Donegal League: Milford suffer relegation following defeat to Gweedore Celtic

Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division 

Gweedore Celtic 2-0 Milford United 

The home team managed to get past fellow relegation strugglers, Milford United, at An Screabán with two second-half goals, and will now face a play-off in a few weeks' time to see if they can maintain their Premier status for next season.  

Gweedore put Milford under pressure from the start and could have been ahead on five minutes when Martin Coyle just failed to get on the end of Aidan Breathnach's cross. Gweedore were dominating possession but the Milford defence restricted them to long-range efforts and veteran goalkeeper, Caolán Mc Gettigan, dealt with crosses and corners that posed any threats to Milford.  

The first goal was going to prove crucial for either side and it was the home side who struck after 10 minutes to eventually break Milford's resistance. Ciaran McHugh sent Martin Coyle free on the left and his cross was volleyed to the net by Jamie Doherty from the corner of the box for a well-taken goal.  

Gweedore Celtic went in search of a second and had opportunities through Crónán McFadden, Aidan Breathnach, and Martin Coyle but they failed to extend their lead.  

Sensing a chance of an equaliser Milford threw players forward and almost snatched it when a free kick from the left was missed at the back post by Killian McBride.   

With time almost up Gweedore secured the points when Coyle's reverse pass set up Ciaran McHugh to squeeze the ball past McGettigan at the far post. The win sees them leapfrog Milford into the play-off position.

Castlefin Celtic 1-0 St Catherine’s 

Castlefin finally secured a league victory after a hard-fought win over St Catherine’s. In a game of very few clear-cut chances, Castlefin had a few long-range attempts from Corrie-Lee Bogan and Ronan Tourish.  

Castlefin finally broke the deadlock just before half time when Dan Foy headed home an Emmett White corner. The second half followed the same pattern with very few chances created and the hosts held on for the victory   

Swilly Rovers 2-2 Keadue Rovers 

Swilly Rovers and Keadue Rovers shared the spoils in this battle. Chris Greene's attempt was thwarted by Barry Gallagher in the Swilly goal at 21 minutes.  

Swilly took the lead at 31 minutes when Brad Patterson's pass found Laurence Toland who stylishly fired home. Keadue equalised at 47 minutes with Aiden Brennan's close-range shot.  

Chris Greene put the visitors ahead at 56 minutes from the spot, but Matthew McLaughlin levelled for Swilly at 70 minutes from a penalty. Keadue pressed hard in the final 20 minutes with the wind advantage, but Barry Gallagher's excellent goalkeeping denied them. Keadue couldn't find a winner and the match ended in a draw.   

Temple Domestic Appliances Division One 

Cranford United 2-2 Bonagee United 

The points were shared on a windy day in Cranford Park where Bonagee had a lot of the ball but were frustrated by the Cranford game plan that was successful throughout.   

Cranford took the lead after 20 minutes when Paddy Sheils was released and beat his man and finished well. Bonagee responded quickly and went 2-1 up in the space of five minutes.  

The second half was the same with Bonagee having a lot of ball but couldn't get the goal to put them two clear and were punished when Cathair Sweeney crossed into Paddy McGeever who headed home. Jason Hegarty pulled off some great saves at the end to ensure the points were shared. 

Glencar Inn Saturday Division One 

Strand Rovers 2-1 Glenea United Reserves 

The weather in Strand Park played a big factor making it hard to play any type of football and that was evident in the first half as it took both teams quite a while to adapt.  

Glenea played the better football in the first few minutes but failed to make any inroads and failed to hit the target and trouble James McEniff in the Strand net.  

Strand got a grip of the game midway through the half and looked the more dangerous and had the better of the chances, but the Glenea keeper pulled off some good saves to keep it level heading in at half time.  

Strand were finding it hard to get out of their own half and it was Glenea who hit the front just 10 minutes in when the ball was pinballing about the Strand area and fell to PJ Duggan and he finished it into the back of the net.  

Strand pushed hard for an equaliser and their efforts were rewarded when a cross from Dylan Boyle found Brendan Glackin whose shot went high into the net making the score 1-1. Strand pushed on for the winner and 10 minutes later they had the ball in the middle of the field with Darragh Hanlon and he played a delightful outside of the boot pass into Dylan Boyle who dribbled it into the box and finished into the back of the net through the keeper’s legs.