Donegal League: Fanad go clear in Premier; Gweedore Celtic seal promotion

The race for the Donegal League Premier Division title has taken a brand new twist after Fanad United moved two factors clear on the prime of the desk.

Arthur Lynch’s aspect beat Cappry Rovers 2-1 at Cappry Park on Sunday.

It means they transfer forward of Kilmacrennan Celtic who have been held to a draw by Kildrum Tigers on Friday night.

In the meantime, Lagan Harps are celebrating this night after clinching the Division 2 title following a 3-0 win away to Gweedore United.

And Gweedore Celtic are promoted again to the Premier Division following a win over Drumkeen United.

Spherical up

Friday, March thirty first

Brian Mc Cormick Sports activities Premier Division

Kildrum Tigers . . . 1, Kilmacrennan Celtic 1

(No Report Submitted)

Saturday, April 1st

Glencar Inn Saturday Division One

Dunlewey Celtic . . . 1 Kildrum Tigers Reserves . . . 2

Kildrum began the sport brightly and scored from a penalty after three minutes when the Dunlewey keeper was deemed to have fouled the Kildrum attacker.

They managed so as to add one other objective earlier than half-time to go in two up on the break, although they need to have been extra forward.

Dunlewey got here out for the second half and with the wind at their backs, began the higher creating extra probabilities. The hosts pulled a objective again when Dillon Mc Fadden scored from 25 yards into the highest nook.

Dunlewey pushed for an equaliser however Kildrum held out to take the three factors house after surviving the final fifteen minutes of the sport having had a person despatched off.

Cappry Rovers Reserves . . . 1, Donegal City Reserves . . . 4

This recreation was reversed to the Hospital Area in Donegal City.

Donegal City went one up within the opening ten minutes by way of Noel Gavigan. Donegal had numerous possession within the first half however Cappry defended very well and the rating remained 1-0 at half time.

Donegal began the second half effectively and stretched the result in 2-0 by way of Gavigan once more. Donegal City then added one other two objectives with David Graham getting each.

Cappry by no means gave up and pulled one again by way of Eoghan Wright with a neat end to the nook.

Copany Rovers . . . 1, Arranmore United . . . 4

(No Report Submitted)

Glencar Celtic . . . 9, Glenea United Reserves . . . 0

(No Report Submitted)

Oldtown Celtic . . . 5, Drumoghill F.C. Reserves . . . 0

Oldtown managed possession within the early phases however struggled to interrupt down a well-organised Drumoghill defence.

They did make the breakthrough when Joe Friel produced some good footwork within the field earlier than ending into the nook. Sean Cleary quickly doubled the lead by breaking the offside lure and slotting previous the advancing Drumoghill keeper.

Cleary then instantly added his second and Oldtown’s third, this time rounding the keeper so as to add to the lead. Cleary accomplished his hat-trick for the second week in a row early within the second half, heading house after good work down the left-hand aspect from Paddy Mc Laughlin.

Kevin Mc Grath added a fifth with a effectively struck effort from the sting of the world.

Drumoghill pushed to get again into the sport however the Oldtown defence have been effectively marshalled to carry on to a clear sheet.

Strand Rovers . . . 2, Keadue Rovers Reserves . . . 2

Regardless of wintry circumstances in Strand Park there was an excellent present of assist for either side on this weekend’s native derby.

After eight minutes a throw-in taken by Matthew O’Donnell got here off the Keadue defender again to Cain McGee who scored on the second try. 5 minutes later a foul gave Strand a free kick, a lot to the frustration of the Strand administration crew and supporters who imagine it ought to have been a penalty, the Keadue defence stood tall to forestall Strand doubling their lead.
Oisin McKelvey levelled the scoreline with a long-range free-kick and that’s how they stood when the half-time whistle sounded.

The second-half noticed Strand Rovers virtually take the lead when a superb shot from Jordan Saville from outdoors the field was saved by Keadue keeper Caolan Bonner.
Strand tried exhausting to regain the lead, they went shut from a header from Matthew O’ Donnell that went simply over the bar. They lastly took the lead within the 84th minute when one other throw-in from Matthew O’ Donnell bobbled round within the field earlier than Jordan Saville tapped it over the road.

Their lead was short-lived as one other free-kick from Oisin Mc Kelvey discovered the pinnacle of Martin Ferry who restored parity. With solely minutes left to play each groups pushed exhausting to get that profitable objective. It wasn’t to be nonetheless, and so they shared the factors.

Outdated Orchard Saturday Division Two

Drumbar United . . . 1, Fintown Harps AFC . . . 5

(No Report Submitted)

St. Catherines Reserves . . . 1, Castlefin Celtic Reserves . . . 0

St. Catherines continued their latest good type with a slender, hard-earned, win over Castlefin. The primary half was a largely forgettable affair with few probabilities created and it solely got here to life shortly earlier than half time when JP McGuinness twice went shut for the house aspect and Daniel Foy had an try on the right track for the guests.

The Saints began the second half brightly and scored the decisive objective within the fiftieth minute. A protracted ball performed ahead discovered Paul Murrin who outpaced the defence and completed low into the nook.

Two minutes later he beat two defenders however his shot was brilliantly tipped around the put up by Reece Gallagher.

Castlefin have been nonetheless within the recreation with Dean Kelly orchestrating issues in midfield and so they had a number of half probabilities earlier than virtually drawing degree on 75 minutes. Cathal Kennedy was performed by way of and with solely the keeper to beat he put his shot large of the put up.

The house aspect had an opportunity to seal the sport when Paul Murrin’s shot was tipped on to the bar shortly earlier than the top. They managed to see out the ultimate jiffy and keep their promotion push.

Greatest for St. Catherines have been James Callan, Christy Cunningham and Aaron Byrne with Dean Kelly and Darren McBride finest for the guests.

Referee John McGlanaghey.

Swilly Rovers Reserves . . . 1, Ballybofey United Reserves . . . 2

(No Report Submitted)

Sunday, April 2nd

Brian McCormick Sports activities Premier Division

Bonagee United . . . 3, Glenea United . . . 0

Lee McMonagle for the house aspect noticed his strike from 30 yards simply go large of the put up within the first minute.

The house crew took the lead on three minutes when Aidy McLaughlin gained the ball in midfield, he despatched Aaron Wasson clear down the correct and his cross into the field was hammered house from 15 yards by McLaughlin.

The guests had an excellent probability to attain on 5 minutes however Jamie Doherty shot over from the sting of the field.

The house aspect bought their second on seven minutes when Aaron Wasson broke clear down the correct wing and his cross into the field went in off the again put up.

On twenty minutes a free kick, large on the left, for the guests, was crossed in by Shane Coll and Calvin Murray headed large. The guests got here near scoring on 27 minutes when Ciaran Coll noticed his strike on objective go over the bar from the sting of the field.

Coll had an excellent strike from the sting of the field on 42 minutes effectively saved by Cian within the house objective. Darren Mc Geever got here on as a sub for the guests and he had a couple of good probabilities.

The house crew bought their third on 75 minutes when Cian within the house objective discovered Paddy Mc Gowan with an extended kick out which he headed on to Aaron Wasson who shot house from simply contained in the field.

Referee: Mick Lagan.

Cappry Rovers. . . 1, Fanad United . . . 2

Fanad United have returned to the summit of the Premier Division after coming from behind to win away at Cappry Rovers.

The hosts took the lead on the half hour by way of a strike from Conor Doherty and Fanad replied courtesy of an effort from Eoin Logue moments earlier than the interval.

Patrick Carr netted a towering header simply minutes into the second half to assert the three factors that has put Arthur Lynch’s aspect two factors clear on the prime of the desk with a recreation in hand.

Castlefin Celtic . . . 2, St. Catherines . . . 0

Castlefin secured all three factors in a carefully contested affair with St. Catherine’s on Sunday. A second half brace from JP Malley noticed the house aspect safe a much-needed victory. A totally deserved victory for the hosts who went shut from Emmet White, Ronan Tourish and Malley all earlier than Malley’s double.

Rathmullan Celtic. . . 3, Keadue Rovers . . . 0

An ideal afternoon for soccer on the seaside noticed Rathmullan scoring three unanswered objectives to assert most factors in opposition to a visiting Keadue aspect that can rue their profligacy in entrance of objective.

The primary half was a good affair with either side seeking to get the ball down and play on an ideal Flagpole floor. Rathmullan led due to Oisin Mc Menamin’s cool end past the half-hour, with Shaun Gallagher denying Keadue an opener with an excellent one-handed declare on the goal-line earlier than that.

Eamonn Sheridan’s aspect attacked the city finish after the interval and doubled their lead with a wonderfully crafted transfer completed by Reggie Miller on 53 minutes, with the energetic Mark McAteer getting the objective he craved on 83 minutes to seal the win.

Keadue had loads of possibilities of their very own however a failure to hassle the scorekeeper price them dearly on the day.

Temple Home Home equipment Division One

Gweedore Celtic . . . 5, Drumkeen United . . . 0

After seven seasons within the First Division, Gweedore Celtic gained promotion to the Premier Division with this victory over a gallant Drumkeen who discover themselves stepping into the wrong way, having completed on the backside of the division.

The sport was put past Drumkeen as early because the fifth minute when the house crew raced right into a two-goal lead courtesy of objectives from Ciaran McHugh and Thomas Diver.

Na Ceiltigh, impressed by this begin, went searching for additional objectives to keep up their promotion push and by half time they have been in a snug place main by 5 objectives. A lot of the inspiration was equipped by crew captain Ciaran Mc Hugh who hit two early objectives and completed the sport with a hat-trick.

The third of his objectives was the decide of the bunch when he volleyed Ryan Greene’s cross to the again of the web from twelve yards. Energetic midfielder Liam Wiggins completed the scoring with a thirty-yard strike to go away Gweedore 5 forward on the break.

The second half was a tamer affair with Gweedore dominating possession however they discovered Drumkeen in no temper to allow them to improve their objective tally.

With information of Milford’s defeat by the hands of Swilly coming by way of on the remaining whistle Na Ceiltigh may have fun promotion to the delight of gamers, supporters and the administration of Paul Rua Mc Bride and Paul Lynch of their first season in cost. Gweedore had positive performances however the stand-out efficiency was that of captain and hat-trick scorer Ciaran Mc Hugh.

Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. v Donegal City – match postponed

Letterbarrow Celtic v Convoy Arsenal – match postponed.

Letterkenny Rovers . . . 3, Raphoe City . . . 0

Letterkenny Rovers completed off their league marketing campaign with a snug 3-0 victory over Raphoe City at Leckview Park.

The hosts opened the scoring contained in the opening fifteen minutes when a neat interchange between Danny Corridor and Jordan Nugent resulted in Corridor smashing the ball into the web previous former Rovers’ goalkeeper Aaron Hepburn.

The Raphoe netminder did effectively a few minutes later with a wise save to disclaim Luke Parke whereas on the different finish Oisin Kelly caught the wall with a free-kick from simply outdoors the field.

Parke was once more denied by Hepburn on the hour mark earlier than Rovers doubled their lead on 65 minutes. Substitute Moukthar Bouasrea fed the ball by way of to Corridor who produced an completed end from shut vary for his second objective of the sport.

Rovers wrapped up the victory courtesy of a Gareth Temple piledriver with only a few minutes remaining on the clock.

Referee: Con McLaughlin

Swilly Rovers . . 5, Milford United . . . 0

Swilly Rovers placed on a powerful efficiency to safe a 5-0 win over Milford United as they accomplished their league marketing campaign unbeaten with 17 wins and a draw.

Kyle Black, who has been in positive type all through the season, added to his tally with three medical finishes. Corey McCahill was additionally distinctive on the day, scoring two objectives to contribute to Swilly’s victory.

Milford United confirmed glimpses of their skill within the first half, enjoying some good soccer and urgent exhausting. Nevertheless, they have been unable to interrupt by way of Swilly’s defence, marshalled fantastically by Ciaran Kelly, who stood agency to maintain a clear sheet.

Milford’s finest probability got here within the eightieth minute when Gary Merritt’s free-kick produced an excellent save from Swilly’s goalkeeper Barry Gallagher who parried the ball out after which blocked Cathal McGettigan’s rebounded effort.

Donegal Physiotherapy & Efficiency Centre Division Two

Gweedore United . . .0, Lagan Harps . . . 3

This recreation performed in good circumstances in Gweedore noticed the guests declare the three factors they wanted to win the league.

Gweedore on a latest dangerous run gave away three very smooth objectives within the opening half to see this recreation slip away within the early phases.

Lagan bought off to the very best begin after they scored within the third minute following a defensive error that noticed the ball fall to Travis Crawford who scored. Within the twenty third minute Lagan made it 2-0 following one other defensive error that was excellently completed by Matthew Doran.

On the stroke of half time Marty Brogan scored a robust header from a nook to make it 3-0 at half time.

Within the second half the house aspect, left with a mountain to climb, pressed the sport and performed effectively with all of the possession within the Lagan half. Nevertheless, they couldn’t discover the breakthrough their play deserved. It was a case of too little too late for the house aspect who’ve one recreation left in opposition to Ballybofey in a winner takes all recreation for the play-off spot on this division.

Nicely finished to Ernie and Lagan on the league win.

Referee: Diego Rainey.