Fanad United secured a semi final spot in the Donegal News League Cup with a 1-0 victory over Swilly Rovers at a blustery Traigh-a-Loch.
Fanad United 1 Swilly Rovers 0
The first chance of note in the game came after 10 minutes. Dean McCarry flicked on a ball from the back to Davitt Walsh who cut inside but his shot rolled just wide of the far post.
Two minutes later Matthew McLaughlin fired over form 20 yards for Swilly.
On the half hour mark, Brandon Wilkie swung a very dangerous ball into the Fanad box but the in-rushing Ryan McDaid just failed to make contact.
Five minutes later Wilkie fired over after being sent through by Tony McNamee.
Swilly Rovers
The second half started in similar circumstances with both sides struggling with the strong cross – wind.
In the 55th minute, Conor Blaney sprayed an excellent ball out to Edward O’Reilly and when he showed good skill to cut inside, his left footed shot went just wide.
On the hour mark Fanad did have a half chance to open the scoring when Shaun McElwaine volleyed over the bar after a corner.
With 15 minutes remaining, Fanad made the breakthrough. Paul Bradley found space in mid-field and he hit a superb defence splitting pass out to Marty McAteer on the left, McAteer then beat his man before playing the ball across the box where Dean McCarry was waiting to fire home from six yards.
Swilly pushed froward looking for an equaliser and with five minutes remaining, Tony McNamee just failed to make proper contact with the ball on the edge of the area.
Fanad United: Shane Graham, Declan McGarvey, Conor Blaney, Oisin Langan, Shaun McElwaine, Ryan McFadden (James Gallagher 80), Paul Bradley, Dean McCarry, Paddy Carr, Davitt Walsh (Peter Curran 88), Edward O’Reilly (Marty McAteer 62)
Swilly Rovers: Gareth Muldoon, Ciaran McHugh, Shaun Crossan, David Fisher, Dylan Hegarty, James McCahill, Ryan McDaid (Frankie McBrearty 75), Tony McNamee, Kennedy Boachie-Ansah, Matthew McLaughlin, Brandon Wilkie (Jordan Nugent 70)
Referee: Vincent McLaughlin
