Swilly advance after a nine-goal derby thriller in extra-time versus Rathmullan

Swilly Rovers secured their spot in the next round of the Brian McCormick Cup after an extraordinary extra-time win against their rivals, Rathmullan Celtic. 

The Hoops held a two-goal lead after a goal in each half. Achul Eldad and Reece Thompson had the visitors in command and that level of control looked solid after Marty McDaid missed a spot kick with just under 20 minutes to go.

Michael Kerr bagged a brace to force extra time, and Shay McFadden and Kevin O'Donnell ensured the game remained level after the first period of extra time.

Ian Ward lashed home to restore the lead for the hosts, and a couple of goals from Marty McDaid ensured Ben Reuven's side advanced in the cup.

It was a slow start at Swilly Park as the conditions affected this derby game that kicked off the 2025/26 Donegal League season. 

Both sides were restricted to pops at goal from distance in the early stages, and of the few that were fired, none hit the target.

Rathmullan Celtic had a couple of decent opportunities before the half hour mark as Matthew McNulty was denied by Barry Gallagher and Kevin O'Donnell rolled an effort just wide. 

Rathmullan Celtic broke the deadlock on the half hour as Achul Eldad pounced on a pass back from Darragh Fennell, and the forward was able to prod the ball beyond the onrushing Barry Gallagher. 

Into the second half, Rathmullan doubled their lead, with Reece Thompson in the right place to finish off the move after McNulty's header hit the post and Gallagher failed to clear. 

Islem Siguerdjidjane handled the ball in the box after a shot from Ian Ward not long after, but Marty McDaid placed his spot kick just wide.

With just ten minutes to go, Swilly Rovers were back in the game. Shay Durning played the ball across the area, and Michael Kerr was ready and waiting to tap it home.

In the final moments of injury time, Kerr popped up again, this time he was in the right place to convert after James McCahill had flicked the ball on.

Shay McFadden put Swilly Rovers in front for the first time with a low finish in off the post, assisted by Ward, but that strike was quickly cancelled out as Kevin O'Donnell scored from close range with about four minutes left in the half.

Into the second half of extra time, Swilly Rovers put the game to bed with three quickfire goals.

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Ian Ward lashed home the first of the three after some penalty area pinball with only 60 seconds gone, while Marty McDaid cushioned home a header after a cross in from Yuvan Dadon a few minutes later.

With less than a minute to go, McDaid bagged a second as he got on the end of a free kick in from Kerr.

Swilly Rovers: Barry Gallagher; Mark Nicholls (David Craig ht, et), Michael Kerr, Darragh McDaid, Darragh Fennell (Tony Gallagher ht); James McCahill, Corey Oliver (Yuvan Dadon 73), Paul Speer (Ian Ward 54), Toby Taylor (Marty McDaid 66); Ryan McDaid (Shay Durning 54), Shay McFadden. 

Rathmullan Celtic: Killian Hagan; Ryan McCleary, Mehdi Benezzaoui (Gerard McAteer 73), Islem Siguerdjidjane, Daire Sheridan; Aaron Curran, Matthew McNulty (Ryan Graham Sheridan 81), Kevin Doran, Achul Eldad (Niall Carruthers 64); Reece Thompson (Shaun Hamilton 77), Kevin O'Donnell. 

Referee: Patrick McCauley.