Rovers Seal Area Title in Brian McCormick Cup with Strong Second Half Surge

Letterkenny Rovers 3 - 1 Swilly Rovers

Letterkenny Rovers booked their place in the semi finals of the Brian McCormick Cup with a 3-1 win over Swilly Rovers at Leckview Park, thanks to a composed second-half display and late goals from Padraic Gilsenan and BJ Banda.

It was a tight first half, with Rovers dominating possession but struggling to convert pressure into clear-cut chances. Joel Gorman was a constant threat with his deliveries from set-pieces, the first arriving in the 8th minute but just missing everyone at the back post. Shortly after, a long ball from Gorman picked out Adrian Delap, who couldn’t keep his effort in play.

Rovers nearly took the lead on 13 minutes when a corner from Gorman was headed back across goal by Dean McCarry, and Lee McMonagle got a strike away that Swilly keeper Barry Gallagher dealt with.

Swilly had their moments too. On 19 minutes, Toby Taylor found space outside the box but blazed his effort well over. Their best first-half chance came in the 31st minute after capitalising on a misplaced pass in Rovers’ half, but Mark Anthony McGinley was equal to the low shot from Ian Ward.

At the other end, Rovers kept coming. Adam Murphy and Delap both had efforts go narrowly wide, while McCarry’s header just before the break from another Gorman corner sailed over.

Rovers came out stronger after the break, with more composed and patient build-up play. Their breakthrough arrived in the 61st minute: a neat one-two between Gilsenan and Delap on the right allowed Gilsenan to break into the box and calmly finish low past Gallagher.

Despite Rovers looking in control, Swilly hit back on 82 minutes, punishing a rare lapse at the back. Substitute Shea McFadden showed great composure to tuck home and bring the sides level.

However, Rovers responded immediately. Just two minutes later, Gilsenan again was involved, this time tight on the right, firing a shot across goal that Gallagher got hands to but couldn’t keep out due to the power.

BJ Banda, who had earlier been denied after a great run from Delap’s through ball, made no mistake in injury time, rounding the keeper after being played in centrally to seal the win and crown a composed second-half performance.