DJL Saturday reports: Drumbar go top of Division One

Glencar Inn Division 1

Drumbar United 1-0 Bonagee United

Drumbar United welcomed Bonagee in a match played in perfect conditions. The first half was closely contested with both teams snuffing each other out.

Bonagee came close when a scramble in the box resulted in the ball coming back off the post. Soon after, Drumbar nearly opened the scoring when Daniel Bennett sent a fine long-range effort towards the top corner, which drew a fine save from the Bonagee keeper.

Odhran Meehan threatened for the home side again on the stroke of halftime, forcing a good save from the Bonagee goalkeeper.

The second half produced some good spells of football from both teams. Drumbar eventually went in front when Bennett volleyed home at the back post from a pinpoint Adam Gillespie delivery.

Meehan again went close and nearly doubled the home side's advantage with 10 minutes to go. There were few clear-cut opportunities in the closing stages as Drumbar saw out the victory. An entertaining game with both teams playing good football.

Finn Travel Division 3

Castlefin Celtic 4-2 Gweedore United

A Thomas Devlin hat-trick proved in the end to be the difference as Castlefin defeated Gweedore United. A Devlin brace and a Lee Kennedy strike had the hosts three goals ahead at half-time. Castlefin continued to dominate, creating numerous chances but Gweedore finally got their chance against the run of play. A quick-fire double from Mulhern and Nathan gave the hosts a nervy finale until Devlin got his third in the closing stages.

Drumkeen United 1-2 Swilly Rovers

The sun was shining for this game in Drumkeen but sadly not for the home team, as for the second week in a row they lost out at home. Drumkeen had several chances in the first half, which they lived to regret at the final whistle.

Swilly started the second half a lot better and, after a lot of sustained pressure, Swilly took the lead when Ryan Moore put pressure on the Drumkeen keeper and the ball fell his way and ended up in the back of the Drumkeen net.

Drumkeen nearly got back level but Sean Collum fired wide after a good set up by Lee Guthrie. The hosts were trying hard to get back level but were vulnerable on the counter-attack, and Ryan Moore's persistence paid off as he put pressure on the Drumkeen defence and got himself a second goal.

Drumkeen kept trying, but Eoghan Collum fired wide.

The home side did get a goal back through Ryan James.

Drumkeen kept the pressure on towards the end to get an equaliser, but the clock was against them and the final whistle went. Drumkeen were very high-scoring earlier in the season, but the goals have dried up in recent weeks. Swilly will be happy enough to leave Drumkeen with all three points while the home team will try and get their mojo back next.

Ulster Shield

Ramelton Mariners 1-2 Cockhill Reserves

The Mariners and Cockhill played out a close game at Rathmullan in great conditions. Cockhill started stronger and went a goal up in the first half.

The Mariners were on top for most of the second half until they went down to 10 men with 20 minutes to go. Despite playing with 10 men, Mariners found an equaliser through Evan Hewitt who got on the end of a Stephen Bryant cross. In stoppage time, Cockhill got the winner through a header. The game finished 2-1 to Cockhill, who advanced to the next round of the Ulster Shield.

Ballybofey United 9-0 Convoy Arsenal

Ballybofey started their Ulster Cup run in style as they put nine past Convoy.

It was the Kieran Thompson and Tristan Kelly show in the first half as they both grabbed two goals each for the home side. The second half saw Kieran grab his third and fourth goal very quickly while Kelly also completed his hat-trick on the hour mark.

Substitutes Colin Kearns and Dillon Murphy topped off the scoring for Ballybofey in the last 10 minutes to secure a brilliant win for the men in blue.

Arranmore United 3-1 Rasheney Reserves

A perfect day weather-wise on Rannagh Park produced a fine cup spectacle. There wasn't much between the sides in the opening stages, with both defences playing well. The home side grew into the game and gained control shortly after and had a few long-range efforts from Alan Stephenson and Paul Early. They broke the deadlock through the hard-working Chris McGlanaghey on 40 minutes. Sean Brady played a through ball and Chris finished low past the keeper. Not long after, their lead was doubled through captain Alan Stephenson. Another through ball, this time from Glenn O'Donnell, and Alan took it past the keeper and into the net.

Rashenny pushed hard from the break and were rewarded for their hard work when James McCloskey headed in from a corner at the back post just after the hour mark. Both sides battled hard, but the Arranmore men prevailed and got a third goal late on. Alan Stephenson got on the end of a long ball from BK O Donnell and forced the keeper into a save. Fortunately for the home side, Alan scored the rebound.

Team performance from both sides.

Referee: Ryan Carlin