Daithi McMahon hat-trick sees Ballybofey Utd progress in Ulster Junior Cup

Ulster Junior Cup

Rathmullan Celtic 1-3 Illies Celtic

Rathmullan Celtic bowed out of the Ulster Cup with a 3-1 defeat to Illies Celtic in a closely contested encounter in Rathmullan, played in extremely windy and showery conditions.

The home side made a bright start and took the lead on 25 minutes through a superb strike from Jay Curran. Picking up the ball around the halfway line, Curran drove forward before unleashing a powerful effort from 25 yards that flew into the far corner, giving Rathmullan the perfect start.

Rathmullan continued to threaten, and Jaydee came close to doubling their advantage just before half-time.

On 43 minutes, he attempted to catch Illies goalkeeper Conor Doherty off his line with an ambitious effort from nearly the halfway line. It was a fantastic attempt, but Doherty managed to get back and stop the ball on the goal line.

Illies drew level on the stroke of half-time when Jamie McDaid converted from the penalty spot to send the teams in at the break level at 1-1.

The visitors took the lead on 55 minutes. A free-kick delivered from the right-hand side caused problems in the Rathmullan defence, and Paul Doherty was on hand to tap home from six yards to make it 2-1.

Rathmullan battled hard to get back into the game, but Illies extended their advantage on 75 minutes. Another free-kick from the right-hand side found Jamie McDaid, who finished well to score his second of the afternoon and put the visitors 3-1 ahead.

The home side had an opportunity to respond just two minutes later. Jay Curran unleashed a superb effort from 18 yards that crashed against the post, and Rathmullan won a penalty from the rebound.

However, Illies goalkeeper Conor Doherty proved to be the hero once again, saving Jaydee's spot-kick to preserve his side's two-goal advantage.

Despite Rathmullan's efforts in difficult weather conditions, Illies Celtic held on to secure a 3-1 victory and progress to the next round of the Ulster Cup.

Man of the Match: Jamie McDaid was the standout performer for Illies Celtic, while Jay Curran impressed for Rathmullan Celtic with his excellent goal and attacking threat.

Thank you to Patrick Martin for officiating the match, and best of luck to Illies Celtic in the next round of the Ulster Cup.

Ballybofey United 4-1 Quigley's Point Swifts

Ballybofey United progressed to the next round of the Ulster Cup after overcoming Quigley's Point Swifts following extra time in Dreenan.

The conditions were far from ideal, but that did not stop the two sides from producing an entertaining encounter. The teams traded chances early on, with Ballybofey coming close through Kieran Thompson, while a Quigley's Point Swifts header from a corner went just over the bar.

Ballybofey broke the deadlock after 10 minutes when some brilliant individual play from Kieran Thompson saw him slip the ball through to Daithi McMahon, who rounded the goalkeeper and finished expertly into the corner.

Ballybofey goalkeeper Odhran Patton then pulled off a brilliant save to deny the visitors an equaliser.

Mark Griffin and Kieran Thompson both had chances to double Ballybofey's lead, but two good saves from the Quigley's Point Swifts goalkeeper kept the score at 1-0.

Quigley's Point Swifts equalised just before half-time after a dangerous cross was whipped in and deflected off a Ballybofey player into the net.

Ballybofey had two early chances in the second half. Kieran Thompson's shot took a deflection and whistled past the post, while Griffin had a good opportunity but fired straight at the goalkeeper.

It was a dogged second half, with neither team wanting to lose the game. After 90 minutes, there was nothing to separate the sides, so extra time followed.

A couple of substitutions made a real difference for Ballybofey and injected some life into the home side. Tom Mullen played a lovely ball through to McMahon, who slotted it past the goalkeeper to put Ballybofey ahead.

They doubled their lead from a corner, with McMahon turning provider for the returning Josh McMenamin, who powered a bullet header into the net.

The fourth and final goal came in the second half of extra time, with McMahon scoring from the penalty spot to complete his hat-trick and ensure Ballybofey progressed to the next round of the Ulster Cup.

Domestic Appliance Service Division 1

Swilly Edge Five-Goal Thriller Against Letterbarrow

Swilly Rovers 3-2 Letterbarrow Celtic

A cracking game of football played before a decent crowd in windswept conditions at Swilly Park saw Swilly Rovers edge out a spirited Letterbarrow Celtic side in a five-goal thriller.

In the first half, Swilly had to weather early threats as Letterbarrow looked dangerous on the break. Solid defensive work from Leon Boyce and Darragh McDaid kept the visitors' busy forwards at bay.

Swilly broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when Ryan McFadden drove a low shot into the back of the net to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at the break.

Letterbarrow hit back swiftly after the restart, with the excellent Rory Kennedy firing home from close range in the 50th minute to equalise.

The parity was short-lived. Following a stunning free-kick from Wadi, the rebound fell kindly to Ryan Moore, who tucked it away from close range to restore Swilly's advantage.

Ian Ward, who was very busy in the Swilly midfield throughout, went close twice shortly afterwards as Swilly pressed for more.

On 76 minutes, the outstanding Leon Boyce converted confidently from the penalty spot to make it 3-1.

Letterbarrow refused to fold. Rory Kennedy rattled the crossbar with a fine effort before grabbing his second of the day on 86 minutes with a delightful lobbed finish to set up a tense finish.

However, Swilly held firm through the closing minutes to secure the points in a highly entertaining contest.

Young Shea McFadden, who was celebrating his 18th birthday, also put in a fine performance for Swilly.

Referee: Eamonn Sheridan.

Donegal Physiotherapy Division 2

Lifford Celtic 2-0 Drumkeen United

Played in blustery conditions at the Green Brae, both teams had a goal disallowed for offside in the opening 10 minutes.

Lifford almost broke the deadlock when James Connolly hit the crossbar on 20 minutes, while Justin McBride blazed over from three yards with the goal at his mercy five minutes later.

Lifford eventually made their dominance count when James Connolly finished under the goalkeeper following a slide-rule pass from Lorcan Friel on the half-hour mark.

Drumkeen responded immediately, hitting the post with their next attack.

The second half was a fairly even affair, with both midfields battling hard and cancelling each other out.

Lifford finally got the insurance goal they needed with 10 minutes remaining when Shay Lindsay raced on to a through ball from Martin Mongan to seal the three points.

Both teams produced battling performances.