Illistrin Football Club, Letterkenny

⚽ Illistrin All-Stars 4–3 Dunfanaghy Sharks

Earlier yesterday, in a blustery Corry Park, the Illistrin All-Stars finished the league with a fantastic 4–3 victory over Dunfanaghy Sharks.

The Sharks got off to the better start, taking the lead after seven minutes with a well-taken goal. The All-Stars responded strongly, and Dara levelled things up in the 14th minute after a lovely assist from Corey Price.

It was 1–1 at half-time, with both sides producing an entertaining and hard-fought contest.

The Sharks regained the lead just after the restart, scoring in the 31st minute. The All-Stars responded once again, with Emmet battling hard to win the ball back before calmly slotting home with his left foot in the 38th minute.

Dara then put the All-Stars ahead for the first time in the 45th minute, finishing brilliantly after a great through ball from Connaire. Dunfanaghy equalised again, but Dara wasn’t finished yet, completing his hat-trick with a screamer in the 50th minute to put the All-Stars 4–3 ahead.

The boys then showed real character in the closing stages, working tirelessly to hold on for a deserved victory.

Alfie was solid in goals as always, while Pearse once again read the game brilliantly at the back. Connaire combined some excellent forward play with solid defensive work, and Kristian was very dependable in defence. Flynn put in a great shift at centre midfield, while Dara not only grabbed a hat-trick but worked incredibly hard, particularly in the final ten minutes, helping to shore up the defence.

Corey was excellent on the wing and provided a great assist, while Ronan once again caused problems with some superb crosses and dangerous dead-ball deliveries. Emmet worked tirelessly up front and deservedly got on the scoresheet with a lovely finish.

A real end-to-end, entertaining game played in difficult, blustery conditions — and a gutsy performance from every one of the boys.

👏 Well done lads! A brilliant way to finish this phase of the league.

A trip to Lurgy to complete our league campaign was the first order of business this morning for our U-12 Div 1 Celtics.

In a first half of few chances, Daithi Grant and Sean Og Haran came closest to breaking the deadlock for illistrin, while the rearguard action of Sean Kelly Peoples, Conor O'Keefe and David Lynch ensured the sides went in for the half time cuppa on level terms against a very accomplished Lurgy side.

The raft of changes made by Illistrin at HT, seemed to have a detrimental effect as within 10 minutes of the restart, we found ourselves three goals down following quick strikes from Hunter, McBride and Jijo.

At this point, there only seemed one plausible outcome, however Lewis Friel didn't seem to get the memo, when bursting through from midfield with 7 mins remaining to rifle home from 20 yards.

Friel turned provider two minutes later, when he played Mark Lynch in on the right, who then arrowed home between goalkeeper and post for a memorable finish.

It was all Illistrin at this stage, and with 3 minutes of stoppage time played, it was left to Oisin Patton to complete the comeback, when his tiny frame rose highest at the back post to power in a downward header following a laser like assist from the returning Kayden Boyle.

The Lurgy lads barely had time to Kick off before the referee blew time on a breathless 2nd half.

A great sporting game by both teams, who will do it all again this Thursday when they face-off in the cup⚽⚫🟡

U12 Boys Div 1 - Illistrin United

A good performance from the boys today in their last league game of the season.

We made a slow start to the games, which has been a bit of a theme for us this season. We created some good chances but Milford took theirs and we found ourselves 2–0 down at half-time.

However, the boys produced a very good second-half performance and got themselves back into the game when Luke Burke struck a fantastic free kick into the top corner to make it 2–1.

We continued to create chances and were eventually rewarded when Jacob McCrabb pounced on a good save from the Milford keeper to slot the ball into the net, with that being the final action of the game.

A great fightback from the boys to secure a well-earned 2–2 draw.

Result
Illistrin United 2–2 Milford United

Goal Scorers
⚽️ Luke Burke
⚽️ Jacob McCrabb

Well done, boys.👏🏻👏🏻

Illistrin FC would like to extend our sincere thanks to Donegal County Council and the Letterkenny–Milford Municipal District Elected Members for their generous support towards the recent upgrade of our changing room facilities at Corry Park, through the Development Fund Initiative (DFI) 2026.

We sincerely appreciate the continued support and commitment of the elected members to Illistrin FC and to the development of our club facilities.

Your support makes a real difference to our players, coaches, volunteers and wider club community.

Go raibh maith agaibh uilig!

⚽️Match Report⚽️

Illistrin FC U14 Girls came away with a well-deserved 2–0 victory over Swilly Rovers on a wet evening at Swill Park.

Illistrin made a strong start to the game and took the lead in the 17th minute from the penalty spot after the Swilly defender was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box. Hanna Carty stepped up confidently to slot the penalty home.

Illistrin continued to create the clearer chances throughout the game and were rewarded again in the 66th minute when Ruth McGrenra raced clear of the Swilly defence before calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 2–0.

The girls defended well and saw out the game to secure an good away victory.

Full Time:
Swilly Rovers 0 – 2 Illistrin FC

Goalscorers:
⚽️ Hanna Carty (pen)
⚽️ Ruth McGrenra

👏🏻 Well done to all the girls.

⚽️ U12 Division 3 League | Keadue Celtic 1–1 Illistrin All-Stars

A fantastic performance from our Under-12 Division 3 boys this afternoon as the Illistrin All-Stars came away with a well-earned draw against Keadue Celtic on a pristine pitch in Keadue.

The All-Stars started brightly, moving the ball with confidence, accuracy and real composure in possession.

At the back, Pearse was, as usual, rock solid. He read the game brilliantly and was always in the right place to s***f out any danger. Connaire was equally impressive, breaking up Keadue attacks and putting in a strong performance on the right-hand side, while Kristian was reliable as ever.

In midfield, Flynn took up the defensive midfield role and put in a tremendous shift, helping to protect the defence while keeping the ball moving.

The All-Stars were getting great joy from the wings, with Ronan particularly dangerous on the right. He whipped in a number of excellent crosses into the box, and one of those found Dara, who made no mistake to give the All-Stars a deserved 1–0 lead, which they took into half-time.

Corey was also causing Keadue plenty of problems from the wing, while Emmet battled brilliantly up front against a very strong Keadue defence.

Five minutes into the second half, Keadue found an equaliser, and from there it was nip and tuck right to the final whistle. There was a huge effort from every Illistrin player as the boys showed great determination and team spirit.

Noah made some excellent saves in goals, while for the final ten minutes Ronan took over between the posts and was fantastic, making some very good saves and producing exceptional kick-outs.

There were also excellent contributions from the boys who came on, with Tom O’Connor doing very well on the right wing, Frankie bringing plenty of energy up front, and Sean making some important interceptions during his time on the pitch.

Overall, a brilliant team performance from the boys. Great football, great spirit and a very enjoyable game from start to finish.

A 1–1 draw was probably a fair result in the end, and every player can be very proud of the shift they put in.

👏 Well done, lads — fantastic effort from everyone!

The U16 Prem side continued a good run of form with a home win V Mulroy this evening.

It was the visitors who lead at half time after a well taken goal by winger D Boyce. Illistrin levelled early in the second half through an Oran Daly header from a Dabhain Harkin corner.

Both sides had chances to go ahead in a very even contest and both keepers were called into action, but it was Illistrin who took the 3 points through a great finish from Daithai Winston.

Thanks to James and the Mulroy squad for a sporting game and to ref Paddy Doherty for officiating.

🏆U8 Girls reach Cup Final in Tristar Tournament⚽️

The U8 girls took part today in the Tristar Tournament in Derry.

They played Greencastle, Don Boscos, Tristar, TOTHC and Phonenix Flames. The girls played fantastic football and reached the cup final.
In a close contest they were narrowly beaten in the final by Phoenix Flames with a last minute goal.

Well done Girls. A fantastic achievement.

Illistrin U16 Girls Reach Plaque Final

Illistrin U16 Girls 3–0 Gweedore United
Plaque Semi-Final – Corry Park

Illistrin U16 Girls hosted Gweedore United at Corry Park in an entertaining and competitive Plaque Semi-Final, eventually running out comprehensive 3–0 winners.

Both teams began well with organised defensive structures while creating opportunities at either end. The match was played in a competitive but fair manner, with all players showing great commitment and effort across the pitch.

Illistrin opened the scoring following a well-worked through ball from midfield, which gave Aoibhinn Hegarty the opportunity to finish clinically and put the home side in front.

Gweedore United responded by creating a number of chances, but Illistrin’s defence remained resolute and prevented them from finding an equaliser.

The second half continued at a high intensity, with Illistrin applying pressure and creating another excellent opportunity. Niamh Lenihan broke through the Gweedore defence and calmly found the back of the net to extend Illistrin’s lead to 2–0.

Gweedore continued to battle and looked to get back into the game, but Illistrin’s defence stood firm to keep their opponents at bay.

Illistrin then put the game beyond doubt when Niamh Lenihan scored her second of the afternoon midway through the second half, making it 3–0 and effectively sealing the victory.

It was a fantastic all-round team performance from Illistrin, with every player contributing to a well-deserved win. The girls now look forward to the Plaque Final in a few weeks’ time.

Well done, girls! 💙⚽

Illistrin u14 Div 2 lads battled hard again tonight at Corry Park against Mulroy to keep their recent good form up as they secured a well deserved late equaliser to share the spoils. Good performances all round with special mention to Oisin Meehan on his late equaliser as darkness was closing in. Thanks to Paddy for reffing, Damien Lynch and the Mulroy boys for a good tight sporting game played in excellent spirit.

Also special thanks to the pitch committee as Corry Park was in excellent condition. 👏👏