Donegal League: Bonagee United overcome Milford and advance in the Ulster Junior Cup

Ulster Junior Cup

Milford United 2-4 Bonagee United

In a game switched to Dry Arch Park from Milford, Bonagee came out on top on Friday night under the lights. 

Bonagee certainly started the game on the front foot and took the lead in the 13^th minute. Shay Maloney dispossessed a Milford defender and released Jamie Harris whose effort from 20 yards went in off the underside of the crossbar to give Bonagee the lead. 

It was 2-0 nine minutes later.  A ball into the area was knocked into the path of Dan O’Donnell by Aidan Mc Laughlin and O’Donnell made no mistake, curling an effort beyond Caolan McGettigan from the edge of the box. In the 32^nd minute, Milford halved the deficit, when Kyle Black scored a penalty following a handball in the area by a Bonagee defender. 

Bonagee regained their two-goal advantage five minutes before halftime. A long-range effort by Gareth Harkin rattled the base of the post and the inrushing Maloney was on hand to make it 3-1.

Ten minutes into the second period, Milford made it 3-2.  Kyle Black was adjudged to have been fouled by the Bonagee keeper in the area, and Cathal McGettigan made no mistake from 12 yards. 

Bonagee got the fourth and final goal of the contest when Jack Parke raced forward and shot from the edge of the box to the far corner to put Bonagee into the next round of this competition.

Lagan Harps 0-6 Ballybofey United

Some clinical finishing from Kyle Martin saw Lagan through to the next round. He opened the scoring on two minutes when a through ball from Iarlaith Duffy put him through. 

He made it 2-0 on 17 minutes with a sublime chip from the right side of the box. Daithí McMahon went close with a free for Ballybofey before they were awarded a penalty on 35 minutes. However, Mark Margey saved Daithí Mc Mahon's penalty, as well as the follow-up.

Lagan took advantage when they were awarded a penalty for handball minutes later, with Kyle Martin scoring it with a cool effort.

Ballybofey pressed hard at the start of the second half but Lagan scored again on 52 minutes, with Kyle Martin again scoring with a good finish from the edge of the area.

Daithí McMahon almost punished some sloppy play in the Lagan defence, but Mark Margey saved well. Ciaran Quinn then pulled off a great recovery tackle to thwart Martin Mbulli.

Lagan got two late goals when Jordan Gallagher converted a Matthew Doran cross before Doran was sent clear to score the sixth. A good performance by Lagan but the scoreline was harsh on a Ballybofey side that was always in it.

Letterkenny Rovers 8-0 Monaghan Town

Letterkenny Rovers cruised to an 8-0 victory over Monaghan Town, displaying attacking prowess and defensive stability throughout.

Keith Cowan opened the scoring in the 12th minute, followed by a goal from BJ Banda in the 19th minute. Banda completed his hat-trick with goals in the 42nd and 48th minutes, while Dean Mc Carry added a fifth just after the break.

Dylan Woods and Caolan McConnell joined the scoresheet in the 58th and 69th minutes. Rory Gallagher rounded off the scoring in the 89th minute, securing a decisive win for Rovers as they advance in the competition.

Swilly Rovers 0-6 Kildrum Tigers

A comfortable win for the Tigers at a rain-swept Swilly Park. Soft goals were conceded, but in fairness, Kildrum were the sharper team on the day. Kealan Gillen got the opener at 15 minutes following a William Lynch clearance.

It was two on 30 minutes when the excellent Johnny Robb set up Brian Breslin who finished well. Jimmy McKinney, with a deflected effort, made it three, and Breslin, with a close-range finish, made it four just before the break.

Tiarnan Brown and Johnny Robb, with well-finished efforts, sealed the victory near the end. Swilly had a couple of Tom Mullen half chances near the end, but it was a disappointing day for the home team.

Glencar Inn Saturday Division One

Glencar Celtic 4-3 Ramelton Mariners

Hat-trick hero Darren Hunter was on fire as he helped Glencar Celtic to a great comeback from 2-0 down to win 4-3 with Jack Dwyer scoring the winning penalty with nearly the last kick of the game.

Ramelton Mariners were somewhat unlucky in what was an exciting game of football for the neutral fans with two penalties and seven goals. 

Old Orchard Saturday Division Two

Erne Wanderers 1-0 Fintown Harps AFC

It was a great battle between two good sides at the Lakeside on Saturday as Erne and Fintown met in a rearranged league fixture.

Erne started brightly and had good chances fall to Weber and McGlone, both well saved by Leon Thompson, while at the other end, Karl O’Brien made a good save from Leo McLoone to keep the score 0-0 going into halftime.

The second half started with Erne pinning Fintown back for long periods of time with great chances but they just couldn’t find a way past the in-form Thompson. With time running out a great shot from Weber was saved again by Thompson, but Gearoid Gallagher was in the right place at the right time to expertly finish to put Erne one to the good.