DJL reports: Drumoghill and Cranford win as Division 2 promotion race hots up

Brian McCormick Premier

St Catherines FC 0 Fanad United 1

(No report submitted)

Donegal Town 1 Keadue Rovers 1

(No report submitted)

Donegal Physiotherapy D2  

Drumoghill 6 Lifford Celtic  1  

After the body blow of a loss at Dunfanaghy at the weekend, Drumoghill kept up the pressure on Cranford United in the chase for the final promotion spot in Division 2.

Karol McGinley kept up his recent hit rate with another two goals in a dominant display from him, and the home side.

McGinley opened the scoring on nine minutes before James Lenty, Dylan McElhinney and Ben Cassidy all found the net to put the contest beyond doubt by half-time.

However, the goal of the game arrived late in the second half when Sergey Alcorn beat Gavin Rutherford to a loose ball and sent Reuben Doherty clear on the right wing. Although Doherty had options, he turned away from Stuart Carlin before finding the far corner of the net, giving Eoin Crawford no chance in goals for Lifford. 

Daithi McCarron did pull back in the second half for the visitors.

Next up for the Reds is a trip to Curragh on April 12. Drumoghill still need a slip-up from Cranford United, but they can only win their own games and hope that results go their way later in the season. Thanks to Mick Lagan for officiating.

Curragh Athletic 2 Drumkeen United 3  

(No report submitted)

Letterbarrow Celtic 2 Deele Harps 0   

On a wintery day for football, Letterbarrow looked to maintain their promotion push against rivals Deele.

After a great ball by Christy McLaughlain, Darragh Burke thought he had opened the scoring, but it was ruled out for offside. McLaughlin was next to test the Deele keeper as Letterbarrow looked to up the pressure. 

The deadlock was finally broken by Daniel Meehan from the penalty spot just before half-time.

Barrow continued to put pressure on the Deele defence. Daniel Meehan rattled the crossbar, and Darragh Burke saw his shot go the wrong side of the post. Barrow finally made their pressure count as a through ball by Christy McLaughlin sent Darragh Burke through, who slotted past the keeper. A massive three points that keep the hosts in the mix for promotion. Man of the match: Daniel Meehan

Dunkineely Celtic 2 Raphoe Town 8   

(No report submitted)

Glencar Inn Saturday D1

Kildrum Tigers 3 Oldtown Celtic 0

(No report submitted)

Erne Wanderers FC 0 Letterkenny Rovers 3

(No report submitted)

Old Orchard Saturday D2

Fanad United 4 Arranmore United 1 

Two promotion hopefuls, Fanad United and Aranmore United, met at a soggy Traigh-a-Loch on Saturday, and it was the home side who came away with the three points following a 4-1 victory. 

After an even enough opening quarter, it was Aranmore who broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute. Ben Gaughran went on a fine run down the right, and his pinpoint cross was met at the back post by Phil Boyle who headed home at the back post.

Fanad continued to attack and got an equaliser in the 35th minute when Cormac Sweeney slid a lovely ball through to Dylan McBride, who scored from 12 yards. Before the break, Fanad were unlucky not to take the lead when an Oisin Sweeney shot from the edge of the box came back off the crossbar and away to safety. 

Aranmore started the second half on the front foot, and ten minutes in, Tommy McIndewar saw his shot from 25 yards curl just wide of the post.

In the 70th minute, Peter Carr was unlucky to see his piledriver from 30 yards crash off the Aranmore crossbar. It was Fanad who then took the lead in the 80th minute.

After a good attack, the ball was cleared to Peter Carr, who fired low into the bottom corner. As Aranmore went in search of an equaliser, they were caught out with two quickfire goals in the 85th and 86th minutes. From an Aranmore corner, the ball broke out to Johnny McAteer, and as he advanced down the left, he played the ball to Niall Toland, who in turn laid the ball off to Rory Gibbons, who scored. Almost straight from the kick off, Fanad scored their fourth when they broke forward in numbers, and the ball fell to Johnny McAteer, who scored from close range. Ref: Eamonn Sheridan 

Swilly Rovers 3 Fintown Harps AFC 4 

(No report submitted)

Finn Travel Saturday D3

Gweedore United 3 Lagan Harps 2   

Gweedore United produced a sensational performance to claim all three points in their final home game of the season. The conditions played their part, but the heavy rain did not dampen either side's pursuit of securing all the points. 

Harps went into the game searching for the win that would enhance their chances of winning the league. They received the perfect boost for this on the 19th minute.

A fantastic cross down the left-hand side from Jack McConnell was excellently dispatched by Darren McElwaine. United's response was both swift and decisive. Kai Brown was unable to hold on to an effort from Francis Gallagher, Stephen Mulhern pounced and finished from six yards out to draw the sides level on the 24th minute. 

Brian McFadden was immense in goal for the hosts, and he produced one of many superb saves today to deny Lagan from retaking the lead. McFadden displayed excellent agility to thwart Jack Duncan from six yards out. The game turned on its head, and it was the hosts who went in at half-time with a 2-1 lead. An exquisite through ball from Padraig McFadden down the left-hand side set Stephen Mulhern free on the 41st minute, and he slotted the ball past Kai Brown. 

The visitors showed sheer determination to get back into the game and were unlucky not to have equalised when Darren McElwaine was one against Brian McFadden.

McFadden produced an excellent point-blank range save from McElwaine to deny Harps. Gweedore looked to have weathered the storm and found themselves with an opportunity to put themselves 3-1 up after being awarded a penalty. 

Francis Gallagher, who was adjudged to have been fouled in the Lagan 6-yard box, stepped up to convert the penalty. Oran Ferry was unlucky not to have settled the game in the hosts' favour, his freekick was saved brilliantly by Brown.

The away side, running out of time, applied intense pressure in the final ten minutes and were peppering United with crosses. Oran Ferry produced a sublime clearance when he headed the ball off the line from a Cody Hannigan effort.

McFadden produced another stunning save this time from Ross Hamlyn. Hamlyn made things very nervy for United on the 91st minute when he fired in from close range following a corner by Senan Kavanagh.

Hamlyn thought he had equalised for the visitors when his shot was destined for the bottom left-hand corner, but McFadden's majestic reflexes pushed the ball out for a corner.

Despite the best attempts from the weather, both teams were a credit to themselves and provided a thoroughly entertaining and fascinating game. Gweedore United had several standout performances, most notably Brian McFadden, Stephen Mulhern, Shaun Doherty and Oran Ferry. Excellent performances from Lagan Harps, especially from Ross Hamlyn, Darren McElwaine and Jack McConnell. United finish their league campaign in two weeks’ time away to Dunlewey Celtic. Lagan Harps will turn their attention to Drumkeen United next week in their quest to win the league. Referee: Vincent McLaughlin