seventeen minutes Jordan Armstrong for the home side saw his strike on goal blocked on the line and the rebound fell to Dan O’ Donnell and his strike was well saved by Keelan Pritchard in the Cranford goal. 

Liam Mc Bride again came close on twenty-five minutes but his strike from thirty yards went just past the post. The home side got their second on fifty minutes when a great cross into the box by Eoghan Doherty fell to Dan O’ Donnell who scored from six yards. 

The visitors were awarded a penalty two minutes later and Chris Carr converted from the spot. The home team got their third on the hour when Dan O’ Donnell crossed into the box from the left side to Dean Larkin who headed home from ten yards. 

Aiden Mc Laughlin saw his header from a Funston cross from ten yards hit the post and go wide on sixty-five minutes. Two minutes later the home team got their fourth when Pauric Gilsenan scored from ten yards from a Dan O’ Donnell cross. 

Larkin got his second of the game on seventy-five minutes when Funston broke down the right and his cross into the box was headed home from ten yards. 

The visitors were always a threat on the break and strikes from Kyle Doherty and Domhnall Sweeney went just wide of the post. The final goal of the game came on eight six minutes when Jordan Armstrong won the ball in the middle of the field, he went on a solo run and fired home from fifteen yards. Team efforts by both sides. Referee: Seamie Ferry. 

Convoy Arsenal 2-3 Gweedore United

Nothing much happened in this game until the 25th minute when Anthony Bogle gave the home team the lead with a screamer from all of thirty yards. 

The visitors upped their game after this and drew level on the stroke of halftime when Stephen Doyle Mc Fadden hit the net following good work on the right. 

Ten minutes into the second half the same player struck again from close range to give Gweedore the lead. Five minutes later they went 3-1 up when Cathal Gillespie turned home from a corner. Convoy kept pressing and got a second on full time, a great strike out on the left from the boot of Darren Harvey. 

A young Eamonn Coyle had a fine game for Convoy while Doyle Mc Fadden was excellent for the visitors.

Glenea United 2-1 Cappry Rovers

In perfect conditions for football, Cappry were the visitors to Pairc Joe. Cappry were first off the mark in the 15th minute when Darragh Boyle’s cross was headed in at the back post by Alan Gethins. 

Glenea equalised five minutes later when Calvin Murray’s pass out PJ Duggan through to calmly finish past Eoin Gallen. 

Both teams enjoyed dominant spells as the half progressed with notable chances coming from Aaron Kelly of Cappry and Darren McGeever. The second half started much the same as the first with both teams working hard to create chances. 

Cappry had an effort from Aaron Kelly clip the bar in the 80th minute but it was Glenea who got the next goal when Darren Mc Geever smashed home a loose ball after a Shane Coll corner. 

Cappry pushed hard for an equaliser but the home side dug in for the three points. Best for Glenea were Darren Mc Geever and Ciaran Coll. Referee: Con Mc Laughlin

Letterbarrow Celtic 3-5 Lagan Harps

A misty morning in Tymeen made for perfect playing conditions as both teams looked to take all three points.  

Letterbarrow started strong but soon found themselves two behind after a great purple patch of play from the away side. Letterbarrow’s hopes began to fade more so when Lagan went three up. Gerrard McBrearty pulled one back however with a screamer from 30 yards.

Conor Mc Daid’s return to Letterbarrow gave the home side hope and the striker grew into the game more and more. 

Gerard Mc Brearty scored the second for the home side. Lagan calmed themselves and another purple patch put them 5-2 up with minutes to spare.  Kevin’s Mc Brearty scored a further consolation goal for the home side. 

Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two

Ballybofey United 3-1 Curragh Athletic

Ballybofey made home advantage count against their near neighbours Curragh Athletic on Sunday and extended their great start to the new season by doing so. 

They should really have been ahead at the break after dominating the first-half but they didn’t find the net until the second period. 

No prizes for guessing the hitman, it was the experienced Damien Glackin who opened the scoring for the hosts. 

His successor elected to the Ballybofey United Striker’s Jersey, Daithí Mc Mahon lived up to his billing when he extended the Ballybofey lead. 

Curragh pulled a goal back but Ballybofey regained their two-goal advantage when Glackin got his second to secure the points. A sound all-round performance from Ballybofey against a spirited Curragh side. Referee: George Clinton.   

Deele Harps 2-1 Whitestrand United

Whitestrand United took on Deele Harps in a reverse fixture at Mc Garvey Park. Whitestrand took the lead when Ciaran Sweeney scored with Whitestrand’s first attack. 

Deele quickly responded when they scored from a rebound from a good save from the Whitestrand keeper. Deele pushed for a second but Whitestrand were resolute. 

Deele started the second half well and took the lead when Rory Lynsey scrambled in a second. Deele we’re playing the better football but Whitestrand were always in the game and came close to an equaliser but Deele held on for an important win

Drumkeen United 6-0 Raphoe Town

Raphoe were the visitors to a damp St. Patrick's Park on Sunday afternoon. 

While this ended up as a comfortable victory for the home team it was not as straightforward as the result might suggest. This game got off to a lively start and it was the visitors who had the first shot in anger which went well over the Drumkeen Crossbar. 

Jason Mc Daid had a good start to the game and was looking dangerous and he had a good chance to put Drumkeen ahead but young goalkeeper Robbie Dolan was out quickly to deny him at the edge of the box. 

McDaid then had the perfect opportunity to put Drumkeen ahead when a penalty was awarded after he was fouled.  

McDaid himself stepped up to take the penalty but unfortunately for him and Drumkeen he saw his effort saved by Dolan. Shortly after that McDaid was in the thick of it again when he ran at the Raphoe defence and once again it was up to young Dolan to deny him which he did. 

McDaid got injured in this encounter and even though he tried to play on he was forced to leave the field shortly after that.  Drumkeen then had to survive a long spell of Raphoe pressure but the defence under the leadership of Mickey Black held firm. 

As half time approached this game then turned in Drumkeen's favour as they managed to break the deadlock when Caolan Marley headed home from an Eoghan Kennedy Corner. They added a second just before the break when young Dabhan Doherty scored with a great effort as he lobbed the keeper from just inside the Box. 

Drumkeen pressed home their advantage further early in the second half when Mickey Black was on hand to fire home when the ball fell to him at the edge of the box. Raphoe battled away despite the scoreline but it was the home team who scored again. 

This time it was great work by Auyrn Coyle with a fine dribble into the box and his cross went into the Raphoe net off a Raphoe defender. 

Drumkeen's fifth goal was a great team goal with Auyrn Coyle doing well to find Dabhan Doherty who put in a great cross which was headed home by Caolan Marley.

Dabhan Doherty completed a great day for himself with a great finish from a tight angle out on the right wing. Raphoe kept going until the end as they pushed for what at that stage was going to be nothing more than a consolation goal. 

Drumkeen managed to hold out for a clean sheet to go with the three Points. 

Despite the scoreline Raphoe Goalkeeper Robbie Dolan had a fine game and Oran Kelly and Ryan Kildea were livelythroughout. This was a good game played in a good sporting manner.

Kerrykeel ’71  8-0 Dunkineely Celtic

The home side got their first win of the season over a struggling Dunkineely side. Brandon Mc Clafferty got the first on 10 minutes with a fine header. 

Ryan Mc Ginley made it two with a brilliant lob and Brandon made it three on the stroke of halftime with a low shot to the bottom corner. 

Kevin Loughrey got the fourth after the break and got a further two along with strikes from Mark Friel to round off the scoring and hopefully kick-start the season. Mark Gallagher was excellent today in what was an all-round team performance. Referee: Sean Ferry 

Glencar Inn Saturday Division One

Keadue Rovers Reserves 5-1 Donegal Town Reserves

Keadue Reserves were impressive winners on Saturday afternoon at home to Donegal Town Reserves. The game, played in pleasant conditions, was lively from the opening minutes, played at a good pace. 

The home side had a stiff breeze at their backs in the first half, but despite that, Donegal Town had the better of the opening five minutes, moving the ball around well. 

Keadue took the lead against the run of play, when on seven minutes, from a corner, Mark Boyle's goalbound header was blocked but Dan Kerr was on hand to fire home the rebound. 

They kept the pressure on and on sixteen minutes, Michael Greene fired over from the edge of the area. Just after twenty minutes, Oran Fallon had another good chance, firing at the keeper from close range. 

Donegal Town broke away after twenty-six minutes, but the cross came to no avail. The home side continued their press and were again unlucky when Aaron Neely shot just wide. 

Back came Donegal Town on thirty-five minutes, when they shot just over the bar. The final chance of the half came when Oran Fallon had another fine chance and it should've been a two-goal gap at the break. 

In the second half and despite Keadue playing against a strong breeze, they were straight on the front foot and two minutes in Aaron Neely produced a fine second goal, picking the ball from outside the area beating several players and slotting home low to the net. 

Several Keadue subs were made around the hour mark and one of these subs, Oisin Mc Kelvey, went on a mazy run and chipped the keeper for 3-0. 

Just after the hour mark, Donegal Town pulled one back when from a free kick on the right-hand side, they headed to the net in a congested area. Keadue responded very well to this, they managed the remainder of the game very well. 

They made it 4-1 midway through the second half, following some good passing at the edge of the area and Oran Fallon hit a nice finish to the corner of the net. 

They continued to manage the game well and five minutes from the end they completed an impressive afternoon's work, getting a fifth to leave the home team with their 100% home record so far this season. 

A team effort from Donegal Town, while best for Keadue were Aaron Neely, Michael Greene, Dan Kerr and Oisin Mc Kelvey. Referee: Barry Tourish.

Oldtown Celtic 3-1 Cappry Rovers Reserves

Oldtown had to work hard to earn the win over a stubborn Cappry side. Oldtown probably edged the first half but the game was 1-1 at the break. 

Oldtown took the lead through a Micheal Doherty penalty before Cappry equalised after Oldtown failed to clear from a corner. 

Cappry were also indebted to their goalkeeper who pulled off a magnificent save from a John Mc Fadden header. 

The second half started with Oldtown pushing to take the lead with both Micheal Doherty and Sean Cleary hitting the bar early in the half.  

Oldtown finally took the lead 15 minutes from the end when Moe Friel headed home from a Luke Nelis corner. Luke Friel then added a 3rd with the goal of the game when he cut back away from his man and fired his shot into the corner. 

St. Catherine's Reserves 7-0 Glenea United Reserves

St Catherine's had a comprehensive win over a hardworking Glenea team. 

The home team went in front on ten minutes when James Callan scored from the spot and they stretched that lead five minutes later when Jamie Elliott shot home from six yards. 

The third goal arrived on twenty minutes when Paul "Feet" Murrin latched on to a long clearance to slot home. 

Glenea had several half chances without really testing the home defence and the score at half time remained 3-0. The second half followed the same pattern with the Saints wasting several chances before getting the fourth goal on 70 minutes when Dermot Cunningham scored from close range. 

The fitness levels of the younger home players was proving decisive and Josh Cunningham got in on the scoring, grabbing a quickfire hat-trick in the last 10 minutes. 

Best for St. Catherines were the midfield trio of Daniel Keeney, Nathan Maxwell and Jamie Elliot. Patrick Mc Fadden and Michael Mc Hugh were best for Glenea. Referee: Raymond Gallagher

Strand Rovers 3-1 Fintown Harps AFC

The home team claimed the 3 points with Darragh Hanlon scoring in the 5th minute from a pass by Michael Houston to settle them into the match. 

Both sides had some great chances in the first half with Darragh Hanlon coming close on several occasions. The strong north east wind to the backs of the travelling side provided too much power and sent the ball over the bar more than once. 

In the 29th minute a free kick for Strand Rovers found Hanlon in the box for his second goal of the day when his first headed effort came off the bar, back to him, for a second header which fell nicely into the bottom corner. 

That lead was halved only a minute later when a speculative strike from Sergey Oriabinskyi for Fintown Harps hit the crossbar and bounced in behind the keeper.  

The second half continued much as the first with both sides pushing for another goal but all their efforts were fruitless, the keepers coming out on top. 

The only goal of the second half came from a young Strand Rovers’ substitute Killian Gillespie in the 85th minute when Damian Mc Gowen passed to Gillespie who’s strike hit the bar and into the net to leave the home side sitting on a comfortable lead to play out the last few minutes of the game. 

Old Orchard Saturday Division Two

Ballybofey United Reserves 2-2 Dunlewey Celtic

Ballybofey started the game strong, with some slick passing and creating chances for Kieran Thompson and Dylan Murphy, with Murphy’s chance being the better, finding himself one-on-one with the keeper but his shot went just over the bar. 

Against the run of play, Dunlewey got the opener, after good play down the left wing the ball was crossed to the back post and headed home past Joe O’Donnell in Ballybofey goals.  

United got themselves back on level terms when Kieran Thompson reacted quickest to slot home after the keeper spilled a Josh Preston shot. Half Time 1-1.  

Ballybofey came out strong for the second half and got themselves in front when Kieran Thompson showed great skill down the right side and then showed composure to square it to Dylan Murphy who finished well from 6 yards out. 

United were reduced to 10 men after 55 minutes. Dunlewey were then reduced to 10 men after 65 minutes. 

After a frantic few minutes near the end, Dunlewey grabbed the equaliser with the last attack of the game. A corner was swung into the back post, it looked harmless until it was directed home by a Dunlewey attacker. That is how it ended with the teams sharing the points. 

Castlefin Celtic Reserves 1-0 Gweedore Celtic Reserves

Castlefin overcame Gweedore thanks to a second-half strike from Cathal Kennedy in a game that was played in Convoy. 

Castlefin were threatening throughout with Paul Friel having two clear opportunities but he was unable to find the target. Castlefin took the lead in the early stages of the second half when Kennedy broke through the Gweedore defence and dinked the ball over the advancing keeper into the net. 

Gweedore put the pressure on and were dangerous through attacker Colin Ferry but the Castlefin defence held out to secure all three points. Huge thanks to Convoy Arsenal for the use of their facilities 

Copany Rovers 2-2 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves

On what was a fine day for football, it was the home side who started brightest, creating several chances but just unable to find a way through. 

On 15 minutes, Copany sprung the offside track and Alex Mc Nelis finished well to give the home side a deserved lead. Less than 5 minutes later, and following some strong running from Eoin Rush, the home side were awarded a penalty which Daniel Brogan duly scored. 

It seemed that it would be Copany taking the three points but Drumoghill weren't going down without a fight and 3 minutes before the break, they pulled one back. Half time 2-1. 

The second half started the same way as the first with Copany seeing most the ball but unable to find the breakthrough. 

On 65 minutes Drumoghill had themselves level with what must be an early contender for goal of the season. As tempers frayed late on, the home side created yet more chances but were unlucky not to find a winner. 

Cranford United Reserves 2-7 Ramelton Mariners

A tale of two halves but in the end Ramelton Mariners ran out comfortable winners. Cranford played well in the first half and went in 2-1 up thanks to goals from Dom Potter and Domhnaill Sweeney. 

The second half was all about Mariners are they scored six unanswered goals and ran out comfortable winners. 

Milford United Reserves 1-4 Swilly Rovers Reserves

Swilly took all three points with a well-deserved win against local rivals Milford United. Milford looked good at the start but Ryan Moore broke through the defence to slot the ball in the back of the net. 

It was all Swilly from then on with two goals from Daniel Mc Ateer and another from Moore to have the visitors up by four at the break. 

Finn Travel Saturday Division Three

Erne Wanderers 3-0 Bonagee United Reserves

Erne welcomed Bonagee to Inver on Saturday afternoon. 

After a scoreless first half Erne stepped on the gas and scored three goals through Jakub Naperski with 2 and an Adam Mc Glone penalty. 

A young Bonagee team tried hard but couldn’t penetrate Erne’s defence. A solid performance from Erne with Jakub Naperski and Barry Mulligan excellent throughout

Gweedore United Reserves 2-2 Fanad United Reserves

The game was played on a very good day for football at Gweedore's second home, Pobal Scoil Gaoth Dobhair. In front of a good turnout it was a tight game with most of the play in the middle of the park. 

The home side started sharply, with Seaghan O’ Baoill allowed to get a shot off from the edge of the box after just 3 minutes, narrowly missing the target. 

Shortly after that, in the 10th minute, Fanad took the lead with an excellent shot from the edge of the box by Dylan Mc Bride that nestled right up in the top corner. 

In the 23rd minute, Stephen Mulhern, who proved very hard to handle for the visitors, thought he broke the offside trap and would have been in for an attempt at goal only to find himself offside. 

After a spell of good pressure from Fanad on the thirty-minute mark, Gweedore failed to clear their lines and Fanad took full advantage when Dylan Mc Glone slotted home to make it 2-0. 

In the 39th minute, Fanad failed to clear their lines following a corner and Francis Gallagher was the man in the right spot to tap home from close range to make it 2-1 to the visitors at the break. 

The second half kicked off and it was more of the same, with a good physical battle in the middle of the park with no real chances in the early stages. 

Two subs for the home side proved vital, as Abdul Obabire won the ball in the midfield area and sprung an attack with a ball over the top, which Fanad conceded a corner from. From the resulting corner and a goalmouth scramble, the ball broke to Dean Collum who calmly slotted home with just 5 minutes to go. 

Both teams stayed tight until the final whistle and the match ended in a of 2-2 draw.  Man of the match was Steven Mulhern for Gweedore as he ran the wings non-stop for 90 minutes and was a real thorn in Fanad’s side. Dylan Mc Bride excelled for Fanad. Referee: Shaun O Donnell.

Letterkenny Rovers Reserves 8-0 Drumkeen United Reserves

The first half was dominated by Rovers with most of the game being played in the Drumkeen half. Rovers had several early chances in the first 5 minutes. 

The best was from a corner that was glanced wide by Darragh Morrision. On 11 minutes Jordan Nugent stepped inside on the left of the 18-yard box and drove a strike towards the goal to be denied by a great save from Drumkeen keeper Evan Higgins. 

The breakthrough came in the 13th minute from a long throw into the box for Mohammed Touchami to tap in. The second goal came on 18 minutes when Jordan Nugent fed Mohammed to double the lead. 

Danny Hall came close on 31 minutes when he weaved through several players before getting a fine strike only to be denied by the crossbar. The third goal came from a corner on the 34th minute. 

Delivered by Gareth Temple, it found Mohammed free at the back of the 6-yard box where he headed home to complete his hat trick. On 38 minutes, following patient build-up play, Gareth Temple delivered into the box for Darragh Morrison to head home. 

Just on half time Rovers got their 5th from a free from just outside the Drumkeen 6-yard box. Jordan Nugent drove through the defence into the goal. The second half continued much the same as the first half. 

On 50 minutes Joel Gorman delivered a ball into the box for Jordan Nugent to direct to goal. On 55 minutes a corner from Gareth Temple found Mohammed free in the box and he headed home his fourth goal of the match. 

Mohammed got his fifth on 67 minutes after receiving the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box and creating the space to get a strike on goal that was out of the reach of the Drumkeen keeper. 

Drumkeen’s closest chance came in the 83rd minute from a free kick but went wide. A strong start to the season for Rovers with two convincing wins from two. Referee: John Duffy