Donegal League reports: Letterkenny Rovers win away to Donegal Town

Sunday 15 February

Brian McCormick Premier 

Kildrum Tigers 2-1 Kilmacrennan Celtic

Kilmacrennan made a strong start and put Kildrum under significant pressure in the opening stages. They took the lead when Conor Temple finished low past Lynch after a well-worked move. Kilmacrennan could have extended their advantage in the first half, but Lynch produced a number of excellent saves to keep Kildrum in the game.

The second half was a different story, with Kildrum delivering a dominant and determined display. The equaliser arrived on 65 minutes when Luke Toland rose highest to head home a superb cross from Tiernan Brown.  Deep into injury time, Kildrum found the winner in dramatic fashion. Tiernan Brown slipped McGinty in down the left, and he squared the ball across for McKinley to power home and seal the victory.

Keadue Rovers 0-0 Glenea United

(No report submitted)

Donegal Town 1-3 Letterkenny Rovers

Town travelled to Leckview today to face Letterkenny Rovers as the game was reversed.

Both teams started well and created half chances.

Rovers nearly struck first in the ninth minute as BJ Banda outpaced the defence, rounded the keeper, but lifted his shot over the bar. Town took the lead when Ronan McHugh lobbed the keeper with a great finish.

Keith Cowan's effort drifted wide, while Simon McGlynn's deliveries troubled Matthew Gallagher, including a 23rd-minute chance where Banda was foiled point-blank.

The rest of the half was evenly contested, but Letterkenny grabbed an equaliser in the 48th minute. David Shovlin restored parity in the 2nd minute of first-half stoppage time, heading home Luke Parke's right-wing cross. Rovers generated chances but lacked finishing edge, while Donegal threatened effectively on breaks through McHugh and others.

Post-interval, Shane McNamee chipped narrowly wide from Zach Gorman's throw in the 47th, and Simon McGlynn fired across the goal from Banda's assist soon after. Donegal's counters persisted—Mark Jordan and McHugh linking up, but Rovers seized control. In the 66th, McNamee's 25-yard strike spilled to Banda for the go-ahead goal.

Adrian Delap wrapped up the victory in the 85th, finishing Gareth Doherty's setup. Late drama saw McGinley deny McHugh in the 92nd, and Gallagher get fingertips to Delap's chip effort in the 93rd.

Best for Town: Ronan McHugh, Ian Campbell and Eoin Slevin

Referee: Marty McGarrigle

Bonagee United 2-0 Fanad United 

(No report submitted)

TDA Appliance D1  

Kerrykeel 71 3-2 Rathmullan Celtic 

Another derby and another win for the ‘71, but they were made sweat by a Rathmullan side that never stopped working. Mark Friel had the ‘71 in front on 22 minutes after a great flick on by Shaun Carr. A big turning point came on 45 minutes when Jay Curran was showing a straight red card. 

Kerrykeel came out second half and scored two early goals both from Kevin Loughrey the first a header from close range and the second a great finish around the keeper after a brilliant ball from Shaun Kerr. 

Kerrykeel were wasteful after and missed numerous chances to extend their lead, and Kevin Doran got Rathmullan back in the game on 80 minutes with a great header.  

Deep into injury time, another Rathmullan man saw red and then in the tenth minute of injury time, Doran scored from a scramble in the box.

Derby wins are always nice and the ‘71 will be happy with another three points.

Referee Michael Connolly 

Gweedore Celtic  0-2 Milford United  

(No report submitted)

Cappry Rovers 2-1 Castlefin Celtic  

This game was a closely contested with very few chances for either side in the first half with both defences on top in the first half. 

The second half came to life when Luke McGylnn set up Jack Long who finished well in the bottom corner. Castlefin then pressed to get level and did get level when Corrie-lee Bogan found Jordan McKinney whose header found the top corner. McKinney found space 30 yards out and his effort just went past the post. 

The game looked like it was going to finish level but in dying seconds, Barrie McGhee picked up the ball wide and crossed to find Conor McDaid who fired into the bottom corner. Two team performances 

Swilly Rovers 3-5 Gweedore United 

(No report submitted)

Convoy Arsenal 1-1 Ballybofey United  

(No report submitted)

Donegal Physiotherapy D2

Letterbarrow Celtic  2-3 Cranford FC

(No report submitted)

Drumoghill  8-1 Deele Harps

Drumoghill consolidated their position in the top 2 after this crucial win over 3rd placed Deele Harps. The visitors had arrived with the same number of points and knew a win at The Moss would put them in the driving seat for promotion, but Leon Doherty was the game's outstanding player and it was his hat-trick that provided the platform for this important win.

Doherty struck twice in the first half to give his side control of the game, and it was a grip that didn’t loosen for the 90 minutes.  Knowing the importance of three points, the home side started brighter and were one up inside two minutes when Ben Cassidy evaded the challenge of Ryan Macbeth to beat David Arthur.

Leon Doherty got the first of his goals on 12 minutes before James Lenty extended the lead on 18 minutes. Liam O'Donnell then took advantage of hesitancy to make it 3-0 before Doherty added his second on 26 minutes. Corey Lindsay reduced the arrears for the visitors when he pulled one back on 32 minutes. Josh Hay made it 6-1 just before half time, by which time the game had already ended as a contest.

The game became a damage limitation exercise for the visitors during the second half, and they deserve credit for making the game a much tighter affair. Thomas Mullen and Louis Gallagher did test Callum Crampsie with a couple of fine efforts from distance, but Drumoghill always looked the more likely to score and it was no surprise when Doherty completed his hat-trick on 67 minutes with a fine drive from the edge of the box. Ibrahim Olayode completed the scoring on 87 minutes.

Whitestrand United  1-1 Dunfanaghy Youths

Whitestrand took on Dunfanaghy at McGarvey park in the next round of fixtures in the Donegal Junior league. Whitestrand started well and were looking threatening, but Dunfanaghy were well in the game! Whitestrand took the lead through a good finish from Kevin McCarry. Dunfanaghy did not let their heads drop and equalised from a fantastic free kick which the keeper could do nothing about

The second half started and Dunfanaghy were on the front foot. Whitestrand were threatening on the break, but the conditions were tough, and the ball was skidding off the surface. Whitestrand had one big chance to win it though Michael Sweeney, but he was tackled, and it was contentious that it could have been a penalty. The game ended 1-1 and this was a fair result

Saturday 14 February

Glencar Inn Saturday D1

Letterkenny Rovers 3-1 Kildrum Tigers

Letterkenny Rovers claimed a superb 3-1 win over league leaders Kildrum Tigers on a freezing Valentine's Day, battling back impressively despite being down to 10 men from early in the first half.  Rovers struck first through Matthew Callan's brilliant 25-yard lob after James "Barlow" Gallagher's long-range pass. Kildrum levelled when Daniel Coyle followed up Roy Duffy's save from Aaron O'Donnell's shot. Both sides created further chances, with Duffy making key stops against Keelan Gillen, while Ciaran Tinney's dangerous cross flashed across goal. The sides went in at half-time 1-1.

Kildrum threatened after the break, but Kevin McGrath headed home Jordan Nugent's free kick to restore Rovers' lead. Kildrum pressed with efforts from Conor Crossan and Dominic Keys going close, matched by Rovers' counters led by Callan.  Late headers from Keelan Dunleavy and Jason Doherty went agonisingly wide for Rovers. In a thrilling finale, Gareth Temple forced an error from Sean Friel, allowing Fouad Bashar to seal the points. A good battle and deserved victory for the Rovers side on the day.

Referee: Gerard Devine