Letterkenny Rovers overcome derby rivals Swilly Rovers, but Cockhill Celtic’s title quest continued with a home win against Finn Harps Reserves, while Derry were victorious at Swilly last night.
Swilly Rovers 3 Letterkenny Rovers 4
Letterkenny Rovers edged out Swilly Rovers in a thrilling derby by Lennonside on Sunday as Eamon McConigley’s men look to stay on the coat-tails of the pace-setters, Cockhill Celtoc.
Letterkenny had the first good chance of the game on 10 minutes with a header from Paul Boyle after great delivery from Lee Toland.
Soon after, Toland’s corner picked out Boyle who planted powerful header into top corner.
Swilly grew into the game and started to dominate. They got the equaliser from a delicate chip from Tony McNamee, while Letterkenny had captain Darren McElwaine sent off just before half-time.
The half started well fro Swilly as Daniel O’Donnell put hosts ahead with a neat finish after a powerful shot from Laurence Toland.
Swilly had two or three chances to get the vital third goal but to their credit Letterkenny came back well when Kevin McGrath got the equaliser for the visitors.
Sub Steve Okakpo-Emeka put Letterkenny ahead in the 82nd minute with a good finish into the corner.
He turned provider for Dean O’Donnell to score his first senior goal for Letterkenny.
Swilly kept persevering and got a third goal with three minutes left after Dylan Hegarty converted from a goal mouth scramble.
Letterkenny Rovers: Chris Sweeney, Ryan Lonergan, Lee Toland, Ryan Gildea, Paul Boyle, Chris Flanagan, Brian McVeigh, Kevin McGrath, Darren McElwaine, Christy Connaghan, Odhran McMacken. Subs: Steve Okakpo-Emeka, Paul McVeigh, Dean O’Donnell, David O’Donnell, David Shovlin, Conor Tourish, Sean Friel.
Swilly Rovers: Caolan Bolton, Dylan Hegarty, Paul Bradley, Damien Friel, Brandon Toye, Dan O’Donnell, Ryan Toland, Barry Mooney, Ryan Toye, Laurence Toland, Tony McNamee. Subs: Shay Durning, Ronan Boyce, Mark Wilson, Anthony Gallagher
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Cockhill Celtic 2 Finn Harps Reserves 0
Cockhill came out on top in a game of few chances, the second half especially becoming a midfield battle.
After an even opening, Cockhill took the lead on 14 minutes when Gerry Gill’s free kick from the left side found Oisin McColgan at the far post. His ball across was stabbed home by James Bradley.
This prompted an immediate response from Harps who had their best spell of the game.
On 19 minutes they went close when a fine run through midfield from Keelan Kearney released Luke Nelis who shot straight at Cullen.
Cockhill made it two nil on the stroke of half time with Gill again the architect. His ball from the left found Marty Doherty who controlled and stepped inside a defender before slotting past Jamie Bell.
The second half was a dour affair puncuated by substitutions and free kicks with neither team able to create any chances of note.
Cockhill Celtic: Gavin Cullen, Derek Doherty, Jason Breslin, Peter Doherty, Oisin McColgan, Gerard McLaughlin, Conor Keddy, Ryan Varma, Garbhan Friel, Jimmy Bradley, Gerry Gill.
Finn Harps Reserves: Jamie Bell, Paul Ferry, Darragh Ellison, Michael Doherty, Sean Rodgers, Aaron McCready, Liam Walsh, Niall McGinley, Odhrán McConnell, Keelan Kearney, Luke Nelis.
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Bonagee United 1 Derry City Reserves 2
In a game switched to Saturday nights under the lights, it was the Foylesiders that claimed all three points in a game where all three goals came the last 12 minutes.
The first half was one of limited opportunities and the best of them came from Derry forward Dylan Devine who stung the fingers of Gareth Wade with a thunderous effort from 20 yards out.
Bonagee had a couple of decent efforts before the break, both from Dean Larkin, but they didn’t trouble Jason McCallion in the visiting goals.
Derry began the second half the much better side, with Wade certainly the busier of both keeperes. He had to push a Matthew Duffy effort around the post in the 56th minute, and made a point blank save from Denver Kelly in the 63rd to keep the score at nil-all.
The Bonagee support thought their team had taken the lead in the 71st minute when Aidan McLaughlin rose highest in the box to head a Chris Moran cross towards goal, only for McCallion to pull off an excellent save and tip the ball over the bar.
Derry hit the front with 11 minutes remaining when substitute Aaron McGurk fired home after a period of Derry pressure.
With Bonagee pushing forward, Derry doubled their advantage when Denver Kelly’s long ball reached Matthew Duffy who slotted past Wade.
Bonagee got a goal back in the last few minutes when Gareth Breslin headed home from a corner.
Bonagee United: Wade, Breslin, Russell, Frankowski, Hunter, Moran, Larkin, Moran, McCauley, O’Doherty, McLaughlin
Derry City Reserves: McCallion, McDermott, Farren, Deery, McClure, Kelly, Duffy, Malone, Thompson, Devine, Ward.
RESULTS
4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League
Saturday
Bonagee United 1 Derry City Reserves 2
Sunday
Swilly Rovers 3 Letterkenny Rovers 4
Cockhill Celtic 2 Finn Harps Reserves 0
FIXTURES
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Donegal News USL League Cup, Group B
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Wednesday, February 8, 7.30pm
Fanad United v Derry City Reserves
Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup, First Round
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Sunday, February 12, 2pm
Drumoghill FC v Bonagee United
Glenea United v Castlefin Celtic
Glengad United v Clones Town
QPS v Derry City Reserves
Milford United v Clonmany Shamrocks
Swilly Rovers v Cockhill Celtic
Greencastle FC v Monaghan Town
*The Fanad United v Letterkenny Rovers game will be played on Wednesday, February 22
| USL | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| Cockhill Celtic | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 10 | 24 | 28 | * |
| Letterkenny Rovers | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 26 | 19 | 7 | 22 | |
| Fanad United | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 18 | |
| Bonagee United | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 20 | -9 | 14 | |
| Derry City Reserves | 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 21 | 20 | 1 | 13 | * |
| Swilly Rovers | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 16 | 28 | -12 | 9 | |
| Finn Harps Reserves | 11 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 26 | -16 | 5 | |
| * Cockhill Celtic awarded a 3-0 win after Derry City Reserves team deemed ineligible on Jan 22 | |||||||||
TOP GOALSCORERS (LEAGUE GOALS ONLY)
Cathal Farren (Derry City Reserves)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8
Darren McElwaine (Letterkenny Rovers)Â 7
Mark Moran (Cockhill Celtic)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6
Laurence Toland (Swilly Rovers)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5
Jimmy Bradley (Cockhill Celtic)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4
Gerard McLaughlin (Cockhill Celtic)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4
Aaron McCready (Finn Harps Reserves)Â Â Â 4
DONEGAL NEWS USL LEAGUE CUP
THE outstanding group game in the Donegal News USL League Cup will take place on Wednesday night when Fanad United welcome Derry City Reserves to Triagh-A-Locha. Kick-off is at 7.30pm. The group winners in one group will play the runners-up from the other group in the semi-finals.
| Group A | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
| Cockhill Celtic | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Letterkenny Rovers | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Swilly Rovers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 | -7 | 0 |
| Group B | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
| Derry City Reserves | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Bonagee United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 3 |
| Fanad United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
