Donegal League: Letterkenny Rovers go five clear at top of Premier Division

Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division 

Letterkenny Rovers  1-0 St Catherine's FC 

Letterkenny Rovers made it another three points in the Donegal Junior League Sunday Premier Division with a 1–0 win over St. Catherine’s at Leckview on January 18th, played in dry, brisk conditions. 

Shane McNamee’s first-half goal was enough to settle a competitive contest in which St. Catherine’s carried a threat without finding an equaliser.  Rovers began with purpose, BJ Banda repeatedly driving at the St. Catherine’s back line and forcing early defensive blocks. 

The visitors answered with good moments of their own, including a dangerous low ball across the face that Rovers had to deal with inside the six-yard area. 

As chances came and went at both ends, Rovers’ back line, marshalled well by Dean McCarry and Keith Cowan stood firm when St. Catherine’s worked openings around the box. 

The breakthrough arrived late in the first half when Rovers found space down the left and, after the build-up involving Rory Gallagher, McNamee struck low into the corner to beat Michael Mullin and put the hosts 1–0 up. 

Rovers continued to look for a second before the interval, but St. Catherine’s stayed organised and limited clear-cut chances.

After the restart, Rovers kept pressing, with Gareth Doherty supplying from the right and a spell of corners that St. Catherine’s defended strongly, consistently getting the first contact in the box. 

St. Catherine’s remained dangerous from set pieces and deliveries into the area, but Mark McGinley was composed claiming cleanly under pressure and punching clear when needed. 

With neither side able to add to the scoring despite late pressure and several efforts from range, Rovers saw the game out for a valuable 1–0 win at Leckview.

Referee: Michael Connolly

Bonagee United  0-1 Kildrum Tigers 

Ronan McKinley’s spectacular goal midway through the first half gave Kildrum Tigers victory over Bonagee United at Dry Arch Park on Sunday. McKinley netted the only goal of the game in the 21st minute, a strike that proved the sole separator in a game of few openings. 

The early exchanges were delicate with Bonagee’s Aidan Brennan hitting the crossbar just three minutes in; a moment that was a real warning shot for the Tigers. 

Gareth Harkin fired wide from the edge of the box for the home side and Kildrum goalkeeper Michael Lynch routinely held onto a Brennan effort soon after. 

When Jonny Robb went to ground on the right-hand side on a purposeful Kildrum attack, the visitors cried foul, but play recycled and Jamie McKinney delivered the ball into the mixer. 

McKinley took control and brilliantly slammed high past Andrew Nicholls to give Kildrum the lead.Six minutes later, Nicholls had to be out sharp to thwart the advances of Robb, who sped away from Dylan McAteer down the left channel. 

As half-time approached, Dan O’Donnell, the Bonagee captain, shot off target as his side looked to get back on level terms. Brian Breslin volleyed over and McAteer blocked from Robb who took a square pass from McKinley in the passages that followed the half-time break. 

Bonagee began to throw the kitchen sink in search of an equaliser and Michael Funston’s men might have drawn level in the 74th minute, but Jack Parke, who stole in to meet a teasing Micheal Doherty cross, nodded narrowly wide. 

Kildrum could have put the game to bed nine minutes from the end but having been initially denied by a fine save from Nicholls, Breslin headed his follow-up against the crossbar. 

Bonagee substitute Fintan Hassan blasted wide with visiting ‘keeper Michael Lynch content to watch the effort fly past his target. 

After Kildrum saw penalty claims, for what they saw as a handball infringement, waved away, Bonagee were awarded a free kick in a dangerous area. While Nicholls joined the attack, Kildrum - whose rearguard was superbly marshalled by Keenan Diver - held on for a deserved win, putting a dent in Bonagee’s title challenge in the process.

Keadue Rovers  1-1 Fanad United 

Keadue Rovers and Fanad Utd played out their 2nd score draw of this seasons Donegal Premier League as the sides drew 1-1 in an entertaining encounter in ideal conditions at Central Park on Sunday.

Playing with the aid of a stiff breeze, Keadue opened much the brighter, pushing the visitors well back and had a few half chances from Peter McGee and Adam McCaffrey.

In the sixth minute, they took the lead when good work from Peter McGee on the endline, getting past a defender, laid the ball square to Dylan Boyle, who tapped in from close range.

Keadue had another few chances and on ten minutes, a strike from Aidan McHugh looked destined for the net only for a Fanad block. Fanad began to dig deep and disrupt the Keadue momentum, and the next chance came on eighteen minutes, when McHugh again shot wide.

On twenty-five minutes, an Adam McCaffrey free kick was met at the far post by Martin Ferry, but his header went just slightly wide.

Keadue’s good spell couldn’t yield a two goal lead, which would’ve been deserved and as ever Fanad proved dangerous once they got more possession around the half hour mark and a ball knocked in long to the Keadue box got a header flicked on into the path of Eddie O’Reilly, who unleashed a superb left footed bicycle kick to the net for a superb leveller.

The visitors started to get plenty of joy down their left wing and Keadue had to endure some dangerous moments from that point to half time. The game was getting stretched and was played at a real good pace.

Martin Ferry again went close with a far post header and then two minutes later, from a Keadue corner, Fanad broke away and only for a last-ditch tackle, could’ve taken the lead.

Adam McCaffrey was doing well for Keadue in midfield, passing the ball well. The last chance of the opening half came Fanad’s way when a cross from the left was met by Eddie O’Reilly, who should’ve scored but at half time it was 1-1 in a good encounter.

The second half started off with Keadue on the front foot for the first couple of minutes and chances fell to both Peter McGee, whose shot was blocked and Dylan Boyle, whose effort went wide.

After that opening salvo, the game settled down and got relatively scrappy by the hour mark, with the tempo understandably not as high as the first half.

As the game wore on, chances became more limited and apart from a few chances from open play, Pauric Neely for Keadue and shortly after that, Eoin Logue for Fanad, the chances were by and large from set pieces.

Peter McGee did have a good chance on seventy seven minutes, but shot wide from just outside the box. For the last fifteen minutes, Fanad were largely on top, with a lot of set pieces sent into the box, but Martin Ferry was ever dependable in clearing the danger and Fanad couldn’t get the final touch past a determined home defence.

Plenty of possession fell the way of Darren McElwaine, Patrick Carr and Daibhid Lynch but in the end, the home side held on for another valuable point in what is a competitive season for them, getting good results against teams higher up in the table.

Best for Fanad were Darren McElwaine, Eddie O’Reilly, Oisin Langan and Peter Carr, while best for Keadue were Martin Ferry, Peter McGee, Adam McCaffrey and Michael Greene.

Referee : Patrick Martin.

TDA Appliance D1

Castlefin Celtic  4-1 Ballybofey United 

Castlefin secured a vital 3 points against a stubborn Ballybofey side.  Niall Mc Closkey deservedly fired the visitors in front in the early exchanges.  

Castlefin grew into the game, Dean Kelly equalised after a mix up in the Ballybofey defence. Jordan Mc Kinney & Ryan O Hagen increased the hosts lead heading for the break.

Mc Kinney increased Castlefin’s lead half way through the second half to secure the points for the hosts 

Milford United  2-2 Convoy Arsenal 

Milford got off the dream start when a Joey Cullen shot was parried by the goalkeeper and George McNulty tapped home after 20 seconds. 

Milford was in control for first 20 minutes and were denied a penalty shout on 25 minutes.  Convoy came into the game well and were awarded a penalty on 35 minutes and Callum Gillen beat keeper Caolan McGettigan.  

Milford Started the second half strong creating a few good chances with Darren McLaughlin, George McNulty, Joey Cullen and Shay Gibbons  all failing to convert.

Convoy scored their second on the counterattack and Callum Gillen drove home from 12 yards.  Milford equalised on 85 minutes when Jordan Ryan headed home a Daithi McTaggart free kick. Both teams push for a winner, but a draw was a fair result. 

Referee Marty McGarrigle. 

Rathmullan Celtic  2-1 Swilly Rovers 

Late Drama Sees Rathmullan Celtic Claim Derby Bragging Rights

Rathmullan Celtic claimed local derby honours with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Swilly Rovers, sealing the win with a dramatic late goal in a match played in excellent spirit throughout. 

The home side started brightly and almost took the lead inside five minutes when Kevin O’Donnell’s well-struck free kick rattled the post. Jay Curran reacted quickest to the rebound but blasted over when well placed. 

Despite Rathmullan’s early pressure, it was Swilly Rovers who opened the scoring on the half-hour mark. Killian Hagan did well to save an initial free kick, but local youngster Alfie Rodgers reacted sharply to slot home the rebound and give the visitors a 1–0 lead. 

The complexion of the game changed five minutes later when Swilly were reduced to ten men. Clive Callan was shown a red card after hauling down Jay Curran, who was clean through on goal.  

Rathmullan emerged from the interval with renewed urgency, pinning the visitors back and creating a string of chances. Barry Gallagher, however, was in inspired form in the Swilly goal, repeatedly denying the hosts. Daniel Wojciun saw an acrobatic volley saved after excellent wing play from Mokhtar Bouasria, while Kevin O’Donnell tested Gallagher from 25 yards.

A triple substitution on the hour mark — introducing Reece Thompson, Serhii Oriabinskyi and new signing Shay Lindsay — underlined Rathmullan’s attacking intent.

Kevin Doran went close after cutting in from the left, narrowly missing the far post, while Serhii’s dangerous free kick was again kept out by Gallagher. 

The pressure finally told on 70 minutes when Kevin O’Donnell’s dangerous corner caused chaos at the near post and was turned into the net by a Swilly defender for the equaliser.

O’Donnell nearly added a goal of his own moments later, his long-range strike hitting the side netting.  Gallagher continued to keep Swilly in the contest, producing a superb double save to deny Reece Thompson and then Kevin Doran, before thwarting Serhii once more shortly after. 

Just as the game looked destined for a draw, Rathmullan found the winner they deserved in the 90th minute. Excellent play down the wing by Shay Lindsay set up Kevin Doran, who finished clinically to spark wild celebrations — including the youngsters behind the goal racing off in delight with the goalscorer. 

Swilly pushed for an equaliser in added time, but it was Rathmullan who nearly added a third when Oscar Carruthers’ effort was saved by Gallagher following more good work from Lindsay. 

Kevin O’Donnell was Rathmullan Celtic’s standout performer, while Alfie Rodgers impressed greatly at right back for Swilly Rovers on an entertaining afternoon of local football.

Donegal Physiotherapy D2

Letterbarrow Celtic  5-1  Lifford Celtic 

A quick turnaround after last week’s draw in Lifford, Letterbarrow where keen to make home advantage count. Straight from the start the home side pressed and Darragh Burke opened the scoring after linking up with Daniel Meehan.

Christian Ward and Daniel Meehan continued to test the Lifford keeper who kept his team in it. Lifford managed to deal with the early pressure and grew into the game before halftime.

Sean Ferry bet the offside trap to equalise for the away team.Straight after halftime Daniel Meehan broke the offside trap, but his shot was saved by the Lifford keeper.

Sean Ferry continued to keep the home defence on their toes. A great run by Christian Ward sent the supporting Rory Kennedy through on goal who slotted past the goalkeeper to make it 2-1 to barrow.

Letterbarrow continued their great spell and Darragh Burke was unlucky not to extend our lead. Darragh didn’t let it affect him and two minutes later he set up James McGroary to make it 3-1.

Christian Ward continued to terrorise the Lifford defence and made it 4-1 after a great solo run. Rory Kennedy nearly made it 5 with a cracking free kick which the keeper tipped around the post. With time nearly over Jack Bennett rounded off a great team performance to make it 5-1.

Drumkeen United  3-3 Deele Harps 

For the second day in a row there were 6 goals at St Patrick's Park and just like Saturday the game ended in a draw.  Deele Harps were the visitors in the latest round of games in the Donegal Physiotherapy Division and as expected this was a very keenly contested affair. 

The visitors struck first when Maddox Roberts put them ahead early in the first half. The lead didn't last too long though as Conor Bonner got the home team back on level terms .

Then it was Drumkeen's turn to take the lead as Niall Howley scored directly from a corner. The game continued to ebb and flow, and Cameron Mahon got the visitors level again. Drumkeen went ahead again as Shane Laverty was in the right place to put the ball in the net after a Goalmouth scramble.

Unfortunately for the home team they couldn't hang on to the lead and Tom Mullen got Deele bacon on level terms again. At that stage we had six goals and still plenty of time for more, but it was not to be.

Both teams tried hard to get a fourth goal but despite their best efforts neither side could come up with what probably would have been the winning goal. 

Both sides will be disappointed not to get a winner and maybe Drumkeen more so as they needed it to get back in contention at the Top end of the Table.  This game was as expected a very close affair but was played in a good competitive sporting manner and after a good battle both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Raphoe Town  4-0 Dunfanaghy Youths 

The home team came out of the blocks fast with three goals in 15 minutes.  In the 1st minute Kyron Coyle played a long pass to set DJ Kelly through on goal and with a fine finish he made it 1-0. 

A few minutes later a super pass from Anton Murtagh and Hard work from Bobby O Loughlin put Oran Kelly into finish from the edge of the box 2-0. Goal of the game came from Veteran Ryan mc Cullagh when he volleyed into the top corner from 25yards to make it 3-0.  There was some half chance before halftime but Dunfanaghy’s fight and spirt kept it 3-0 at the break.

In the second half Raphoe had to wait till the 85 minute to seal the points when DJ Kelly finished from close range after a Joel Cullen cross.

Ulster Shield 

Drumoghill  1-2 Aileach FC

Aileach advanced to the next round of the Ulster Shield by virtue of this narrow win at The Moss.  Sean McHugh and Ryan Wilson got the goals as the Inishowen men came from behind to secure the win. 

Liam O’Donnell had got the home team off to the perfect start when he hammered home on 6 minutes after being sent through by Leon Doherty.  But Aileach were on level terms on 25 minutes thanks to McHugh before substitute Ryan Wilson grabbed a winner on 65 minutes.