Rovers came through victorious 3 - 2 after being 2-1 down at half time to edge a tough battle from a spirited strong Donegal side.
We went 1 nil up after 25minutes when Jack Riseley controlled a long diagonal ball from Dualtach McGroarty on the sideline to weave past defence and cooly slot in far right corner.
Donegal were quick to respond equalising soon after and they were to get another before making it 2-1 to the visitors.
Soon into the second half another brilliant finish from Riseley leveled the game, when he controlled a clearance before brilliantly lofting past advancing keeper into bottom corner.
A penalty awarded to Rover on the 70th minute following a foul on Riseley who was quick to snap step up for it in search of the hat-trick. The keeper did well to get a touch on it but wasn't able to hold in and it was 3 - 2 for Rovers.
Rovers got another penalty on 75 mins but an excellent save by the Donegal keeper keeping their side well in it though down to 10 men.
The Rovers defence were kept busy especially throughout and superbly marshalled by Sawyer Campbell.
Rovers did well to hold the lead to the final whistle and clinch the 3 points.

Jack Riseley nets a hat-trick on the night

DONEGAL YOUTH LEAGUE

Letterkenny Rovers 4 - 2 Ballybofey United

Goalscorers: Fionn McLaughlin, Ryan Magee, Padraig Murphy, and Odhran Kelly.

Well done to Calum McLaughlin on his debut for the youth team last night against Ballybofey. Rovers claimed the victory winning 4-2, with goals from Fionn McLaughlin, Ryan Magee, Padraig Murphy, and Odhran Kelly. Goal of game came from Odhran's strike outside the box.

It's always a tough place to get a result and the windy conditions on the night did neither team any real favors making for difficult scrappy football.

Rovers did weather the storm in the first half and had the advantage of the wind at their backs for the second half.

The only goal in the game came from a strike by Odhran Kelly from out on the right and the keeper appeared to be letting in run wide but it somehow sneaked inside the post giving Rovers the lead which they held on to to claim victory on the night.

Goalscorer: Darragh Patton

Well done to James Tinney on making is debut at youth level.

29th May 2024

A good result for the Rovers youth side defeating Milford.

Fionn McLaughlin scored the first goal from a penalty.

Corey Oliver on his Youth debut scored the second from a great through ball by Jack Riseley.

Alex McDevitt also made a debut appearance.

They go again on Friday night when the travel to play Mulroy.

Good result for Rovers having gone 1 down in the first minute also losing a defender in the process.

Rovers took time to get settled into the game. It was 31 minutes in before Rovers levelled the scoring, with a calmly finished goal by Sam McGarvey. It was only 4 minutes later when McGarvey got his second in a similar fashion but with a little more work to create the opportunity this time, but nicely finished once again.

The second half Rover got their third from failure by Kilmacrennan to clear the ball and Padraig Murphy in his Youth debut hammered it home from the edge of the 18 yard box.