Donegal League: All reports, results, and action across Donegal over the weekend

Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division 

Gweedore Celtic 0–1 Fanad United 

A Peter Carr goal in the 65th minute kept Fanad's hopes of a third successive Premier League title alive. However, they had to work hard against an energetic home side. Na Ceiltigh could have snatched a last-minute equaliser when Caolan Laux’s effort thundered off the crossbar and was cleared to safety. 

Fanad began the game with intent, enjoying plenty of possession, but struggled to break down a resilient Gweedore defence. Eddie O’Reilly and Peter Carr’s runs caused problems, but their efforts were dealt with comfortably by McKelvey in the Gweedore goal. For Gweedore, Martin Coyle and Thomas Diver had opportunities, but Fanad's keeper, McConigley, ensured the game remained goalless at half-time. 

The second half was more open, with both teams pushing for a breakthrough. It finally came from a quickly taken free kick by Eoin Logue. While the home side disputed the placement of the free kick, Peter Carr ran through and slotted past McKelvey from 12 yards. 

Almost immediately, Fiacra Coyle came close to equalising when he got on the end of Martin Coyle’s free kick, but his effort was cleared off the line. Gweedore pressed on, with Stephen McFadden and Laux threatening, but Fanad held on to secure all three points. Referee: Gerard Devine. 

Temple Domestic Appliances Division One 

Gweedore United 2–4 Ballybofey United 

Ballybofey United took all three points at Carrickboyle on a cold, wet, and windy day. The visitors created early opportunities, with Daithí McMahon and Niall McCloskey seeing efforts go over the bar. They opened the scoring in the 9th minute when Damien Glackin’s cross set up Oran Gallen for a simple tap-in. 

Gweedore almost equalised in the 15th minute, but Christopher Patton made a fine save from Ciaran McFadden. Gweedore were unlucky not to draw level on several occasions, with Brian McFadden missing narrowly after a well-worked move involving Darren Ferry and Cathal Gillespie. 

Ballybofey extended their lead in the 38th minute through a sharp finish by Glackin from a tight angle. Gweedore responded quickly, with Brian McFadden capitalising on defensive errors in the 40th minute to pull one back. 

In first-half stoppage time, Ballybofey restored their two-goal lead. A Daithí McMahon free kick, part cross and part shot, found the top corner. The second half saw Gweedore reduce the deficit to 3–2 in the 54th minute, with a fine strike from Steven McFadden. 

However, Ballybofey struck again in the 57th minute. Following an attack led by Andrew McCloskey, McMahon, and Glackin, Oran Gallen scored his second of the day. Gweedore pushed hard to get back into the game, with efforts from Steven McFadden and Darren Ferry, but the visitors held firm. Best performances: Daithí McMahon, Oran Gallen, and Damien Glackin (Ballybofey); Brian McFadden, Steven McFadden, and Cathal Gillespie (Gweedore). 

Lifford Celtic 2–3 Cranford United 

Lifford Celtic started brightly, taking an early lead when Kevin McBrearty crossed for Justin McBride to head home. Sean Ferry impressed in attack, and the hosts doubled their advantage early in the second half with a superb left-footed strike from Sean Friel. 

Cranford responded when a defensive mix-up led to an own goal. They levelled from a set piece that caused confusion in the Lifford defence. The winning goal came late in the game, as Cranford capitalised on another corner to secure all three points. 

Milford United 2–0 Cappry Rovers 

Milford earned a hard-fought victory at a windy Moyle View Park. Playing against the wind in the first half, they took the lead in the 20th minute when Darren McLaughlin finished from a Cathal McGettigan corner. Milford had chances to extend their lead, while Cappry’s best opportunity saw Matthew McGeehan’s volley superbly saved by Caolan McGettigan. 

In the second half, Cappry had a good spell, with Conor McDaid missing a one-on-one chance. They had a penalty shout waved away before Milford regained control. Corey Lee McConigley’s volley from a Conor McHugh cross sealed the points for Milford. Referee: Stephen Laird. 

Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two 

Kerrykeel '71 F.C. 6–0 Deele Harps 

Kerrykeel returned to form with a dominant performance at Rabs Park. James Kerr opened the scoring after 15 minutes, with Patsy Friel adding a second five minutes later. Shaun Kerr made it three on the half-hour mark, and captain Mark Friel added a fourth just before half-time. 

Deele improved with the wind in the second half but couldn’t capitalise. Kerrykeel remained dangerous on the break, with Kevin Loughrey and Johnny Friel adding further goals to complete the rout. Referee: Michael Connolly. 

Whitestrand United 2–2 Convoy Arsenal 

Whitestrand United extended their unbeaten run with a draw against table-topping Convoy Arsenal. Whitestrand led through Ciaran Sweeney’s close-range finish and almost doubled their advantage when Ronan Sweeney struck the post. 

Convoy equalised in the 60th minute with a powerful finish and took the lead shortly after with a rasping shot into the top corner. Whitestrand showed resilience, hitting the post again before Ronan Sweeney secured a point with a late equaliser. 

Glencar Inn Saturday Division One 

Swilly Rovers Reserves 1 - 1 Drumbar F.C. 

Both teams fought hard, creating a few chances in the first half without breaking the deadlock. Swilly's persistence paid off in the 70th minute when Edan Bradley capitalized on a scramble in the box to score. Drumbar responded ten minutes later, equalizing through Vincent Breslin, who pounced on a rebounded shot. Swilly were awarded a penalty late in the game, but Oisin Burke in the Drumbar goal made a crucial save to secure a draw. Referee: Patrick McCauley. 

Donegal Town Reserves 4 - 1 Arranmore United 

Donegal Town started strong, with Pauric McIntyre opening the scoring in the 6th minute and Dermot Slevin doubling the lead four minutes later. Niko Dominik added a third in the 25th minute. Arranmore pulled one back with a Gavin McGlanaghey penalty in the 37th minute, but the second half saw fewer chances. Dermot Slevin sealed Donegal's win with his second goal in the 71st minute. 

Glencar Celtic 0 - 2 St. Catherine’s Reserves 

An evenly contested match saw St. Catherine’s break the deadlock mid-way through the first half with a well-worked move. Glencar created chances after the break but failed to capitalize on them. St. Catherine’s sealed the victory with a late goal after a defensive error by Glencar. 

Strand Rovers 3 - 1 Ramelton Mariners 

Strand dominated the first half, taking the lead through Conor Greene's deflected shot in the 18th minute. Mariners equalized before halftime when a free kick from Eoin Roulston was inadvertently deflected in by James McCole. Strand regained control in the second half, with Greene heading in a cross from Cathal Fee in the 62nd minute. Shane O’Donnell added a third, converting a corner in the 72nd minute to secure the win. 

Old Orchard Saturday Division Two 

Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 4 - 1 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 

Kilmacrennan dominated from the outset, with Mark Patterson opening the scoring in the 19th minute. Drumoghill equalized through Eunan Kelly, but Kilmacrennan responded immediately with a stunning strike from Steve McElwaine and a superb solo effort by John ‘Rab’ Sandilands. The home side added a fourth in the second half when Reuben Grimes scored from close range. Strong performances from Cormac Brady and Conor Cassidy highlighted a comfortable win. Referee: George Clinton. 

Finn Travel Saturday Division Three 

Fanad United Reserves 3 - 1 Milford United Reserves 

Fanad maintained their unbeaten streak with a derby victory. Alan McAteer headed home the opener in the 30th minute. Milford equalized with a penalty from Ciaran Blaney in the 65th minute, but a red card for Milford’s Mark Wilson shifted the momentum. McAteer added his second shortly after, and Ryan Moffitt sealed the win with a late goal from a corner. Referee: Mick Lagan. 

Lagan Harps Reserves 1 - 5 Copany Rovers 

Copany dominated the first half, with Dale Duncan, Eoin Rush, and Glen Herron capitalizing on defensive errors to establish a 3-1 halftime lead. Lagan improved in the second half, creating chances through Jack Duncan, but Copany held firm. Ethan Gallagher added two late goals to complete the rout. Despite a spirited second-half effort, defensive lapses proved costly for Lagan.