
Donegal Youth league
FAI Youth Cup
Newbridge Town 4 Letterkenny Rovers 2
Dick Duffy Youth League
Rathmullen/ Milford 2 Bonagee United 1
Ulster Youth Cup
Ballybofey United 0 Gweedore Celtic 1
Colm Breslin Youth Cup
Fanad United 1 Glenea United 2.
It was a strange mixture of games this weekend, with one league game, Letterkenny Rovers away on FAI youth cup duty, while both outstanding cup Quarter- finals were played, one in the Ulster cup the other in the Colm Breslin. Letterkenny made the long journey down to Newbridge in the tie of the weekend,with a place in the last 4 at stake, it wasn‘t to be however as Liam O‘Donnells side despite a spirited display went down by 4 goals to 2. Holders Glenea United advanced in the Colm Breslin cup, after a controversial away win over Fanad United by 2 goals to 1. Meanwhile Gweedore Celtic avenged their recent league defeat with a single goal win at Ballybofey United, to progress in the Ulster youth cup. Rathmullen/ Milford capatilised on their rivals cup exploits, Barry Mc Namee
Clincing all 3 points in the final quarter against bonagee in the weekends only league fixture.
Reports
FAI Youth Cup – Quarter-Final.
Newbridge Town 4
Letterkenny Rovers 2
Two goals in the final ten minutes ended Letterkenny Rovers’ FAI Youth Cup challenge as they eventually succumbed to Newbridge Town in Saturday’s quarter-final clash at Station Road, Kildare.
Leading 1-0 at the break through a Johnny Robb goal after just four minutes, the hosts turned the game around in the second half to lead 2-1 after seventy-three minutes before Robb then drew Rovers level. However, midfielder Ciaran Aspell grabbed two decisive goals late on to book Newbridge’s place in the semi-final.
It was a gallant display from Liam O’Donnell’s men who had to adapt quickly to playing on the 4G synthetic grass surface but, in the end, the Donegal Youth League outfit came up short and are left to focus on the title challenge for the remainder of the season.
The Letterkenny men could not have asked for a better start when a decisive ball from Michael Doherty put Johnny Robb through on goal after just four minutes and he fired his effort beyond Dan Purcell.
Inevitably, the visitors found themselves on the back foot for large periods of the first half with their front men of Gary Shaw – who has agreed to join Leeds United at the end of the season – and Michael Norris proving a handful.
That said, Rovers probably created the best opportunity to score again three minutes before the break when Robb failed to get a proper connection on the ball after good play from the hard working Garbhan Grant.
The home side were level on 63 minutes when Ciaran Thorpe capitalised on a loose ball inside the penalty area and ten minutes later Norris had them ahead when he drilled home a low shot from the edge of the penalty area.
To Rovers’ credit, they responded well and drew level twelve minutes from time when Robb scored his second goal of the game showing superb composure in front of goal placing his effort past Purcell.
The lead was short lived – 90 seconds to be precise – as Aspell regained Newbridge’s lead before they completed the victory two minutes into stoppage time with another goal from Aspell as Rovers went in search of a goal to force the game into extra-time.
Newbridge Town –
Dan Purcell, Cathal McLoughlin, Liam Thomas, Matthew Byrne, Craig McLoughlin, Ciaran Aspell, Ciaran Thorpe, Dan Nea, Gary Shaw, Michael Norris, Keith Egan. Subs used – Niall McCormick and Billy Houghton.
Letterkenny Rovers –
Thomas McLaughlin, Daniel McCauley, Dan O’Donnell, Joshua Mailey, Chris McLaughlin, Ryan Lonergan, Michael Doherty, Jamie Doherty, Johnny Robb, Garbhan Grant, Barry O’Donnell. Subs used – Anthony Appiah, Mark Forde, and Anthony Browne.
Colm Breslin Youth cup; Quarter- Final.
Fanad United 1 Glenea United 2
Treble holders Glenea Utd arrived in tri a lough expecting a stiff contest and thats what they got from a young energetic Fanad side. Fanad without a few key players started the brightest and created numerous chances in the first half with Shaun Mc Govern having an excellant game up front. in the 38th min somewhat against the run of play Glenea drew first blood. Fanad failed to clear the ball and Darren Mc Geever who looked off side smashed the ball bast Oisin Barrett. on the stroke of half time the talented Paul Mc Veigh picked up the ball in mid field and after beating 4 defenders and cooly drilled the ball into the bottom corner. Glenea started the second half much stronger and created a few chances. The game changed dramatically mid way through the second half when after a Glenea seemed to raise his hand to an opponent the referee sent of Shea Coyle for a second bookable offence somewhat to the amazement of both sides. Glenea got their break when a long hopeful ball was spilled by the Fanad keeper and was stabbed home by an in coming Glenea forward. Fanad pushed hard for the equaliser and indeed hit the cross bar three times but to no avail. Tom Coll’s troops will be hard to stop in this competition while Fanad will be disappointed with there missed chances. Darren Mc Geever was best for Glenea while Paul Mc Veigh Joe Gallagher and Shaun Mc Govern were best for Fanad
Ulster Youth cup; Quarter- Final.
Ballybofey United 0 V Gweedore Celtic 1
Gweedore advance to the semi-final of this cup with a hard fought 1nil victory at Finn View Park on Saturday. The last time these two teams met it was a feast of goals with the home team winning by the odd goal in 13. Both teams had chances early on but the 2 keepers were on fine form and it was a fortutious goal when it came for Gweedore. Shaun Cundy hit a speculative shot and the ball seemed to be heading for the keepers arms but took a wicked bounce into the empty net. So Gweedore are into the semis, and an understrength Ballybofey have only a respectable league position to play for.
Team Performances.
Referee Mick Langan
Donegal Youth League:
Rathmullan/Milford 2 – 1 Bonagee
Rathmullan/Milford maintained their excellent campaign in the Donegal Youth League with a hard fought won victory over Bonagee at a windwsept Flagpole Field on saturday. The victory keeps Eugene McCafferty and Liam McLaughlins charges on course for a strong title push as the season enters the end zone and pressure mounts.
Rathmullan got off to a flying start when Gary Merritt scored after 7 minutes. A sublime through ball from Barry McNamee was calmly finished by the yoing Milford man to give the some side a dream start. The lead was almost doubled on 12 mins when a flighted cross from Merritt was headed just over the bar by Cormac Friel.
The game was an even contest again before the half hour mark when a shot from Kevin Doran came back off the cross bar and fell nicely for Mutuorso to apply the finish.
Into the second half and Rathmullan attempted to up the tempo and regain the lead. Sub Ryan Vaughan had a shot a well saved by keeper in the 63rd minute as the home side pressed forward.
The winning goal arrived on 76 minutes and it was a goal worth of winning any game. Barry McNamee picked up the ball near the half way line and danced his way through the Bonagee defence before slotting the ball home from 12 yards to grab the all important winner for the home team..
Best for Rathmullan/Milford was Barry McNamee, with impressive performances for Bonagee from Kevin Dolan and Jamie McCarry.
Referee: Lawrence Duagan
Fixtures:
Saturday 3rd April 2010. 2pm
Letterkenny Rovers v Rosses Academy
Bonagee United v Fanad United
Rathmullen/ Milford v Ballybofey United.