DJL Saturday reports: Glencar Celtic stay top of Division Two

Glencar Inn Division 1

Keadue Rovers 3-2 Kilmacrennan Celtic

Keadue claimed a vital three points to defeat Kilmacrennan and claim their seventh point from the last nine available. Played in ideal weather conditions for November, it was the away side who settled the quicker, and on 11 minutes Terence Shields run and shot was saved.

The home side were sitting very deep, inviting the opposition on, but Logan O'Donnell was excelling at centre back and drove Keadue on. After 20 minutes, Keadue stepped up more, and Jack Doherty shot over shortly after that.

Jamie Toland was showing well in the visitors' midfield. Keadue took the lead against the run of play when Cian McGee pushed up on an error in the Kilmac defence, which left an open goal, and McGee found the target to put Keadue one up. The visitors responded well, but Keadue were now finding pockets in their rearguard, with Oran Gallagher finding some good crosses, and it remained 1-0 at half time.

Keadue started the second half well but within a few minutes, found themselves on the back foot with Chris Dillon shooting wide on 50 minutes. Two minutes later, the home side turned the screw when good forward work by Jordan Doogan led to a shot which was parried into the net by the keeper.

Keadue continued to do well, with Jack Doherty and Oran seeing plenty of possession. James McEniff pulled off a fine save for Keadue on 67 minutes, and only a few minutes later, this proved vital as an Oran Gallagher free-kick cross was met on the volley by Jamie McCready for 3-0.

However, this was a harsh scoreline on the visitors, who pulled one back through Owen Browne for 3-1. The home side had to withstand some big pressure from the visitors, with Artem Tymoschenko being very influential.

They pulled another back on 89 minutes with Browne again the scorer but Keadue held on for a vital win. Best for Kilmacrennan were Chris Dillon, Jamie Toland and Artem Tymoschenko, while best for Keadue were Logan O'Donnell, Oran Gallagher, Liam Boyle and Liam Ferry.

Referee: Paddy McCauley.

Old Orchard Inn Division 2

Glencar Celtic 3-1 Copany Rovers

Glencar started the first half on fire and were 3-0 up at half-time with goals from Marc Casey (18’), Ultan McMonagle (28’) and Chick McLoughlin (38’).

Copany, to their credit, played well in the second half and reduced the deficit to 3-1 from the penalty spot, but Glencar held on for the three points. Moe Friel was best for Glencar, while it was a solid team performance from Copany.

Arranmore United 2-1 Gweedore Celtic Reserves

A young Gweedore side travelled to the island in what was a perfect day for football. The home side started well and took the lead after five minutes. Following build-up play down the left-hand side, Aidan Proctor played in Ben Gaughran, who finished low past the keeper. A couple of minutes later, the lead was doubled.

Phil Boyle nodded a free kick towards Paul Early, who poked home from close range. Gweedore grew into the game, causing plenty of problems but couldn't convert in the first half of the game. Shortly into the second half, Gweedore were awarded a penalty which Eoghan O'Donnell converted. Despite plenty of pressure on the Arranmore defence, Gweedore were unfortunate not to get an equaliser.

Best for Arranmore: Ben and Eoin Gaughran.

Team performance from Gweedore.

Referee: Seimi Ferry

Finn Travel Division 3

Ballybofey United 5-1 Gweedore United

Ballybofey United put on an impressive display of attacking football to secure an emphatic 5-1 victory over Gweedore United. The match got off to a lively start when Ballybofey took the lead from the spot, with Aaron McAuley coolly converting a penalty.

Gweedore United managed to find an equaliser to level the score at 1-1, but Ballybofey responded before the break with a brilliantly executed set-piece routine. A signature long throw from Josh Preston found Dillon "Croc" Murphy, who flicked the ball into the net to restore Ballybofey’s lead at 2-1 heading into halftime.

Ballybofey United pushed on relentlessly in the second half, taking control of the match. Niall McCloskey turned provider, turning in a stellar performance with two assists to set up goals for Colin Kearns and Michael Scully, extending the lead to 4-1

A late goal in the game came after some excellent build-up work set up Shaun Smyth, who finished cleanly to lock in a memorable 5-1 win for Ballybofey United.

Dunlewey Celtic 5-0 Castlefin Celtic

Dunlewey Celtic produced a superb team performance this afternoon, securing an emphatic 5–0 victory over Castlefin Celtic at Glentornan Park.

The home side were on top from the opening stages, controlling possession, winning their battles across the pitch and playing some excellent attacking football, particularly in a dominant first-half display.

The breakthrough came on 24 minutes when Fintan Doherty won possession in midfield before playing a clever one-two with Duffy. Bursting forward, he finished off a brilliant move to give Dunlewey a deserved lead.

Just four minutes later on 28 minutes, Dunlewey doubled their advantage. Cian Gallagher raced in behind the Castlefin defence before beating the goalkeeper at his near post with a composed finish.

Dunlewey were flying, and Fintan Doherty grabbed his second of the afternoon just three minutes later. Breaking through the Castlefin defence, he finished sweetly to put the home side firmly in control. 3-0 to Dunlewey at half-time.

Castlefin came out stronger after the break and began to enjoy more possession, but Dunlewey's defence stood firm. The home side remained organised, disciplined and resilient at the back, denying the visitors any opportunity to get themselves back into the contest. As the second half progressed, Dunlewey continued to pose a threat going forward.

Dunlewey added a fourth on 73 minutes when Fionn Bonnar found himself in the right place at the right time, tucking home from close range to extend the advantage.

The afternoon belonged to Fintan Doherty, who completed his hat-trick in style in 80 minutes. Breaking through the Castlefin defence once again, he powered home an emphatic finish to round off a fantastic individual display and a commanding team performance.

A brilliant all-round performance from the home side, with five well-taken goals, a deserved clean sheet and plenty of positives to take from the game.

Referee: Mick Lagan

Raphoe Town 1-2 Milford United

Late goals were the order of the day at Drumineney, with Raphoe going 1-0 up on the 86th minute, Matthew McCann nipping in at the near post from a Bobby O'Loughlin cross to score from close range.

Milford showed why they are sitting top, having won all their games to date, and they didn't panic and stuck to playing football, scoring within a minute to draw level, with Paul Ryan getting on the end of a corner. Deep into injury time, a free kick was put into the box and Jacob Campbell found space to tuck it home.

Glenea United 3-1 Dunkineely Celtic

In calm conditions, it was the home side that picked up another three points with a hard-earned victory over Dunkineely. It was the away side that were quickest out of the blocks and took the lead on 3 mins when an Ethan Byrne strike from the edge of the box found the corner of the net. The home side responded and almost equalised on five minutes when good interplay between Shaun Maguire and Chris Barrett released Odhran McBride, but he saw his effort just go wide of the post.

Glenea equalised on 12 minutes when Chris Barrett’s cross from the right was headed home by Shane Coll. The home side continued to press for a lead goal and came close through efforts by Mark McGee & Chris Barrett. Dunkineely looked to play on the break but were unable to create any clear-cut chances.

In the second half, the home side continued to press strongly without creating much, but they were finally rewarded on 65 mins when Mark McGee's through ball released Chris Barrett, and he was brought down in the box. Barrett converted the penalty. Dunkineely pushed to get back into the game but were unable to create any clear chances. Glenea extended their lead on 85 mins when Shane Coll’s corner was turned into the away net by a Dunkineely defender.

In the closing minutes, Glenea looked to extend their lead when close through efforts from Aaron Doohan and Ruán O’ Raghallaigh. Best for Glenea were Shaun Maguire and Chris Barrett, while Patrick White and Bobby McGuinness were best for Dunkineely.

Convoy Arsenal 3-1 Swilly Rovers

Convoy was a bit too strong for the Swilly side. Charlie Cush scored after 10 minutes, rounding the keeper. Daly equalised before halftime, getting on the end of a free kick. Luca Vance put Convoy ahead by punishing a mistake from Swilly’s defence. Liam Patton sealed victory with 10 to go with a great finish.