Donegal League: All the action, results, and reports from the weekend's action

Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division 

Fanad United 4 v 2 Gweedore Celtic 

Fanad United and Gweedore Celtic played out a highly entertaining game at Traigh-a-Loch on Sunday, with Fanad eventually emerging as 4-2 winners. The opening stages were even, but it was Fanad who opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Liam McGrenaghan advanced from left-back and delivered a cross to Eddie O'Reilly, who scored with an acrobatic overhead kick. 

The game remained end-to-end, and Gweedore equalised in the 35th minute when Michael MacAodh showed good skill to evade his marker and set up Darragh MacAodh, who curled the ball into the net. The last chance of the half came just before the break, when O'Reilly's free kick found Carlos O'Reilly at the back post, but his header was saved by Gweedore keeper Michael McKelvey. 

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In the second half, Fanad regained their lead in the 60th minute. A Darren McElwaine ball into the box fell to Carlos O'Reilly, who scored with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box. Gweedore equalised again in the 70th minute when Cian McBride’s cross was met by Caolan Laux, who finished neatly. However, Fanad restored their lead just five minutes later. James Gallagher scored from a corner at the near post. 

With 10 minutes to go, Fanad made it 4-2 when a cross from the left was touched on by Eoin Logue, and Peter Carr slotted the ball home from close range. Gweedore threatened on the break, and McBride was unlucky to see his 25-yard effort skim the top of the crossbar. In injury time, Martin McElhinney set up Keelin McElwaine, whose shot was saved by McKelvey. 

Swilly Rovers 0 v 5 Letterkenny Rovers 

A hat-trick from BJ Banda, along with goals from Nathan Bonner and Chris Malseed, handed Letterkenny Rovers a dominant 5-0 victory over Swilly Rovers. 

Letterkenny took control early, leading 4-0 at halftime, with Banda’s quality finishing being the highlight of the first half. Despite a fine save from Swilly's Michael Kerr and a couple of good chances for the home side, Letterkenny’s attacking power proved too much. The second half was a quieter affair, but Swilly struggled to break down the well-organised Letterkenny side. 

Temple Domestic Appliances Division One 

Donegal Town 4 v 1 Milford United 

Donegal Town bounced back from a previous defeat to secure a 4-1 victory over Milford United. Town took the lead in the first half through Declan Duignan, but Milford equalised through Darren McLaughlin. 

In the second half, Donegal Town regained control, with goals from Aidan McHugh, Duignan again, and Joe Leape wrapping up the win. Milford had some chances but couldn’t break down the Town defence. 

Ballybofey United 1 v 0 Castlefin Celtic 

Ballybofey United secured a narrow 1-0 win over Castlefin Celtic in a tightly contested match. The first half saw very few chances, with Castlefin having a great opportunity to take the lead through Rabeh Hamdi, but Ballybofey keeper Christopher Patton made a superb save. 

Castlefin also had another chance cleared off the line by substitute Adam McCullagh. The match was decided in the second half when Oran Gallen was fouled in the box, and Daithi McMahon converted the resulting penalty to give Ballybofey the lead. Despite pressure from Castlefin, Ballybofey held on for the win. 

Cappry Rovers 1 v 1 Glenea United 

Glenea United started well and took the lead in the 7th minute when Luke McCarry scored from distance. Cappry Rovers responded well and equalised with a team goal finished by Jack Burke McBride. The rest of the half was evenly matched, with no further chances created. 

The second half saw both teams cancel each other out, with Cappry having a chance through Daniel Marley, but his effort went wide. Glenea also had a late penalty claim turned down, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. 

Lifford Celtic 1 v 6 Lagan Harps 

Lagan Harps came out on top with a dominant 6-1 win over Lifford Celtic. Lagan started brightly and hit the crossbar within the first two minutes. They scored twice in quick succession, and although Lifford battled hard, they went into the break 2-0 down. 

In the second half, Lagan extended their lead with sloppy defending from Lifford allowing them to score three more goals. Lifford's Shay Lindsay did manage a header late on, but it wasn’t enough to stop Lagan, who completed a comprehensive win. 

Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two 

Deele Harps 0 v 1 Whitestrand United 

Deele Harps suffered a 1-0 loss to Whitestrand United despite a strong performance. Whitestrand dominated possession early, but Deele's David Arthur made some key saves to keep the game level. 

In the second half, Deele were caught on the break in the 80th minute, when a cross from the right was bundled home from close range to give Whitestrand the lead. Deele had a few half-chances late on but couldn't find an equaliser. 

Raphoe Town 4 v 1 Dunkineely Celtic 

Raphoe Town claimed a 4-1 victory over Dunkineely Celtic. Raphoe started brightly, with Mathew McCann tapping in a rebound from a Joel Cullen shot in the 15th minute. Two minutes later, Oisin Kelly set up Bobby O'Loughlin to chip the ball past the keeper and make it 2-0. 

Dunkineely fought back and pulled one back after a long throw caused a defensive mix-up. However, Raphoe responded just before halftime when O'Loughlin slotted home again to make it 3-1. In the second half, O'Loughlin completed his hat-trick with a superb free-kick, sealing the win for Raphoe. 

Glencar Inn Saturday Division One 

Keadue Rovers Reserves 1 v 2 Donegal Town Reserves 

Keadue Reserves fell to their second consecutive home defeat in two weeks, but this loss was by the narrowest of margins. They put in a brave performance against a strong Donegal Town side, who are still in with a chance of winning the league. 

On a great day for football, both teams started the game quickly, aiming for the early ball over the top. Donegal Town managed to take control by the 15th minute, but Keadue had the better openings, though only half-chances. Chris Breen and Evan McFadden worked hard up front, but opportunities were limited, as the home side played into strong sunshine. 

Donegal Town had plenty of possession but only began to pressure the Keadue backline in the final 15 minutes of the first half, creating several crosses and corners. Donegal Town thought they had taken the lead in the 40th minute, but the shot was ruled offside. Despite the pressure before halftime, Keadue would have been content with a scoreless first half. 

Keadue started brightly in the second half, making use of the sunshine and a stiff breeze at their backs. Chris Breen had a shot saved in the 50th minute. The game opened up after this, with Donegal Town creating chances in the 52nd and 54th minutes. On the second occasion, Keadue’s Liam Boyle blocked an effort brilliantly. 

On the 59th minute, Jake Bonner had a good chance, but his left-footed shot was saved by the Donegal keeper. Substitutions were made by Keadue, and one of those, Michael Houston, converted Evan McFadden’s cross in the 69th minute to put Keadue 1-0 up. 

The lead only lasted three minutes as Donegal Town worked the ball to Aidan McHugh, whose shot found the back of the net for 1-1. Keadue keeper Ferry made a good save in the 75th minute to keep the game level. 

With the match heading towards a draw, a misplaced pass from Keadue’s midfield allowed McHugh to break free and score again, this time at the near post. The goal gave Donegal Town a 2-1 lead, which they held until the final whistle. 

Heartbreak for Keadue, who deserved at least a draw after a competitive performance. Best for Keadue were Liam Boyle, Mark Forker, and Michael Houston, while Donegal Town’s standouts were Aidan McHugh, Edward Demokhin, and Christopher Gallagher. 

Oldtown Celtic 2 v 0 Drumbar United 

Oldtown returned to the Community Centre after a month of away fixtures, facing a stubborn and well-organised Drumbar side. Drumbar started quickly, trying to gain an early lead, but couldn’t break through Oldtown’s defence. 

Oldtown began to find their rhythm and started creating chances, but Drumbar held firm. The deadlock was broken five minutes before halftime when a Luke Nelis corner wasn’t dealt with, and Micheal Doherty fired home. 

The second half began with Oldtown searching for a killer second goal. Drumbar defended well but looked dangerous on the break. The game was a tough battle, but Doherty sealed the win by adding his second goal from distance, ending Drumbar's hopes of an equaliser. 

Old Orchard Saturday Division Two 

Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 6 v 1 Dunlewey Celtic 

Kilmacrennan claimed a comfortable win at Letterkenny Community Centre to keep their promotion hopes alive. They took the lead in the 15th minute when Ciaran Conaghan fired home from 25 yards after good work by Ciaran McCormack. 

McCormack added two quick goals in the 25th and 28th minutes, giving Kilmacrennan full control of the match. Dunlewey pulled one back in the 50th minute, but Kilmacrennan responded with three more goals in the final 30 minutes. 

Mark Patterson scored in the 60th minute with a calm chip over the keeper. On 72 minutes, he finished from 6 yards after being left unmarked. Patrick Fagan completed the scoring in the 90th minute with a goal from the edge of the box, making it 6-1. 

Castlefin Celtic Reserves 1 v 3 Fintown Harps AFC 

Fintown Harps secured all three points with a strong second-half performance. The sides were level at 1-1 at halftime, thanks to goals from Kevin Gallagher and Darren McBride. 

Fintown pushed on in the second half. A Logan Quinn strike and an own goal in quick succession put the visitors in control. Castlefin battled hard but couldn’t trouble the Fintown keeper, leaving the visitors to claim all three points. 

Finn Travel Saturday Division Three 

Ballybofey United Reserves 3 v 2 Gweedore United Reserves 

Ballybofey dominated the first 20 minutes, taking the lead through a stunning 25-yard free kick from Darren Kelly. Gweedore had two good chances to level the score, but both efforts failed to find the net. 

Ballybofey had more chances to extend their lead, with Caolan Marley and Evan Sproule both denied by Gweedore defenders. Gweedore equalised with a lobbed finish from their striker, but Ballybofey quickly regained the lead when Marley tapped in from close range after a shot was saved. 

Ballybofey sealed the win with a great through ball from Cian Thompson to Michael Scully, who squared it for Kieran Thompson to fire home. Gweedore pulled one back with five minutes to go, but Ballybofey held out for a 3-2 victory, making it two wins from two after the Christmas break.