Donegal Junior League: Fanad United and Keadue Rovers share the spoils

Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division

Fanad United 1-1 Keadue Rovers

Fanad United and Keadue Rovers shared the points at a sun-drenched Traigh-a-Loch on Sunday with the game ending 1-1.

The first chance of the game came in the 12th minute when Mark Forker swung in a free kick from the right which was met by Martin Ferry but his header produced a fine save from Fanad keeper Mark McConigley.

The game was even for the majority of the first half without many clear chances. On the half-hour mark Peter Carr cut in from the right but his left-footed shot went over the Keadue crossbar.

Fanad started the second half on the front foot, causing Keadue problems. Two minutes in, Charlie McAteer found space on the edge of the box but his low shot was pushed away at full stretch by Shane Graham.

From the resulting corner Fanad took the lead. Daibhid Lynch swung the ball in and it was met at the back post by Patrick Moffitt who headed home. Just after the hour mark Keadue equalised. A

Mark Forker corner was cleared to the edge of the box and it was met by Oran Fallon who hit a superb volley into the top corner. As the final whistle approached Fanad had one final chance when Eddie O'Reilly just failed to connect with a Darren McElwaine free kick and Shane Graham saved. Referee: Marty McGarrigle

Glenea United 1-2 Donegal Town

It was a perfect day for football at PCC Falcarragh as Glenea welcomed Donegal Town.

The first chance of the game came in the 6th minute when Donegal Town had a header well saved on the line by Joe Coll. Glenea opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Cathal McGeever’s perfectly weighted pass put Calvin Murray through on goal and he lobbed the oncoming keeper with a first-time effort.

Donegal tried to respond quickly but Joe Coll made himself big and produced a fine save with a strong left hand. Donegal got their equaliser just after the half-hour mark when a deflected shot sneaked in at the front post from a tight angle. Donegal went ahead five minutes later and the first half ended in frantic fashion with the visitors leading.

The second half saw few notable chances in the early exchanges, however both teams continued to play good attacking football.

As the game drew to a close, Glenea pushed hard for an equaliser and were awarded a corner in injury time. Barry McGinley’s corner was met with a header but it failed to get near the target. The game finished 2-1 to Donegal Town. A good team effort was put in by both sides. Referee: Mick Lagan

Kildrum Tigers 1-2 Bonagee United

Played in the lovely autumn sun, the game got off to a frantic start with both teams applying pressure. Kildrum had a few chances early on and looked dangerous from set pieces. CJ Clarke nearly put Kildrum ahead but his headed effort from a corner was cleared.

Bonagee grew into the game and started to get a bit of joy. Bonagee took the lead when a corner was unfortunately headed into his own net by a Kildrum player on 35 minutes. Kildrum had the lion’s share of the play in the second half and had a few half chances to draw level.

They finally got the equaliser on 70 minutes when Jonny Robb tapped in when a Ronan McKinley free kick was saved from young Nicolls. Bonagee hit the front again on 82 minutes when, after a mix-up in the Kildrum rearguard, Fintan Hassan found the net from a tight angle. Kildrum pushed hard to find an equaliser but to no avail.

Temple Domestic Appliances Division One

Cappry Rovers 3-2 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.

In a game that was played in ideal conditions in Cappry Park, it was the home team who started the stronger and had a few early chances. Kerrykeel almost took the lead halfway through the first half.

Kerrykeel took the lead in injury time of the first half when Jonathon Friel scored from close range. Cappry came out strong in the second half and got their reward when Callum Long scored from the edge of the box following a good team move. Cappry pressed to get in front and came close when Barrie McGhee hit the crossbar.

Cappry kept pressing and in the 70th minute a Barrie McGhee effort was brilliantly saved by the Kerrykeel keeper. From the corner Conor McDaid headed home from close range.

Cappry then made it 3-1 when Patrick McNulty finished well. Cappry missed a few chances to make it four. Deep in stoppage time Kerrykeel scored when Jonathon Friel headed home from a corner. Cappry held on in the final moments to earn the three points. Two team performances. Referee: Patrick Martin

Castlefin Celtic 5-1 Gweedore United

Castlefin defeated Gweedore United in Park View on Sunday. A Corrie Lee Bogan hat-trick added to by Cathal Kennedy and Rabeh registered for the hosts in a comfortable afternoon. Stephen Mulhern reduced the deficit for the visitors.

Gweedore Celtic 3-2 Swilly Rovers

Gweedore recorded their first victory of the season against Swilly Rovers with an eighty-third minute winner. Twice the home team led in the game and twice Swilly pulled themselves level only to be outdone by the late winning goal.

Cronan McFadden gave na Ceiltigh the lead in the twelfth minute but Toby Taylor cancelled that goal in the twentieth minute with a fine individual effort. Colin Ferry had a header sail by the post shortly afterwards but Cronan McFadden restored the home team’s lead on thirty-five minutes to leave it 2-1 at half time.

The second half saw Gweedore reduced to ten men when Martin Coyle was sent off for two yellow cards and Swilly dominated for long periods. Mickey Kerr grabbed an equaliser with twenty minutes remaining and the same player saw his goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Shaun Gallagher.

Lorcan Coyle made a great save from Ward that would have given Swilly the lead but the same player was sent to the line with fifteen minutes remaining. Gweedore regained control of the game with seven minutes remaining when Micheal McGee’s cross was headed to the net by his brother Darragh to gain all three points for the young Celtic team.

Best for Gweedore were Shaun Gallagher, Pádraig Gallagher and Micheal McGee. Mickey Kerr and Barry Gallagher were best for Swilly. Referee: Seimi Ferry

Milford United 3-2 Ballybofey United

Milford recorded a great home victory over Ballybofey at Moyle View Park on Sunday as they lined out in their new jerseys courtesy of Michael Cannon, Cannon Furniture with his kind sponsorship.

Milford began well and created a good chance only for Odhran Bonnar to save from close range from the in-rushing Dylan Dorrian. Ballybofey got the opener when Andrew McCloskey broke through from midfield and slotted home.

Minutes later Milford drew level when Kyle Black headed home from a Dylan Dorrian free kick. Milford dominated the second half and scored through Dylan Dorrian and, with ten minutes remaining, a great pass from Niall Murray found George McNulty who drove home from six yards.

Milford had a few chances through Corey Lee McConigley, Flynn Nash, Joey Cullen and Shay Gibbons. Ballybofey pulled one back on 85 minutes from Kieran Thompson and Milford held on nervously for the final minutes to secure the three points. Referee: Michael Connolly

Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two

Deele Harps 2-1 Drumkeen United

Deele's first home game of the season versus Drumkeen was played in glorious conditions at Marty Duffy Park. The home side started the brightest and were well on top in the early exchanges with Jordy Duffy and Thomas Mullen causing all sorts of problems.

Deele took the lead on nine minutes when Declan Lafferty's deep cross found centre back Stephen Devine who finished well first time. The home side extended their lead on 20 minutes when a pinpoint cross from Ryan McColgan was met by Scott Macbeth who headed into the corner of the net.

Drumkeen grew into the game and created a couple of chances in the latter part of the half. Firstly, when a last-gasp tackle from Ryan McColgan thwarted the Drumkeen striker and again on the stroke of halftime when Ryan McColgan kept alert and cleared off the line.

The away side were much improved after the break and had better spells of possession without causing David Arthur any real issues in the Deele goal. As the game drew to a close, Drumkeen pulled a goal back following a scramble which set up a nervy finale for the home side who claimed their second victory. Team performances.

Drumoghill F.C. 3-0 Letterbarrow Celtic

Drumoghill bagged their first win of the season in their opening home game with this deserved win over Letterbarrow, thanks to strikes from Conor Doohan, Liam O’Donnell and Leon Doherty.

Drumoghill started well with Philip Doran and Niall McCrossan quickly into their stride in midfield and soon they were dominant. Karolus Rodgers was also prominent in the early stages with Drumoghill keen to convert their dominance into goals, and their efforts were rewarded midway through the first half when Conor Doohan reacted quickest after being set up by Niall McCrossan.

The visitors did come back into the game in the period before half time, but Dylan McElhinney and Sergey Alcorn stood strong when getting in the way of efforts from Rory Kennedy and Daniel Meehan.

Christopher McLaughlin did test the keeper just before half time but Callum Crampsie stood strong to preserve their first half lead. The second half started in a similar fashion but Letterbarrow were giving little away at the back before the game got away from the visitors on 57 minutes.

Letterbarrow were reduced to 10 men after an incident that resulted in a penalty being awarded to Drumoghill and Liam O’Donnell made no mistake from the spot.

His goal means that he gets to add another season to the many in which he has recorded a goal in the Donegal League. Any doubts about the result were removed a few minutes later when Leon Doherty hammered home to conclude the scoring on 67 minutes.

Letterbarrow, to their credit, worked hard for the final 20 minutes and restricted the home side to a few efforts. Drumoghill used the remaining period to use some of their fringe players with Matthew Doran looking lively during his cameo, but they could not add to the scoring on what was a warm day for playing football.

Dunfanaghy Youths 1-9 Raphoe Town

A big win for Raphoe Town in the end at Callum Friel Park, Dunfanaghy. Dunfanaghy made a bright start to the game but were 2-0 down within seven minutes with a brace from B. O’Loughlin for the Raphoe side.

Dunfanaghy were forced to make an early change in the eighth minute with an injury to their left back. Raphoe went further ahead with a penalty and were to strike again twice before the first half ended leaving the half-time score 1-5.

Dunfanaghy were again caught cold at the beginning of the second half and were punished with another three goals coming in quick succession, a brace from D. Kelly and one from O. Kelly.

Dunfanaghy managed to steady the ship after this and managed to pull one back with a late penalty which was dispatched by Lorcan McFadden on the follow-up the second time of asking after the penalty had to be retaken. Raphoe quickly responded with a late goal of their own with B. O’Loughlin completing his hat-trick leaving the final score 1-9.

Whitestrand United 3-2 Curragh Athletic

Whitestrand United took on Curragh Athletic in their first home game of the season looking to build on their excellent start away on the opening weekend. Whitestrand started well and opened the scoring in the first five minutes when Jack Dunleavy scored.

After this the game was tight with Whitestrand having the better of the chances. However, having not taken them, they were left to rue this when Curragh equalised after a goal-mouth scramble and the game went in at half time 1-1.

Whitestrand started the second half well and had two good chances but these were narrowly missed. Whitestrand retook the lead when Michael Sweeney scored from distance. Curragh responded well again and equalised from a well-worked corner routine.

Whitestrand however had the final say when, after some good interplay, Cormac Dunleavy scored what proved to be the winner. Best for Whitestrand were Jack Dunleavy and Cormac Shovelin.

Glencar Inn Saturday Division One

Donegal Town Reserves 1-5 Strand Rovers

Donegal Town fell to a big defeat against a strong Strand outfit on Saturday afternoon. Ryan Greene slotted home a penalty after three minutes and had chances to extend their lead.

Town came back into it and equalised after 40 minutes with a great strike by Corey Monaghan. Aaron Ward had Strand in the lead with 20 minutes to go. As the “Town” chased the game they were picked off for three late Strand goals.

Drumbar United 2-1 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves

Drumbar United and Kilmacrennan Celtic played out a hard-fought game that was finely balanced for much of the afternoon. The opening half saw both sides engaged in a tight, physical contest, with little to separate them in terms of possession or chances, leaving the game goalless at the break.

The second half came to life almost immediately when Drumbar grabbed the breakthrough. Jacques McLeod did well down the flank before squaring for Vincent Breslin, who showed a poacher’s instinct to fire home from close range.

Kilmacrennan responded swiftly with M. Patterson levelling matters on 51 minutes thanks to a composed finish. As the contest wore on, Drumbar began to assert greater control, and their pressure was rewarded with a decisive goal on 78 minutes.

Daniel Bennett, who had been influential throughout, stepped up with a great free kick to restore his side’s advantage. Drumbar withstood some late pressure to secure all three points. Dan Bennett, Adam Gillespie and Caolan Sweeney stood out for Drumbar. A good team performance from Kilmacrennan.

Old Orchard Saturday Division Two

Fintown Harps AFC 1-3 Glenea United Reserves

On a dry day at Páirc Acla the pitch was in great shape. Fintown, having home advantage, had the brightest start with Odhran Bonner coming close on five minutes after a great ball from Jamie McMongle on the right wing.

Glenea had a few free kicks but didn't trouble Dylan in the Fintown goals. On 12 minutes Fintown had worked their way into good position but had no joy in front of goal. On 15 minutes the home side cut Glenea open and young Marc Laughlin had a good chance to shoot but took too long and the chance was gone.

On 20 minutes a great through ball by Odhran Bonner set up McCallig but the Glenea defence got back to clear the danger. Another chance fell to Fintown with a looping header at the back post almost finding the range.

On 25 minutes a hand ball in the box gave Glenea a penalty and they made no mistake from 12 yards from Ronan McGee. Glenea, spurred on from going one up, had two corners straight after but neither produced a goalscoring opportunity. On 35 minutes Fintown lost position in midfield, and Glenea pounced and a great through ball and Niall McGee finished it to put them 2-0 up with the break only minutes away.

Fintown had a good spell before half time and had a few chances with Jamie having a great chance on 40 minutes. Fintown then had the ball in the Glenea net but it was called for offside. On the stroke of half time Fintown got a corner on the right side but nothing came off it, 2-0 at half time.

Fintown started the second half the brighter and it paid off when some great play on the wing saw Jamie finding Odhran Bonner who made no mistake from close range. Fintown were now back in the game.

Glenea regained their two-goal lead again with a good strike from the edge of the box from Niall McGee after a free kick from midfield found him at the edge of the box on 60 minutes.

Fintown kept the pressure on with chances falling to Jamie and Michael Doherty but they couldn't find the Glenea net. Glenea finished the stronger and went away with the three points.

Keadue Rovers Reserves 2-1 Gweedore Celtic Reserves

Keadue Rovers are joint top of the Saturday League Division Two after this hard-fought win against a good and very youthful Gweedore Celtic team at Central Park on Saturday.

The visitors were the better team for the opening twenty minutes of the game, winning lots of possession high up the pitch, forcing Keadue back but not creating much in the way of chances.

Charlie Gallagher was very effective on the wing as was Peter Carragher, just playing behind the front line. Keadue pressed up a bit after twenty minutes, but still Gweedore Celtic had the initiative and on thirty-three minutes, following a dangerous cross on the right, David MacShane came to Keadue’s rescue with a superb clearance from right under the bar to deny Gweedore a goal.

Just one minute later though, the visitors took a well-deserved lead when a corner was whipped in, cleared and Daniel Doran was on hand to knock a right-footed shot through a clouded goal mouth to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

Keadue’s Jordan Doogan was getting through a good amount of midfield work for Keadue and he came close to equalising but his header was saved by Lorcan Coyle. Keadue didn’t have to wait too long for their leveller as a good ball played through by Sean Boyle found Dylan Boyle and he took the ball down well, shifted right and his shot found the net for a neat equaliser.

The fast pace of the opening half began to tell and in the last five minutes, both teams seemed happy enough to see the game to half time and it was 1-1 at the break.

The home side started off the second half on top in possession but could have given the visitors the lead on forty-nine minutes only for some last-ditch tackling. Between fifty-one and fifty-three minutes, Keadue had two further chances, when both David MacShane and Dylan Boyle had great chances but a good Gweedore defence were alert to the danger.

Darragh Sweeney was proving a good outlet up the right wing and even with the home side pressing harder, they had to be aware of the breaks and both the home side’s centre backs defended well on the ground and in the air.

The game was still stretched after the hour and Keadue did look the more likely to win the game but time after time, Lorcan Coyle, the Gweedore Celtic keeper, was excellent in both stopping shots from distance and also smothering close balls through to the home attack.

Finally in the eighty-second minute, following good hold-up play by substitute Evan McFadden, who laid the ball off to Liam Boyle, his pass was met by Odhran Boyle, who finished right-footed to the corner of the net.

Gweedore put on a big press towards the end but Keadue held on for a hard-fought win in a very close game, between two sides who look like they will be among the title contenders.

Best for Gweedore Celtic were Charlie Gallagher, Darragh Sweeney and Cathal McGee, while best for Keadue were Dylan Boyle, David MacShane and Paddy Bonner. Referee: Seimi Ferry

Finn Travel Saturday Division Three

Lagan Harps Reserves 10-4 Castlefin Celtic Reserves

In a high-scoring game, the home side collected another three points. Goals from Jack Duncan with three and Ronan Lynch with two for the home side sandwiched in between goals from Lee Kennedy and Calum Potts left it 5-2 at half time.

Two good finishes one-on-one for Jack and the hat-trick was from the penalty spot. Ronan’s two were a great strike from twenty yards and a great header just before half time.

Lee Kennedy hit a great effort from distance to bring it back to 5-3 but further goals from Ross, Aiden and two from Drew saw Lagan extend the lead. Patterson from Castlefin scored from a header to make it 9-4.

Aiden hit a great shot from twenty-five yards stepping out into the middle of the field driving forward and shooting low to the corner. Drew’s two were good finishes from one-on-one positions. Ross collected a good cut-back from Faolan and finished well to the net. Referee: John Duffy

Drumkeen United Reserves 2-2 Cappry Rovers Reserves

If we were doing stats for this game Cappry would have dominated many of them, but they had to settle for a share of the spoils. The visitors started well and Coyle had them ahead after 15 minutes.

Drumkeen nearly equalised shortly afterwards after a goal kick from Nigel Heagarty was headed on by Devine and found Sean Collum who saw his effort go over the bar.

Drumkeen goalkeeper Nigel Heagarty had to be alert as he came off his line to thwart another Cappry attack. Drumkeen had another chance after some good play between Sean Collum and Lee Guthrie led to a Drumkeen corner.

From the resultant corner Sean Collum saw his effort go narrowly wide. Drumkeen were improving and were getting chances and were awarded a penalty when Lee Guthrie was adjudged to have been fouled in the penalty area.

Emmett O'Boyle took the penalty but unfortunately for him it went over the bar. Drumkeen keeper Heagarty was called upon again as he made a save from just before half time. Cappry extended their lead early in the second half with a good finish from Odhran O’Conner.

Now it looked like a long way back for the home team but they kept battling away. Drumkeen did pull a goal back when Emmett O'Boyle crossed for Lee Guthrie who saw his effort hit the post but go into the net off an unfortunate Cappry defender. Drumkeen got back on level terms and it was Guthrie again who fired home after his first effort rebounded to him off the Cappry keeper.

Drumkeen had to withstand some serious pressure then for most of the rest of the half with a mixture of last-ditch defending, a few saves and maybe a bit of luck.

They managed to withstand all the Cappry pressure and could have nicked it near the end. Sean Collum found himself bearing down on goal but his effort was blocked by a defender and rebounded off himself and wide. That was more or less that as the referee blew the final whistle.

Cappry were probably the better team on the day and will feel they had done enough to win the game but didn't take enough of their chances. Drumkeen, although under pressure most of the time, did have several chances and could have won it. In all fairness though, if they had scored that late chance it would have been a bit harsh on the visitors. Referee: Ryan Carlin

Gweedore United Reserves 2-5 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves

The visitors claimed all three points after producing a strong finish in the latter stages of the game. Drumoghill went in front in the 13th minute after being awarded a penalty and Robert Donnell made no mistake with his spot kick.

Parity was restored five minutes later from a Pádraig McFadden free kick, which was headed into the net by Francis Gallagher. The away side went in front again on the 21st minute; Cathal McGowan squared the ball to Aaron Donnell who dispatched from close range. Pádraig McFadden was unlucky not to have equalised towards the end of the first half after his free kick rattled the Drumoghill crossbar.

The home side drew level in the 74th minute after Oran Ferry's free kick was turned in from close range by Kyle Doohan. A long ball from Shane Duffy three minutes later split the Gweedore defence and Giuliano Matos De Sousa was on hand to slide the ball past the advancing Eamonn Collum to put the visitors back in front again.

Eamonn Collum produced a fantastic save to keep the hosts in the game after Ethan McCready's shot looked destined for the bottom corner.

Drumoghill ensured all three points in the 82nd minute when Evan Breslin squared the ball for Callum McLaughlin to tap in from close range.

Callum McLaughlin scored a carbon copy of his earlier goal in the 92nd minute, only this time Ciaran Logue provided the assist. Pádraig McFadden, Francis Gallagher and Oran Ferry all produced good performances for the Gweedore men. G

iuliano Matos De Sousa, Callum McLaughlin and Aaron Donnell were all instrumental in the visitors leaving the Carrickboyle ground with all three points. Referee: Vincent McLoughlin