Letterkenny Rovers want to make the most of their Intermediate Cup chance

EAMON MCCONIGLEY was part of the last Donegal team to reach the FAI Intermediate Cup final 20 years ago, so knows of the importance of taking your chances.

McConigley and his Fanad United side were Intermediate Cup winners in 1988 and then again come 1995 but lost 1-0 to Wayside Celtic at Tolka Park in 1996.

“One goal was all that was it; one kick of the ball,” he said. “Then next thing you know the chance is gone.”

Photo caption: The Letterkenny Rovers players celebrate with striker Paul McVeigh at the Aura Centre following his goal against Midleton in the last 16 of this season’s FAI Intermediate Cup. Photo: Stephen Doherty

Swilly Rovers, Fanad, Letterkenny and Kildrum have all lost semi-finals since then but this Sunday McConigley and Letterkenny Rovers take on Ringmahon Rangers in Cork in a last four tie.

Ahead of the season, McConigley identified the Intermediate Cup as the skeleton that Rovers could build their campaign upon. He stressed that if all was well in that competition, then everything would fall into place around it.

Two weeks ago, prior to an Ulster Senior League fixture against Fanad United the management and squad met again and discussed the fact their season, now at its business end, is essentially a series of cup finals.

In the Ulster Senior League, Rovers have four fixtures remaining and are three points behind leaders Cockhill Celtic with a game more played. However, the fact that two of those are against Cockhill means there is – with little room for error – a fighting chance.

Last Sunday a 3-1 win over Bonagee United sealed a place in the League Cup final and after Cork, there’s a another road-trip to face Portmarmock in the FAI Senior Cup first round.

“We’re at the business end of the season and everyone is looking forward to games so that’s always a good thing,” McConigley told Donegal Sport Hub.

The synergy he sought was created from when Rovers defeated Cockhill 2-1 in Buncrana in the Intermediate Cup before a scoreless draw away to Dunboyne and 1-1 draw after extra-time at the Aura Centre.

Paul Yank Boyle’s spot kick was enough to win the penalty shoot-out and in the last 16, Midleton from Cork were beaten 2-1 with a sublime Paul McVeigh goal and a Darren McElwaine cap-in.

Christy Connaghan and Darren McElwaine hit the goals as McConigley’s men ground out a 2-1 victory over Leinster Senior League side Killester United at Leckview Park last month in the quarter-finals.

“We’ve build up good experience this year,” the Rovers manager added. “When we had to, we ground it out. We’ve played well on occasion against good footballing sides or against physical teams, on good pitches or on bad pitches.”

Only once, in season 2003/04 (pictured above by Stephen Doherty) did Rovers ever have a run in the national stage of the competition when Danny McConnell’s team lost out 1-0 to Rockmount – Roy Keane’s former team and again, by one kick of the ball – in Cork in a semi-final replay.

Only Terence Shiels is still at the Leckview Park club, with the experienced midfielder having re-signed from Drumoghill FC in the close season.

Ringmahon are currently third in the Beaumish Stout MSL Senior First Division – which is the second flight – some five points behind second-placed Midleton and seven off leaders Everton. However, Ringmahon have three games in hand on each of their rivals so still have plenty to play for themselves this season.

Rovers will wait to see how David Shovlin’s shoulder injury is, while Jonathan Minnock and Shane Bradley are receiving knee and hamstring treatment respectively since last Sunday’s fixture. In recent weeks, McConigley has lost Conal McGonigle, who moved to Canada to work, and Jonny Bonner to Wexford Youths but remains optimistic. Goalkeeper Rory Kelly is commuting from London to play.

“From now on every match for us is a big match,” McConigley said. “And the nature of cup football means there’s no such thing as a favourite at this stage. They’ve shown great commitment here so let’s hope they get rewarded for that.”