“WE’RE ALL GOING to the Aviva, we’re all going to the Aviva!”
Letterkenny Rovers 2-0 Ringmahon Rangers
That as the cry from the huddle at the end, where there was just sheer delight.
On a day they’ll never forget, Letterkenny Rovers sealed their place in the final of the FAI Intermediate Cup for the first time in their history.
Two goals in the last 15 minutes sealed a replay victory over Ringmahon Rangers for the side managed by Eamon McConigley, who now have a date with Crumlin United at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, May 14.
No Donegal team has been in the final since 1996, when McConigley was player-manager as Fanad United were denied their third title by Wayside Celtic. It’s something he might’ve thought about since.
Paul McVeigh and David Shovlin were the goalscorers but was a day in which everyone who wore the white shirts could be considered a hero.
There were scenes of jubilation as Shovlin tucked home a penalty in the 91st minute as the substitutes and team management spilled onto the field. They knew it was game over, as did their visitors from Cork.
Two weeks beforehand in the south-west, Letterkenny had nine toes in the final after a goal from Stevie Okakpu , only for Ringmahon to pull it from the fire with a 94th minute deflected equaliser from Roy Kenny.
But with a home replay at Leckview, Rovers knew that an opportunity was knocking.
In the third minute, got in behind the visiting centre-halves, Anthony Kidney and Alan Higgins, but went for power at the near post and James Kirby got behind the drive.
Rovers had goalkeeper Rory Kelly to thank for a fine save on six minutes from a blistering drive from Eric Hegarty after a corner was only half cleared.
Paul Boyle went close twice in the 15th minute. First of all, the central defender won a header from a corner from Mark Forker that was saved by James Kirby and the Ringmahon goalkeeper then got behind the follow-up from Boyle again.
Chances were becoming less and less frequent with neither team giving an inch, although from a McElwaine ball down the line, Okakpu centered but a Christy Connaghan lob was easily gathered by Kirby.
The second half was more open and if it was Letterkenny Rovers who shaded the first 45, the away team were giving as much as they were getting in the third quarter.
Following a decent break from left-back Jason Forde, Kenny was just off the mark and then, at the other end, there was a fantastic headed clearance by Philip Keane as McElwaine’s cross was headed for McVeigh.
On 75 minutes, the opening goal finally arrived when Shovlin, who was only on the pitch three minutes, centered for Terence Shiels to chest down and then play the ball into McVeigh’s path and he tucked home from six yards.
With something to hold onto, Rover had to hold firm but were well-marshalled at the back by the experienced duo of Shane Bradley and Jonathan Minnock, with Ryan Lonergan’s energy providing an outlet and the full-back made one vital challenge on an advancing Ciaran Kennedy.
Goalkeeper Kelly had to be brave on 81 minutes when he charged from his goal and was caught by Dion Kennedy, the Ringmahon substitute. However, Kelly was competent and never under serious pressure.
With time having clicked from black into red, a long ball out of defence by Lonergan found McElwaine, who squared to Shovlin to clip a second.
Letterkenny Rovers: Rory Kelly; Ryan Lonergan, Shane Bradley, Paul Boyle, Jonathan Minnock; Terence Shiels, Christy Connaghan, Mark Forker, Paul McVeigh; Stevie Okakpu (David Shovlin 72), Darren McElwaine.
Ringmahon Rangers: James Kirby; Philip Keane (Ciaran Kearney  80), Anthony Kidney, Alan Higgins, Jason Forde; Patrick O’Brien, Derek O’Sullivan, Roy Kenny, Robert Coughlan (Dion Hennessey 68); Eric Hegarty, Paul Deasy.
Referee: Terence Moyne.
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