DJL: St Catherine’s too good for Aileach in FAI Junior Cup

FAI Junior Cup

St Catherine's FC 3-2 Aileach

It was a closely contested game at Emerald Park, with St Catherine's going 2-0 ahead before the break through two well-taken goals from Josh Maxwell.

The first came after a solo run, with Maxwell striking from a tight angle on the right-hand side to find the net.

The second was a well-worked goal, starting with an Alex Cuinnea pass down the line to Colin Mooney, who picked out Maxwell at the back post to finish.

Aileach started brighter in the second half and were awarded a penalty midway through the period, which Darren McGonigle converted.

The Saints replied with an inswinging ball that struck the crossbar. A scramble in the box followed, with Odhrán McGuinness converting from close range.

Aileach replied late through Gavin Doherty, but it was too late as the Saints held on for a 3-2 win to advance to the next round.

Fanad United 0-1 Buncrana Hearts

Fanad United and Buncrana Hearts met in the FAI Junior Cup on Sunday, with Buncrana securing a narrow 1-0 victory to progress to the next round.

The blustery conditions made good football difficult, and both teams deserve credit for their efforts.

The opening chance fell to Fanad in the 14th minute when Eddie O'Reilly played the ball through to Peter Carr, who shot wide.

On the half-hour mark, Buncrana's Liam Quigley almost capitalised on a defensive mix-up but shot over the Fanad crossbar.

The final chance of the half fell to Eddie O'Reilly, who headed a Keelin McElwaine cross just wide of the Buncrana post.

Ten minutes into the second half, Eoin Logue crossed to the back post for Darren McElwaine, who couldn't keep his shot down.

The only goal of the game came in the 65th minute when the Fanad defence was unable to clear a long throw. Hugh Aaron McGonagle was quickest to react and scored from close range.

Five minutes later, Peter Carr crossed to Darren McElwaine, whose header was well saved by Buncrana goalkeeper Rory Kelly.

With five minutes remaining, Seamie Friel made a superb block to deny Liam Quigley the chance to double Buncrana's lead.

In the dying seconds of injury time, Rory Kelly made a fantastic save at full stretch to deny Darren McElwaine.

Referee: Marty McGarrigle.

Brian McCormick Premier Division

Donegal Town 3-0 Kilmacrennan Celtic

Donegal Town got back to winning ways on Sunday afternoon with an excellent 3-0 home victory over Kilmacrennan Celtic at Hospital Field.

Town came under some early pressure, with Kilmacrennan's best opportunity seeing an effort from the edge of the box come back off the post.

However, it was Town who broke the deadlock on 34 minutes when Decy struck from distance, beating the goalkeeper with a superb effort to give the home side a 1-0 lead at the break.

Town started the second half brightly and doubled their advantage shortly after the restart when Niko was on hand to tap home after the ball came back off the post.

Niko then put the result beyond doubt 15 minutes later, producing a lovely curling finish from just inside the box to cap off a well-worked Town move and make it 3-0.

A much-needed three points and a strong response from the lads!

Man of the Match: Joe Campbell, with Niko and John Doc also putting in excellent performances.

Letterkenny Rovers 1-3 Kerrykeel 71

Kerrykeel 71 took the points at Leckview Park on a crisp Sunday afternoon, with goals from Shaun Kerr, James Kerr and Patrick Heraghty securing a 3-1 win over Letterkenny Rovers. Kevin McGrath replied with a late penalty for the hosts.

The visitors went ahead after five minutes when Shaun Kerr headed home from a deep corner. Rovers worked opportunities in response, with Aiden Boal firing wide on several occasions and Jason Doherty seeing a low effort gathered by Declan Brougham.

Sheldon Nyoni then went close twice in quick succession, first being denied by Brougham after being played through by Doherty, before sliding narrowly wide from Ibrahim Olayode's low cross.

Kerrykeel doubled their advantage before the break, however, when Shaun Kerr delivered to the back post for James Kerr to finish.

Patrick Heraghty added Kerrykeel's third in a goalmouth scramble following a free kick early in the second half. Rovers continued to search for a way back, but dangerous deliveries from Doherty and Olayode went unconverted, while Kerrykeel defended their lead well.

Daniel McClafferty saved a further Kerrykeel effort before Rovers pulled one back in the 85th minute. Jack Duff was brought down inside the area and McGrath converted the resulting penalty.

Nyoni fired wide in stoppage time as Kerrykeel saw out the victory.

Domestic Appliance Services Division 1

Cranford FC 1-2 Glenea United

Glenea left Cranford Park with all three points thanks to a winner in the last kick of the game.

The first half was even, with both sides cancelling each other out. The second half was more lively, with the two teams creating chances, but both goalkeepers came out on top.

With 15 minutes remaining, Cranford had a strong appeal for a penalty following a handball, but it was waved away.

Glenea took the lead with 10 minutes to go following a well-worked move. Cranford equalised five minutes from time when Shane Coll headed home.

It looked as though the points would be shared until the last kick of the game, when Darren McGeever powered a header into the top corner.

Milford 0-0 Castlefin

Milford and Castlefin played out a competitive 0-0 draw at Swilly Park.

Neither team managed to settle or create many clear-cut chances. Milford had a penalty appeal turned down in the first half, while their only real opportunity came when Conor McHugh headed over from a corner.

As the game progressed, Castlefin had a few half-chances in the second half, but overall Milford probably worked their goalkeeper harder.

The home side nearly claimed all three points in the 90th minute when Finn Coll clipped the crossbar from 18 yards.

Referee: Paddy Martin.

Gweedore Celtic 2-6 Ballybofey United

Ballybofey United left An Screabán with all three points after a strong second-half performance.

Tom Mullen opened the scoring for Ballybofey before Michael McGee equalised five minutes later following a scramble from an Odhrán MacNiallais long throw.

Niall McCloskey restored Ballybofey's lead 15 minutes before half-time before Charlie Gallagher brought Gweedore level, capitalising on a blocked clearance to finish into an empty net.

Ballybofey made the perfect start to the second half, scoring twice inside the opening five minutes through Patton and Mullen, who grabbed his second of the game.

As Gweedore chased a way back into the match, Ballybofey struck twice on the counter-attack through Dáithí McMahon and Mark McGlynn to complete the scoring.

Odhrán MacNiallais was best for Gweedore Celtic, while Mullen impressed for Ballybofey.

Gweedore United 2-5 Raphoe Town

A clinical performance by Raphoe ensured they left Gweedore with all three points.

The visitors settled quickest and got off to the perfect start in the fifth minute. An excellent pass by Keelin Bogle was superbly dispatched into the bottom-left corner from six yards by Conor Friel.

Two minutes later, Raphoe stunned the hosts again when a through ball from Conor Friel allowed Keelin Bogle to calmly slot the ball past Dylan Clift from close range.

The home side were punished again in the 18th minute when Friel provided another assist, which was finished off by Oran Kelly from a few yards out.

This setback appeared to galvanise the hosts as they dominated the latter stages of the first half. Stephen McFadden almost pulled one back, but his effort from outside the Raphoe box struck the post.

Seighean O'Baoill reacted sharply to the rebound and forced Aaron Hepburn into a terrific save. Cathal Gillespie also tested Hepburn from 20 yards.

Gweedore United were rewarded for their late pressure in the 35th minute when a Michael Ferry cross was expertly placed into the back of the net by Oran Ferry.

The home side continued in the same manner after the break. Seighean O'Baoill was unfortunate not to reduce the deficit, forcing another outstanding save from Hepburn, who pushed the effort onto the post.

However, just as the momentum appeared to be swinging in the hosts' favour, a defensive mistake was ruthlessly punished by Keelin Bogle in the 54th minute.

Four minutes later, Brian McFadden gave the home side renewed hope when he rifled home from six yards following an assist by Stephen McFadden.

The game was in the balance and it was Raphoe's turn to come agonisingly close to scoring again, with Zak Brolly's shot grazing the crossbar.

The visitors eventually put further daylight between the teams and sealed the points in the 70th minute. Oran Kelly provided the assist for Keelin Bogle, who passed the ball into the net from a few yards out.

Tiarnán Misteal almost pulled another goal back for the hosts, but his shot crashed off the crossbar from 12 yards. At the other end, Corey Brolly nearly added to Raphoe's tally, with his effort also cannoning off the crossbar.

It was an exhilarating match, and the scoreline did not reflect how closely contested the game was. However, the visitors were ruthless when opportunities came their way.

Cathal Gillespie and Seighean O'Baoill produced outstanding performances for Gweedore United, while Keelin Bogle and Conor Friel were exceptional for Raphoe.

Donegal Physiotherapy Division 2

Convoy Arsenal FC 6-0 Curragh Athletic

Both sides started brightly at Orchard Park and played some lovely football in the opening exchanges.

Convoy broke the deadlock on 28 minutes when Luca Vance found the net to make it 1-0.

Convoy came out after the break on the front foot and continued to push for a second goal, but Curragh goalkeeper Jason Woods stood in their way. He was Curragh's best player on the day, making save after save to keep his side in the game.

The pressure finally told on 58 minutes when Ryan McGroarty doubled the lead.

Michael Devine then took over, scoring in the 61st, 70th and 74th minutes to complete a superb hat-trick inside 13 minutes.

There was still time for one more goal. Oran Patterson hit a superb effort on 86 minutes to cap a brilliant individual display with a goal and two assists.

Scorers: Luca Vance (28), Ryan McGroarty (58), Michael Devine (61, 70, 74), Oran Patterson (86).

Fair play to Curragh Athletic, who kept going for the full game with only 11 players and no substitutes.

Thanks to referee Frankie Early for taking charge.

Drumkeen United 2-1 Swilly Rovers

Swilly Rovers were the visitors to St Patrick's Park on Sunday afternoon for this Donegal Physiotherapy Division 2 game.

At the final whistle, the home team were delighted to have picked up all three points in what was a hard-earned win against the visitors.

Swilly dominated possession for large parts of the first half but couldn't turn that dominance into clear-cut scoring opportunities. They had several shots that went harmlessly wide without troubling Drumkeen goalkeeper Roy Duffy.

Drumkeen took time to settle into the game but did manage to create a good chance when Michael Quinn saw his header cleared off the line. The ball fell to Kaz Balagoun, who put his effort well over the bar.

Drumkeen would have been happy enough to reach half-time on level terms, but it wasn't to be as Leon Boyce put Swilly Rovers ahead just before the break with a good strike from the edge of the box after being set up by Ian Ward.

Drumkeen started the second half well and got back on level terms in the 47th minute. A Kaz Balagoun shot was saved by goalkeeper Barry Gallagher, but the ball fell back to Balagoun, who made no mistake at the second attempt.

This set the game up nicely for a hopefully better second half after what had been a largely disappointing opening period.

Drumkeen enjoyed a good spell for around 10 minutes before things nearly went horribly wrong again when they conceded a penalty just after the hour mark.

Leon Boyce stepped up to take the spot-kick but, unfortunately for the visitors, sent his effort well wide.

The tide then turned in Swilly's favour again and Drumkeen were living dangerously as they had to withstand a sustained spell of pressure. During that period, Swilly struck the Drumkeen crossbar.

After surviving that spell, Drumkeen managed to get a foothold in the game again and, at that stage, the contest could have gone either way.

With just over 15 minutes remaining, Drumkeen got what would prove to be the winning goal with a good finish from Conor Bonner, who beat the advancing Gallagher from outside the penalty area.

Drumkeen knew the game was far from over, and so it proved as they had to withstand plenty of pressure for the remainder of the match.

They managed the occasional attack themselves, but for the most part it was a backs-to-the-wall effort in the closing minutes. They eventually kept Swilly at bay and were delighted to hear the final whistle from referee Paddy McCauley.

This was a welcome and much-needed win for the home team after a couple of disappointing results, and they will hope to build on it. Swilly, meanwhile, will be disappointed to leave St Patrick's Park empty-handed.

This game won't go down as a classic, but it was a well-contested affair, with both sides giving their all on a bitterly cold afternoon.

Referee: Paddy McCauley.