Letterkenny Rovers stirring FAI Youth Cup came to a halt yesterday as Cork side Ballincollig ran out winners at the Landing Field in the quarter-final stages.
Ballincollig 3-1 Letterkenny Rovers
On a bright beautiful morning hopes were high that Rovers could pull off a shock win and qualify for a second semi-final in consecutive years and those hopes increased when Ruari Friel headed the opener on 35 minutes when a James Tourish corner wasnt properly cleared and was headed back by Shane Doherty and Friel made no mistake from nine yards.
That was a blow to Ballincollig who could have been well ahead at that stage as they spurned a number of good opportunities with a header from Shane Dunne and two Darren Murphy gilt edged chances all going a begging.
The Cork men though were quick to respond and drew level just 93 seconds later. A short corner routine between Shay Daly and Matthew Whelan saw Whelan let fly from the edge of the box and it found the bottom corner with the aid of a deflection.
Anthony Gorman would have been happy to see his troops go in level but at the same time would have been unhappy at the expense of such a soft goal but any notions his side would have had of victory were soon dissipated on 63 minutes when Ballincollig took the lead.
Again it was Whelan who was on target when he deftly diverted home a Murphy free kick which had caught out the Rovers rearguard.
if truth be told Ballincollig had created a number of chances before going in front as they started the second half with a tempo which was high intense and were unlucky to See Whelan and Kevin Crowley both see efforts come off the woodwork.
The insurance goal arrived on 73 minutes when Fionnan O’Donovan slotted home after Rovers were caught slightly on the break.
Rovers did have a couple of chances through Codey Brogan to pul one back while Sean Friel had to be alert making a number of fine stops to thwart a potent Ballincollig attacking unit.
Rovers had surpassed expectations by reaching this stage and can be happy with two wins in the national stages but they just came up short against a decent Cork outfit.
Anthony Gorman can be pleased with his sides efforts although he will be further dismayed by a nasty looking injury sustained by Zach Gorman while Rovers were also reduced to ten men in the closing stages when goalscorer Friel saw red for two cautions.
Ballincollig: Matthew O’Callaghan, Shane Dunne, Stepehn Keane, Evey Kenefick, Jordan O’Connor, Shay Daly, Ronan Barrett, Kevin Crowley, Matthew Whelan, Darren murphy, Fionnan O’Donovan. Subs; Daire Forde for Whelan 73 mins, Mark Walsh for O’Donovan 87 mins, Daire O’Leary for Barrett 89 mins
Letterkenny Rovers: Sean friel, Calvin O’Brien, Jmes Tourish, Eoghan Kelly, Ruairi Friel, Sean Curran, David O’Donnell, Shane Doherty, Codey Brogan, Zach Gorman, Tarlach O’Boyle Subs: Jerome Angel-Atahuene for Goman 53 mins, Michael Gallagher for O’Donnell 57 mins, Daire Morrison for O’Boyle 65 mins.
Referee: Noel Purcell (Waterford)
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