ADRIAN DELAP’S first-half goal secured top spot in the CUFL Division One Group A and a home quarter-final for Letterkenny Institute of Technology this afternoon.
Letterkenny Institute of Technology 1 Maynooth University 0
LyIT manager Shane Byrne oversaw a win over his alma mater, Maynooth University – for whom he played in the Collingwood Cup – as Derry City prospect Delap fired home in the 26th minute.
Picture caption: Derry City’s Adrian Delap who scored the only goal of the game today. Picture by thejungleview
Delap’s goal was all that was between the teams at the end of it all, but in reality the Port Road students could and should have added to that goal.
[adrotate group=”88″]Byrne’s men were comfortable for the most part on a day when they knew that a draw was sufficient to seal the top spot.
Delap, who has had a fine season with Derry City and will surely be on Candystripes’ senior boss Kenny Shiels’ radar in the coming months, forced the breakthrough after good pressure by the hosts.
Delap provided the initial ball in for Paul McVeigh. From a good position McVeigh was denied by Maynooth ‘keeper David McNamara and also saw his follow-up blocked, but Delap pounced to steer home.
[adrotate group=”80″]Moments earlier, Keelin McElwaine saw a cross-cum-shot come off the woodword after good work by Brian McVeigh and Daire McDaid.
Maynooth began well with Dean George forcing a good stop by Letterkenny goalkeeper Mark McElhinney, with the hosts’ stopper also thwarting Conor Delahunty.
[adrotate group=”76″]Paul McVeigh twice went close for the home side and Delap saw a low shot work McNamara into action before the Milford native found the breakthrough goal.
LyIT started the second half really well and McElwaine might’ve doubled the lead but, having connected with Paul McVeigh’s centre, he saw his effort trickle wide.
Striker McVeigh, who is set to play for Letterkenny Rovers against Finn Harps Reserves in the Ulster Senior League tonight, saw a close-range attempt saved by McNamara, while Daniel Doherty prodded at the ‘keeper when he should have doubled the LyIT lead.
[adrotate group=”46″]Sub Ryan Connolly was denied by a brave block from Jack Somers, the Maynooth right-back, and while they lived dangerously, the LyIT men done enough and will have a home quarter-final after Christmas.
Next week, they host Athlone IT in the Cup, but are sweating on the fitness of Doherty and Brian McVeigh, both of whom came off injured this afternoon.
Letterkenny Institute of Technology: Mark McElhinney; Caolan McDaid, Lee McColgan, Ciaran Kelly, Fearghal Harkin; Adrian Delap, Brian McVeigh, Daire McDaid, Keelin McElwaine; Paul McVeigh, Daniel Doherty. Subs: Dean Larkin for Doherty (59), Ryan Connolly for McElwaine (66), Aaron McNamee for B.McVeigh (73).
Maynooth University: David McNamara; Jack Somors, Conor Mooney, Ciaran Lyons, Gary Daly; Stephen Mullins, Dara Kavanagh, Sam Watkins, Conor Delahunty; Cian Li, Dean George. Subs: Joseph McKinney for Li (54), Shane O’Keefe for Delahunty (65), Taslim Agbontaen for Watkins (73).
Referee: Marty Quinn.
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