Donegal League Sunday, FAI Junior Cup & Ulster Junior Shield match reports

DJL Donegal Junior League

Here are all of the results and match reports from Sunday's fixtures in the Donegal League, and the FAI Junior Cup.

Brian McCormick Premier Division

Kildrum Tigers 6 v 0 Kerrykeel '71

Kildrum Tigers got back to winning ways today with a convincing 6-0 victory in glorious sunshine at Station Road Park. In a tight first half, the Tigers created a number of chances, missing a couple of opportunities and hitting the crossbar before Johnny Robb finally broke the deadlock in the 30th minute with a great finish. The start of the second half was a bit helter-skelter, but the Tigers soon found their rhythm again. Johnny Robb doubled his tally from the penalty spot before a great cross from Shane McGinty was headed home by William Lynch to make it 3-0. Johnny Robb then completed his hat-trick with a neat finish down the left-hand side before Brian Breslin made it 5-0 with a fantastic run from midfield.Ben O’Donnell rounded off the scoring to complete a comprehensive 6-0 victory and secure all three points for the Tigers. A strong team performance, six goals and a clean sheet ensured Kildrum returned to winning ways in style.

Keadue Rovers 1 v 0 Cappry Rovers

Keadue Rovers got their third win of the season to move into the top three after this hard fought and tight encounter against a good Cappry team. Played in ideal conditions, with a healthy home crowd, it was the visitors, who with the aid of the breeze, who set the tone early on the three minute mark. Shaun McMenamin was through on goal from a flicked pass, only for Caelan Bonner to save well. Keadue were doing their best to hit on the break, while not getting a lot of midfield possession. On the left flank, Oran Fallon was a good outlet and on fourteen minutes, he cut inside but his shot was easily saved by Eoin Gallen. The home side sat deep and invited Cappry on and on twenty three minutes, Jack Byrne had a shot from inside the area well blocked as he hit a right foot effort. They should’ve taken the lead on the half hour when striker Matthew McGeehan was in the right place only five yards out but miscued a free shot over the bar. Keadue, who were defending well, had a good passing move on thirty five minutes, involving Chris Greene, Oran Fallon, Ethan McCaffrey and Peter McGee, which yielded a corner. Keadue did finish the first half by improving the possession and territory stats but Cappry would’ve deserved the lead on the balance of play. Into the second half and a resurgent Keadue, played with more cohesion and moved up the pitch taking the game to Cappry. A good midfield battle was developing and there many hard tackles, but majority of them were fair between 2 evenly matched teams. On fifty seven minutes, a free kick well floated in by Mark Forker, was flicked on by the head of Ethan McCaffrey and Oran McHugh nipped in on the volley with the left foot to open the scoring. Cappry responded well to the goal and for the next thirty minutes, did have the majority of the ball, but the home side, well anchored at the back by Chris Greene and a hardworking midfield were content to continue hitting on the break and through the pacy runs of Michael Greene, Liam Ferry and Oran Fallon had a couple of outlets for the counter attack. On seventy one minutes, Keadue cleared the ball of their line from a Cappry attack, while a few minutes later Shaun Ryan was just wide with a left footed strike. A further good chance fell to Shaun McMenamin on seventy eight minutes but he hit his effort over the bar. As the game became more stretched, Keadue used their counter attack to good effect, while Cappry, despite all the possession and a number of set pieces, just couldn’t get the breakthrough. Overall, a better second half from Keadue, who got the vital goal when it mattered and for Cappry, a first half performance, for which they’ll regret not taking their chances, in a game of very tight margins. Best for Cappry were Aaron Kelly, Matthew McGeehan, Seaghan McCormack and Shaun Ryan, while best for Keadue were Chris Greene, Oran Fallon, Pauric Neely and Peter McGee. Referee : Dessie McLaughlin.

Domestic Appliance Services Division One

Raphoe Town 3 v 1 Drumoghill FC

After a few weeks off, Raphoe were raring to go as they welcomed Drumoghill to Drumineney. From the first whistle, it was clear that Raphoe were up for the game. Enjoying the majority of possession in the opening twenty minutes, they broke the deadlock when Aaron Hepburn’s quick release sent Oran Kelly racing down the wing. His fine cross found Zak Brolly at the edge of the box, who fired home to give Raphoe a deserved 1–0 lead. With attacks coming from all over the field, Drumoghill did well to keep the score at 1–0 going into the break. The second half started much the same, with Raphoe continuing to press. However, on the fifty fifth minute, Drumoghill were awarded a free kick for handball, and their effort deflected off the wall to bring the score level at 1–1. The equaliser didn’t faze the young Raphoe side, who remained patient and continued to create chances. Their persistence paid off when Ryan Kildea made a great run down the wing and delivered a superb cross into the box, where Dylan Brolly calmly finished to restore Raphoe’s lead at 2–1. Raphoe wrapped up the victory when substitute Keelan Bogle found the net to make it 3–1. After Another fine run down the wing from Oran Kelly created the opportunity, with his pass finding Conor Friel, who laid the ball off perfectly for Keelan to finish. A fantastic team performance from Raphoe, with everyone playing their part. A well-deserved win for the young side.

Gweedore United 2 v 2 Gweedore Celtic

Late drama at the Carrickboyle ground produced a share of the spoils in the Gweedore derby. The hosts settled quickly and had the perfect start during the second minute. A perfect pass from Brian McFadden to Tiarnan Misteal, and he fired in from six yards out past Lorcan Coyle in the Celtic goal. Cathal Gillespie was unfortunate not to have extended United's lead when his freekick rattled the Gweedore Celtic crossbar. An excellent freekick from Cathal Gillespie on the fortieth minute was powerfully headed into the back of the net by Roan Turk which ensured the home side went into the break at 2-0. The visitors improved significantly in the second half and almost reduced the deficit when Adam McBride's shot from six yards out crashed off the crossbar and none of his team mates were able to capitalise from the resulting rebound. Gweedore Celtic pulled one back on the sixty fifth minute. Odhran Mac Niallias split the Gweedore United defence and Cronan McFadden was on hand and lobbed the ball past the advancing Dylan Clift in the Gweedore United goal. Cathal Gillespie and Brian McFadden had the best opportunities to seal the points in the second half for the hosts. The pendulum swung again when it looked like the home side would claim a hard fought victory against their neigbours. Five minutes into injury time, James Doherty rescued a point for Gweedore Celtic. Doherty reacted the quickest in a heavily congested United box to stab the ball home from a few yards out. Both teams played their part in both an enthralling and a fiercely contested derby, which produced an old football cliche, a game of two halves. Excellent performances from the two teams today, most notably from Roan Turk and Cathal Gillespie for the home side. Adam McBride and Cronan McFadden were also superb for the visitors. Referee: Eamonn Sheridan

Milford United 2 v 2 St Catherine’s

(St Catherine’s won 6-5 on Penalties)

Milford and Killybegs played out a real high intensity cup match at Swilly Park with the visitors coming out on top in the dreaded penalty shoot out.

The Killybegs men took the lead during a good spell from them when Kyle McGeoghan was up ended in the box and Ryan Cunningham slotted home. Milford got and equaliser on eighty one minutes when Shay Gibbons throughball was flicked by George McNulty to Cathal McGettigan who lobbed the keeper from twelve yards. On eighty seven minutes St Catherines broke and after good attacking play substitute Josh Cunningham scored from 5 yards into an empty net. Milford pushed hard for the equaliser and were awarded a penalty in the ninety fourth minute when Dylan Dorrain was up ended in the box and Cathal McGettigan stepped up for a cool finish.. In a tense extra time, St. Catherines threatened with a series of balls in the box in the first period but Milford’s defence stood strong. Milford had too effort late on to win it, with a Joey Cullen header narrowly wide and on the stroke of full time, Flynn Nash effort from eighteen yards sailed over the top up right. After an exciting cup tie and in front of a good crowd at Swilly Park, no team deserved to lose, but the Killybegs boys converted excellently from the penalty spot and will enter the draw for round 2. Referee Michael Connolly.

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Fanad United 3 v 2 Donegal Town

A goal from Darren McElwaine thirty seconds from the end of injury time seen Fanad United progress to the next round of the FAI Junior Cup at the expense of Donegal Town. The game was played in ideal conditions and it was Fanad who were quickest out of the blocks and they took the lead in the fourth minute. Ronan Gallagher played the ball out to Mark McAteer on the left and he cut inside and curled a lovely effort into to bottom right corner of the net. Fanad should have doubled their lead just a minute later however Ronan Gallagher headed wide from close range. On ten minutes Keelin McElwaine broke through from midfield and fed Mark McAteer who went through on goal however he was denied by an excellent save from young Donegal keeper Fintan James. The rest of the half was even with both sides enjoying spells of possession. The second half started brightly and twenty minutes in Donegal Town equalised. Young sub Nico Dominik produced an excellent cross which was met by Robbie Murphy who finished well. Five minutes later Fanad thought they had re-taken the lead in spectacular fashion when Mark McAteer controlled a Keelin McElwaine cross on his chest and scored with an overhead kick, however he was deemed to be offside. On seventy five minutes Donegal Town centre half John Doherty won a header from a corner which produced a decent save from Mark McConigley. Just a minute later Donegal Town took the lead when Nico Dominik crossed into the box and Mark Jordan scored at the near post. With just minutes left on the clock Fanad equalised when Eddie O'Reilly capitalised on a defensive mix up to score from ten yards. A minute later Eoin Logue hit the crossbar and follow up was cleared off the line by Eoin Slevin. Both sides continued to push for a winner in injury time and Fanad had keeper Mark McConigley to thank for keeping them in the game when he produced an outstanding save to deny John Doherty. The drama wasn't over and in the ninety fifth minute Mark McAteer pulled the ball back to Darren McElwaine who took a touch on the edge of the box before firing low into the bottom corner to send Fanad United through . Ref John Coll

Ballybofey United 2 v 2 Letterkenny Rovers

(Ballybofey win 4-2 on penalties)

Ballybofey started the brighter of the two sides and found themselves in front after two minutes, Mark McGlynn flicked a header onto Jude Patton who slipped a superb pass through to Thomas Doherty who finished well. Ballybofey doubled their lead on the ten minute mark after a brilliant over the top through ball from Ryan Long found Daithi McMahon who fired it into the roof of the net. Joshua Wade was then called into action after a dangerous ball was played in he tipped it onto the crossbar to keep Ballybofey’s lead in tact. Half time 2-0. Letterkenny came out firing in the second half and found two quick goals, the first coming through a deflected effort that gave Wade no chance and the second coming after some brilliant team play resulted in their man finishing well at the back post to level the two sides. It was a battle between the two teams from then on with both sides having chances to win it but even after extra time there was nothing to separate the two sides. Ballybofey hit four superb penalties giving the Rovers keeper no chance and Joshua Wade made a brilliant save for Letterkennys third penalty and the fourth came off the bar giving Ballybofey the win and into the next round of the FAI Junior Cup. Another brilliant result for our lads who have another Cup game next week as they face Quigley Point Swifts in the Ulster Cup in Dreenan.

Rathmullan Celtic 3 v 5 Illies Celtic

There was no shortage of drama at Flagpole Field as Rathmullan Celtic and Illies Celtic served up an eight-goal thriller in the first of two cup meetings between the sides in as many weeks. Rathmullan looked to be in control after Jay Curran completed a superb hat-trick, but a remarkable fifteen minute spell from the visitors turned the game on its head and saw Illies Celtic book their place in the next round of the FAI Junior Cup. Rathmullan made the perfect start and took the lead after just eight minutes. Jay Curran pounced on a sloppy pass, raced through on goal and kept his composure to finish smartly past the Illies goalkeeper. The visitors gradually grew into the contest and began to threaten as the first half progressed. Paul Duffy came close on a couple of occasions, first cutting inside from the left before firing narrowly wide, and then flashing another effort past the target. Illies' pressure eventually paid off just before the interval when Jamie McDaid produced a cool finish to bring the visitors level at 1-1 heading into the break. Rathmullan came flying out of the traps again at the start of the second half and regained the lead through Jay Curran. Another defensive mix-up presented the striker with an opportunity, and he made no mistake, driving in from the right before squeezing his finish in at the near post to make it 2-1. The home side were now beginning to move through the gears, and Curran completed his hat-trick with an excellent left-footed finish. At 3-1, Rathmullan appeared to have established a commanding position and looked well placed to see the game out. However, Illies had other ideas. What followed was a devastating fifteen minute spell from the visitors, who turned the contest around with four goals in a ruthless attacking display. McDaid completed his own hat-trick to cap a strong performance, while Liam Grant and Paul Duffy also found the net with clever finishes as Illies took control and secured a 5-3 victory. For Rathmullan, there will be plenty to reflect on after a game in which three goals and a strong spell of attacking football looked to have put them in a winning position. Credit must go to Illies, though, for their response and clinical finishing when the game was there to be won. Both sides will take valuable lessons from an entertaining encounter, and there will be little time to wait for the next instalment, as Rathmullan Celtic welcome Illies Celtic back to Flagpole Field next week for their Ulster Cup meeting. If next week's clash is even half as entertaining as this one, supporters will be in for another treat!

Glenea United 0 v 3 Clonmany Shamrocks

In perfect conditions for football Glenea welcomed inishowen side Clonmany Shamrocks .The first action of the match came after ten minutes when the visitors were awarded a penalty.

Oran Craig pulled off a save to keep the game at 0-0, however on the twenty fifth minute Clonmany took the lead with a fine finish into the bottom corner. Clonmany got their second on the fortieth minute and 2-0 was the score at the break. Glenea started the second half well , and enjoyed decent passages of play but clonmany were a continuous threat .The visitors got their third with fifteen to go leaving Glenea with a mountain to climb.Both sides played good football in a sporting contest. 3-0 to Clonmany it finished. Referee: Marty mc Garrigle

Dunfanaghy Youths FC 3 v 3 Sea Rovers

(Dunfanaghy win 5-3 on penalties)

Dunfanaghy Youths FC welcomed Sea Rovers to Callum Friel Park today (Sunday 18th October) for their Ulster Shield tie.

Both teams wanted to play football as it should on the deck and produced a great contest in the first half. Dunfanaghy were defiant on home soil and were the stronger team for majority in the half which was compounded by early chances, one of which was clinically finished by Luke McCarry, following a great assist by Carlos O’Reilly. Things got better for Dunfanaghy in the nineteenth minute when Fionn Chernick played Ciaran Kelly in to make the score 2-0. A well deserved lead by the home team. Half-time score 2-0. Dunfanaghy knew they would face a reaction from Rovers but stood firm. Rovers did manage to break the deadlock in the sebenty eighth minute when their number eleven pulled one back. Dunfanaghy held on as Rovers pushed hard for that equaliser with Dunfanaghy forcing them to play long balls into the box in search of the goal for extra time and they were to get their late goal on the eighty nineth minute to extend the game. Final score 2-2. Extra time began with Dunfanaghy going for goal and see the game off quickly and were to be rewarded after Ciaran Kelly got his brace with another assist from Fionn Chernick. First Half of Extra Time 2-1. Second half of extra time began and both teams had chances to score, Dunfanaghy to finish it and Sea Rovers to equalise. With this game already having everything, and the neutral not wanting it to end, of course Rovers popped up with another late equaliser to send the game to penalties. Never a great way to win a game, but glad to say the home team came out on top winning 5-3 to advance to the next round. Big thank you to Sea Rovers players and staff for making the long trip to Callum Friel Park and to everyone who came out to give their support to the both teams, thank

Drumkeen United 3 v 2 Lagan Harps

Drumkeen advanced to the next round of the Ulster shield Competition after a hard earned victory at home to Lagan Harps. Drumkeen took the lead after fifteen minutes with a great long range effort from Kaz Balagoun. Drumkeen added a second shortly after when Shay Deasley played a great ball up the line to Shane Barclay who crossed it in to Fergal Quinn who finished well from around the penalty spot. Ross Hamlyn pull a goal back for Lagan early in the second half.

Drumkeen added a third with a good finish for Shane Barclay after a good pass from Kieran Cunningham otherwise know as Macca. Drumkeen were now comfortable enough but it got a bit less comfortable when Ross Hamlyn pulled another goal back with a free kick. It made for a nervy last few minutes as Lagan pressed for an equalizer. Drumkeen defended well for the last few minutes and maintained their advantage and booked their place in the next round.