Milford Utd 4 - 5 Letterkenny Rovers

Letterkenny Rovers are through to the Area Final of the Brian McCormick Cup after a pulsating 5–4 victory over Milford United at Leckview Park on Sunday afternoon.

Rovers began brightly, with Henry Welles and Jack Duff combining down the right in the opening stages, before Welles fired narrowly wide from outside the penalty area. Milford responded with a dangerous free kick that drew an excellent diving save from Rovers goalkeeper Bryan da Costa.

The home side continued to create openings. Jason Doherty was heavily involved, first sending a low cross across the six-yard box after good work from Duff, before setting up Igor Arriel, whose effort was saved. At the other end, Fouad Bashar made two important blocks as Milford looked to threaten around the Rovers penalty area.

Rovers took the lead on 26 minutes when Nathan Bonner delivered an inviting cross for captain Kevin McGrath to head home. A minute later, Doherty released Cormac Dunleavy, who rounded the Milford goalkeeper and finished confidently to double the advantage.

Milford quickly reduced the deficit through Kyle Black after Rovers were unable to fully clear a high ball. However, the hosts restored their two-goal advantage before the interval when Dunleavy flicked Bashar’s forward pass into the path of Duff. The winger drove forward from the right, beat several defenders and struck across goal, with his effort coming off the upright and into the net.

Milford remained very much in the contest and scored from the rebound after Da Costa had produced a fine penalty save. The Rovers goalkeeper was again called upon shortly afterwards, saving from Black after Milford intercepted a pass in midfield.

Rovers started the second half on the front foot. Welles sent an early effort over from Dunleavy’s corner, but he was not to be denied. Bonner’s floated free kick found its way across goal, and Welles made sure from close range to make it 4–2.

The hosts extended their lead further on 57 minutes. Duff again provided the delivery from the right, with Doherty arriving to strike first time into the net. Milford had a goal ruled out for offside shortly afterwards and continued to press, while Bonner made a crucial block to deny another dangerous effort.

Milford pulled one back on 84 minutes when Joey Cullen ran onto a long ball and finished well, before setting up a tense finale by adding a fourth in stoppage time after Da Costa had made an initial block from a low cross and George McNulty was there to tap in.

Rovers saw out the remaining moments to secure a hard-earned 5–4 win and progress from a contest that provided plenty of quality, commitment and attacking football from both teams.

Goals

• Kevin McGrath, 26 minutes

• Cormac Dunleavy, 27 minutes

• Jack Duff, 38 minutes

• Henry Welles, 54 minutes

• Jason Doherty, 57 minutes

Starting XI: Bryan da Costa, Nathan Bonner, Conor Blaney, Pavlo Shevaniuk, Fouad Bashar, Jack Duff, Igor Arriel, Kevin McGrath, Jason Doherty, Henry Welles, Cormac Dunleavy.

Substitutes: Ethan Doherty, Alex McDevitt, Aaron Kerr, Gareth Temple, Davin Blake.

Next fixture

Letterkenny Rovers will have home advantage against Bonagee United in the Brian McCormick Cup Area Final on Sunday, 13 September.