All the reports: Donegal Junior League returns for the new season with cup action

Brian McCormick Cup

Letterkenny Area

Milford United 1-6 Bonagee United

Milford entertained a much superior Bonagee team at  Moyle View Park with the visitors dominating proceedings against the hard-working young Milford side. A poor clearance on 13 minutes fell to Jack Parke who made no mistake from 18 yards with a slight deflection. 

Milford pulled back level on 16 minutes when Jordan Ryan scored a header from a Niall Murray free kick. Five minutes later, Deano Larkin put Bonagee back in front by getting onto a through ball from Daniel O’Donnell. Half-time 2-1 to the visitors. On 54 and 65 minutes, two great strikes from Fintan Hassan put the visitors further ahead and late goals from Josh Maxwell and Kieran Kelly sealed the deal for Bonagee with a very impressive performance.

The young Milford side can be proud of their hard-working display and saw debuts for Daithi McTaggart, George McNulty and Ryan McElhinney. There were hard-working displays from Joey Cullen, Conor McLaughlin and Shay Gibbons, in what was a great teamwork performance. Referee: Richard Storey. 

Letterkenny Rovers v Kerrykeel 71

(No Report Available - match to be played on September 2)

Fanad United v Whitestrand United    (4/9/2025)

(No Report Available - match to be played on September 4)

Donegal Area

Drumkeen United 1-6 Donegal Town

Donegal Town were the visitors to St Patrick's Park for this game in the Brian McCormack Cup. 

The visitors began brightly and were very lively up front, causing lots of problems for the Drumkeen defence. They had a couple of chances that went narrowly wide before Ronan McHugh put them ahead after 9 minutes. 

Drumkeen's Conor Bonner then went on a great run after turning his man on the halfway line but unfortunately, after doing all the hard work, his attempt on goal went well over the crossbar. At the other end Drumkeen Goalkeeper Luke Russell was called into action to make a good save to deny Ultan O' Grady. 

Drumkeen managed to get back level just before the half hour mark. The ball was played in to Gavin Bonner, who seemed to have failed to make the most of the opportunity, but eventually he somehow managed to scramble the ball into the net for the equaliser. The visitors got back in front again a couple of minutes later when Ronan McHugh got his second as he got on the end of a Lenehan cross. Donegal added a third in injury time at the end of the first half. 

Donegal right back Ben Sweeney had been causing Drumkeen lots of problems with his runs from his own half and after one of those runs, he crossed the ball into the middle and it was touched home at the near post by Ultan O' Grady. Conor Bonner was working hard for Drumkeen up front and he had an effort that went wide early in the second half. 

Donegal added a fourth goal from Ian Campbell who finished well after some good interplay with McHugh. The standard of this game dropped a bit in the second half compared to the first half. 

As the second half went on the Home team were now visibly tiring and were under pressure as Luke Russell did his best with a few good saves. 

The visitors weren't quite finished scoring yet, though and Mark Jordan and Ian Campbell both scored in the last few minutes to round off a comprehensive win for the visitors. Referee: Marty Mc Garrigle.

Curragh Athletic 0-4 St. Catherines

The new season kicked off with a Brian McCormick Cup game against St Catherine's in the Curragh.

St Catherine's took the lead on 16 minutes with a neat finish from Josh Cunningham. The visitors scored again on 20 minutes from a corner and finished off the first half with another goal from a corner from Shaun Kelly. 

The Visitors struck again on 66 minutes with a great strike from Liam McLaughlin, both teams worked hard but were unable to add to the scoreline.

Referee: George Clinton

Cappry Rovers 7-1 Dunkineely Celtic

Wet and windy conditions were the order of the play in Cappry Park as Dunkineely Celtic were the visitors. The home side started well and had a few chances through Tommy McNulty and Daire Quigley. Cappry pressure was awarded as Conor McDaid broke the deadlock with a sweet striker from outside the box and this was soon followed by goals from Tommy Mc Nulty and Daire Quigley. 

Dunkineely never gave up and were awarded a penalty as Michael Carroll was penalised for a blatant handball in the box. The penalty was well taken by Adrian Nesbitt. 

Cappry once again piled on the pressure and debutant Reece Coyle bagged a goal which was quickly followed by a second from Conor McDaid. As the second half began, Cappry made a few changes as the home side continued to put up pressure on the visitor’s defence and another debutant Conor O'Brien-McMenamin dazzled his way past 5 Dunkineely players before cooly finding the bottom corner. 

The final goal of the game came from that man Reece Coyle once again who used his striker’s instincts to pounce on a ball across the box to seal a second goal on his debut. 

Team performance from Cappry and best for Dunkineely was their Keeper who made some fine saves throughout the game. Referee: Raymond Gallagher.

Ballybofey United 2-0 Letterbarrow Celtic

Letterbarrow had a great chance to take the lead five minutes in but Ballybofey goalkeeper Christy Patton had other ideas as he pulled off a great double save. It was Ballybofey who struck first after Kieran Thompson split open the defence with a great through ball to Daithi McMahon, who coolly slotted it past the keeper to put the home side ahead. 

Again, Letterbarrow found themselves with a great chance to score but Christy made another good save to keep the home side ahead. Ballybofey had a good chance to double their lead when Thompson slipped through Marty Mbuli but his effort was fired over the bar. 

Ballybofey doubled their lead when Daithi Mc Mahon squared a great ball across to Mbuli who tapped it in. McMahon again put a great ball across goal to Oran Gallen but his effort was well saved by the keeper. 

Ballybofey started the half well and were unlucky not to add to their lead when Oran gave a good ball in to Daithi but his effort was well saved. Daithi then had a good one on one opportunity but his shot again was saved and fell back to Thompson who fired it wide. 

Letterbarrow had two great chances inside the box but two great blocks by Bobby and Josh denied them. Christy again had a great one-on-one save with 10 minutes to go to keep Ballybofey’s clean sheet intact. 

Gweedore Area

Cranford United 2-3 Glenea United (After extra-time)

Glenea overcame Cranford in extra time in a tight affair played in windy conditions. Cranford playing with the wind started the strongest and almost took the lead through Cathair Sweeney only for a Joe Coll save. 

Glenea grew into it but Dean Fleming pulled off some good saves to keep it level. Not long before half time Cranford took the lead through a great finish from Cathair Sweeney. Glenea pinned Cranford in from the start of the second half but again Dean Fleming pulled off some good saves. 

Cranford were always dangerous on the break but Glenea levelled after an hour. Cranford regained the lead with 15 to go with Cathair Sweeney getting in behind again and finishing to the bottom corner. 

Cranford looked like they were going to hold on but conceded a sloppy goal with 2 minutes to go. Both sides tired in extra time but pushed hard for the win but it was Glenea who got it in the 2nd half of extra time.

Dunfanaghy Youths 1-10 Gweedore Celtic

Gweedore had a comfortable victory over Dunfanaghy Youths on their return to the Donegal Junior League. 

Cronan McFadden registered five of the goals in a game in which the home team played with the wind and were 7-1 leaders at the break. 

Darragh Mc Gee hit a hat-trick of goals and Colin Ferry got the other two. Referee: Sean Ferry.

Kilmacrennan Celtic  5-1 Gweedore United

Kilmacrennan won their first competitive game at their new home, The Joseph McGettigan Memorial Park. 

Kieran Gorman will go into the history books after opening the scoring after 20 minutes. 

After a well-worked corner, Gorman latched onto a cross from John Sandilands. Kilmacrennan missed a couple of glaring opportunities to add to their lead soon after. Gweedore grew into the game and looked dangerous on the counter for the remainder of the half. 

Early in the second half, Gweedore equalised after the home side failed to clear their lines, a Gweedore player latched onto a loose ball and rifled into the top corner. Kilmacrennan dominated from then on and Mark Patterson got his first after fine play from Declan McGarvey and Paul Bradley down the left wing. 

Patterson soon scored his second before Caolan Curran added a fourth with a tap in from 5 yards after a fine team move. Substitute Conor Temple got his first for the club with a fine finish after another fine move from the home side.

Keadue Rovers BYE

(No Report Available)

Lifford Area

Deele Harps BYE

(No Report Available)

Castlefin Celtic 4-1 Convoy Arsenal

A Corrie Lee Bogan hat-trick proved the difference as Castlefin defeated Convoy in the opening game of the Area Shield.

An Evan Mc Bride screamer cancelled out Bogan’s opener. A Bogan brace and a Sean Kennedy strike were enough for the hosts to advance.

Drumoghill FC 2-2 Raphoe Town (Drumoghill win on Penalties)

Drumoghill showed a lot of character to finally win through on penalties to defeat Raphoe Town in the first round of the Brian McCormick Cup. 

Twice Drumoghill were to find themselves behind, but twice they found equalisers, and it was Leon Doherty who kept his cool to fire home the winning spot kick for his side to win 4-2 on penalties. 

In a very even game, both sides gave it all in wet and windy conditions and it always looked like it could go all the way. Raphoe started the brighter and took the lead through Darren Kelly on 9 minutes before Niall Mc Crossan levelled matters on 15 minutes to leave the teams level at the break. 

The visitors regained the lead on 61 minutes when Oisin Harkin scored from the penalty spot and defended well for most of the second half, restricting Drumoghill to a single shot on target when Niall Mc Crossan saw his free kick tipped over the bar by Joel Cullen on 77 minutes. However, the equaliser that Drumoghill were looking for arrived on 85 minutes when Liam O’Donnell chased what looked like a lost cause to keep the ball in play before teeing up Danny Harkin for a brilliant equaliser. 

Harkin, introduced as a substitute only minutes earlier, calmly controlled the ball to set up the strike and fired a brilliant strike into the top corner from the edge of the year to send the game into extra time. 

The extra 20 minutes produced very few chances with both teams seemingly settling for the shoot-out, and so it was the lottery of penalties that would decide the outcome. The shoot-out began with both keepers, Joel Cullen and Calum Crampsie, producing a brilliant save. 

Philip Doran, Conor Gallagher and Liam O’Donnell were all then successful to make it 3-3 before the unlucky Gerard McGranaghan, returning to The Moss as a former Drumoghill player, saw his effort crash off the crossbar to set up the chance for Drumoghill to win it with their final kick. 

Up stepped Leon Doherty who made no mistake to send Drumoghill through and into the next round of the area competition. Well done both teams on a decent game in terrible conditions and to referee Danny Doherty, another former Drumoghill player making a welcome return to The Moss.

Kildrum Tigers 5-3 Lifford Celtic

(No Report Submitted)

Voodoo Venue Cup 

Area 1

Letterkenny Rovers 1-0 Kilmacrennan Celtic

Letterkenny Rovers opened their new season with a 1–0 victory over Kilmacrennan Celtic in the Voodoo Venue Cup at Leckview Park on a wet, challenging afternoon.  Before kick-off, a planned minute’s silence in memory of Ollie Horgan was held, with all in attendance observing respectfully.

The contest began at a measured pace as both sides looked to settle into their rhythm. Rovers went close early in the 9th minute, a corner rattled the post and landed safely with the Kilmacrennan keeper. 

Moments later, Volodymyr Kovalchuk was denied in a one-on-one and Fouad Bashar’s header from a Nugent corner was gathered by the keeper. Kilmacrennan’s first chance fell to Terence Shiels, who broke clear before his attempted chip drifted just wide. 

Activity built steadily as Henry Welles stopped a dangerous Kilmacrennan cross and Paddy Collins’ header at the other end was comfortably claimed. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Welles delivered a perfectly-weighted free kick from the left and Fouad Bashar guided a header into the corner of the net to give Rovers the lead. 

Kilmacrennan responded with efforts from distance but Rover’s keeper Josh Wade handled them confidently. Further Rovers’ efforts, including a free kick from Pavel Shevaniuk, were capably dealt with by Kilmacrennan’s Connaghan. After the interval, Rovers stayed on the front foot, Kovalchuk headed over early and Welles sent a strike just wide before substitute Oisin Mc Menamin was denied inside the box. 

Kilmacrennan finished strongly, earning a series of corners and seeing a header glance narrowly off target. Their late penalty appeal, when Doherty went to ground in the box, was waved away by the referee. At full time, Letterkenny Rovers claimed the win as they advanced in the Cup but know improvements will be needed as the campaign progresses. 

Kilmacrennan Celtic, despite a youthful lineup, produced an impressive second-half showing and were unfortunate not to take something from the game.

Fanad United 5-1 Swilly Rovers

Fanad started the stronger and opened the scoring in the 8th minute when Dylan McBride's shot from the edge of the box deceived the Swilly keeper and nestled in the net. 

Just 2 minutes later Fanad doubled their lead. Shea Cannon did well down the left and his cross found Niall Toland 6 yards out and after taking a touch he shot into the bottom corner. Fanad then made it 3 in the 20th minute. 

The referee adjudged a Swilly player had handled the ball in the box and a penalty was awarded. Daibhid Lynch stepped up to hammer the spot kick home. On 25 minutes, Swilly had keeper Jamie Blaney to thank as he made a superb double save to deny Dylan McBride and Shea Cannon. 

Fanad extended their lead further on the half hour mark when Dylan McBride scored his second with a lovely curling shot from 25 yards. Just before half time Jamie Blaney made another excellent double save to deny Adam Carr and Niall Toland.

Five minutes into the second half, Daibhid Lynch split the Swilly defence to send Adam Carr through but he was denied by an excellent save from Jamie Blaney. Swilly did have chances and after a good run Ryan Moore failed to keep his shot down from inside the box. 

However, with 15 minutes remaining, Swilly did get a goal back. Ryan Moore found space in the box and hammered the ball into the roof of the net. A few minutes later Conor McConigley broke the offside trap but was again denied by a decent save by Blaney. With 5 minutes left, Fanad scored their 5th. 

A corner was a laid back to Shane Carr and his whipped cross was met by Caolan Gibbons who headed home. Referee: Patrick McCauley 

Oldtown Celtic 6-5 Ramelton Mariners   (After extra-time)

Oldtown prevailed in an extra-time classic at the Community Centre. This game had it all and was end-to-end for much of the contest. 

Mariners took the lead when Luke Friel fired home after a well worked move. Oldtown equalized when Kevin McGrath headed home from a corner. Oldtown squandered a few chances before Mariners regained the lead when Finn Robinson fired home before Shay McFadden pounced from a free kick that wasn't cleared to give the Mariners a 3-1 lead at the break.

Oldtown came out of the traps quick in the second half and got a second when Tommy McLaughlin squared for John McFadden to tap in. 

Robinson added his second of the day, firing home from close range before Chick McLaughlin headed Oldtown back in the game. Mariners were dangerous on the break with Oldtown pushing to get an equalizer. Oldtown were down to 10 men when Patton received 2 quick yellow cards before Robinson completed a hattrick as Mariners closed in on a win. 

Kevin McGrath pulled one back for Oldtown from the spot before McLaughlin added his second of the day late in injury to set up extra time. 

Extra time continued the same as normal time going end to end before McMonagle squared for McGrath to complete his hat-trick and send Oldtown into the next round.

Referee: John Coll

Milford United 2-4 Glencar Celtic

Milford hosted Glencar in torrential conditions. Glencar got a grip of the conditions quicker and started playing football to create chances. They scored when a cross from the right side found Frain who slotted the ball home. 

The young Milford team started to come into the game creating chances of their own through Lee Burke and George McNulty. Slightly against the run of play Glencar got their second goal when a cross was converted. 

Milford came out much the brighter in the second half and deservedly got a goal back through Darragh Kelly Cullen after fantastic play and a cross from Aidan McGettigan. Milford had their tails up and pressured the Glencar team creating a couple of chances and eventually got a penalty for their efforts. 

The 15-year-old Daithi McTaggart stepped up to make the game level. Milford tried to kick on but the experience of the Glencar team started to play a part as they started to come back into the game. 

After a bit of pinball from a free kick Glencar took the lead through a well-taken goal. Glencar could have made it 4-2 but hit the post from close range. As Milford pushed and created chances, Glencar countered and scored to make it 4-2. Milford kept pushing to no avail. Game finished 4-2. Best for Milford were Darragh Kelly Cullen, Aidan McGettigan and the returning Lee Burke. Special mention to Milford’s young players  Mark Mc Cleary, Ryan Doherty, Ryan Mc Elhinney and George Mc Nulty, all making their senior debuts. 

Area 2

Erne Wanderers 4-5 St. Catherines

(No Report Submitted)

Drumbar FC BYE

(No Report)

Cappry Rovers 4-2 Fintown Harps AFC

Cappry Rovers got their Voodoo Venue Cup campaign off to a good start back at Cappry with a combative 4-2 win over local rivals Fintown Harps. 

Cappry dominated the 1st half and were leading with goals from Jack Marley and Reece Coyle. 

Fintown stormed back with a goal from Thomas Mc Devitt but Conor Mc Daid restored Cappry's two-goal advantage just before half time. 

In a more even 2nd half, Evan Long scored to put Cappry 4-1 up before Niall Marley netted for Fintown to leave the final score 4-2. An enjoyable and sporting encounter which will help both teams prepare for the upcoming season.

Copany Rovers 1-0 Donegal Town

(No Report Submitted)

Area 3

Gweedore Celtic 6-7 Strand Rovers   (After Penalties)

Strand battled back from two goals down at the break to draw level within twelve minutes of the second half. 

The wind played a significant role in this game with Charlie Gallagher and Cronan Mc Fadden getting the lead for the home side before the break. Two strikes from Ethan Mc Cafferty had Strand level early in the second half. 

With four minutes remaining Charlie Gallagher notched his second of the day but with time almost up Mc Cafferty struck for his third of the day. Extra time did not produce a winner and Strand prevailed on penalties against a young Gweedore team to advance to the next round.

Arranmore United BYE

(No Report Available)

Gweedore United 0-4 Dunlewey Celtic

Dunlewey Celtic advanced in the Voodoo Venue Cup after a strong second half display against their neighbours on an extremely wet and blustery day.  

The Gweedore keeper, Charles John Doherty was forced into an excellent point blank save from Brendan McGeady in the 25th minute. 

On the 38th minute, the visitors were awarded a penalty after Brendan McGeady was adjudged to have been brought down in the Gweedore 6-yard box. 

Charles John Doherty pulled off a fantastic save to deny Christopher Cannon from the resulting penalty, however, he was unable to deny Christopher Cannon who reacted the quickest to score from the rebound. 

The best chances for Gweedore United in the first half came from a Pádraig McFadden freekick, and Francis Gallagher, Stephen Mulhern forced saves from Lorcan Gallagher. Dunlewey Celtic came out very robustly in the second half and went in search of a second goal. 

Charles John Doherty made a flurry of saves on the 49th minute from Christopher Cannon and Cian Gallagher. The visitors did extend their lead on the 53rd minute when Mark Roarty fired into the top right-hand corner from inside the home side's 6-yard area. 

The Dunlewey men had given themselves an unassailable lead three minutes later, after a fine cross by Paul Coll was finished by the advancing Cian Gallagher. Paul Coll added a fourth goal for the away side in the 84th minute after he drilled a shot into the bottom left-hand corner. 

Stephen Mulhern had the best chance to grab a consolation goal for Gweedore United when he found himself one one-on-one against Lorcan Gallagher but saw his effort drift just narrowly wide. 

Impressive performance today came from Charles John Doherty and good performances from Stephen Mulhern, Pádraig McFadden for the hosts. Excellent outings today for Paul Coll, Christopher Cannon, Mark Roarty and Cian Gallagher for the visitors. Referee: Finn  Canning

Keadue Rovers 6-0 Glenea United

Keadue Rovers got their Voodoo Venue Cup campaign off to a winning start against Glenea in very poor conditions at Central Park on Saturday. 

Settling to the task much better, Keadue playing against a strong breeze started off at a good pace and some good passing up the right sideline led to a fine ball played through to Dylan Boyle and he finished well with a low strike to the net for the opener. 

Glenea settled into the game a little more and by ten minutes, a cross into the box was just cleared in time by a Keadue defender. Luke McCarry at this stage was showing well for Glenea up front. Back came Keadue and on twenty minutes they extended their lead when some good footwork from Peter Mc Gee led to a superb shot from long range which hit off the crossbar and went over the line, even though Dylan Boyle got a touch. 

Keadue kept well on top of things for the remainder of the half with Dylan Boyle a constant threat both in attack and on the wing. A few more chances fell to both Conal Mc Eniff and Peter Mc Gee but the Glenea defence somehow kept it to a two-goal deficit until the break. 

At the start of the second half, with a few substitutions, Keadue began again on the front foot, with substitute Dmytro Serhieiev effective on the left wing, making plenty of runs and winning corners. From one of these corners, Keadue extended their lead. Taken by Mark Forker, the initial cross was cleared but fell into the path of Liam Boyle, who volleyed home from close range for 3-0. 

Only three minutes later, the game was over as a contest when Dylan Boyle worked some space at the edge of the area and cut inside with a low right foot shot to the net. Further pressure was applied but some good saves were made from set pieces by Glenea keeper Matthew Ryder. Glenea midfielder Calvin Murray battled away gamely but Keadue, despite a few more subs managed to keep on top of the game and on seventy minutes, Dmytro Serhieiev scored a fine individual goal, beating a defender before striking home from the edge of the box. 

Keadue completed the scoring on eighty minutes, when Matthew Comiskey played a short corner to Oran Fallon, who spotted a gap in the Glenea defence and rasped a fine effort to the top corner. 

Keadue progress to the semi final and a trip to Arranmore and based on this performance, are hopeful of a good season. A team performance from Glenea, while best for Keadue were Dylan Boyle, Dymtro Serhieiev, Mark Forker and Noah Boyle.

Referee : Danny Doherty.

Area 4

Drumkeen United 2-3 Kildrum Tigers

(No Report Submitted)

Convoy Arsenal 1-6 Lagan Harps

(No Report Submitted)

Ballybofey United 0-2 Bonagee United

Bonagee almost took the lead early on from a free-kick but Daniel Crawford made a superb save in the Ballybofey goals. Bonagee did take the lead on the ten-minute mark, a great strike into the bottom corner from their attacker. 

Ballybofey nearly equalised soon after when Kieran Thompson broke through on goal but his effort was well saved by the keeper.  Bonagee doubled their lead after the Ballybofey defence failed to clear their lines and Bonagee winger fired a great shot into the bottom corner. 

Cian Thonpson went on a great run from centre half  and played in Colin Kearns who cut it back to Gavyn Harley whose effort trickled wide of the post. Odhran Byrne then played a superb ball over the top to Thompson but again his shot just rolled wide of the post. 

Ballybofey had another few chances at the start of the second half, the best coming after Michael Scully whipped in a great ball and Kearns rose highest, but his header was saved onto the bar by the Bonagee keeper. Bonagee had a few chances at the end of the game but a few great saves from Crawford kept the game at 2-0.

Drumoghill FC 3-4 Castlefin Celtic

Castlefin Celtic advanced to the next round of the Voodoo Venue Cup as they emerged victorious in this seven-goal thriller at The Moss in the wettest of wet conditions. 

Lee Kennedy scored what turned out to be the winner after Drumoghill had bravely fought back after being 2-0 down at the break thanks to first-half goals from Rory Matthews and Tiernan McConnell. Second half Drumoghill came out very quickly and were looking dangerous on every break. 

Oran Downey was the change at half time and he and Calum Mc Laughlin linked up to have a couple of big chances in the opening 15 minutes of the second half but they both went narrowly wide. 

Drumoghill kept on the attack and found a way back with a great strike in the box from Darren Coyle to reduce the arrears and make it 2-1. Castlefin went on the attack and again another ball into the box somehow fell to Travis Lafferty who made no mistake to make it 3-1 which was harsh on the home side as they were just back in it. 

Castlefin made it four with a great strike from Lee Kennedy. Drumoghill kept fighting and got their reward when substitute Evan Breslin was sent through on goal and rounded the keeper to make it 4 - 2.  

The home side had their tails up and with another super sub-Aaron Donnell was upended in the box and reward was a penalty with no doubt.  Aaron slotted away perfectly and it was back to 4 - 3. But the home side ran out of time to take it to extra time or penalties. Substitutions for Drumoghill made a massive difference in the 2nd half and were disappointed with somewhat soft goals conceded. 

So it was Castlefin who made it through to next round of Voodoo Cup. Great performance and effort from both sides on a very wet Saturday afternoon. Referee: Eamonn Sheridan.