RHYS McDermott scored his first Letterkenny Rovers goal as the Cathedral Town men fought for a narrow win at Fanad United.
Fanad United 0 Letterkenny Rovers 1
Letterkenny had the ball in the net as early as the second minute however Davitt Walsh was ruled offside.
Two minutes later Oisin Langan hit a free kick into the Rovers box, and when it broke to Edward O’Reilly he forced Rovers keeper Rory Kelly into a decent save.
In the 10th minute Davitt Walsh broke through but he was denied by Oisin Cannon in the Fanad nets. Fanad broke up the other end and Matthew McLaughlin seen his cross/shot deflected wide by the onrushing Martin McElhinney.
Letterkenny got the only goal of the game in the 27th minute and it was a somewhat spectacular goal as right back Rhys McDermott fired home a superb half volley from 25 yards out.
Five minutes before the break Conor Gormley seen his shot well saved by Oisin Cannon. With time running out in the half Fanad were left incensed as they were denied what looked like a clear penalty when Dean McCarry was clattered by Rory Kelly in the box after winning the ball.
Straight from the kick off in the 2nd half Fanad launched an attack and Dean McCarry was unlucky to see his shot drift wide.
Ten minutes later, left back Paul Bradley went on a run into the box and his dangerous cross was well dealt with by the Letterkenny defence.
On the hour mark Rory Kelly done very well to palm away a very dangerous Dylan Dorrian cross.
Three minutes later former Fanad striker Davitt Walsh was unlucky to see his shot go wide after a free into the box.
In the 70th minute Oisin Cannon produced a fine save to deny Garry Merrit. In the 80th minute Fanad Oisin Cannon to thank as he made a superb double save to deny Conor Gormley and Declan Sharkey. In injury time Cannon made another decent save to deny Sharkey again.
Fanad United: Oisin Cannon, Keelin McElwaine, Paul Bradley, Conor Duggan, Oisin Langan, Martin McElhinney, Matthew McLaughlin, DEan McCarry, Edward O’Reilly, Darren McElwaine, Dylan Dorrian. Subs used: Peter Curran, Patrick McGinley
Letterkenny Rovers: Rory Kelly, Rhys McDermott, Johnny Bonner, Emmett Friars, Dan O’Donnell, Ryan Lonergan, Kevin McGrath, Chris Malseed, Garry Merrit, Conor Gormley, Davitt Walsh. Subs used: Declan Sharkey, Joel Gorman
