Donegal League reports: Dunfanaghy Youths seal first win since return to DJL

Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division

Glenea United 0-3 Fanad United

Glenea United and Fanad United played out an entertaining match with Fanad running out 3-0 winners. The game was switched from Falcarragh to Traigh-a-Loch after a heavy night's rain. The opening stages were even enough with both teams enjoying good periods of possession. 

It was Fanad who opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Ronan Gallagher flicked the ball on to the inrushing Paddy Carr who controlled before scoring from 8 yards. On 34 minutes a great cross from Daibhid Lynch was met by Peter Carr who headed wide. Glenea were well in the game and in the 40th minute Cathal McKeever met a cross but headed over when well placed. 

Just before the break Seamie Friel sent a deep free kick into the Glenea box which was knocked back across goal by Peter Carr but Eddie O'Reilly just failed to make contact. Fanad started the second half brighter and doubled their lead just two minutes in. The ball was fed forward to Ronan Gallagher who turned on the edge of the box and fired home. On the hour mark Glenea winger Seamus Doogan broke into the Fanad box, but he dragged his shot just wide.

Just a minute later, Fanad scored their third. Paddy Carr split the Glenea defence with a pass to send Eddie O'Reilly clear and his cross was met by Ronan Gallagher who scored from close range. Glenea did have a chance to get a goal back in the 80th minute when Tiernan McGinty shot from 12 yards but Fanad keeper Mark McConigley made a fine save. Referee: Dessie McLaughlin 

Kilmacrennan Celtic 1-2 Bonagee United

Bonagee took the three points at Letterkenny Community Centre against a hard-working Kilmacrennan side.  Bonagee took lead on three minutes when Ciaran Kelly scored from a good header from a corner. Mark Patterson hit the Crossbar from 25 yards out and was very unlucky not to equalise for Kilmacrennan. 

On 20 minutes, Bonagee got their second goal.

Micheal Doherty scored with a good header from a great free kick from Gareth Harkin.

Kilmacrennan had few efforts to get back into game and really should have scored on 50 minutes when Mark Patterson headed wide. 

Kieran Gorman got a straight red on 65 minutes and Kilmacrennan to their credit battled away and Matty McLaughlin scored a great goal from 25 yards out that flew in bottom left of Andrew Nichols’ goal. Kilmacrennan pushed hard for an equaliser in the last 10 minutes but Bonagee held on for the three points.

Referee: Packie Coll

Letterkenny Rovers 0-0 Keadue Rovers

Letterkenny Rovers were held to a hard-fought scoreless draw by a determined Keadue Rovers side at Leckview Park on Sunday, with both teams struggling to find rhythm in challenging conditions. 

The visitors started brighter, using long diagonal passes to good effect as Aidan Brennan and Peter McGee provided width and energy on the wings. Martin Ferry was a consistent aerial threat at set pieces, heading narrowly wide twice in the opening half. 

Letterkenny’s clearest moment before the break came from Shane McNamee’s strike that forced keeper Shane Graham into a good save, before Zach Gorman’s follow-up effort flashed just wide.

At the other end, Keadue kept probing through midfielders Maurice Mc Gee and Michael Greene, but Mark McGinley was assured in the Rovers’ goal, dealing comfortably with long-range efforts and a low free kick late in the first half. Both sides traded possession after the restart, with Letterkenny gradually gaining control. BJ Banda’s pace on the flanks caused problems, one drive down the left forcing a fine reflex save from Graham. 

Joel Gorman, tireless in midfield, saw a series of corners and long deliveries defended strongly by the visiting back line. Keadue’s best second-half chance came 10 minutes from time when Brendan McCafferty unleashed a speculative effort from distance that thundered off the crossbar. 

Letterkenny pressed late on with Zach Gorman and substitute Padraic Gilsenan combining down the right, but a series of late set pieces came to nothing. In the end, both sides were forced to settle for a share of the spoils after a committed, physical encounter.

Referee: Michael Connolly

St. Catherines 0-3 Kildrum Tigers

Blustery conditions and intermittent showers didn’t dampen the atmosphere at Emerald Park for this Premier Division clash. 

With the breeze assisting the home side in the first half you’d imagine they would dominate but this was not the case as a physically bigger Kildrum side put their stamp on the game from early on and this pressure paid off on 16 minutes when the busy Robb crossed dangerously for McKinley who anticipated and met the ball sweetly ahead of the home defence and slotted home to make it 0-1 to the visitors. 

St Catherines tried their best to get back into the game and were awarded a penalty on 39 minutes when Conor Doherty was adjudged to have been pushed but Ryan Cunningham failed to finish from the spot after an excellent save by Lynch in the Kildrum goals. 

Vincent Mc Laughlin got the 2nd half underway with the score remaining atone-nil to the away team and it only seemed like time before they would increase their lead.

The Saints were giving possession away too easy and paid for this on 75 minutes when again Robb tormented the home defence and slid the ball across the box for an easy tap in at the back post for Patterson. 

The Kildrum third and final goal came from the penalty spot via the boot of the excellent McKinley to wrap up a comprehensive win for the visitors. Diver mopped up everything at the centre of the Kildrum defence and was key to a clean sheet and deserved victory for Kildrum.

Temple Domestic Appliances Division One

Rathmullan Celtic 2-3 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.

Rathmullan Celtic were narrowly beaten 3–2 by Kerrykeel ‘71 in a wet and hard-fought local derby at Flagpole Field on Sunday. The home side made the brighter start and took the lead after ten minutes when Kevin O’ Donnell’s long free kick deceived everyone and ended up in the net. 

However, Kerrykeel grew into the game and took advantage of two defensive lapses around the half-hour mark. Both times, James Kerr reacted quickest inside the box to turn the ball home and give the visitors the lead. The Hoops responded well and were level again on 35 minutes. 

Reece Thompson broke down the right and delivered an excellent low cross that found Achul Eldad, who managed to slide the ball past the advancing goalkeeper — the ball just crossing the line despite the efforts of the Kerrykeel defence.

The second half began evenly, but Kerrykeel struck again on 50 minutes when Jamie McAteer met a cross from the right to poke home what proved to be the winning goal. From then on, chances were limited for both sides and stoppages were aplenty, although Jay Curran came close late on with an effort that just missed the target.

For Rathmullan, Reece Thompson and Ryan Mc Cleary did well down the right-hand side, while Shaun Carr stood out for Kerrykeel with a commanding display at the back.

Next up for The Hoops is another local derby as Milford United visit Flagpole Field next Sunday.

Castlefin Celtic 4-1 Cappry Rovers

A second half hat-trick from Corrie Lee Bogan gave Castlefin all three points in a tight affair in Park View. Ronan Coyle halved the deficit with 20 minutes to go but Bogan’s third and Sean Kennedy sealed the win for the hosts.

Gweedore United 2-1 Swilly Rovers

Gweedore United secured their first win in the league this season after a hard-fought victory against Swilly Rovers at Carrickboyle. It was a bitterly cold and windy day along with sporadic showers during the game. Stephen Mulhern almost provided the home side with the perfect start when he lobbed the advancing Jamie-Lee Blaney in the Rovers’ goal, but his effort went just over the crossbar. 

Gweedore United did take the lead in the 21st minute, a throw in from Brian Mc Fadden found Seighean O' Baoill. He squared the ball for Francis Gallagher to tap in from close range. Dylan Clift was called into action in the Gweedore goal when he thwarted both Ian Ward and Michael Kerr. Jamie- Lee Blaney prevented Gweedore United from extending their lead after snuffing out efforts from Brian McFadden and Stephen Mulhern. 

Martin McDaid was unlucky not have equalised for the visitors after his headed effort came off the post. The hosts extended their lead on the 50th minute following an excellent through ball by Cian O'Heifearnaín to Brian McFadden and he fired his shot past Blaney. 

Swilly Rovers almost reduced the deficit when Marc Nicholls drilled a shot from outside the box which crashed off the Gweedore crossbar. 

On the 55th minute, the visitors were awarded a penalty when Shaun Crossan was adjudged to have been brought down. Dylan Clift guessed right and produced a fantastic save to deny Ian Ward from the penalty spot. Gweedore United had several opportunities to put the game to bed, however, Blaney produced excellent saves against Cian O'Heifearnaín, Stephen Mulhern, Aiden Doherty, Brian McFadden and Francis Gallagher. 

Rovers gave themselves a lifeline on the 60th minute,  Michael Kerr found himself free and his shot was saved by Dylan Clift, Ian Ward reacted the quickest to slot the ball into the net.

Stephen Mulhern was unlucky not to have settled the game after his shot had beaten Blaney, but not the post. The away side had a couple of further opportunities near the end to share the spoils, but Dylan Clift produced smart saves against Cory Oliver and Louis Dube respectively. Brian Mc Fadden, Dylan Clift, Francis Gallagher were instrumental in Gweedore United claiming all three points. Ian Ward, Michael Kerr and Jamie-Lee Blaney all produced excellent performances for Swilly Rovers. Referee: Mick Lagan

Milford United 3-3 Gweedore Celtic

On a wet and blustery afternoon Milford and  Gweedore Celtic served up a six-goal thriller. Milford started brightly and created two early chances with one clipping the top of the crossbar. Gweedore caught Milford out on ten minutes after a defensive error let Adam Mc Bride score from close range. 

Milford were caught out again from a Gweedore corner after a goalmouth scramble, Alan Doherty poked home from six yards. Milford responded well and grabbed one back when Shay Gibbons fired home from twenty yards on thirty-six minutes. Gweedore restored their two-goal lead when Cian Mc Bride scored direct from a free kick from outside the box.

Milford pushed hard at the start of the second half to try and get back into the game and were rewarded when Jordan Ryan headed in from a corner on sixty minutes. Kyle Black brought the teams level finishing from close range on seventy minutes. 

The final twenty minutes were end to end with Milford being caught on a few occasions with a quick Gweedore counterattack. Gweedore had a big shout in the final minute for a penalty but the game finished even with both teams happy with a point.

Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two

Drumkeen United 0-2 Cranford United

Cranford were the visitors to a damp St Patrick's Park on Sunday afternoon for this game in the Donegal Physiotherapy Division Two. All games in this Division are usually keenly contested affairs and this game was no exception. 

Both teams tried hard in the first half but goal scoring chances were few and far between, so it was scoreless as we reached the half time break. John Doherty came on as a substitute for Cranford early in the second half, and he was the one to break the deadlock when he put his side ahead in the 54th minute.

Cranford added a second shortly afterwards when they were awarded a penalty, which was well dispatched by Ethan Ferry. Drumkeen still had about half an hour to get themselves back in the game but it was one of those days for them and despite their best efforts, there was to be no way back for them on this occasion. 

Both teams tried hard  despite the heavy conditions and both played their part in a well contested game which was played in a good sporting manner. Referee: Eamonn Sheridan.

Drumoghill F.C. 0-1 Raphoe Town

The reds slipped to their first defeat of the season when they lost a close contest against 10-man Raphoe Town. Oran Kelly’s early goal was the difference between two sides that will hope to compete for Division 2 honours at the end of the season. 

Drumoghill though will feel they deserved a share of the spoils having dominated possession for large periods of the game, particularly after the visitors were reduced to ten men early in the second half.

Despite their dominance, Drumoghill struggled to create any gilt-edged chances as Raphoe defended well and were always a threat on the break as Drumoghill surged forward in numbers.

Daniel Moore and Joel Cullen were excellent at the back for the visitors, as was Aaron Hepburn in goals, as they snuffed out whatever Drumoghill could throw at them.

The closest the home side came to securing an equaliser was when Danny Harkin saw a brilliant effort rebound off the post on 80 minutes with Hepburn beaten. Liam O’ Donnell, Philip Doran, Niall Mc Crossan and Leon Doherty all had decent efforts on goal as Drumoghill looked to find a way back into their game but Raphoe stood firm and secured three vital points. Referee: Marty McGarrigle.

Dunkineely Celtic 1-2 Dunfanaghy Youths

Dunfanaghy Youths sealed a first win since returning to the Donegal Junior League away to Dunkineely Celtic on Sunday.

The home side took the lead early on through Daragh Murrin, with both sides in search of their first points of the season.

But a second half brace from Kyle McGarvey ensured the away side would get their first win.

Lifford Celtic 1-0 Whitestrand United

(No Report Submitted)

Thursday 30th October

Old Orchard Saturday Division Two

Fanad United Reserves 8-0 Gweedore Celtic Reserves

Fanad United welcomed Gweedore Celtic Reserves to Traigh-a-Loch on Thursday evening and recorded a comfortable 8-0 victory in the Old Orchard Saturday Division Two of the Donegal Junior League.  After some good early pressure, Fanad opened the scoring in the 17th minute. A Dylan Mc Glone shot from the edge of the box was parried by Gweedore keeper Lorcan Coyle but Charlie McAteer was on hand to score from the rebound. 

On the half hour mark Fanad doubled their lead when Caolan McElwaine went on a great run into the box and, after holding off several challenges, he scored into the bottom corner. Five minutes later Fanad made it three when Charlie McAteer got his second with a lovely curling effort from 20 yards. In the 40th minute, Fanad were awarded a penalty when Dylan Mc Glone was upended in the box and Charlie Mc Ateer stepped up to complete his hat-trick. 

On the stroke of half time Fanad got their 5th in somewhat fortuitous circumstances when a Liam Mc Grenaghan cross from the left caught the wind and nestled in the top corner.  With less than five minutes gone in the second half Fanad got their 6th goal when Charlie McAteer, this time turned provider, and Johnny McAteer was on hand to score from close range. In the 65th minute Fanad extended their lead further. 

Liam McGrenaghan swung in a low corner and Shea Harkin was on hand to score with a neat finish.  Fanad completed the scoring in the 85th minute when a Cillian Gilmore header came back off the bar, Rory Gibbons was quickest to react to score from 6 yards. Referee: Gerard Devine

Bonagee United Reserves 11-0 Fintown Harps AFC

(No Report Submitted)

Saturday 1ST November 2025

Glencar Inn Saturday Division One

Drumbar F.C. 2-5 Strand Rovers

Drumbar welcomed Strand Rovers for what turned out to be an entertaining encounter. Drumbar were fastest out of the blocks with Richard O'Rourke finishing well to give them an early lead. Daniel Bennett added another shortly after with a well taken penalty. 

Strand battled back and got one back late in the first half through Oisin McKelvey. The second half was a physical contest with Strand coming out on top. They turned things around with two quick fire goals putting them in front. Drumbar tried to find a way back into the game, but it wasn't to be and Strand added two more goals to seal the win. 

Glencar Celtic 0-6 Letterkenny Rovers Reserves

(No Report Submitted)

Kildrum Tigers Reserves 1-0 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves

Kildrum secured a dramatic late victory over Kilmacrennan thanks to a 90th-minute penalty from Gareth Colhoun, propelling them to the top of the league. The game began with Kildrum playing against a strong breeze, limiting their attacking threat in the opening half. 

Clear chances were few and far between for both sides, though Michael Lynch came closest to breaking the deadlock when he met an Aaron Temple cross, his powerful header crashing off the post. After the break, Kildrum took control and began to pile on the pressure. Kilmacrennan’s defence held firm for much of the half, repelling wave after wave of attacks. But just as it seemed the visitors would hang on for a point, Luke Toland was brought down in the box as he prepared to shoot. 

Referee George Cilton pointed straight to the spot. Up stepped Gareth Colhoun, who showed no nerves as he rifled his penalty into the top corner, sealing a vital win for Kildrum and capping a dramatic finish.

Oldtown Celtic 1-1 St. Catherines Reserves

Oldtown and St. Catherines played out an entertaining draw at the Community Centre.

Oldtown started the brightest, trying to get the opener. It arrived when Gio Peoples fired home after a corner wasn’t cleared. 

Anthony Browne’s effort from distance was expertly turned around the post by the St. Catherines keeper. St. Catherines were looking dangerous on the break and the equalizer came after a swift counter-attack with Josh Cunningham finishing well. 1-1 at the break. 

The second half was a game with both teams trying to find a winner, with the game going end to end. Aidan Simmons in the Oldtown goal pulled off a super stop with 10 to go to keep the game level as both defences were on top. Referee: Liam McLaughlin

Erne Wanderers 2-2 Donegal Town Reserves

(No Report Submitted)

Old Orchard Saturday Division Two

Arranmore United 4-0 Glenea United Reserves

Arranmore United welcomed 9-man Glenea United Reserves to Rannagh Park on a blustery afternoon. The home side had the wind in the first half and took the lead early on through captain Alan Stephenson. Peadar Boyle played a ball over the defence which met the run of Stephenson who controlled and finished to make it 1-0. Arran doubled their lead almost straight away when a Shaun Rodgers’ cross went straight into the goal via the post. The third goal of the game came at the end of the first half from Aidan Proctor. As the ball was played into the box Cian Boyle was first to react, he laid it off to Proctor who finished well into the corner. Glenn O' Donnell scored a penalty in the second half to make it 4-0 to Arranmore. Team performance from both sides. Referee: Gerald Devine.

Keadue Rovers Reserves 5-1 Ramelton Mariners

Keadue Rovers returned to the summit of Division 2 following a good win over Ramelton in difficult conditions at Central Park. The away side played with the wind in the first period and immediately took advantage of this, pinning Keadue back in the first minute, with two shots well saved by Caelan Bonner. 

In the second minute, Fionn Robinson made no mistake with a fine long-range effort to put Ramelton one up. Keadue took a while to get going and were a touch nervous for the first ten minutes before getting a grip in midfield. Chances fell to both Dylan Boyle and Liam Ferry which were both saved by keeper Dylan Roulston.

The home side eventually pulled level on twenty-one minutes, a left footed corner was initially cleared but Noah Boyle lobbed home from close range to level. Keadue’s pressure paid off further when on thirty-two minutes, another Liam Ferry corner was met by a Dylan Boyle header close in for 2-1. On forty minutes, a fine through ball from Aidan McHugh found Dylan Boyle in behind the Ramelton defence, and a neat right footed finish made it 3 - 1. 

Ramelton had a few good minutes before half time, forcing a few set pieces but to no avail. At the start of the 2nd half, Keadue with the aid of the breeze were the brighter side and any doubt on the final outcome were settled just after fifty minutes when Aidan McHugh’s effort went under the keeper for 4-1. 

By the hour mark, the intensity had dipped, with both sides making subs and just after seventy minutes, one of Keadue's subs got in for their 5th, when a through ball from Matthew Comiskey found Evan McFadden, who chipped the keeper for the final goal of the game. 

A good team effort from Ramelton, while best for Keadue were Aidan Mc Hugh, Dylan Boyle, Noah Boyle, and Matthew Comiskey. Referee: Mick Lagan.

Swilly Rovers Reserves 1-7 Copany Rovers

The visitors took a 2-goal lead into half time after a decent bit of play in the first half. Copany hit another 3 into the Swilly goal before Swilly got one back from the spot to make it 1-5.  A depleted Swilly team conceded another 2 before the end of the game. Referee: Eamonn Sheridan

Finn Travel Saturday Division Three

Ballybofey United Reserves 1-2 Castlefin Celtic Reserves

(No Report Submitted)

Cappry Rovers Reserves 2-1 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves

Cappry Rovers continued their good run with a 2-1 win over Drumoghill. In a competitive first half Cappry took the lead after 10 minutes when Conor O'Brien McMenamin hit a great strike from distance into the top corner.

Jack Marley made it 2-0 on 53 minutes when he finished well after some clever passing. However, Robert Donnell cracked home a free kick from the edge of the box on 59 minutes to give Drumoghill hope. 

Both teams had further chances with Cappry particularly wasteful on a few occasions but a solid team performance saw them hold out for the precious points. Best for Cappry were Jack Marley and Eoghan O’Donnell, while De Sousa and Donnell impressed for the visitors.

Convoy Arsenal Reserves 8-3 Gweedore United Reserves

Convoy Arsenal started sharpest creating a host of early chances before going one up through a calm finish by Luca Vance. Not long after, Convoy got their second when Neo McCormick was brought down in the box and calmly finished the penalty. 

Gweedore battled hard and got one back through Feireatéar from a corner. Convoy lifted themselves again and with John Callan dictating the play from midfield, Convoy began to create more chances. Three quick goals from Eunan Kelly, Neo McCormick and Callum Crossan left Convoy 5-1 leaders at half time. 

Gweedore came out battling in the second half but Convoy caught them twice on the breakthrough John Callan and Neo McCormick, completing his well-deserved hat-trick. Gweedore never gave up and continued to fight to the end, getting two well worked goals through Doohan and Gallagher. Convoy finished the game off as 8-3 winners through the excellent Luca Vance in the 90th minute.

Drumkeen United Reserves 3-5 Lagan Harps Reserves

League Leaders Lagan Harps were the visitors to a wintry St Patrick's Park on Saturday afternoon. On paper, this looked like a tricky assignment for the home team but they acquitted themselves well for a good while. 

Drumkeen actually took the lead after nine minutes when a bit of uncertainty in the Lagan defence presented an opportunity to Lee Guthrie, which he gladly took. Jack Duncan got Lagan back level about 10 minutes later and a long-range effort from Drew Dowds had the visitors in front at the break. Even though Drumkeen were behind at half time they were still very much in the game as they started the second half. 

The home team began the second half well and were playing some nice football. Emmett O'Boyle had a great chance to equalise when he was set up by Lee Guthrie but his effort was saved by Lagan Keeper Brown. O'Boyle had another chance shortly afterwards which went over the bar. The home team even though they were behind hadn't given up but Ross Hamyln probably ended their chances when he scored a third for Lagan just after the hour mark. O'Dowds added a Fourth for Lagan and Cormac Crossan got number 5 to put the result beyond doubt. 

Drumkeen didn't give up and Lee Guthrie got a goal back with a nice finish after some good build up play. Emmett O' Boyle added a third for Drumkeen when he was in hand to tap on after a Lee Guthrie fee kick had been saved by Brown. Shortly afterwards, Referee Michael Connolly blew the Final whistle. This game was played in a the right spirit with plenty of goals in difficult Conditions. Referee: Michael Connolly.

Dunlewey Celtic 2-3 Milford United Reserves

Dunlewey welcomed Milford United to Glentornan park for this tightly contested affair. 

Milford started the stronger of the two and settled well into the game in the opening exchanges. Milford United took the lead when a low ball was drilled across the box and tapped home by the incoming Milford attacker. 

They stayed on the front foot and doubled their lead after a similar move down the wing and another low cross across the box caused havoc and was guided home from close range. Dunlewey pulled a goal back after some good football resulting in a Dunlewey corner kick. The corner was whipped in and Shaun McCafferty was on target to pull a goal back for Dunlewey. Milford were under pressure as Dunlewey pressed for another goal but regained their 2-goal lead after a deflected effort made its way into the net and they held their 2-goal cushion until half time. The second half started with Dunlewey pressing to get back into the game and they pulled a goal back after 75 minutes when Chris Cannon's effort crossed the line. Milford created a few more half chances, and a couple of fine saves from the Dunlewey keeper kept them at bay. Dunlewey pressed for an equaliser but Milford held the ball well and held on to win the game 3-2. 

Referee: Marty McGarrigle.