IT HAS BEEN a summer of plenty of change around the grounds of the Donegal Junior League and the action is once more up and running with the opening games in the Brian McCormick Cup this weekend.
Last night, St Catherine’s defeated Dunkineely Celtic 4-2.
Hugh McFadden, who was on the Donegal GAA panel this year, was on the mark with one of the goals for the Emerald Park side. An own goal and strikes from David Conwell and Conor O’Rourke sealed a win for the Saints, now under the stewardship of Declan Sherlock and Hugh McFadden senior.
Martin Cunningham and Manus Boyle, the former Donegal footballer, scored for Dunkineely.
Picture caption: Milford United celebrate winning the Brian McCormick Cup last season.
This evening, Convoy Arsenal are at home to Deele Harps with Gweedore United welcoming Christopher Carr’s Cranford United to Carrickboyle.
There is a busy programme of games down for decision in the four areas tomorrow.
[adrotate group=”70″]The Brian McCormick Cup holders, Milford United, are now under the management of Michael Deeney, the former Fanad United manager, but with a host of them lining out for the Milford Gaelic football team Deeney is likely to have a skeleton squad for his opening game.
They welcome Lagan Harps, the Premier Division new boys, to Moyle View Park tomorrow with Adam Salhi having been added to the Milford ranks.
Lagan, again under the guidance of Keith Hegarty, who led them to the Temple Domestic Appliances Division One title last year, have added former Finn Harps player Micheál Doherty from Orchard United.
Doherty played 15 times for Harps under Peter Hutton, but is now at Orchard Park, where he’ll be joined by Ethan McCready and Paddy Collins, who have both signed from Premier champions Drumoghill, with Mark Graham also penning paper at Lagan from Glencar Celtic.
[adrotate group=”38″]Michael Lynch is again at the helm at Drumoghill, who host Bonagee United tomorrow.
John Sweeney returns to The Moss after a spell in Canada while Jay Dee Alawiye is added from Gweedore Celtic.
Alawiye is joined in making his exit from An Screaban by Paul ‘Rua’ McBride and the Porter brothers, Chris and Shane, with centre-back Shane signing for Dergview recently. It will be a rebuilding job for Gweedore Celtic, now in Division One and under Hugo Diver’s watch.
Kildrum Tigers showed plenty of promise last season and hopes are high for a good season at Station Road. Shane Brown is again the manager.
[adrotate group=”37″]The Curtis brothers, Declan and Blain, who both had spells at Finn Harps, have been added to the Tigers.
Kildrum have added goalkeeper Aidan Simmons to their squad, while former Institute, Finn Harps and Derry City goalkeeper Michael Lynch has rejoined his hometown club – but can be expected to play outfield having ‘hung up the gloves’.
The Tigers, who are down a handful because of suspension, host derby rivals Lifford Celtic tomorrow. Lee White is manager at The Greenbrae again and will hope to upset the odds by the Foyle.
Sam Hegarty returns to management having taken over at Drumkeen United, who will be in Division Two of the Sunday League this season. Former Harps man Niall Bonner has been recruited to his home club from Orchard United, while Steve Devine, Garvan Tinney, Eunan Doherty, Jason Moore and Nigel Hegarty have been added to the squad.
Hegarty has also confirmed the return of Benny Bonner from Drumoghill to his hometown club.
[adrotate group=”46″]They host Whitestrand, who have a new boss in the form of Johnny Sweeney, at St Patrick’s Park tomorrow.
The meeting of Glenea United and Kilmacrennan Celtic at Glasserchoo tomorrow will see two new managers crossing swords.
Anthony McCafferty is the new gaffer at Glenea, who have welcomed Ryan McFadden and Barry McGinley back from Bonagee.
Kieran Dillon has succeeded Shaun Sandilands at Kilmacrennan, who have lost Daire McDaid, Kieran Gorman and Gary Gorman to Fanad United, but Paul ‘Rua’ McBride has joined from Gweedore Celtic with Kieran Doherty, Noah Mailey and Ryan Toland also signing.
Barney Lafferty is managing Ballybofey United this season, taking over the reigns from PH Bonner.
Brian Lafferty junior, Michael Lafferty, Gary Dunnion and Alan Patton have been added from Cappry Rovers, while Dan O’Brien joins from Convoy Arsenal and Gary Wilson has transferred from Deele Harps.
[adrotate group=”76″]Billy Sweeney’s Curragh will provide the opposition at the Finn Valley Centre tomorrow with the Killygordon men expected to have a youthful look about them against a Ballybofey side that has vast experience in the likes of Neil Lloyd and Shaun McGowan.
Frank McBrearty junior is now managing Raphoe Town, who travel the short distance to Castlefin Celtic, last year’s Brian McCormick Cup runners-up, on Wednesday evening.
Gary Patton and Ryan McCullagh have joined McBrearty at Raphoe.
Joe McGee is again managing Castlefin, who have lost goalkeeper Simon McMenamin. Calvin Bradley is gone and will be lining out for Cappry Rovers this term.
Barry McGowan and goalkeeper Christopher McBrearty have been added by McGee while Anthony Sweeney is out of retirement and another ‘keeper, Matthew Neeson, is on board.
Rathmullan have lost Ryan Gildea, who is expected at Letterkenny Rovers this season, and McCullagh to Raphoe, but Jude Patton will be playing at Flagpole Parj this season. The Seasiders are away to Kerrykeel 71 tomorrow.
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BRIAN MCCORMICK CUP – SUNDAY FIXTURES
1pm
Erne Wanderers v Copany Rovers
2pm
Ballybofey United v Curragh Athletic
Drumkeen United v Whitestrand United
Drumoghill FC v Bonagee United
Glenea United v Kilmacrennan Celtic
Gweedore Celtic v Keadue Rovers
Kerrykeel 71 FC v Rathmullan Celtic
Kildrum Tigers v Lifford Celtic
Letterbarrow Celtic v Cappry Rovers
Milford United v Lagan Harps
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