DJL Sunday reports: Shaun Kerr hat-trick helps Kerrykeel '71 to win

Bonagee United 2-3 Kilmacrennan Celtic

Played on Friday night at the Dry Arch, the first chance of the game came on nine minutes when a great shot from outside the box by Jamie Spratt was saved by the home keeper. Two minutes later, Dean Larkin had a good shot on target well saved by the keeper.

Enda McCormack for the visitors had a great shot on goal just wide of the post on 17 minutes from thirty yards. The home side took the lead on 22 minutes when a great pass from Jimmy to Dean Larkin outside the box he lobbed to the keeper to find the net. The home keeper made two more good saves from Patterson on 31 and 32 minutes from strikes from the edge of the box.

Patterson levelled the match on 33 minutes when he broke clear and shot home from ten yards. Christopher Dillon for the visitors saw his shot on goal go just wide of the post on forty minutes from the edge of the box. Conor Temple thought he had scored for the home side on 44 minutes, but his effort was blocked on the line by the goalkeeper.

The visitors took the lead on 74 minutes when the Bonagee keeper tried to play out his pass was intercepted by Aidan Sweeney who walked the ball into the net from the edge of the box. One minute later, the score was levelled when Fintan Hassan put a great cross into the box and Aidan McLaughlin headed home from six yards.

The visitors were awarded a penalty on 94 minutes for a foul and Enda McCormack hammered home the spot kick to give the visitors all three points. Team effort by both sides. Referee Mick Lagan.

Kildrum Tigers 3-2 Cappry Rovers

Kildrum Tigers made it three wins from three at home in the Brian McCormick Premier Division after overcoming Cappry Rovers in an entertaining 3-2 encounter at Station Road. The first half was nip and tuck, with both sides creating a couple of opportunities but neither able to break the deadlock.

Kildrum started the second half brightly and took the lead when Matty Crossan found the bottom corner following a goalmouth scramble from a corner. The Tigers doubled their advantage almost immediately when a Ronan McKinley free-kick evaded everyone and found its way into the back of the net.

Kildrum were firmly in control at this stage and had opportunities to put the game beyond doubt but couldn’t find a third. Cappry eventually got themselves back into the contest following good work down the right-hand side, with a dangerous ball delivered into the box and a superb header from Kevin McCormick found the net.

However, Kildrum restored their two-goal advantage with a superb counter-attacking move. Keelan Gillen led the break before feeding Brian Breslin, who squared the ball for Neo McCormick to calmly slot home into the bottom corner.

Just when it looked like the Tigers had done enough, Cappry pulled another goal back when Aaron Kelly headed home from a corner to make it 3-2. There were a few nervy moments in the closing stages, but Kildrum stood firm to see out the victory and secure another three points at Station Road.

St. Catherine’s 5-0 Letterkenny Rovers

Marty McGarrigle got this encounter under way with Emerald Park drenched in November sunshine, but unfortunately for the away team neither sun nor luck shone on them today. They held things tight until the 30th minute, trading blows with the Saints until a superbly struck shot from outside the box was parried by the away keeper to the feet of Josh Cunningham, who tucked home high over the keeper for 1-0.

It remained this way for the start of the second half with Letterkenny looking the most likely to level, but the tide changed on 65 minutes as Rovers went down to ten men as a result of a red card. Now the Saints were in control, and the resulting free kick from the red card was fired home by Matthew McClean on 67 minutes, and he continued his excellent form, lobbing the keeper on 72 minutes from the 18-yard line.

Letterkenny conceded two more before full time.

The first came from Ryan Cunningham, who trapped and finished a long ball over the Letterkenny defence and slotted low into the away net, while the fifth goal came from the midfield dynamo, Aaron Doherty, who had an easy finish in the box against a tired and despondent Letterkenny team.

A lot of injuries picked up by both sides, with the Letterkenny keeper coming off worst after a heavy high ball clash with Maxwell on the stroke of half-time.

Wishing all a speedy recovery.

Kerrykeel ‘71 4-1 Donegal Town

The ‘71 got back to winning ways in style with a brilliant win over the in-form Donegal Town at Rabs Park in what was a perfect day for football. Both teams settled well, but it was Kerrykeel who hit the front on 31 minutes when Shaun Kerr got on the end of a Jamie McAteer cross to head home. They should have doubled their advantage before the break, but the Town defence and keeper were in fine form.

The ‘71 got the dream start to the second half when James Kerr headed across goal for Ciaran Sweeney to tap home in the 46th minute.

The goal of the game came in the 60th minute when James Kerr crossed for brother Shaun to brilliantly take the ball on the half-volley and drive it home from 20 yards. A fantastic strike from Kerr, who was outstanding throughout.

Declan Broughton made a few good saves to keep the town at bay before Kerr got his hat-trick on 70 minutes when he finished well from a Calum McAteer ball, who also was having a brilliant game.

Declan Duignan scored from a direct free kick late on to deny Brougham of his clean sheet.

A great three points for the 71 after a few tough weeks.

Shaun Kerr and Calum McAteer were outstanding, and the 71 as a whole played the best of the season.

Referee: Mick Lagan

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Gweedore Celtic 2-2 Raphoe Town

Honours finished even in a hard but fair battle between Gweedore Celtic and Raphoe Town at An Screaban. The away side took the lead on 10 minutes with a free kick from Zak Brolly that deceived Na Ceiltigh's back line and nestled in the back of the net.

This jolted the young home side into action, and Patrick Pearse O'Donnell knocked home an Alan Doherty free kick on 23 minutes, which was touched on by Man of the Match, Odhran MacNiallias.

This was quickly followed on 30 minutes with Charlie Gallagher blocking a goalkeeper clearance and tapping home the loose ball for 2-1.

Both teams had further opportunities, but Raphoe's substitute Barry O'Loughlin struck the equaliser with 15 minutes remaining.

A share of the spoils was the outcome, but both teams will rue a number of missed chances to add to the final score.

Castlefin Celtic 2-2 Gweedore United

Castlefin and Gweedore played out a hard-fought draw in Castlefin.

Brian McFadden from the spot had the visitors ahead at the break. Castlefin drew level when a deflection from a corner ended up in the net.

A Darren Ferry free kick was rifled into the top corner from 25 yards. A late Emmett White header rescued a point for the hosts.

Milford United 2-2 Ballybofey United

A top-of-the-table share of the spoils was then the outcome at Ballyare, with both teams spurning great chances to steal the three points.

Ballybofey started sharper and had a few efforts hit wide of the target. Milford grew into the game and missed a few chances with aid of two goal line clearances but took the lead when George McNulty hit the net to leave it 1-0 at the break.

Ballybofey started quicker again in the second half and got the equaliser on a counter-attack, and Thomas Mullen headed home. Milford went 2-1 ahead when Kyle Black’s cross was deflected off a defender to creep over the line.

Five minutes later, a penalty was converted by Daithi McMahon. In injury time, Killian McBride had his shot from 12 yards brilliantly saved by Odhran Patton, and seconds later Daithi McMahon drove over from 12 yards. Good competitive game by two hard-working sides. Referee Thomas Ferry

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Letterbarrow Celtic 4–0 Drumkeen United

A fantastic performance from the lads as Letterbarrow secured an impressive 4–0 victory. Letterbarrow came flying out of the blocks, with James McGroary grabbing a quick-fire double before Daniel Meehan produced a proper striker’s finish to send the lads into the break with a commanding 3–0 lead.

The lads kept up the pressure in the second half, with Des McGroarty getting on the scoresheet to put the icing on the cake and round off a brilliant team performance. A special mention to club chairman James McGroary Senior, who celebrates his 70th birthday today! Man of the match: James McGroary Jr.

Lifford Celtic 3-0 Dunfanaghy Youths

It was a cold but bright day at Greenbrae as Dunfanaghy Youths made the trip to take on Lifford Celtic. Lifford started brightly, applying early pressure, and within the opening few minutes, an effort from James Connolly was dealt with by the Dunfanaghy defence. Lifford continued to push forward, creating opportunities but struggling to find the back of the net.

Dunfanaghy had a free-kick just outside the 18-yard box, which went straight into the hands of Lifford goalkeeper Martin Mongan. On the 30-minute mark, Lifford broke the deadlock when Connolly found the back of the net following a fine pass from Shay Lindsay, giving the home side a deserved lead.

Just before half-time, in the 43rd minute, a penalty was awarded following an incident involving Connolly. However, the Dunfanaghy goalkeeper produced an excellent save to keep the score at 1-0 going into the break.

Lifford wasted little time after the restart. Just seven minutes into the second half, a moment of confusion in the Dunfanaghy box allowed Daniel Lindsay to capitalise and find the net, extending Lifford's advantage to 2-0.

Fifteen minutes into the half, Shay Lindsay was fouled, earning Lifford a free-kick just outside the 18-yard box. Unfortunately, the effort sailed over the crossbar.

The flow of the game continued, with Lifford remaining firmly on the front foot. Dunfanaghy battled hard and kept pushing, but couldn't find the space or opportunity to get themselves on the scoresheet.

As the game moved into additional time, Sean Ferry took full advantage of a clear run on goal, keeping his composure to slot the ball into the back of the net and put the finishing touch on an excellent team performance.

Swilly Rovers 1-2 Whitestrand United

​A hard-fought battle at home this afternoon before a great crowd at Swilly Park. Despite a badly depleted squad, the lads showed massive heart in the second half. After falling behind to an early double from Whitestrand's Michael Sweeney, young Matthew Sweeney brought us right back into it on 60 minutes with a stunning header off a superb Toby Taylor cross.

​We pushed all the way to the end—hitting the post, testing their keeper, and having a penalty appeal waved away late on as Shay Durning went down in the box.

​Full focus shifts to next weekend as we look to get key players back in the squad. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the team today.

Referee: Liam McLaughlin