Wednesday 20th April 2022 Leckview - 6:30pm
Letterkenny Rovers came from behind to defeat Ballyraine 4-2 in an incident packed encounter at Leckview Park.
Rovers did take the lead on 8 minutes when Faolan Gibson slotted home after Ballyraine goalkeeper Mark Margey did well to save Aaron Temples initial shot.
The home side had chances to add to their lead through Oisin Duffy, Sam Harvey and Luke Parke but found Margey in imperious form while Ballyraines main threat came from Danny Hall who was narrowly wide on a couple of occasions.
Ethan Doherty then came close for Rovers while Harry Winfield was just wide with a free kick for Ballyraine
The game was turned on its head in a five minute period before halftime when Padraig Hughes levelled for Ballyraine after an incisive through-ball from Hall before Hall finished the move just before halftime to fire his side in front after some neat wing play from Ruairi Kavanagh.
Rovers though were fired up upon the restart and levelled on 48 minutes when the lively Oisin Duffy sent Temple away and when his shot was stopped by Margey, Duffy was on hand to fire home from the edge of the area.
Both sides had chances before Rovers went ahead on 67 minutes when Gibson fired home starting and finishing the move which saw him combining with Temple.
The drama was only beginning as Rovers were awarded a penalty on 80 minutes for a foul on Sam Harvey but his penalty was well saved by Margey in the visitors goal and in the ensuing aftermath Ballyraine were reduced to ten men with Harry Winfield having received his second yellow.
Letterkenny then were awarded another penalty in their very next attack when Luke Parke was upended in the area and Harvey then saw his second penalty saved by Margey.
Ballyraine tried hard in vain for an equaliser but Rovers were awarded yet another penalty on 87 minutes when Aaron Temple was hauled down in the box and this time they ensured the win when Gibson completed his hattrick stroking home the penalty with consummate ease.