Donegal League: All the action and scores across the county this weekend

Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division 

St Catherines 6 - 1 Swilly Rovers 

The wet conditions made for difficult play at Emerald Park. The opening 15 minutes were evenly contested until Swilly’s McDaid bravely pushed the ball past the Saints’ keeper for a 1-0 lead.

St. Catherines responded on 25 minutes when Odhran McGuinness capitalised on a poorly cleared corner to level the score. The game remained competitive, with both keepers tested, but a powerful Josh Maxwell free-kick in the 40th minute gave the home side a 2-1 lead at the break. 

Just after the restart, Ryan Carr blasted home from close range following another failed corner clearance, shifting the momentum fully in favour of St Catherines.

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Swilly struggled to cope with the home side’s quick passing, and further goals from Paul O’Hare and two more from hat-trick hero Josh Maxwell sealed an emphatic 6-1 victory. Captain Ryan Cunningham was a standout performer, driving his team to a crucial three points in their survival bid. 

Temple Domestic Appliances Division One 

Cappry Rovers 1 - 2 Lagan Harps 

Lagan took an early lead through Faolan Gibson in a scrappy first half with few chances. They doubled their advantage when Kyle Martin struck, before Cappry pulled one back late on through Daniel Marley, but it wasn’t enough to secure a result. 

Glenea United 3 - 1 Donegal Town 

Glenea edged a tight encounter between the division’s top two. Donegal Town had the first clear chance when Declan Duignan went close on 25 minutes. Glenea responded well, applying pressure and breaking the deadlock in the 38th minute when Darren McGeever pounced on a loose ball in the box. 

Playing with the wind, Glenea looked to extend their lead, but Donegal’s keeper Dermot McCafferty made key saves. The visitors nearly equalised when Ian Campbell hit the post on 70 minutes, and they did level the score in the 75th minute through Stephen Graham after a goalmouth scramble.

However, Glenea restored their lead three minutes later with a Calvin Murray penalty. As Donegal pushed for an equaliser, they left gaps at the back, and Murray converted another penalty in the 85th minute to secure the win. Best for Glenea were Kevin Mulhern and Conor Coyle, while Eoin Slevin and Aidan McHugh impressed for Donegal Town. Referee: Michael Connolly. 

Milford United 0 - 3 Ballybofey United 

Ballybofey opened the scoring just before half-time when Daithi McMahon broke through the Milford defence to finish well, despite offside appeals. Milford keeper Caolan McGettigan made several fine saves, while Corey Lee McConigley had their best chances but failed to convert. The game turned in the 55th minute when Milford were reduced to ten men after Lorcan Friel’s second booking. Ballybofey capitalised immediately, with Damian Glackin doubling the lead before McMahon wrapped up the scoring for a convincing 3-0 win. 

Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two 

Deele Harps 1 - 1 Curragh Athletic 

Deele started brightly and found Curragh’s keeper in excellent form. They took a deserved lead just before half-time when Maddox Roberts set up Jordy Duffy to fire home from the edge of the box. The second half followed a similar pattern, with Deele pressing, but Curragh stood firm. On 80 minutes, Barney Lafferty’s free-kick took a deflection and found the net, earning a hard-fought point for the visitors. Referee: Stephen Laird. 

Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 6 - 1 Raphoe Town 

Kerrykeel dominated Raphoe at Rab’s Park with all six of their goals coming in the first half. Johnny Nanny opened the scoring on 16 minutes with a back-post finish before adding a stunning second from outside the box. Kevin Loughrey converted a penalty on 20 minutes, James Kerr struck from distance on 30 minutes, and Bernard McGettigan added another from a Kerr assist. Nanny completed his hat-trick just before half-time. 

Raphoe improved after making substitutions at the break and got a consolation goal through Baxter on 60 minutes, but chances were limited thereafter. Referee: Matthew Hull. Solid performances from both teams. 

Whitestrand United 3 - 2 Drumkeen United 

Whitestrand started strongly but fell behind to an unfortunate own goal. They responded well and controlled much of the first half but couldn’t find an equaliser. 

Drumkeen doubled their lead early in the second half, but Whitestrand showed great character to turn the game around in six minutes. Michael Sweeney pulled one back before winning a penalty, which he converted to equalise. Drumkeen were then reduced to ten men, and Whitestrand took full advantage, with Ronan Sweeney scoring at the back post to complete the comeback. Sweeney had a chance for a hat-trick but missed a late penalty. 

Glencar Inn Saturday Division One 

Kildrum Tigers Reserves 2-0 Strand Rovers 

In a tightly contested first half, Kildrum came closest to scoring through Daniel "Square" McNulty, whose effort on 40 minutes narrowly missed the target. The home side came out with renewed intensity in the second half, and five minutes in, McNulty found the top corner from 30 yards to put the Tigers ahead. They continued to apply pressure, and in the 60th minute, Michael Ayton struck from the edge of the box to secure all three points for the Tigers. 

Swilly Rovers Reserves 1-1 Keadue Rovers Reserves 

Swilly started the game with 10 men but battled well, with chances at both ends in an even first half. They were back to full strength in the 42nd minute, but just two minutes later, Shea McFadden was forced off, reducing them to 10 again.

Keadue took the lead in the 62nd minute when good play down the left led to Mark Boyle finishing well. Both sides pressed for the next goal, and it was Swilly who found it, as Tony Gallagher made a surging run from centre-back before his shot deflected into the net. Keadue pushed hard for a winner, but Swilly defended bravely to secure a hard-fought point. 

Old Orchard Saturday Division Two 

Fintown Harps AFC 0-1 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 

In windy conditions at Pairc Acla, third played fourth in a closely contested match. The first half saw both teams cancel each other out, with few chances created. Aaron McGlynn had the best opportunity on 25 minutes, but his shot drifted just wide. With 10 minutes remaining, Shiels connected with a great cross to put Kilmacrennan ahead. Fintown battled hard but couldn’t find an equaliser. 

Finn Travel Saturday Division Three 

Ballybofey United Reserves 1-2 Lagan Harps Reserves 

Lagan almost took the lead early on when a loose ball in the box fell to their striker, but a great save from Daniel Crawford kept it level. Ballybofey had a chance of their own when James Sweeney played a fine pass to Michael Scully, who curled his shot around the keeper but saw it hit the post. Lagan eventually broke the deadlock with a well-placed finish after a ball over the top. 

Ballybofey responded well in the second half, nearly equalising through Colin Kearns, but his shot was deflected wide. They did level the match shortly after when substitute Ryan McGhee was fouled in the box, and Kieran Thompson stepped up to score from the penalty spot.

Lagan quickly regained the lead with another well-timed ball over the top, finished clinically by their striker. Ballybofey had a late chance to equalise when Sweeney set up Thompson, but a fine save from the Lagan keeper ensured the visitors took all three points. Lagan had an opportunity to seal the game in the final minutes, but Crawford made another excellent stop. 

Gweedore United Reserves 9-0 Cranford United Reserves 

Gweedore United Reserves delivered their best performance of the season with a dominant display at Carrickboyle. The home side made a dream start, taking the lead in the third minute when Seighean O’Baoill’s delicate effort clipped the crossbar and found the net. Two minutes later, Brian McFadden doubled the advantage after finding himself one-on-one with Cranford keeper Aaron Sweeney. 

The relentless pressure continued, and Gweedore were awarded a penalty in the 18th minute after Dylan McFadden fouled Brian McFadden in the box. Francis Gallagher made no mistake from the spot. Gweedore added a fourth in the 28th minute, punishing a defensive error, before Ciaran McFadden made it five with a close-range finish. Brian McFadden then scored a superb solo goal to give Gweedore a 6-0 lead at half-time. 

In the second half, Brian McFadden completed his hat-trick in the 55th minute with a header from Padraig McFadden’s cross. Aaron Sweeney continued to make fine saves for Cranford, but Gweedore added an eighth in the 70th minute as Callum Feireatear set up Ciaran McFadden for his second of the game. The scoring was completed in the 87th minute when Feireatear provided another assist, this time for Stephen Mulhern. 

Gweedore were outstanding, with Brian McFadden, Ciaran McFadden, and Francis Gallagher all excelling. For Cranford, Aaron Sweeney made several excellent saves, while Patrick McGeever and Conor Gallagher worked hard in attack.