Erne Wanderers earn promotion after downing Milford United 

Erne Wanderers are promoted to the Donegal League Saturday Division 2 courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Milford United at Dry Arch Park. 

The two sides were level at the interval however, a 55th minute strike from Rian Treanor sealed promotion for the Ballyshannon men to mark a successful first year back in senior football. 

Wanderers got off to a dream start in this encounter, opening the scoring after just five minutes. 

Treanor found Adam McGlone in a pocket of space and the Erne forward curled a fine effort from range into the bottom corner of the net, putting his side ahead. 

The advantage was shortlived though as, five minutes later, Milford were back on level terms. 

A fantastic ball over the top of the Erne defence found the advancing Killian McBride and he slipped the ball low past Shaun O’Boyle.

The next period of the contest was finely poised but, on 40 minutes, the Milford men had a glorious opportunity to go ahead. 

Niall Murray whipped an inviting ball into the corridor of uncertainty. His cross was met by the foot of Ciaran Blaney, but he was unable to finish from six yards. 

Diarmaid Slevin’s side came out after the half-time interval and began the second stanza the stronger of the two sides. 

They got their reward ten minutes after the restart, finding the net back of the net for the second time. Jakub Naperski proceeded on a mazy run before crossing into the box. 

His cross was cleared but only to the path of Treanor who fired the ball into the roof of the net to put his side back in the lead. 

On the hour mark, Milford came close to equalising for the second time. A through ball from Ciaran Blaney found Darren McLaughlin who tried to square it to Killian McBride however, Aaron Cullen was on hand to intervene and prevent a certain goal. 

The Milford men continued to put pressure on the Erne Wanderers goal, in search of a crucial goal that would keep their survival hopes alive. 

They had three successive chances to find the back of the net through Conor Meachin (2) and Darren McLaughlin but Shaun O’Boyle was able to deal with all the efforts. 

Five minutes out from the end of the 90, the Ballyshannon men were inches away from putting matters beyond all doubt. 

A McGlone freekick from 20 yards rattled the Milford United to keep the game alive approaching the final stages. Just moments later, there was action at the other end of the pitch. 

Ryan slipped the ball into the path of Killian who shot goalwards but O’Boyle continued his fine afternoon with a point-blank save. 

Deep into injury time, Slevin’s men had another gilt-edged opportunity to get over the line when they were awarded a spotkick by referee Dessie McLaughlin.

McGlone stepped up to take the penalty but was denied by a super save from ‘keeper John Matthews. 

It didn’t matter however, as McLaughlin called an end to proceedings to mark a fine afternoon for the Lakeside residents in their first year back in senior football. 

Erne Wanderers: Shaun O’Boyle; Ryan McKenna, Dylan Gallagher, Aaron Cullen, Shane Brady, JC McGarrigle, Dylan Dorrian, Barry Mulligan, Adam McGlone, Jakub Naperski, Rian Treanor (Gary O’Brien, 65). 

Milford United: John Matthews; Adam Campbell, Jordan Ryan, Shane McFadden, Ciaron Gibbons (Ultan Blaney, 87), Niall Murray, Alec McConigley (Adam Hosford, 65), Killian McBride, Conor Meachin (Ryan Canning, 82), Darren McLaughlin, Ciaran Blaney. 

Referee: Dessie McLaughlin.