Donegal League Reports: Letterkenny Rovers leave it late against Kilmacrennan

Saturday 6th December 2025

Glencar Inn Saturday Division One

Donegal Town Reserves 3 v 1 Glencar Celtic

The game began evenly with both sides having chances. In the 23rd minute Donegal Town went in front with a goal from Sean Meehan. The game got lively and scrappy in the second half, but the Town put one more in the net on 60 minutes, this time from Jamie McGonnigle.

Glencar got one back in the 82nd minute, but the final goal from Niko Dominik came in the 89th minute to secure the win for Donegal.

Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 1 v 1 Oldtown Celtic

(No Report Submitted)

Letterkenny Rovers Reserves 2 v 0 Drumbar F.C.

Letterkenny Rovers got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Drumbar United at a damp Leckview Park Astro, both goals coming in the first half from Jordan Nugent.

Drumbar started brightly and had the first real chance of the game, an effort going narrowly wide of the post before Rovers settled. Rovers grew into the contest with central midfielders Caolan Kelly and Kealan Dunleavy getting a grip on the game and using the ball well. In defence, Nathan Bonner and captain James “Barlow” Gallagher were solid throughout, dealing well with Drumbar’s attacking threat.

The breakthrough came on 24 minutes when good play down the right saw Adam Yisau break forward and deliver a dangerous cross into the box, Nugent on hand to finish. A similar move on 40 minutes brought the second goal, Yisau again involved on the right and Nugent finishing a ball that came in close to the post to double the advantage.

The second half was competitive but produced few clear chances for either side, with both back lines generally on top. Rovers managed the game well, maintaining their shape and discipline to see out the win without conceding. 

Overall, it was a good, hard-fought contest, with Drumbar always working to stay in the game but Rovers’ first-half cutting edge proving decisive. The clean sheet and three points will be a welcome boost for Rovers as they look to build momentum again.

St. Catherines Reserves 1 v 0 Erne Wanderers

(No Report Submitted)

Strand Rovers 1 v 1 Kildrum Tigers Reserves

It was calm conditions in Strand Park but that was the only thing that was calm about the game. A top-of-the-table clash and it had that feel about it, with neither side wanting to be the one to give up the first goal. It was back and forth with neither team finding that killer pass or finish to open the scoring.

Kildrum took the lead when a penalty was awarded after Strand keeper Paddy McGarvey went to guide the ball out over the line but clashed with a Kildrum player running through the box, and referee Simi Ferry pointed to the spot. Captain Gareth Colhoun stepped up and finished smartly high into the net.

Strand pushed in the second half for the equaliser and got their reward when a free kick on the edge of the box was blocked by the wall, but the ball fell to Karl Magee on the wing, who played a first-time ball across the box to the inrushing Shane O’Donnell at the back post to head past the stranded Kildrum keeper.

Both sides came close in the closing minutes to scoring that winner they both deserved, but the defensive lines came out on top and both teams walked away with a point each.

Old Orchard Saturday Division Two

Copany Rovers 3 v 3 Bonagee United Reserves

(No Report Submitted)

Fintown Harps AFC 3 v 2 Keadue Rovers Reserves

In wet conditions Fintown started the brighter with chances on five minutes, Shane McDevitt going close. On ten minutes, Jamie McMonagle Quinn almost got in behind the visiting defence. Keadue threatened with a long ball but the Fintown rearguard dealt with the danger.

Fintown were on top as the half-hour approached but had to survive a scare on 35 minutes when Keadue captain Doogan went close with a volley from the edge of the box. On forty minutes, Odhran Bonner had a great chance but Bonner in the Keadue nets was equal to it.

Jamie McMonagle Quinn opened the scoring on forty-two minutes to give Fintown a half-time lead. Ten minutes after the restart Keadue found an equaliser from a twenty-five-yard free kick. A close match for the neutrals to enjoy as more goals were to follow.

Fintown regained the lead on sixty minutes. They then went 3-1 ahead to allow a bit of breathing space, but it was backs-to-the-wall stuff as Fintown exerted every muscle to hold on against a hard-working Keadue team.

Referee: Marty McGarrigle.

Gweedore Celtic Reserves 2 v 0 Arranmore United Reserves

Na Ceiltigh recorded their fourth win in a row following this hard-fought victory against the Islanders. The away team began the game in the ascendancy, but once the Gweedore midfield of Peter Carragher, Adam McBride and Tarlach Mac Giolla Bhríde gained control, they dominated possession and created chances for the rest of the half.

The first goal arrived in the twentieth minute when a Ryan Doherty cross was only half cleared and Peter Carragher struck from the edge of the box for the opener. Gweedore should have added to their lead when Charlie Gallagher was twice denied by Arranmore keeper Dan Mac A’ Bháird.

Early in the second half Mac A’ Bháird fouled Charlie Gallagher in the box but redeemed himself with a fine save from Peter Carragher’s penalty. From there to the end, Arranmore pinned the home team back in their own half and despite numerous frees and corners they failed to find the elusive equaliser.

Na Ceiltigh sealed the points in the final minutes when substitutes Gribben, Gallagher and McFadden combined to set up Fionn Bonner, just introduced to the game, to score from an acute angle. Adam McBride and Noa Freel excelled for Gweedore; Shaun Rodgers and Alan Stephenson for Arranmore.

Referee: Sean Ferry.

Ramelton Mariners 3 v 1 Fanad United Reserves

The Mariners finished 2025 with a great win at home to a young Fanad United team. Both teams played good football throughout but it was the Mariners who struck first when Fionn Robinson reacted fastest to beat the Fanad keeper at his near post.

Fanad responded well with an awkward free kick that beat Dylan Roulston in goal. Robinson struck again with a thunderous effort giving the keeper no chance, sending the Mariners in at half-time with a 2-1 lead.

The second half was very cagey with both sides looking for the next goal. Luke Friel scored with a clever finish after a good run from Fionn Robinson, and the Mariners were able to see out the game and end the year with a great home win.

Finn Travel Saturday Division Three

Ballybofey United Reserves 0 v 1 Dunlewey Celtic

(No Report Submitted)

Drumkeen United Reserves 3 v 2 Castlefin Celtic Reserves

Drumkeen welcomed Castlefin Celtic to St Patrick's Park for the last home game of 2025 in the Finn Travel Division. Both teams had chances early on, with Paddy Diver for Drumkeen and at the other end, Lee Kennedy for Castlefin. Drumkeen took the lead after 21 minutes when a Lee Guthrie free kick was deflected into the path of Paddy Diver who fired it home.

Both teams tried hard for the rest of the half but as the half drew to a close the home team were under pressure and had to do a lot of work to keep their lead intact. The second half got off to a hectic start as Dylan McNamee had Castlefin back on level terms just after the restart. Lee Guthrie had Drumkeen back in front almost immediately and there were only 47 minutes on the clock. 

Two minutes later Stephen Carlin had Castlefin back level again.

After the hectic spell the game settled down again. There was very little between these two teams and although they both tried hard it looked like we were heading for a draw. Then with about nine minutes left Drumkeen got what would prove to be the winner. 

Drumkeen worked the ball out to Lee Guthrie on the left-hand side on the edge of the box and he let fly with a great effort which ended up in the top right-hand corner of the Castlefin net. This was as good a goal as has been seen at St Patrick's Park in a long time and worthy of winning any game of football.

Drumkeen had to work hard for this victory with everyone working hard for the cause and goalkeeper Nigel Hegarty was kept busy throughout. 

Castlefin tried hard throughout as well, with Lee Kennedy covering a lot of ground and doing a lot of work for the visitors. Well done to both teams for giving us a good, competitive sporting game which was played in very heavy conditions underfoot.

Referee: Paddy McCauley.

Gweedore United Reserves 0 v 2 Milford United Reserves

Milford United went away with all three points with a hard-fought victory at Carrickboyle. The visitors went in front on the 14th minute after Darren McLaughlin played in Kieran Sheridan who finished from close range. Jack Rennicks forced a good save from Declan Jordan in the Milford goal. Ethan Harkin was just inches away from levelling the game from a well-hit free kick.

Lee Burke had an excellent opportunity to extend the away side's lead, but Dylan Clift produced a great save. The second half produced an equally combative performance from both teams. Callum Feiritéar was unlucky not to have restored parity as his shot from outside the box crept just over the crossbar. Declan Jordan also produced a super save from a free kick by Padraig McFadden.

The hosts had another excellent chance to get back into the game: Francis Gallagher threaded a pass into Oran Ferry, and his effort was thwarted by Declan Jordan. The visitors almost made it 0–2, but Dylan Clift saved from close range from Danny Sandilands.

However, Milford sealed the points on the 88th minute. A great move down the left-hand side involving Dhahi Rayes found Lee Burke free. Burke forced a fantastic save from Clift, however Adam Campbell reacted quickest to tap in from close range.

Gweedore United had one last opportunity to grab a consolation goal but Oran Ferry's headed effort went just over. There were excellent performances from Darren McLaughlin, Dhahi Rayes and Lee Burke for the visitors. Oran Ferry, Jack Rennicks and Calum Feiritéar all produced very good performances for Gweedore United on a rather wet afternoon.

Referee: Dessie McLaughlin.

Lagan Harps Reserves 4 v 0 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves

A strong last thirty minutes saw Lagan pull away to win the points in the local derby. The first twenty minutes were tight with neither team creating chances. Drumoghill then had a great chance to take the lead when Callum McLaughlin chased keeper Gareth McMonagle’s long clearance. He beat Lagan keeper Kai Brown to the ball but his header went just wide of the open goal.

Lagan responded and took the lead on twenty-eight minutes. Ronan Lynch’s fierce effort from the edge of the area flew in off the post. Both defences were solid with Jack McConnell doing well for Lagan and Aidan Friel for Drumoghill. 

Drew Dowds continued to be a threat out wide for Lagan with some good balls through from midfield.

Lagan then passed up a great chance to extend their lead right on halftime. Gareth McMonagle spilled an effort from Ronan Lynch, but neither Jack Duncan nor Damien McFadden could scramble the ball home from a couple of yards.

The second half started with Drumoghill threatening a bit more, with Robbie Donald and Jordan Rogers getting more ball in midfield. However, Lagan extended their lead on sixty minutes when Jack Duncan’s cross-cum-shot from the right flew into the far corner. In response Robbie Donald forced a good save from Kai Brown from a free.

Lagan then took control in midfield through Robby Dolan and Ronan Lynch. Dolan went close with two efforts from the edge of the area, McMonagle pulling off a fine save from his second. Lagan made it 4–0 on seventy-one minutes when Aiden Devir rose high at the back post to head home Lynch's free.

Lagan's final goal came in injury time when Faolan Gibson beat Drumoghill keeper McMonagle to a long ball. He knocked the ball goalwards with Cody Hannigan chasing hard to knock it over the line. After a loss and a couple of draws it was a big win for Lagan.

Referee: Ryan Carlin.

Sunday 7th December 2025

Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division

Kilmacrennan Celtic 1 v 2 Letterkenny Rovers

Letterkenny Rovers left it late but kept their title defence on track with a dramatic injury-time winner against Kilmacrennan Celtic at Leckview Park.

Rovers started brightly, with Lee McMonagle forcing an early save inside the first minute, while at the other end Paul Bradley spurned a great chance when he failed to hit the target. As the half wore on, Rovers gained control and went close through Simon McGlynn, BJ Banda and McMonagle, but the sides went in scoreless at the break.

The game opened up after the restart with McGlynn and Adrian Delap delivering a series of dangerous crosses that Rovers initially failed to convert. The breakthrough finally came on 68 minutes when a McGlynn cross found Dean McCarry; his effort was blocked and the loose ball fell to the lively Padraic Gilsenan who drilled low into the bottom corner.

McMonagle then had a chance to double the advantage but his header went off target. Kilmacrennan were given a lifeline on 85 minutes when Mark Patterson went to ground in the Rovers box and the referee pointed to the spot. Matty McLaughlin made no mistake from twelve yards to level matters.

Rovers continued to press and were rewarded deep into stoppage time when a long Zach Gorman throw caused panic in the Kilmacrennan area. The ball broke to Delap who calmly rolled it into the path of Ryan Lonergan, and his superb 20-yard strike crashed in off the crossbar with the last kick of the game to seal a 2–1 win.

Fanad United 5 v 0 Donegal Town

A hat-trick from Ronan Gallagher plus goals from Peter Carr and Eddie O'Reilly, gave Fanad United a 5–0 victory over Donegal Town at Traigh-a-Loch. Despite the damp weather, both teams deserve credit for playing decent football throughout.

Fanad created the first chance in the 8th minute when Peter Carr fed Paddy Carr in the box but his shot was blocked. On 13 minutes, Donegal had a great chance to open the scoring: Ben Sweeney and Ronan McHugh combined well down the right, James Gallagher got a slight touch on the McHugh cross which put the ball just behind Joe Leape.

In the 28th minute Carr and O’Reilly both had shots on target but were denied by excellent saves from Matthew Gallagher. From the resulting corner a James Gallagher header was cleared off the line by Joe Campbell. 

Two goals in the 37th and 40th minutes gave Fanad control. From an Oisin Langan free, Gallagher saw his initial header cleared but bundled home the rebound. Three minutes later, after good play between O’Reilly and Eoin Logue, Logue sent Keelin McElwaine away down the left and he laid the ball off for Gallagher to blast home.

In the early second half chances were limited due to heavy underfoot conditions. Just after the hour mark Fanad got their third: Darren McElwaine and O’Reilly combined down the left and O’Reilly’s low cross was met by Gallagher to complete his hat-trick.

On 65 minutes, Paddy Carr broke down the left and his lob from 30 yards hit the crossbar. Donegal stayed competitive, and on 70 minutes, Mark Jordan forced a fine save from Mark McConigley from a free kick. Three minutes later, Fanad made the game safe with their fourth when Darren McElwaine’s shot rebounded off the bar and Peter Carr finished well from the edge of the box.

The final goal came ten minutes from time when Eddie O’Reilly won possession and raced into the box before finishing neatly.

Referee: Dessie McLaughlin.

Keadue Rovers P v P Bonagee United

(No Report, Match Postponed)

Kildrum Tigers P v P Glenea United

(No Report, Match Postponed)

Temple Domestic Appliances Division One

Rathmullan Celtic 3–1 Ballybofey United

Jay Curran’s first-half double set Rathmullan Celtic on course for a deserved win on a wet, miserable afternoon at the Flagpole Field.

Curran opened the scoring just after 10 minutes, rifling home from 20 yards after good link-up play by Matt McNulty. He doubled the lead before the 20-minute mark, his second long-range strike taking a slight deflection past Odhrán Bonar.

Ballybofey responded and were back in the contest when Daithí McMahon converted a penalty before the break. Killian Hagan made two important first-half saves to preserve the advantage, while Eoin Sheridan made his first appearance of the season.

The second half became a battle in worsening conditions, but Rathmullan managed the game far better than in previous weeks where 2–0 leads slipped away. In stoppage time, Serhii Oriabinskyi sealed the points, much to the relief of the drenched home crowd.

Referee: Damien McFadden

Gweedore Celtic 7–2 Convoy Arsenal

Gweedore Celtic produced an explosive second-half performance to overpower Convoy after the sides went in level at 2–2 at the break.

Convoy struck first through Boal on 11 minutes, but Darragh McGee equalised seven minutes later after good work from Cronan McFadden. McGee soon added a second, sent through by a superb defence-splitting pass from Stephen McFadden. Bradley’s penalty brought Convoy level just before half-time.

The second half, however, belonged entirely to Na Ceiltigh. Aodhán Breathnach and Cronan McFadden struck early to establish a commanding lead before Doherty netted twice and Breathnach added another as Gweedore ran riot.

Stephen McFadden and Ciarán McHugh impressed for the home side, with Ryan McGroarty standing out for Convoy.

Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two

Deele Harps 2–1 Lifford Celtic

Deele Harps claimed the derby honours after a dramatic late winner at Marty Duffy Park. Lifford started brighter, with Daniel McNulty going close, before Deele twice hit the underside of the bar through Cameron Gallagher headers from set plays.

The breakthrough finally came on 42 minutes, Tom Mullan flicking home a Johnny Mahon free kick to give Deele a half-time lead. Lifford improved after the interval and goalkeeper Karl Friel kept them in the game with several key saves. Their persistence paid off when Justin McBride headed in from a free kick on 70 minutes.

But Deele had the final say. Mullan burst through in the closing stages and was hauled down in the box, before converting the resulting penalty himself to secure the points.

Referee: Raymond Gallagher

Drumoghill F.C. 0–2 Whitestrand United

Whitestrand United tightened the promotion race with a vital win away to leaders Drumoghill.

Cormac Dunleavy opened the scoring after eight minutes, finding far too much space inside the area to pick his spot.

Drumoghill created chances but hesitancy in the box repeatedly let Whitestrand off the hook, and the visitors punished them again on 58 minutes when Kai Corcoran struck to make it 2–0. Despite pressure from the hosts, Whitestrand held firm to claim a significant three points.