Donegal Town on top against Glenea at Hospital Field

Donegal Town got an important win against old rivals Glenea United in perfect conditions at the Hospital Field, Donegal Town.

The home side got the best possible start with a goal inside 30 seconds, Joe Campbell taking full advantage of a slip in the Glenea defence involving their ‘keeper Shaun McClafferty and he kept his composure to finish from an angle to the empty net.

The home side created a number of half chances with Ian Campbell making one telling contribution but Mark Jordan fired the effort over the top.

As the half progressed Glenea Utd came more into it and they were given a lifeline on 30 minutes when the referee awarded them a penalty, which looked harsh on right back Ben Sweeney, who had cleared the ball. Blake McGarvey had seen his first effort well saved by Matthew Gallagher before he challenged for the rebound with Sweeney. However, from the spot kick Matthew Gallagher made a great stop from McGarvey to keep the home side ahead.

 Conor Coyle and Tiernan McGinty both headed over for Glenea, the latter’s chance coming after Darren McGeever provided the cross, although he looked well offside receiving the ball. The home side did have a couple of chances before the break but the score remained at 1-0.

Donegal Town made a tactical switch at half-time with Ben Sweeney pushed forward and Ian Campbell going back to right back. And it seemed to work with  both players having early efforts from their new positions.

The second goal came on 60 minutes when the impressive Ultan O’Grady won a penalty off the Glenea ‘keeper and Mark Jordan made no mistake from the spot kick.

Ronan McHugh then began to exert a much greater influence up front for Donegal Town and from a free kick won by McHugh, Mark Jordan was denied with a good save. McHugh should have made it 3-0 on 77 minutes when he did brilliantly to beat a defender and the ‘keeper but then just lost his balance with the goal gaping.

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The third goal to kill off the game came on 81 minutes, Ultan Doherty rising to expertly head home a corner and seal the win.

The win moves Donegal Town up to third in the table behind the big guns Bonagee United and Letterkenny Rovers

Donegal Town: Matthew Gallagher, Ben Sweeney, Joe Campbell, Ethan McCrea, John Doherty, Eoin Slevin, Mark Jordan (Nikoden Dominik 81), Stephen Graham, Ronan McHugh (Ryan Mahon 85), Ultan O’Grady, Ian Campbell (Declan Duignan 66).

Glenea Utd: Shaun McClafferty, Padraig Coyle (Ethan Friel 85), Shaun Curran, Conor Coyle, Stephen Doak, Barry McGinley (Tarlach Coll 72), Luke McCarry (Patrick Doohan 66), Cathal McGeever, Tiernan McGinty, Blake McGarvey, Darren McGeever.

Referee: Gerald Devine.

Glenea Utd pictured before their game with Donegal Town