Bonagee United see off Premier Division champions Fanad United at Dry Arch Park

Bonagee United recorded a slender victory over Premier Division champions Fanad United at Dry Arch Park on Sunday thanks to a first-half goal from Jamie Harris.

The hosts scored with less than 20 minutes on the clock, it ended up being the only goal of the game and maintained their unbeaten start to the season while simultaneously ending Fanad United's. 

Packie Mailey's side are now joint top of the table with Letterkenny Rovers with 13 points to their name, while Arthur Lynch's team have nine points from their first four matches. 

Fanad United began on the front foot in this contest, and they had a few decent chances inside the first ten minutes. 

Andrew Nicholls and Edward O'Reilly contested a loose ball with five minutes gone after a set-piece, and it was the netminder who came out on top to make a big block.

Eoin Logue arrowed an attempt straight at Nicholls shortly after, while Patrick Carr hit a deft header just past the post.

No team had scored against Fanad United in the league this season, but their impressive run was brought to an end in this game.

Shortly after the quarter of an hour, Shay Maloney supplied the initial cross in from the left, and a feint touch from Aidan McLaughlin enabled Jamie Harris to help the ball over the line at the far post.

After the opening goal, Bonagee United had the better of the play.

Near the midway stage of the first half, McLaughlin played Maloney through, but the low shot across the turf went wide.

As the minutes ticked away, Bonagee United continued to create as Ricky Guntrip fired an effort directly at Mark McConigley, while Maloney had an effort deflected. 

Maloney was at the centre of the best chance to double their lead as Bonagee United countered. He had plenty of open space on the right side, while he had two teammates in the middle to pick from, but with McConigley off his line, he went for the speculative attempt, which went beyond the target.

Neither team was able to conjure up much in the second half as the defences came out on top.

Seamus Friel hit one free kick just over the crossbar, while Edward O'Reilly hit another straight at the Bonagee wall with just over an hour gone.

Bonagee United went close to a second goal not long after as Boakye headed towards goal, with McConigley equal to it, while he was also alert to prevent Harris from a follow-up chance. 

Carlos O'Reilly provided a pinpoint cross into the box with just over ten minutes to go, but Patrick Carr couldn't keep the header down.

As the clock ticked closer to stoppage time, Bonagee had a gilt-edged opportunity to ease the nerves in the dying embers. A corner kick from the right fell invitingly for Harris, but his rushed strike rolled wide.

Bonagee United: Andrew Nicholls; Jack Parke, Kevin O'Donnell, Gareth Breslin, David Boakye; Gareth Harkin, Jamie Harris(Conor Stewart 89), Daniel O'Donnell(Christy Connaghan 77), Aidan McLaughlin; Ricky Guntrip(Fintan Hasson 90), Shay Maloney(Kyle McLaughlin 67).

Fanad United: Mark McConigley; Keelin McElwaine, Dillon McGloin(Oisin McMenamin 57), Seamus Friel, Patrick Moffitt(Oisin Langan 60); Carlos O'Reilly, Peter Carr(Charlie McAteer 87), Daibhid Lynch(Darragh O'Doherty 81), Eoin Logue(Sean Carr 87); Edward O'Reilly, Patrick Carr. 

Referee: Packie Coll