Donegal League: Letterkenny Rovers get the better of Kildrum Tigers

Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division

Fanad United 3-1 St. Catherine's

Fanad United welcomed St. Catherine's to Traigh-a-Loch on Sunday and recorded a 3-1 victory. The game was played in near-ideal conditions, and both teams served up some decent football at times.

Early stages were even enough, but it was Fanad who took the lead in the 12th minute. Seamie Friel split the St. Catherine's defence to send Darren McElwaine away down the left, and his cross was turned into his own net by an unfortunate St. Catherine's defender.

The lead lasted until the 25th minute when St. Catherine's equalised. A deep free kick from Kyle McGeoghan caused problems in the Fanad box, and when it cleared, Ryan Cunningham was on hand to score with a fine finish into the bottom corner.

Fanad did have a half-chance to take the lead on 35 minutes, but Keelin McElwaine saw his well-struck volley go just wide. Fanad had the better of the opening stages of the second half and took the lead 10 minutes in.

A superb cross from Liam McGrenaghan was met by Paddy Carr, who powered his header home. With 20 minutes remaining, Fanad made the points safe. Following an Eddie O'Reilly free kick, referee Marty McGarrigle adjudged that the ball struck the arm of a St. Catherine's player, and a penalty was awarded.

Eoin Logue stepped up to score from 12 yards. The final chance of the game fell to Darren McElwaine, but his volley from 20 yards went just wide of the St. Catherine's post.

Referee: Marty McGarrigle

Keadue Rovers 3-3 Donegal Town

Keadue Rovers and Donegal Town played out a goal-fest at Central Park in good conditions for November, in a game where forwards on both sides got the better of the defences.

Keadue's Peter McGee hit the crossbar with a fine effort in the opening few minutes. The home team stayed on top in the opening exchanges and were rewarded on fourteen minutes when Mark Forker’s free kick was met on the edge of the six-yard box by Martin Ferry, whose header made the corner of the net.

However, the lead was short-lived, as on eighteen minutes, an Eoin Slevin delivery was met at the second time of asking by Stephen Graham, who nodded home for 1-1.

The next chance of the match came to Keadue when, after twenty-five minutes, Martin Ferry again rose to a Forker free kick, but his header was well saved by Fintan James. Chris Greene a minute later headed over, but by the half-hour, Donegal Town had slightly edged play with more territory possession.

Keadue, however, continued to have the better chances, and on thirty-one minutes an Aidan Brennan cross was met by Peter McGee, whose shot was blocked by Fintan James.

Ultan O'Grady and Stephen Graham were working well for the visitors up top and in midfield. In the thirty-ninth minute, Ronan McHugh was through, but his shot was saved well by Shane Graham. The home side did well in the last five minutes of the opening half, pushing the visitors back.

The opening of the second half was hectic, with two goals in the first five minutes. Firstly, Donegal Town went ahead on forty-nine minutes when another Eoin Slevin delivery was met by a Stephen Graham header, and then only a minute later a free kick by Mark Forker was flicked to the net by Maurice McGee.

On fifty-seven minutes, the goal fest continued when some nice work by Aidan Brennan found Adam McCaffrey, and he slipped in Peter McGee, who tucked his shot smoothly past the advancing keeper.

From the hour mark on, Keadue had a good bit more possession, and Aidan Brennan was proving a good outlet down the right wing. On seventy-six minutes, Peter McGee was wide on the run, but all the while Donegal Town, who had made a very solid start to the league, looked dangerous, and Mark Jordan in particular was threatening.

He had a header saved coming up to the eightieth minute, but on the eighty-minute mark, some good work from Killian Faulker on the left wing led to a cross into the box, and Jordan was there to convert to level it at 3-3.

Keadue edged the last 10 minutes, but neither side got any close chances in that period, and overall, it was a fair result on the day in an entertaining encounter.

Best for Donegal Town were Stephen Graham, Mark Jordan, Ultan O'Grady, and Killian Faulkner, while best for Keadue were Maurice McGee, Aidan Brennan, Mark Forker, and Peter McGee.

Referee: Vincent McLaughlin

Kildrum Tigers 1-2 Letterkenny Rovers

Played in lovely autumn sunshine, the game got off to a frantic start. Kildrum thought they took the lead on 5 minutes when CJ Clarke had a great finish, only for the referee to blow offside.

Letterkenny then took the lead when a corner was headed into the net by a Kildrum player. Both teams had a few chances before half-time, but neither team could find the net. Kildrum ramped up the pressure in the second half and had a lot of territory.

They finally got back level on 70 minutes; the Rovers’ keeper made a great save from Brian Breslin, and the ball fell to Keenan Diver, who calmly slotted home.

Kildrum nearly went ahead when Jonny Robb rounded the keeper, but his effort was cleared off the line. Both teams had a few half-chances heading towards the final whistle, but it was Rovers who got the winner. Padraic Gilsenan’s goal stood despite protests for offside.

Temple Domestic Appliances Division One

Cappry Rovers 6-2 Gweedore United

Cappry started the game well and pressed to get ahead but couldn’t find a way through Gweedore’s defence. Gweedore then took the lead when Seighean O’Baoill scored at the back post with a good finish.

Gweedore doubled their lead in the 40th minute when Brian McFadden scored from the penalty spot. Cappry responded quickly and got a goal back straight away when Conor McDaid scored from close range.

Cappry got the perfect start to the second half when Barrie McGhee scored from outside the box. Cappry then made it 3-2 when Conor McDaid scored again from inside the box.

Cappry then made it four when Paddy McNulty went through and finished well. Conor McDaid then completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot. Cappry then rounded off the scoring when Brendan McLaughlin scored to make it 6-2.

Gweedore Celtic 3-1 Castlefin Celtic

Gweedore Celtic recorded their second win of the campaign with this victory over league leaders Castlefin Celtic. The foundation for the victory was laid in the first half when the home team hit three goals to give themselves a comfortable half-time lead.

Na Ceiltigh were the dominant team from the start and took the lead as early as the tenth minute when Jamie Doherty supplied the cross for Cronan McFadden to open the scoring with a neat finish past McColgan. Midway through the half, McFadden scored his side's second goal when he got on the end of a good delivery from Caolan Laux.

Minutes before half-time, Gweedore went three up when Darragh McGee capitalized on a mistake by the Castlefin defence to rifle home from twelve yards. Castlefin reduced the deficit twelve minutes into the second half courtesy of Shaun Kennedy when he rifled home from the edge of the box.

Castlefin upped their intensity and came close on two occasions with headers from O’Hagan and Kennedy going wide of the post.

Gweedore were content to hit on the break, and chances from Cian McBride and Darragh McGee would have made it more comfortable, but they held on for the points.

Gweedore were well served by Laux and Joey Gillespie, with Tourish and centre-half O’Hagan excelling for the away team.

Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 5-3 Convoy Arsenal

A rip-roaring contest at Rabs saw the home side claim all 3 points. Kerrykeel started well and went in front on 18 minutes when James Kerr scored after great work from Jimmy Coyle.

Patsy Friel made it two on 30 minutes after another great ball from Coyle and he coolly fired past the Convoy keeper. James Kerr made it 3 on 41 minutes with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box.

Jimmy Coyle got the 4th on 51 minutes with a great finish, and it looked like the game was over as a contest, but Convoy had other ideas and they got one back when Eamon Coyle scored from a corner.

Player-manager Johnny Doherty then scored with a brilliant header, and on 80 minutes Jamie Spratt made it 4-3 with a great finish. Oisin Shields then put Kerrykeel ahead again by two with a brilliant effort from all of 30 yards to secure the points.

Rathmullan Celtic 2-2 Milford United

Rathmullan and Milford shared the derby day spoils at a sun-kissed but cold Flagpole Field after the proverbial game of two halves saw the visiting Swans recover from trailing by two at the break.

Ahead of kick-off, both teams and the large crowd in attendance paused for a minute of silence to remember Anne Deeney of Pier House, who passed away earlier this morning.

On the field, an even contest unfolded, but it was the home side that stole a lead when the unfortunate Jordan Ryan turned the ball into his own net following a scramble. It was 2-0 just before half-time as Kevin Doran reacted fastest to stab past Caolan McGettigan from six yards following a delivery from Kevin O’Donnell's free kick.

Milford responded after the break and cut the deficit when Paul Ryan bundled home from close range after Rathmullan failed to clear their lines.

Ryan McCleary was unfortunate to see a second yellow card for a tackle on Kyle Black with 10 minutes left, and from the resulting free kick Niall Murray’s floated effort beat everyone to find the net.

With Jay Curran also collecting two yellows, Rathmullan finished with nine and did well to hold on for a share of the spoils in what was a keenly contested local derby, with both sets of players giving it their all in good spirits and with little malice.

Referee: Stephen Laird

Swilly Rovers 2-3 Ballybofey United

Lots of goals and good chances missed in a five-goal thriller at Swilly Park. Swilly will feel very disappointed after leading 2-1 for a long spell and really should have had more.

Ballybofey, in fairness, played some very attractive football, particularly in the final twenty minutes, and finished strong. Ryan McDaid, with a fine header from an Ian Ward corner, had Swilly in front early on.

The impressive Daithi McMahon levelled it minutes later when he lashed a fine drive home. Mickey Kerr restored Swilly’s lead with a fine free kick from the edge of the box. Josh McMenamin, with a screamer, levelled matters with 72 minutes gone. The winner arrived on 80 minutes when Oran Gallen fired home from close range.

Referee: Seamie Ferry

Donegal Physiotherapy and Performance Centre Division Two

Cranford United 1-1 Raphoe Town

Both sides remain unbeaten after a hard battle in Cranford Park. Cranford took the lead after 15 minutes when Shane Coll reacted quickest to a deflection and turned the ball home.

Raphoe had the perfect opportunity to level with 30 minutes gone, but Jason Hegarty pulled off a great save from a penalty. Shane Coll and Gary McClafferty both were unlucky not to double the lead, while Raphoe were always dangerous on the break.

Raphoe started the second half strong and equalised with an hour gone from a deflected free kick. Cranford again hit the post with 10 to go, but Raphoe also had chances, so a point apiece was probably a fair result in the end.

Deele Harps 13-0 Dunkineely Celtic

Deele welcomed Dunkineely to Marty Duffy Park in perfect conditions for football. The home side dominated from the kick-off and took the lead as early as the 2nd minute when Jordy Duffy scored from close range following good work from Adi Gallagher and Tom Mullen.

It was one-way traffic in the first half with further goals from Adi Gallagher and a first-half hat-trick from Tom Mullen, with Jordy Duffy helping himself to five first-half goals, making it 9-0 at half-time.

The second half started with Deele on the front foot, and Jordy Duffy grabbed his double hat-trick on 48 minutes. Deele rang the changes from the bench on 50 minutes, and further second-half goals from Tom Mullen, Dean McCullagh, and Corey Lindsay rounded off a comfortable home victory.

Referee: Raymond Gallagher

Dunfanaghy Youths 2-2 Curragh Athletic

Dunfanaghy Youths FC welcomed Curragh Athletic FC to Callum Friel Park, hoping to make it back-to-back wins, where they played out an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Both teams started brightly in the first half in a high-tempo competitive affair. Curragh were the first to strike when a bouncing ball in the Dunfanaghy area fell favourably to Curragh’s number 10, who slotted home.

Half-time score: Dunfanaghy 1-0 Curragh Athletic.

Dunfanaghy made some changes at half-time looking to get a quick equaliser but were caught out at the back, which led to giving away a penalty. Curragh increased their lead when Curragh’s number 8 coolly picked his spot to beat the Dunfanaghy keeper.

Dunfanaghy kept their heads and began taking the game to Curragh, pushing hard for a goal of their own. They were rewarded late on when a great cross from the right by substitute Christopher Stewart was taken down and put away by Andrew Kelly.

The number nine was soon on the scoresheet again when Darren Murray rushed into the box only to be taken down by the keeper and win a penalty for the home team.

Up stepped Andrew Kelly again to calmly finish and give Dunfanaghy the equaliser they fully deserved. DYFC finished the game the stronger of the two teams going in search of a winner but ran out of time. A great game of football to watch, credit to all players involved.

Whitestrand United 2-2 Letterbarrow Celtic

Whitestrand United took on Letterbarrow Celtic at McGarvey Park. Letterbarrow started well and scored from a fantastic free kick, which left the keeper no chance.

Whitestrand responded well, and a goalmouth scramble resulted in Whitestrand hitting the crossbar. They scored when there was a cross headed back into the box and Ciaran Sweeney forced it over the line. Letterbarrow hit back close to half-time with a low shot from the edge of the area and went in 2-1 up.

Whitestrand started the second half well and had some chances, but Letterbarrow were dangerous on the break. Whitestrand equalised when the excellent Cormac Dunleavy found a great through ball to Ronan Sweeney, who took his time and made no mistake.

Declan Brougham made a great save to keep Whitestrand in the game, and Whitestrand almost stole it at the death, but Michael Sweeney fired narrowly wide. Draw was a fair result for both teams. Best for Whitestrand was Cormac Dunleavy.

Glencar Inn Saturday Division One

Donegal Town Reserves 2-1 Oldtown Celtic

Donegal Town came from behind to seal victory against a spirited Oldtown side. There were plenty of chances early on at both ends. Cian McMonagle gave Oldtown the lead with a cracking effort after 28 minutes. T

own came out fighting in the second half and deservedly equalised through Sean Meehan. Nico Dominik gave Town a deserved win with a well-taken finish with 15 minutes to go. Best for Town were Noel Gavigan, Nico Dominik, and Chris Gallagher.

Letterkenny Rovers Reserves 2-2 Erne Wanderers

Letterkenny Rovers and Erne Wanderers played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Leckview Park. The visitors struck early with a goal from Damien Weber on eight minutes, capitalising on some hesitant defending by the home side.

Erne had numerous chances to further extend their lead before half-time, but a combination of poor finishing and fine goalkeeping from Roy Duffy kept Rovers in the game.

The game turned on its head four minutes after the re-start when Erne’s Imed Boutabsou was shown a red card by referee Gerald Devine. Rovers took advantage a few minutes later when Jordan Nugent finished with aplomb from close range to level matters.

On 72 minutes, the hosts hit the front following a spell of sustained pressure when Dylan Doogan poked the ball home following a goalmouth scramble.

Rovers had further chances to extend their lead through Oran Winston and Nugent late on, but they were made to pay for those missed opportunities when Erne grabbed a dramatic equaliser in the 89th minute courtesy of a back-post header from Weber to ensure they returned home to Ballyshannon with a point.

Referee: Gerald Devine

Strand Rovers 3-0 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves

Strand looked in control of this tie from the start but squandered a few chances before finally taking the lead when a long throw into the box from Matthew O’Donnell caused havoc and found Daire Gallagher, who finished it nicely into the bottom corner.

Strand then doubled their lead when a throw-in again went behind the defence, and Aaron Ward raced in behind to finish expertly past the keeper at his near post.

Strand came out for the second half with the same attitude as the first and found the back of the net when a free kick from just inside their half from James McCole found Conor Greene at the back post, and he headed the ball back across the box to Aaron Ward, who found the Kilmacrennan net. Strand ran the bench and continued to look for another goal, but that goal never came.

Old Orchard Saturday Division Two

Fintown Harps AFC 6-0 Swilly Rovers Reserve

In fine conditions at Pairc Acla, Fintown started the game brightest and took the lead after a great run from fullback Michael Doherty.

He was taken down in the box, and Jamie McMonagle Quinn stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards. Swilly put on the pressure and won themselves a few corners but had no joy with John Molloy and Dermot solid in defence. Harps had great chances again with Jamie and Aaron Tompson coming close but to no avail. 2-0 at the break.

The second half started great for Harps with a long kick out from Shane Bradley in goal; Jamie was quickly onto it and with his first touch found the back of the net. Jamie got his hat-trick after great work from Tompson out on the right, who put in a great cross, and Jamie ghosted in and put it away.

Swilly never gave up and kept plugging away, but Harps then went four up when Tompson found his range. Keelan McMonagle Toner then got in on the act and drove through the middle, letting fly from 25 yards to find the bottom right corner for a great goal.

Harps now 5 up, Swilly kept trying, but Harps were on their game, and with time running out, Aaron Thompson got Harps’ 6th goal to round off a good day’s work for Fintown.

Referee: George Clinton

Keadue Rovers Reserves 3-1 Bonagee United Reserves

Keadue Rovers remain top of Division 2 following this fine win over a good Bonagee United outfit in an entertaining game played in front of a good crowd in ideal conditions at Central Park.

Playing with the aid of a stiff breeze, Bonagee were the brighter team in the opening half. They had a chance in the fifth

minute when a shot was blocked from a corner. Their central midfielder Ricky Guntrip was very influential, dictating a lot of play. On thirteen minutes, a shot from Bonagee’s Shai Thompson was excellently saved by Caelan Bonner.

More chances fell Bonagee’s way, but again Bonner was solid in goals, parrying away more efforts. Keadue steadied the ship slightly after the twenty-minute mark, and despite Bonagee having lots of possession, their final delivery wasn’t up to scratch. Davin Kelly shot wide on twenty-seven minutes while in midfield Matthew Comiskey and Aaron McCafferty were proving a good combination. It

became more scrappy after the half-hour, and Bonagee’s chances were a bit more limited apart from Ricky Guntrip’s effort on thirty-five minutes.

Going towards half-time, Keadue, having absorbed a lot of pressure, would’ve been happy to go in goalless, but a move down the left wing wasn’t picked up by the home defence, and a neat ball played to the edge of the box was met by Davin Kelly for a fine strike in the forty-fourth minute to give Bonagee a merited half-time lead.

The second half started off at a hectic pace, and both sides went at the game with good firm tackles. Jarlath Duffy and Ryan Creevy were both impressive in the early stages from set pieces for Bonagee, but Keadue started to get more of a grip on proceedings by the hour mark.

In the sixty-second minute, a fine corner was floated in by Liam Ferry, and substitute Mikey McFadden was on hand to head to the net for the leveller.

On sixty-six minutes, Ryan Creevy headed over for Bonagee, but the game was definitely swinging the way of Keadue, and they took the lead on sixty-nine minutes.

A ball was won by Liam Boyle in the tackle, play was moved on by the referee, and substitute Odhran Boyle slammed home a fine effort from the edge of the box, right footed to the corner.

The game became more attritional after that, and it suited Keadue, who were able to hit Bonagee on the break to decent effect, with Keadue wingers winning a lot of ball and holding the play up.

Keadue made sure of the game in the eighty-sixth minute when a ball was played out of their defence and the Bonagee defence had a mix-up, allowing substitute Luke Neely to take the ball to the edge of the area before he passed it into the corner of the net.

A remarkable statistic of three substitutes scoring three second-half goals. A deserved win for Keadue in a highly entertaining game, which was a good advert for Saturday football.

Best for Bonagee were Ricky Guntrip, Davin Kelly, Iarlaith Duffy, and Ryan Creevy, while best for Keadue were Aaron McCafferty, Matthew Comiskey, Caelan Bonner, and Noah Boyle.

Referee: Rory O’Gorman

Finn Travel Saturday Division Three

Gweedore United Reserves 0-5 Drumkeen United Reserves

Drumkeen United claimed all three points after a strong performance at Carrickboyle. The intention was there from the outset from the visitors on what could easily have been mistaken for a day in spring. Eamonn Collum in the Gweedore goal was forced into several saves, most notably from Sean Collum, Lee Guthrie, Jack Patton, and Emmett O’Boyle.

The hosts looked to have weathered the storm and almost took the lead. A free kick from Callum Feireatéar was parried by Nigel Hegarty in the Drumkeen goal.

Abdul Obabaire reacted the quickest, and his effort came off the crossbar. Nigel Hegarty made a great save to deny Francis Gallagher, who shot from 20 yards out. Eamonn Collum thwarted Lee Guthrie, who found himself one-on-one against the keeper.

The away side broke the deadlock in the 31st minute when Sean Collum was played in by Lee Guthrie. Sean Collum powered his shot past Eamonn Collum.

Four minutes later, the visitors extended their lead after Jack Patton's shot managed to find the back of the net in a congested Gweedore six-yard box.

The game was effectively settled on the 41st minute after an excellent corner from Emmett O’Boyle was headed in by Owen Collum.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side two minutes later, when a sublime effort from Emmett O’Boyle from outside the box accurately hit the top corner of the net. In the second half, Eamonn Collum produced further saves from Lee Guthrie, Patrick Diver, Sean Collum, and Tiernan O’Boyle.

The Gweedore men worked hard but were unable to find a consolation goal. Drumkeen struck again in the 91st minute; Nigel Hegarty provided the assist from his goal kick.

Cathal Browne found himself one-on-one against Eamonn Collum, and he blasted a shot past the keeper. Superb performances, most notably from Sean Collum, Lee Guthrie, and Emmett O’Boyle, ensured an emphatic victory for the visitors today. Eamonn Collum, Abdul Obabaire, and Clint Ferry had standout performances for Gweedore United.

Referee: Seimi Ferry

Lagan Harps Reserves 2-0 Cappry Rovers Reserves

Lagan and Cappry served up a keenly contested game on a lovely mild day. Lagan started strongly, and Drew Dowds forced a good save from Dylan Doherty.

Dylan then did well to deal with Aidan Devir's header from the corner. Both teams cancelled each other out until Drew Dowds was just over with a good effort on twenty-three minutes.

Ross Hamlyn then went close for Lagan on thirty minutes when his free hit the foot of the post, with Faolan Gibson steering the rebound wide.

Cappry responded with Jack Marley having a good effort saved by Michael Toner. Cappry had a few more efforts before Jack Duncan had an effort just wide for Lagan. Niall Ryan had a few dangerous runs down the right for Cappry with Reece Coyle just failing to connect properly with one of his crosses.

At the start of the second half, Lagan’s Comac Crossan had a good effort saved by Dylan Doherty. Rhys Coyle responded with an effort just wide. Jack Marley then headed a Cappry corner just over the bar.

Lagan’s Robby Dolan then showed some good footwork before shooting just over. Cappry then lost young Finn Devine to an injury. He'd formed a solid central defence with Peter Lafferty.

Lagan made the breakthrough on seventy-eight minutes. Jack McConnell made a great run before the ball found its way to Ross Hamlyn. He finished with a great effort from the edge of the area.

Robby Dolan then forced another good save from Dylan Doherty. The resulting corner broke to Jack McConnell, but Dylan pulled off another great save to deny him. He pulled off another good save from a Drew Dowds header.

Lagan’s second arrived on eighty-four minutes. Robby Dolan finished a good move with a great effort from the edge of the area.

Cappry almost pulled one back in the final minute when Odhran McGlynn skimmed the crossbar with a good effort from distance. All in all, a well-contested game with both sides fielding a lot of young players.

Referee: Leo Devenney