DONEGAL YOUTH LEAGUE
Letterkenny Rovers 3-4 Gweedore Celtic
Gweedore Celtic kept their own hopes of a top 2 finish alive when they came out on top in very close entertaining 7 goal game.
Despite strong start from home side ,the Visitors took lead on 20 ,only to see Rovers level quickly when Calum mc Laughlin capitalised on a defensive error .
Strong end to first half saw Celtic go in 3-1 at the break thanks to 2 quick goals including close range header from a corner kick.
Second half mirrored the first with rovers starting strongly again and deservedly pulled goal back with a fine acrobatic finish from Dualtach McCauley .
Gweedore got back in control in midfield and extended the advantage once again on 80min with the goal of the game ,a fine looping strike from just outside the box catching Rovers keeper off guard .
More rovers pressure paid off with Jack Riseley finishing well from just inside the box to make it 3-4 but unfortunately too little too late as Gweedore ran clock down well to take all 3 points home with them .
Well done also to our 2010 player Thalji Al Daher on making his youth debut .
U16 Crusaders
Milford United Blues 1 - 4 Letterkenny Crusaders
Another fantastic team performance last night away to Milford, coming away with a solid 4-1 victory. We went into halftime with a 1-0 lead thanks to a goal from Matthew J in the 35th minute.
The second half saw a burst of goals, with Josh McHugh, Blue Jay, and Matthew J again all finding the net in quick succession.
Milford were awarded a penalty late on, which stand-in goalkeeper Matthew McGlinchey initially saved brilliantly, though they managed to score on the rebound.
Man of the Match went to Matthew McGlinchey for his outstanding performance between the sticks and several crucial saves throughout the game.
U14 Girls
Letterkenny Rovers 4-3 Donegal Town
Letterkenny Rovers claimed a thrilling 4-3 win over Donegal Town in an action-packed DWL U14 Division 1 clash.
The home side took an early lead in spectacular fashion when Aisling McGinley scored directly from a corner in the 8th minute. However, the lead didn’t last long as Orla Maguire equalised for Donegal Town on 18 minutes.
Rovers dominated the remainder of the first half, finishing with an explosive burst of goals. With just three minutes to the break, Savanna Keys struck twice — first finishing a well-placed cross from Aoibhlinn McLaughlin, then converting after a lofted ball over the top from McGinley. Right on the stroke of half-time, McGinley added her second with a beautifully taken free kick to make it 4-1.
Donegal Town came out in the second half determined to turn things around. Keri Wade in the Rovers goal made three crucial saves to maintain the lead as the pressure mounted. The visitors' persistence paid off when Isla McShane found the net on 50 minutes, before Orla Maguire grabbed her second goal of the game on 66 minutes to narrow the deficit to just one.
Donegal Town pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, and Emmy Byrne came agonisingly close, rattling the crossbar with a late effort.
Best for Letterkenny Rovers were Aoise Diver and Aoibhlinn McLaughlin, while Emmy Byrne and Orla Maguireimpressed for Donegal Town in a game that went right to the wire.
U12 Rovers
Rovers claimed a hard-fought 2–1 win over Gweedore Celtic on a wet evening. Shane O’Donnell put Rovers ahead with a superb free kick, but Gweedore equalised just before half-time. The second half was closely contested until Zach McKinley struck from distance to secure the points. Rovers’ defence, led by Scott McLaughlin, held firm in the closing minutes, capping off a strong team performance.
Referee Kyran Glennon.
U12 Girls
Kilmacrennan Celtic 0 - 1 Letterkenny Rovers
Letterkenny Rovers U12 edged a competitive and entertaining match against Kilmacrennan, winning 1–0. Lydia McLaughlin’s strong play down the left led to the game’s only goal, with Caitlin Crampsie finishing well in the 11th minute. Kilmacrennan responded with pressure and were unlucky not to equalise, with strong performances from Aoibhinn Hegarty and Sophie Crossan. Rovers' defence, led by Natalia Zabillo, Angel Abu, and Anna Dear, held firm. Asia Rodgers added attacking spark off the bench. Both teams played with great spirit and determination in a high-quality, end-to-end encounter.
Blitzes
Our Clubs 1st ever under 6 team got their first ever run out this evening in an introduction to football at Leckview Park. There were goals at both ends, with every player getting involved and enjoying the game. It was fantastic to see so many smiles, high-fives, and moments of magic.
The support from the sidelines was brilliant too, with plenty of cheers and encouragement for all the players.
The match ended with tired legs and happy faces, a brilliant reminder of what football is all about at this age: fun, friendships, and learning together.
