Donegal League: Letterkenny Rovers put five past Glenea United

Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division

Bonagee United 1
St. Catherine’s 1

The visitors came close to scoring on three minutes when a cross into the box fell to Ryan Cunningham but his strike from eight yards was straight at the keeper.

The home side took the lead on seven minutes when a great through ball from midfield from Harkin found former St. Catherine’s player Joshua Maxwell and he shot past the keeper from the edge of the box. Cunningham saw his header on fifteen minutes well saved by Nicholls in the home goal.

Cunningham did find the net two minutes later when a long ball out from defence beat the Bonagee backline and his strike from the edge of the box found the bottom corner of the net.

Michael Doherty saw his strike on twenty minutes well saved by Mullarkey in the visitors’ goal. Maxwell saw his header just go over the Catherines bar from ten yards on thirty minutes.

Two minutes later Harkin had his strike well saved by the visiting goalkeeper. Maxwell should have scored on thirty-eight minutes when he shot wide from ten yards.

The visitors’ keeper made a great double save on forty minutes - a strike from Maxwell from fifteen yards and the rebound from Doherty from ten yards. Shay Maloney had a great shot well saved on fifty minutes but again the visitors’ keeper made a brilliant save.

The keeper made another brilliant save on seventy-two minutes from Bonagee’s Adie McLaughlin header from a corner kick. It was all the home side in the second half but strikes from Doherty, Maxwell and Parke were all well saved by the visiting goalkeeper.

With only minutes remaining the visitors broke down the right and the home keeper made his only save of the second half. Referee: Gérard Devine.

Donegal Town 1
Kilmacrennan Celtic 0

Donegal were slow to settle in this match and Kilmacrennan were on top during the opening fifteen minutes. Finally the hosts came to life and started making chances for their strikers, Ronan McHugh, Ben Sweeney and Ultan O’Grady. T

he second half got underway in a competitive manner. Donegal took the lead when young Thomas Lenehan finished well at the back post from Mark Jordan’s pass.

From there until the end the match was evenly contested with the Donegal defence standing strong against a workmanlike Kilmacrennan forward line. Lenehan, Sweeney and McHugh were the best on display.

Keadue Rovers 1
Kildrum Tigers 0

Keadue Rovers got their Brian McCormick Premier Division campaign off to a good start with this hard-fought 1-0 win in a game of few chances, played in difficult conditions, with the strong wind dictating a lot of the game.

Playing with the wind in the opening period, Kildrum were quicker to settle and pressed Keadue back with several set pieces with both Ronan McKinley and Brian Breslin instrumental in midfield while William Lynch also had a good chance from a corner.

After the twenty-minute mark, Keadue began to settle into the game a bit more despite facing into the tough wind and a strong Kildrum backline. Pauric Neely broke well into the box after thirty minutes, forcing a save from Michael Lynch.

The last fifteen of the opening half was very even, with Keadue getting more possession in midfield through Maurice McGee and as the whistle went for half-time, Keadue would’ve been the more content, having been forced to defend against the strong wind.

The home side opened the second half on top and a few minutes in, Peter McGee unleashed a fine effort, saved by Lynch. Kildrum’s Johnny Robb, who was dangerous throughout, slipped the home defence on the hour and just struck wide of the far post with a left-footed effort.

Brian Breslin was again to the fore of the Kildrum attacks and had several shots blocked on the edge of the area by a resolute and tight-marking home defence, well marshalled by Martin Ferry.

The game, as it approached the last twenty minutes, was an attritional effort and it looked like one goal would settle things and that’s exactly what transpired when a great cross from Pauric Neely just past the halfway line found Peter McGee’s well-timed run and he took it down and finished well, drilling into the bottom corner for a 1-0 lead for Keadue.

The home side were now confident and a left-wing cross almost led to another chance, while on eighty minutes, Michael Greene’s shot was well saved. Kildrum upped the tempo in the last ten minutes, with sub Shane McGinty making an impression, while McKinley had a shot from a free-kick well saved by Shane Graham.

The home goal, despite Kildrum’s possession, wasn’t really threatened. So an opening day win for Keadue and a good boost in the early part of the season in a very tight game, where both sides gave their all.

Best for Kildrum were Johnny Robb, Ronan McKinley and Brian Breslin, while best for Keadue were Maurice McGee, Pauric Neely and Martin Ferry. Referee: Mick Lagan.

Letterkenny Rovers 5
Glenea United 0

Letterkenny Rovers put in a commanding performance to overcome Glenea United with a 5-0 victory at Leckview. Rovers started lively with early chances for BJ Banda and Lee McMonagle before the breakthrough arrived on nine minutes. Padraic Gilsenan linked with Simon McGlynn and the winger showed good composure to slot past Joe Coll for 1-0.

Glenea threatened sporadically, with Tiernan McGinty and Calvin Murray both testing the Rovers’ defence, but Blake Forkan was well positioned when called upon.

At the other end, Rovers were more decisive, and they doubled their lead on 41 minutes when Adrian Delap’s cross from the left was met by McMonagle who finished instinctively into the far corner. The visitors almost pulled one back early after the restart but Forkan was alert with a smart save.

Moments later, Rovers asserted their authority, and after a wave of pressure, Shane McNamee’s long clearance released BJ Banda. The forward showed blistering pace, brushing off two defenders before calmly finishing to make it 3-0 on 62 minutes.

Ten minutes later, McNamee was again at the heart of the attack, threading the ball to McGlynn, who was brought down by Coll in the box. McGlynn dispatched the resulting penalty, extending the advantage to 4-0.

Rovers weren’t done, and Banda, ever dangerous, added his second and Rovers’ fifth in the 80th minute with a low strike across goal after good work from Zach Gorman.

Glenea kept pushing, with a late effort from Patrick Doohan forcing Forkan into another save, but by then the contest was long settled. Rovers, meanwhile, went close to a sixth when Dean McCarry rose highest to meet a Delap cross, only for Coll to hold firm.

Temple Domestic Appliances Division One

Convoy Arsenal 5
Gweedore Celtic 2

Convoy started their League Campaign against a youthful Gweedore Celtic at Orchard Park. The visitors took the lead against the run of play with a tidy finish from McHugh.

Convoy levelled when Lee Smyth found the net with a decent header from Evan McBride’s corner kick. Convoy were reduced to ten men on sixty minutes.

Despite this, Aiden Boal put the hosts into a 2-1 lead. Five minutes later he scored again and his hat-trick was complete when his speculative shot somehow found the Gweedore net. Gweedore’s Martin Coyle made it 4-2 before Emmett Patterson completed the scoring for the ten men of Convoy.

Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two

Cranford United 1
Drumoghill F.C 1

The points were shared in this competitive game played at Cranford Park. Cranford started strongest and took the lead when Gary McClafferty crossed to Shane Coll and he squared the ball to James Lee McBride who slid the ball home.

In the second half Cranford were unlucky not to double their lead on two occasions and they paid the price when Drumoghill found a leveller from the penalty spot.

Curragh Athletic 0
Deele Harps 3

The Curragh got their season underway with a home game against local rivals Deele Harps. They started bravely and after 17 minutes Thomas Mullen converted.

Curragh thought they had drawn level with fantastic efforts from Caolan Burns and Ryan Galvin. That was it 0-1 at half-time. Both teams cancelled each other out at the start of the second half with some real good football.

On 80 minutes Decky Lafferty with a shot from outside the box doubled the Deele advantage. They rounded off a 3-0 win with a goal from a corner in the dying seconds. Best for Deele was Thomas Mullen with a team effort from the Curragh. Referee: Damien McFadden.

Drumkeen United A
Dunfanaghy Youths A

Drumkeen were well in control of this match against the League’s newcomers until a bad injury saw the Match Referee call a halt to proceedings as an ambulance was summoned to attend to the injured player.

Marty O’Rourke, Conor Bonner and Paul Clark had established a three-goal advantage for Drumkeen. Shane Laverty and Conor Bonner added two more while Moore got the Youths’ goal. Hopefully the injured player will make a speedy and full recovery.

Dunkineely Celtic 1
Whitestrand United 4

Both teams started brightly at Darney Park however neither could assume control on what was a lovely day for outdoor activity.

Cormac Shovlin gave Whitestrand the lead on twenty minutes when he met Emmet Kennedy’s goal-line clearance. Dunkineely were unlucky not to be level soon after the opener when Alex Byrd rattled the crossbar with a great effort.

Dunkineely continued to push and on twenty-five minutes they did draw level as Adrian Nesbitt fired home via the underside of the same crossbar. That is how it remained until the break.

With the second half only minutes old, Gareth Ferry slid the ball home to reinstate the Strand lead. Ferry then made the game his own as he found the net on seventy-five and eighty-four minutes to give his side a deserved opening day victory and claim for himself a hat-trick that was the difference between the sides.

Glencar Inn Saturday Division One

Oldtown Celtic 5
Glencar Celtic 0

Oldtown opened their League Campaign with an impressive two-halved performance against near neighbours Glencar Celtic.

Gio Peoples almost gave them the lead when his header didn’t quite find the mark as he attempted to open the scoring in response to a flurry of long-range shots from the visitors. Kevin McGrath got the first goal when he dispatched from the spot after Oldtown were awarded a penalty.

Moe Friel made it two as he profited from the melee of a penalty-area scramble when a corner kick wasn’t dealt with by the Glencar defence.

A free-kick played into the box gave Tommy McLaughlin an opportunity to add to the scoreline and he duly obliged to extend the difference before the interval.

Glencar competed well at the start of the second half but the home side got their fourth when Gio Peoples got his second when he was set up by McLaughlin. With only five minutes remaining McGrath also got his second when he fired home a long-range thunderbolt to seal a great opening day victory for the current League Champions.

Old Orchard Saturday Division Two

Arranmore United 2
Bonagee United Reserves 1

Arranmore welcomed newly promoted Bonagee United Reserves to Rannagh Park for this Old Orchard Saturday Division Two encounter.

In what turned out to be a game of two halves, Bonagee started the better and controlled the play with Blake Meredith and Daniel Wojciun getting plenty of possession. The opening goal came from a corner on twenty-five minutes.

The delivery was cleared but the ball fell to Wojciun and he fired home from long range. A combination of strong defensive play and good net-minding from Dan Ward meant that the visitors failed to add to their half-time advantage.

Peadar Boyle had the Islanders back level ten minutes into the second half when he outjumped everyone to head home Glenn O’Donnell’s corner.

The wind played a big factor in the winning goal as it directed Shaun Rodgers’ free-kick to the net well off its intended route. Both sides competed well. Referee: George Clinton.

Fanad United Reserves 2
Keadue Rovers Reserves 4

Keadue Reserves returned to Central Park with three points that could make a difference at the other end of this new season. Playing with the breeze, Fanad had very few scoring chances.

Amazingly the half played out with hardly a scorable opportunity to talk of despite the efforts of both sides. While that first half was goalless, the second certainly wasn’t.

Dylan Boyle had Keadue in front on seven minutes. Sean Boyle doubled that advantage on sixty-five minutes. Ten minutes later Niall Toland pulled a goal back for Fanad.

On eighty-two minutes Chris Greene scored from the spot to reclaim Keadue’s two-goal advantage. Evan McFadden added a fourth for Keadue before Cormac Sweeney completed the scoring in a true game of two halves. Referee: Patrick McCauley.

Glenea United Reserves 2
Copany Rovers 2

Fine conditions for football at Glasserchoo on Saturday but unfortunately no joy for the home side.

This was a very young Reserve side on duty for the hosts and they found the going tough against their physically stronger opponents.

Graham Harron had Copany ahead on five minutes and he doubled the deficit on ten minutes to signal a long day at the office for the Glenea youngsters.

Niall McGee got on the end of a Shayne Curran through ball but his effort was saved by Oisin Bryson. David Graham got Copany’s third on twenty-five minutes as he converted from the edge of the box. Harron completed his hat-trick when he tapped in a cross from Graham.

The pair were at it again as they scored on sixty and sixty-five minutes respectively to make it six for the visitors. Glenea pulled a goal back on eighty minutes when Michael Ferry headed home Chris Cannon’s cross.

David Harron got Copany’s seventh on eighty-five minutes while on eighty-eight minutes Ronan McGee notched another for the gallant young lads of Glenea. It really was all about experience and physicality in this tough encounter — Copany had both to their advantage.

Gweedore Celtic Reserves 6
Fintown Harps AFC 1

Two youthful teams fielded for this league opener with the home side the stronger on the day. Gweedore featured nine of their impressive Youth team and with three goals in each half they were too much for the lesser experienced Harps.

Darragh Sweeney set up Charlie Gallagher for the opener and the favour was reversed minutes later when Sweeney added his name to the scoresheet.

He found the net again before the break as the match started to slip away from the visitors’ grasp. The striking duo of Gallagher and Sweeney were at it again after the break and both lads completed their hat-tricks.

For Fintown Jamie McMonagle Quinn was credited with attempting to lift his side but they had little answer for a strong Celtic.

Ramelton Mariners 1
Swilly Rovers Reserves 1

This local derby was played at the Flagpole Field in Rathmullan and Mariners started well as they looked for a good start to the new season.

They were unlucky not to take an early lead when Luke Friel shot just wide after being set up by Shay Callan McFadden. The only notable was Rovers’ opening goal despite the best efforts of Dylan Roulston.

Stephen Bryant got the Mariners level after the break when he capitalised on Evan Hewitt’s cross into the Swilly box. Neither side could find a winner in what was a frantic ending to this match.

Finn Travel Saturday Division Three

Castlefin Celtic Reserves 2
Drumkeen United Reserves 2

As draws go, this was an entertaining one played at Parkview on Saturday afternoon. Castlefin took an early lead when Cathal Kennedy found the Drumkeen net.

Drumkeen responded well and found an equaliser through Sean Collum. By midway they had taken the lead as Lee Guthrie scored from the spot. Kennedy again hit the target early in the second half to level the scoreline.

Neither side could take advantage of the chances that came their way and it finished in a draw.

Dunlewey Celtic 1
Ballybofey United Reserves 2

Glentornan Park was the venue for this Finn Travel Division Three match on Saturday as the new League Season got underway. Dunlewey settled first but didn’t take advantage of their early chances.

Chris Cannon levelled for Dunlewey just before half-time, firing home from twelve yards after Joseph Devenney had been fouled.

His penalty cancelled out Ballybofey’s opener of thirty minutes when the slippery surface helped deceive the home custodian. In the second half Gavyn Harley became the match-winner as he converted on seventy-five minutes after the Ballybofey striker had been taken down by the keeper.

Dunlewey battled, looking for an equaliser but Ballybofey stood strong and took three valuable points back to Dreenan.