SUNDAY DONEGAL LEAGUE PREMIER

Goalscorers: Joel Gorman, Bj Banda, Chris Malseed

Brian McCormick Sports Sunday Premier Division

Leckview Park – March 2, 2024

Rovers Take Control at the Top with Convincing Win in Local Derby

Letterkenny Rovers moved to the top of the table with a commanding 3-0 victory over Bonagee United in a crucial top-of-the-table clash at Leckview Park. With Bonagee leading by two points before kick-off, Rovers, with two games in hand, knew a win would put them in pole position heading into the business end of the season.

Despite playing the majority of the game with a man advantage, Rovers had to work hard to break down a disciplined Bonagee defence, but second-half goals from Lee McMonagle, BJ Banda, and Nathan Plumb secured the vital three points.

Rovers started brightly, pressing high and forcing Bonagee into mistakes early on. In the 6th minute, Gareth Doherty won the ball high up the pitch and drove a powerful shot at goal, but Bonagee’s keeper Andrew Nicholls reacted well to save.

The hosts continued to push forward, with Joel Gorman and Adrian Delap linking well on the right, but Bonagee remained compact at the back.

Bonagee were reduced to 10 men in the 22nd minute, giving Rovers an opportunity to take control. Billy Banda and Chris Malseed both had half-chances, while Lee McMonagle saw an acrobatic attempt blocked.

Despite sustained pressure, Rovers couldn’t find the breakthrough, and Bonagee’s disciplined defensive work ensured the sides went into the break level at 0-0.

The second half saw Bonagee create an early chance from a corner, but Rovers defended well to clear their lines. Rovers thought they had taken the lead in the 50th minute when Padraic Gilsenan headed in from a Joel Gorman free kick, but the referee ruled it out for a foul.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute. Nathan Bonner delivered a superb ball forward, and Joel Gorman crossed with the outside of the boot, Nathan Plumb did well to control and set up Lee McMonagle, who slotted home to put Rovers 1-0 up.

Rovers doubled their lead just 10 minutes later. A long ball from Mark Anthony McGinley found BJ Banda, who showed great pace to beat the Bonagee defence, round the keeper, and finish coolly into the net. 2-0.

Bonagee tried to find a way back into the game, but McGinley and the Rovers defence stood strong, denying them any clear-cut chances.

In the 94th minute, Rovers put the game to bed. Another long ball into the Bonagee half caused problems, and Nathan Plumb capitalised on a defensive mistake, winning the ball and calmly finishing past the keeper to seal a 3-0 victory.

A crucial win for Letterkenny Rovers as they take the top spot and will now look to push on.

Goalscorers: Lee McMonagle, Bj Banda, Nathan Plumb

Referee: Vincent McLoughlin

Goalscorers: Bj Banda, Nathan Plumb

Letterkenny Rovers eased to victory with a commanding performance, highlighted by a BJ Banda hat-trick and goals from Nathan Bonner and Chris Malseed. The three quick goals in succession in the first half put Rovers firmly in control, taking a 4-0 lead into halftime. Despite Swilly Rovers determined effort in the second half, the result was never in doubt.

Goalscorers: BJ Banda x3, Nathan Bonner, Chris Malseed

Referee: Mick Lagan

Bonagee United 0-1 Letterkenny Rovers

2nd February Dry Arch – Local Derby – Top of the Table Clash

Letterkenny Rovers edged a hard-fought local derby against Bonagee United, securing a vital 1-0 win in a tense battle between the two top sides in the league. A late goal from Conor O’Donnell proved to be the difference in a match that saw few clear-cut chances.

Rovers started brightly, with BJ Banda looking dangerous early on, breaking into the box in the 8th minute, only for Bonagee goalkeeper Andrew Nicholls to collect just in time. Bonagee responded in the 12th minute when Jamie Harris pounced on a loose defensive header and attempted to round Mark Anthony McGinley, but the angle proved too tight to convert.

The first half saw Bonagee threatening from set pieces, particularly from long throws and corners, but Rovers’ defense held firm. Henry Welles attempted an ambitious 40-yard strike in the 27th minute, but it curled wide, while BJ Banda continued to be a threat, driving into the box in the 32nd minute, only for his effort to be cleared for a corner.

At halftime, the game remained goalless, with both sides struggling to create clear opportunities.

Rovers came out stronger in the second half, with Banda testing Nicholls with a low strike in the 46th minute and heading goalward a minute later, only for the Bonagee keeper to collect. Despite their dominance in possession, Rovers couldn’t find the finishing touch, with Joel Gorman and Gareth Doherty both seeing efforts comfortably saved.

Bonagee’s first real threat of the second half came in the 78th minute when Harris found space and fired at goal, but McGinley saved easily. The home side came even closer in the 82nd minute, forcing McGinley into a low save through a crowded box.

However, in the 86th minute, Rovers found their breakthrough. A lofted ball over the top caught the Bonagee defense off guard, and Conor O’Donnell timed his run perfectly, taking the ball down and calmly slotting past Nicholls to give Rovers the lead.

Bonagee pushed for an equalizer in the dying minutes, winning a dangerous free kick in the 92nd minute. Daniel O’Donnell struck it low and hard, but McGinley got down well to save. Rovers nearly doubled their lead in stoppage time when Adam Murphy played in Banda, but Nicholls produced a vital save with his foot to deny him.

A gritty and determined display from Letterkenny Rovers saw them take all three points in this crucial top-of-the-table encounter.

Final Score: Bonagee United 0-1 Letterkenny Rovers

GoalScorer: Conor O’Donnell (86’)

Referee: Michael Connolly

Ulster Junior Cup Quarter-Final

Letterkenny Rovers 3-0 St. Catherine’s

Leckview Park

Letterkenny Rovers secured their place in the semi-finals of the Ulster Junior Cup with a solid 3-0 victory over St. Catherine’s on a crisp afternoon at Leckview Park. Despite St. Catherine’s creating several promising chances, Rovers’ clinical finishing in the second half and resolute defense proved decisive.

The game began with Rovers’ Luke Parke narrowly missing the target in the opening minute. St. Catherine’s responded moments later, with Conor Doherty’s cross finding Joshua Maxwell at the back post, but Maxwell couldn’t direct his effort on target.

Rovers began to apply pressure, with BJ Banda’s solo run in the 9th minute forcing a save from St. Catherine’s keeper Padraig Byrne. Just seven minutes later, Rovers broke the deadlock when Chris Malseed threaded a perfect pass to Adrian Delap. Delap powered through the defense and calmly slotted the ball through Byrne’s legs to make it 1-0.

St. Catherine’s sought an immediate response, but Rovers’ defense held firm. Rovers came close to doubling their lead before halftime, with Joel Gorman’s deflected free kick striking the crossbar and Lee McMonagle hitting the upright. Despite creating multiple chances, Rovers went into the break with a narrow 1-0 lead.

The second half saw St. Catherine’s come out strong, with Joshua Maxwell testing Rovers keeper Mark Anthony McGinley early on. However, Rovers extended their lead in the 51st minute when a throw-in from Caolan McConnell found McMonagle, who turned sharply and fired into the net to make it 2-0.

St. Catherine’s continued to press and created opportunities through Alex McBrearty and Ryan Cunningham, but their efforts either went wide or over the bar. Rovers’ defense came

Under quick fire attempts but Padraic Gilsenan and Dean McCarry, stood tall, blocking the efforts as the visitors piled on the pressure.

In the 85th minute, Rovers sealed the win when Delap went in for a 50-50 with the St. Catherine’s keeper, and the loose ball fell to McMonagle. He made no mistake, striking low past Byrne to make it 3-0.

St. Catherine’s came close to pulling one back late on, with Joshua Maxwell delivering a dangerous ball across goal, but Josh Cunningham couldn’t convert at the back post. Rovers had the final say when Delap’s powerful strike forced an impressive save from Byrne to deny a fourth goal.

Despite a spirited second-half performance from St. Catherine’s, it was Rovers’ ability to capitalise. on their chances that proved the difference.

Goalscorers: Adrian Delap, Lee McMonagle x2

Referee: Patrick Martin