Donegal Town and Rathmullan tussle for a Premier place

Local football fans will have a busy schedule over the next couple of weeks with cup finals and play-offs taking centre stage.

Donegal Town FC and Rathmullan Celtic will vie for a place in next season’s Premier Division when they meet in the relegation-promotion play-off this Sunday afternoon (Raphoe, 1pm).

After a promising start to their top flight campaign, Donegal Town lost seven of their last eight games and slipped into the play-off spot. The departure of Gavin Mulreaney to Finn Harps in January proved a massive blow to the Donwgal Town men.

Lifford Celtic to make Donegal League return

The Greenbrae club withdrew on the eve of the 2021/22 season

Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by Glenea United means that Paul McHugh’s team will fight for their Premier Division place on Sunday.

Rathmullan finished third in Division 1, just a point behind St Catherine’s, who clinched the second automatic promotion berth.

Rathmullan concluded their regular League season with a 5-0 win at Kerrykeel, Jay Curran netting a hat-trick.

When beating St Catherine’s 2-1 last month, the Seasiders might have fancied their chances of going up automatically, but a Mayday 2-2 draw with Ballybofey would give the Saints an edge.

The Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup final takes place next Thursday evening. Aileach FC from the Inishowen League and USL outfit Bonagee United will cross swords at Maginn Park at 7.30pm.

The Voodoo Cup final between Saturday League champions Oldtown Celtic and Strand Rovers will take place at 1pm on Saturday, May 28, at The Diamond Park.

On Sunday, May 29, at 1pm also at The Diamond Park, Bonagee United and Kilmacrennan Celtic square off in a play-off to see who will be crowned Premier Division champions.

This Friday, May 20, at 6.30pm, Ballyare hosts the Saturday League promotion-relegation play-off between Drumoghill FC and Fintown Harps.