DONEGAL LEAGUE Div 1

Ballyare, Sunday 19th May

In a fiercely contested Brian McCormick Cup semi-final, Letterkenny Rovers edged out Kildrum Tigers 1-0 after extra time to secure a spot in the final against Keadue next weekend.

On a sunny afternoon, the match kicked off at 12pm, with both teams showing early intent. Within the first five minutes, Joel Gorman found Lee McMonagle with a precise ball behind the defense, but McMonagle's shot went left of the post. The game quickly turned physical, as Dean McCarry suffered a knock in a clash in the Rovers' box, setting the tone for a combative encounter.

Kildrum Tigers nearly took the lead in the ninth minute with a glancing header that went wide. Rovers responded immediately, with McCarry narrowly missing the target from a corner. Brett McGinley kept the pressure on for Kildrum, but his effort from the edge of the box also drifted wide.

Kildrums best chance of the first half came at the half-hour mark when Brian Breslin broke through the defense, only for Chris Malseed to clear his shot off the line. Minutes later, Rovers thought they had scored, but the assistant referee flagged for offside. Christy Conaghan's long-range drive for Rovers just before halftime summed up a half of near misses and tense moments.

The second half saw both sides battling hard but unable to break the deadlock. Daryl Browne forced a full-stretch save from Rovers' keeper Mark Anthony McGinley in the 73rd minute. Moments later, Nathan Plumb's clever play set up Ryan Lonergan, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Kildrums Chris O’Donnell.

As the match neared its conclusion, Kildrums Breslin had a golden opportunity to win it but headed wide and then hopes took a hit when Frank McBrearty was sent off for a second yellow card just before the end of regular time, leaving them to face extra time with ten men.

Extra time began with Rovers capitalising on their numerical advantage. Adam Murphy had a one-on-one chance early on but couldn't convert. Nathan Plumb's header and Gareth Doherty's curling shot both tested O'Donnell but to no avail. Kildrum, sitting deep, struggled to contain the relentless Rovers attacks.

In the dying moments of the second half of extra time, Kildrum's Kealan Gillen had a chance on the counter but failed to find the target. Just as penalties loomed, Rovers found the breakthrough. Tim Callaghan weaved his way through players from edge to get to the byline and managed to get a touch while on the ground to get it to Lee McMonagle who instinctly poked the ball home, much to the delight of the Rovers support.

The match ended 1-0, with Letterkenny Rovers advancing to face Keadue in the Cup Final on Sunday, 26th May.

Thursday, 2^nd May

BMC CUP LETTERKENNY AREA SEMI-FINAL

Bonagee United 1 - 2 Letterkenny Rovers

Goalscorers: Lee Mc Monagle(pen), Tim Callaghan

Saturday 27th April 2024.

Ulster Junior Cup Final 

A toughly contested battle, no less than was expected with boths teams going for it from the the start and being level at the end of normal proceedings bring the game to Extra Time and Penalties. Even then there was little to separate the sides with both keeps pulling of saves and the shootout ending 7-6 in favor of Buncrana Hearts as the light faded on the pitch and for Rovers.

From the opening whistle, Letterkenny Rovers showed their intent, pressing forward with purpose and creating early chances. Their efforts were rewarded when they were awarded a penalty, expertly converted by Lee McMonagle to give his team the lead.

Buncrana Hearts responded strongly, but Letterkenny Rovers' defense held firm, thwarting their attacks and maintaining their advantage. However, just before halftime, Buncrana Hearts managed to equalize, setting up a tense second half.

In the second period, both teams continued the battle, with chances coming at both ends of the pitch. Despite Buncrana Hearts taking the lead, Letterkenny Rovers refused to concede defeat, with McMonagle once again rising to the occasion to level the score.

With the match deadlocked after extra time, it all came down to a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. Despite the valiant efforts of the Letterkenny Rovers players, Buncrana Hearts emerged victorious, winning the shootout 7-6.

Although the result may not have gone their way, Letterkenny Rovers can hold their heads high and get ready for their next Cup game this Thursday against Bonagee Utd.

Goalscorer for Rovers: Lee McMonagle

Letterkenny Rovers moved a step closer to clinching the Division One league title with a comprehensive 7-0 victory over Cranford at a windswept Leckview Park.

Lee McMonagle bagged a hat-trick and with Donegal Town dropping points, it means Rovers have secured promotion to the top flight and just need a point next weekend to be crowned champions.

The hosts lead 3-0 at the break. McMonagle took just four minutes to open the scoring linking up with Adam Murphy before drilling a shot low into the bottom corner of the net beyond Jason Hegarty.

Henry Welles doubled their lead on 20 minutes drilling home from close range after Hegarty made a fine save initially while Rovers were awarded a penalty with just over ten minutes to go before half-time when McMonagle was upended inside the area. The in-form striker made to mistake from the penalty spot.

Following the interval, Rovers made it 4-0 with their first attack of the second half courtesy of a rasping strike from Nathan Plumb and McMonagle quickly added a fifth to complete his hat-trick.

Joel Gorman found the net with a well executed strike on 65 minutes to make it 6-0 before substitute Nathan Bonner made a surging run into the penalty box before he applied a neat finish to complete the scoring in the dying minutes.

Referee – Sean Houston.

In a commanding display, Letterkenny Rovers secured a resounding 4-0 victory over Cappry Rovers. Despite early pressure from Cappry, Letterkenny Rovers defense stood strong, with goalkeeper Mark Anthony McGinley denying several attempts.

Nathan Plumb opened the scoring in the 17th minute, followed by Zach Gorman's penalty just before halftime, putting Letterkenny 2-0 ahead. Cappry's hopes dwindled further when they were reduced to 10 men just before the break.

In the second half, Letterkenny capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Lee McMonagle and Plumb adding to the tally. Cappry fought hard and had several chances but couldn't break through the Letterkenny Rovers  defense and had to defend for large spells of the second half as the pressure was piled on.

Final score  Letterkenny Rovers 4 - 0 Cappry Rovers.