THERE WEREÂ GOALS AND DRAMA aplenty today in the Donegal Junior League and the FAI Junior Cup. Here’s how the action unfolded.
FAI JUNIOR CUP
Rathmullan Celtic 1 Gweedore Celtic 1
(Rathmullan Celtic won 5-4 on Penalties)
Read Charlie Collins’ match report here
Kilmacrennan Celtic 1 Glengad United 2
KILMACRENNAN were the first off the mark and got an early goal when Aidan Sweeney made a good run up the left side of the pitch and crossed it to Kevin Mc Menamin who hit the back of the net with just six minutes played.
Their lead was short lived as 10 minutes later Glengad’s Jason Doherty equalised when the ball took an unfortunate bounce over the Kilmacrennan’s ‘keeper’s head to roll into the net.
Gavin Gorman and Ryan Sheilds held a strong defensive line that Glengad found difficult to penetrate but their persistence paid off when Glengad’s Terence Doherty scored what turned out to be the winner of the game in the 51st minute. The ball was crossed into the box and he made no mistake to slot the ball in the bottom left corner.
The Kilmacrennan men sprung to life creating many chances to equalise. Eddie Doherty was unlucky and hit the wrong side of the post for Kilmac in the last minute of the game.
Cavan Rovers 3 Arranmore United 1
ARRANMORE United made the long trip from the Island to Cavan to play the local Rovers in the FAI Junior Cup. Joined by many supporters Jerry Earley’s side made the trip with high hopes of progressing to the next round. That dream will have to wait for another season however as they found their opponents to be superior on the day. Having trailed 3-0 at one stage the Donegal League side did get a late consolation goal but that is all it was and they will now focus on their Saturday League ambitions.
Cappry Rovers P Drumoghill F.C. P
(This match was postponed due to fog)
Deele Harps 0 Clones Town 1
DEELE’S good run in the FAI Cup came to an end against Clones Town at The Athletic Grounds.
The game played in wet conditions was a real battle with Clones settling the best in the opening 10 minutes and forcing Chris Roulstone into two stunning saves.
Deele grew into the game and were the better side for the remainder of the half with Shane Gallagher and Kevin Lynch both going close.
Deele’s pressure led to a penalty being awarded in the 85th minute following a foul on Johnny Mahon, unfortunately for Deele the Clones keeper made a great save.
The sucker punch for Deele came in added on time when a soft free kick was awarded on the Clones right. With extra time looming the free kick was delivered into the box and a scramble led to Deele defender deflecting into his own net.Â
BRIAN MCCORMICK SPORTS PREMIER DIVISION
Milford United 3 St. Catherines 3
THE Killybegs men took the lead when Milford failed to clear the ball from a corner and Aidan McGinley drove home from 12 yards. Milford got the equaliser when Joey Cullen rose highest in the box to head home a
Gary Merritt free-kick.
In the 44minute Shane O’Rourke broke from midfield and slotted home from 15 yards.
In the second half St. Catherine’s were on the defensive hoping to hit Milford on the counter attack and they did in the 60minute when Andrew Mackey broke to slot home.
Milford pushed hard to get back in the game and on 80 minutes a cross from PJ Hagan was headed down by Mark Flood and Gary Merritt held off Hugh McFadden to score.
Five minutes later a ball into the box was headed home by Mark Flood to level the score.
On 90 minutes Milford had a great chance to won the game when Kyle Black broke with only the keeper to beat but his effort came off the keeper and went wide.
Castlefin Celtic 5 Kildrum Tigers 5
A TEN-GOAL thriller at Park View saw Castlefin and Kildrum share the spoils.
Castlefin took the lead after five minutes, JP Malley’s cross from the right wing found Barry Tourish free at the back post to tap home.
Castlefin doubled their lead in 34th minute when JP Malley found Calvin Bradley in the middle and Bradley’s great strike went over the Kildrum keeper’s head and into the roof of the net from outside the box.
Kildrum pulled one back from an excellent 30 yard strike by Brian Coll.
Kildrum equalised three minutes later when Reece Laird beat the offside trap and finished low into the bottom corner.
Castlefin took the lead again a minute before half time, a mix up in the Kildrum defence allowed Malley to nip in and finish into an open net.
Kildrum equalised five minutes into the second half with a penalty from Frankie McBrearty.
Kildrum took the lead for the first time in the game in the 60th minute, Gareth Colhoun finishing into an open net.
Castlefin equalised in the 65th minute, Matthew O’Rourke’s corner found Malley at the back post and he volleyed into the top corner.
Castlefin took the lead again on 87 minutes when Kieran Brennan’s free kick found Peter Bryson at the back post to head home, but Kildrum equalised deep in injury time with another penalty from McBrearty.
TEMPLE DOMESTIC APPLIANCES DIVISION ONE
Donegal Town P Kerrykeel ’71 F. P
(This match was postponed due to an unplayable pitch)
Lagan Harps 1 Keadue Rovers 3
Report by Chris McNulty is available here
Convoy Arsenal 4 Cranford United 3
CONVOY Arsenal started this match on fire and raced into an early two goal lead. Despite falling behind Cranford didn’t let their heads drop and fought their way back into the game. They scored twice to level the match at the interval. An exciting second half produced three further goals with Convoy scoring twice to claim victory and three important points.
Raphoe Town 0 Gweedore United 2
RAPHOE had a few great chances through the impressive Jordan Curran and Keelin Gillen with Emmett Kelly and Christy Bogle dominated midfield.
They pressed Gweedore for most of the first half. The second was much the same until the 65th minute when Gweedore took the lead with a beautiful strike from 25 yards. Raphoe had a great chance to level but Gillen headed wide then with 10 minutes remaining Gweedore sealed it with a goal from a goalmouth scramble.
CT BALL DIVISION TWO
Curragh Athletic 2 Erne Wanderers 5
(No report submitted)
Letterbarrow Celtic P Dunkineely Celtic P
(This match was postponed due to a bereavement)
Eany Celtic 1 Glenree United 1
THE home side made the breakthrough on the half hour when good work by the Eany midfield found Stephen Griffin out on the wing. Griffin’s cross found Paul McGroarty in the box and he hit net.
Both sides had chances during the remaining minutes of the half but it ended 1-0 at half time. The second half started with Glenree pushing hard for the equaliser.
The Eany defence were defiant and the home side had chances to extend their lead but it remained 1-0 up to the 85th minute.
A loose ball bobbled around the Eany defence and Kevin Doherty was on hand to put the ball in the net to make it 1-1.
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