THE MARGINS in the Temple Domestic Appliances Division 1 standings were as tight as could be.
So tight they were, in fact, that two of the teams now have to play-off to decide the second of the automatic promotion places.
It was enough to keep the Orchard Park residents a point clear of Donegal Town and Convoy Arsenal, the other title-chasers.
It was another helicopter Sunday for Donegal League officials.
A week after the CT Ball Division 2 crown was captured by Erne Wanderers – ahead of Glenree United and Deele Harps – in dramatic fashion, there was silverware at three venues today, but it was Lagan skipper Glenn Gallagher who collected it following his team’s triumph at Rabs Park.
Not even the width of a Rizzla was between Donegal Town and Convoy Arsenal when all was said and done.
With the same points, an equal goal difference and the exact number of goals scored and conceded, those two teams will now play-off for the second automatic promotion berth on Sunday, May 1.
The winner will join Lagan in going up to the Premier Division, but the loser will have a second bite at it, with the third-placed team to play the third from bottom side in the Premier Division in a relegation-promotion play-off.
Convoy had a late Gary Brolly goal to thank in a 3-2 win over Bonagee United.
Chris Darby’s opener for Bonagee was cancelled out by Darren Harvey three minutes later.
Bonagee led again through Eamon Cannon, but Eunan Kelly headed a second equaliser for Convoy and it was game on until Brolly shot home in a scramble in the 80th minute.
Bonagee had a late chance but Ciaran McCarron hit the crossbar and the drama meant that Convoy went into a play-off with Donegal Town, who overcame Lifford Celtic 4-2 – also doing it the hard way.
Lifford led, against the run of play, through Paul Martin, but Danny McGarrigle and David Graham put Donegal Town in front, only for Colin Carlin leveling for Lifford midway through the second half.
Joe McIntyre’s free put Donegal Town back in control and Declan Browne’s late goal made safe the win.
The relegation-promotion play-off between Cranford United and Deele Harps has been confirmed for Sunday, May 1, too, with the winners of that game to ply their trade in Division 1 next season.
