Arranmore Utd Win the Title

Arranmore United are celebrating winning the Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two with a 4-0 win over Tullyvinney Rovers at Rannagh Park. Two goals from Gavin McGlanaghey and efforts from Chris McGlanaghey and Daniel O’Donnell secured the title for the side managed by Jerry Early.

“It was breezy and we were a little nervous until we managed to get the first goal,” Early said afterwards.

“Sometimes it’s hard to get the breakthrough but once we did it settled us and we played good football from then on.”

Arranmore opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Mark Ward went on a great run down the right wing and crossed superbly to find Gavin McGlanaghy on the edge of the box. He made no mistake as he powered home his sides opening goal. Fifteen minutes later it was a case of deja vu as Ward went on another run down the right and put in an even better cross this time.

Again, it was Gavin McGlanaghy who benefitted when he controlled and rifled home number two, which, resulted in huge cheers from the big number of onlookers. Tullyvinney had a great chance to get one back when a through ball fell to Marty Alexander but he scuffed his shot and Frankie Early in the Arranmore goal gathered his tame shot.

On the stroke of half-time, Arranmore almost certainly killed the game off following good play from Benny McGarvey and Gavin McGlanaghy. This resulted in another goal with Christopher McGlanaghy finding the net as he finished well to make it 3-0 at the break. It was almost time to take the champagne out of the ice bucket.

To the away side’s credit they came out fighting in the second half and pushed a lot more men forward without really threatening Early in the Arranmore goal Gavin McGlanaghy had a chance to get his hat-trick but Nigel Hegarty denied him on two occasions - the latter resulting in the ball rebounding to Daniel O’Donnell, who volleyed brilliantly into the top corner to make it 4-0 and guarantee that the title was on its way to Arranmore.

It was the first time the Islanders won a trophy on their home patch, with their most recent success being the 2006/07 CT Ball Division Two. Arranmore welcome Keadue Rovers on Saturday and will be presented with the Division Two trophy after the match.

Story - Donegal Democrat

Photo - Kayla Early