DJL reports: Lagan Harps lift the Saturday Division 3 title

Brian McCormick Premier
Letterkenny Rovers 3-0 Kildrum Tigers
Letterkenny Rovers moved five points clear at the top of the Sunday Premier Division table with a solid 3–0 victory over Kildrum Tigers on a damp evening at Leckview Park.

Rovers started brightly, pressing high and finding an early rhythm down the left flank through Kealan Dunleavy. Lee McMonagle came close inside five minutes, his near-post touch glancing wide. Mark McGinley was called into action soon after to deny a sharp Kildrum strike that came off the post.

The deadlock was broken on 32 minutes when Shane McNamee latched onto a pass from McMonagle before drilling a fine finish into the roof of the net. McNamee almost doubled the lead moments later with a long-range effort that required a smart save from Michael Lynch.

The visitors saw more possession early in the second half and tested Rovers’ composure with several dangerous deliveries, but McGinley and his defence held firm. Adrian Delap nearly extended the lead when played through by Joel Gorman, but Lynch again reacted well.

Rovers’ persistence paid off late on. With six minutes remaining, McNamee turned provider again following a defensive error, sliding a precise ball through for Ryan Lonergan, who kept his composure to finish past Lynch and make it 2–0. Adrian Delap sealed the points in the final minutes, capitalising on a further defensive error to slot home and secure the win.

It was another solid performance from an in-form Rovers side who now sit five points clear with two matches remaining, keeping their title spot firmly in their own hands.

Donegal Town 2-4 Fanad United
Fanad came away with a deserved win at Eany Park today against an understrength Town side. Fanad hit the front early from the spot but Town worked their way back into it and equalised through a Ronan McHugh header. A goal late in the half gave Fanad the edge at HT.

Fanad dominated the second half and scored in the opening stages before wrapping up the match with ten to go. Ben Sweeney scored a fantastic individual consolation goal but it was not to be on the day for Town.

Donegal Physiotherapy D2
Dunfanaghy Youths 0-0 Lifford Celtic
Dunfanaghy Youths FC were on an eight-game unbeaten run and looking to make it nine against Lifford Celtic at Callum Friel Park in their last home game of the season. On a perfect day for football, both teams started at a high tempo, going end to end in search of an opening goal. Both teams were working hard and competing for every ball, but neither team could make a breakthrough with only a handful of half-chances at either end. Half-time score 0-0

The second half continued on from the first with both teams looking for the 3 points, but chances were to remain few and far between with Dan Ferry coming closest, forcing the Lifford keeper to make a fine save. The two teams will look at the game as a point earned rather than 2 points lost. Entertaining game with Dunfanaghy and Lifford putting in hard-working and dogged performances for the full 90 minutes. Big thank you to Lifford players and staff for making the trip to Callum Friel Park and to everyone who came out to give their support to the team, thank you.

Deele Harps 4-2 Whitestrand United
(No report submitted)

Drumoghill 6-0 Drumkeen United
(No report submitted)

Raphoe Town 6-0 Curragh Athletic
Raphoe Town FC delivered a dominant performance in their final home game of the season, cruising to a 6–0 victory over Curragh FC in a match that showcased their attacking quality and sharpness throughout. The hosts wasted little time asserting themselves. Just 10 minutes in, Oisín Kelly saw his initial effort blocked by a handball in the box, and DJ Kelly stepped up confidently to convert the resulting penalty, giving Raphoe an early 1–0 lead. Raphoe continued to press, and their second goal came from a well-worked move. Dylan Brolly’s long, accurate pass down the wing released Conor Friel, who made no mistake in front of goal to double the advantage. Midway through the first half, the lead was extended further when Craig Kelly’s pinpoint cross-field delivery found DJ Kelly on the edge of the box, and he fired home clinically to make it 3–0.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Raphoe striking early once again. Oisín Kelly turned provider this time, slipping a perfectly timed pass into DJ Kelly, who finished neatly for his hat-trick and a 4–0 lead. Just three minutes later, the home side added another. Ryan McCullagh played a smart pass out wide to Oran Kelly, whose excellent cross into the box was met by Keelin Bogle, who headed home confidently to make it 5–0. Bogle wasn’t finished there. He capped off the scoring later in the half when Conor Friel found him inside the box, and he slotted home from close range to seal an emphatic 6–0 win. It was a fitting performance for Raphoe Town FC in their final home outing, combining clinical finishing with cohesive team play to underline their status as champions.

Cranford FC 9-0 Dunkineely Celtic
The lads finished off the home games for the season with a comfortable win and kept themselves on track for promotion. It was a quick start for Cranford, and they were six up at half-time through goals from Gary McClafferty x3, James Lee McBride x2 and Chris Carr. Cranford rang the changes at half-time and added 3 more in the second half through Killian Caldwell, Cillian Coyle and Keelan Pritchard.

SATURDAY

Glencar Inn Saturday D1
St Catherines FC Reserves 4-2 Letterkenny Rovers
(No report submitted)

Old Orchard Saturday D2
Ramelton Mariners 2-3 Glenea United (Reversed)
In fine conditions, it was the home side that settled the quickest and took the lead on twelve mins when Niall McGee’s cross from the left was knocked back across by Ronan McGee and Christopher Barrett was on hand to finish from close range. Glenea continued to press and looked to extend their lead, but failed to convert a couple of chances. As the half progressed, Ramelton came more into the game and came close to equalising on twenty-five minutes through an effort from Fionn Robinson.

Ramelton continued to press and saw efforts cleared off the line by Aaron Darcy and Shane Coll, while a Shaun Bryant effort came back off the post. The away side finally equalised on forty mins when Luke Friel reacted quickest to a loose ball and slotted home from close range.

In the second half, Ramelton continued to push and were awarded a penalty on forty-eight minutes, which Eoin Roulston converted. The home side came more into the game and equalised on seventy mins when Shane Coll’s corner was bundled home by Neil McGeever. Ramelton came close to regaining the lead on seventy minutes, but Joe Coll made a fine save from an Eoin Roulston free kick. Glenea got the winner on eighty five mins when Aaron Darcy’s cross was headed home by Christopher Barrett. Team efforts from both sides.
Eamonn Sheridan was the ref.

Gweedore Celtic 3-0 Copany Rovers
(No report submitted)

Fanad United 1-2 Fintown Harps AFC
Fintown Harps made the trip to Traigh-a-Loch on Saturday knowing a win would secure promotion to Saturday Division One, and a late screamer from captain John Molloy secured their promotion.

The game started at a fast pace with both sides enjoying periods of possession. It was Fintown who opened the scoring in the thirteenth minute when Odhran McCallig burst into the box, and his cross was met at the back post by Odhran Bonner, who slotted home. In the twenty-fifth minute, Aaron Thompson missed a great chance to increase the Fintown lead, but he fired wide when well placed. Fanad were still well in the game and equalised on the half-hour mark. Darragh McElwaine played the ball forward, and it was flicked on by Rory Gibbons to Johnny McAteer, who showed great control before executing a lovely lob over the advancing keeper.

In the opening stages of the second half, Fanad keeper Ryan Moffitt produced a fine double save to keep the scores level. Just before the hour mark, Odhran Doherty won possession and advanced into the box however, he shot wide of the Fanad post. With fifteen minutes to go the same player saw his free kick from thirty yards go just over the crossbar. The winning goal came in spectacular fashion with five minutes remaining. After a corner was cleared, John Molloy unleashed an unstoppable half volley from thirty yards that flew into the top corner to secure promotion. Ref Leo Devenney.

Arranmore United 2-2 Keadue Rovers
(No report submitted)

Finn Travel Saturday D3
Milford United 2-3 Lagan Harps
Lagan clinched the league title after a hard-fought win in Milford. Milford took an early lead through Conor Meakin before goals from Matthew Doran and Damien McFadden saw Lagan lead 2-1 at the break. Lagan extended their lead with Damien McFadden getting his second after good work by Darren McElwaine. Milford pulled a goal back through a great free kick from Kyle Black to set up a nervy finish. Faolain Gibson and Darren McElwaine went close for Lagan towards the end, but Milford always threatened to grab the equaliser. Referee: Ryan Carlin.

Dunlewey Celtic 3-2 Gweedore United
(No report submitted)

Cappry Rovers 3-0 Ballybofey United
Having already achieved promotion last week, Cappry welcomed neighbours Ballybofey Utd to Cappry Park, still having a chance of the title. In a tough-tackling, uncompromising first half, Niall Ryan finally broke the deadlock after good work from Corey Doherty and Stephen Carr put him in on goal on thirty-seven minutes. Cappry continued to probe in the second half, and Stephen Carr won the ball back on the edge of the Ballybofey box and slid Ryan in for his second goal on seventy seven mins. Ballybofey tried to force their way back in the game, but on eighty-five minutes, David Carr hit a pinpoint pass through their defence to Niall Ryan, and he completed his hat trick with a deft touch. A good overall performance by Cappry with Corey Doherty, Stephen Carr and Niall Ryan starring, while Gavin Doherty and Cian Thompson were best for Ballybofey. Referee: George Clinton.

Drumkeen United 4-5 Convoy Arsenal
Drumkeen and near neighbours Convoy were involved in a high-scoring local derby at St Patrick's Park on Saturday afternoon. Drumkeen played well in the first half and were probably worth their half-time lead. Ciaran Devine gave the hosts an early lead before Tiernan French levelled for Convoy. Jack Patton restored the lead for Drumkeen and it could have been worse for visitors as Convoy keeper Eunan Kelly made a good save just before the break.

Drumkeen were very slow out of the blocks in the second half, and the visitors dominated proceedings for the opening fifteen minutes of the half. During this time, they got back on level terms with a good finish from Neo McCormick, and shortly after, Aaron Kerr put them ahead. After falling behind Drumkeen got themselves back in the game again and were awarded a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty which was well dispatched by Niall Howley. The game got a bit hectic then for a few minutes with a couple of goals. Owen Collum got Drumkeen back in front.

The lead didn't last though, as Jamie Spratt equalised for Convoy. Drumkeen really needed a win in this game to try and get third place and there was still plenty of time to get it. The clock was ticking against Drumkeen though, and the game was now in the balance and could have gone either way. This game was eventually decided by the last kick of the game when young Luca Vance was on hand to tap home what would prove to be the winner for Convoy. Unfortunately, that result for Drumkeen ended their hopes of a top-three finish. This was a good game to watch with plenty of goals and was well handled by Referee Michael Connolly.

Voodoo Cup
Oldtown Celtic 2-1 Drumbar FC
The game started at a fast pace with both teams trying to get the lead. Oldtown missed an opportunity from a set piece before Aidan Simmons was called into action to deny Drumbar. On twenty five minutes, Drumbar took the lead. They broke from an Oldtown corner and Paul Martin scored with an effort from distance. Oldtown kept battling and were rewarded on thirty two minutes when Drumbar failed to clear a free kick, and Ciaran Gibson fired low and hard into the corner. Three minutes later, the game was flipped on its head. Anthony Browne played John McFadden in, and his cross was guided into the net by Paul McLaughlin to give Oldtown the lead. 2-1 at the break.

Drumbar came out in the second half to get back into the game with pressure and a series of corners but Simmons and the Oldtown defence stood firm. Gibson then hit the post with a header from another free kick and then saw the rebound cleared off the line. Anthony Browne had a strike from distance tipped over as Oldtown began to create more chances before being reduced to ten men. As Drumbar pushed for the equaliser, they hit the bar and Oldtown looked dangerous on the break as a Tommy McLaughlin effort from inside his own half went narrowly wide. Oldtown hung on to clinch their place in the final. Referee: Stephan Laird.