Letterkenny Rovers 2 -1 Castlefin Celtic (AET)
Brian McCormick Cup Final – Diamond Park, Ballyare – 18th May 2025
Letterkenny Rovers capped off a sensational season by lifting the Brian McCormick Cup, defeating Castlefin Celtic 2-1 after extra time on a scorching Sunday afternoon at Diamond Park, Ballyare. The victory secured a historic treble for Rovers, having already claimed the Donegal Junior League Sunday Premier Division and the Ulster Junior Cup.
Rovers started brightly, with Adrian Delap racing through in the 4th minute only to be denied by Castlefin keeper Kevin McColgan, who spread himself well to block the effort. Moments later, Dean McCarry nearly connected with a Joel Gorman free kick at the back post.
Despite Rovers’ early dominance, Castlefin stayed composed. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute, with a slick move from Delap and Lee McMonagle, the latter slipping a perfect ball through for Delap to cross low. BJ Banda ghosted in and powered home from close range for 1-0.
Castlefin responded just seven minutes later. A dangerous free kick into the box found Jude Patton, and a firm header levelled the score at 1-1.
Before the break, Banda was sent clear again by Delap but was again denied by McColgan in a one-on-one.
The second half was cagey, with both sides trading chances. Gilsenan and McCarry had half-chances for Rovers, while Keith Cowan and Mark McGinley were alert to key threats from Castlefin. The game swung in Rovers’ favour in the 65th minute when Banda was brought down in the box. Joel Gorman stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but Castlefin’s second goalkeeper made a fine save to keep the scores level.
McMonagle went close with a header, Delap fired narrowly wide, and McCarry forced another low save as Rovers pressed hard for a winner. Castlefin held firm and nearly snatched it late on, but McGinley was equal to the threat.
At 90 minutes, it remained 1-1 and extra time beckoned.
Rovers maintained control in the added period, pressing for a breakthrough. Substitute Caolan McConnell had a chance at the back post but fired wide, while Gilsenan continued to cause problems down the right.
Then in the 104th minute, the winner came. A pinpoint cross from Gilsenan found Nathan Plumb, who rose high to head beyond McColgan and send the Rovers bench into jubilation.
Castlefin couldn’t find a response, and the final whistle confirmed Letterkenny Rovers as 2025 Brian McCormick Cup champions and treble winners – a remarkable achievement for a squad that’s dominated across all competitions.
