USL Results & Reports 12.05.13
Results
4 Lanterns USL
Drumkeen Utd. 2 1 Bonagee Utd.
Cockhill Celtic 3 1 Derry City Res.
Letterkenny Rovers 2 1 Finn Harps Res.
Knockalla Caravans Cup Semi-Finals
Kildrum Tigers 2 3 Swilly Rovers
Glengad Utd. 3 0 Fanad Utd.
Reports
Letterkenny Rovers 2
Finn Harps Reserves 1
Letterkenny Rovers opened their Ulster Senior League campaign with a hard fought victory over Finn Harps at Leckview Park on Sunday afternoon. It was the perfect response from Trevor Scanlon’s side after they endured a heavy cup defeat at the hands of Cockhill Celtic the previous week. Indeed, his young team had to come from behind after conceding an early goal to claim all three points with goals from two players at the opposite end of their careers – Dale Gorman and the ever reliable Jonathan Minnock. Rovers were also able to welcome back Darren McElwaine after nearly a year out while Ruairi Kelly returned to make his league debut. Harps included four former Rovers players in their starting eleven and it was their ex youth captain Josh Mailey who opened the scoring on 18 minutes. The Letterkenny man unleashed a shot from the edge of the box which deflected in past the hapless Shane O’Gara. Both sides played some excellent football on a slick surface and the home side got their reward with just two minutes to go to half time. Dale Gorman whipped in a vicious in swinging corner with his right foot which went over Shaun Patton and into the net.
Rovers started the second half brightly as both Davitt Walsh and young Kevin McGrath threatened inside the box. Amazingly, Rovers winner on 63 minutes came in similar circumstances to their equaliser. On this occasion, Johnny Minnock swung in the corner with his left foot and Patton was unable to keep it out. The goal proved decisive as Rovers looked comfortable at the back to get back to winning ways.
Letterkenny Rovers – Shane O’Gara, Dale Gorman, Dan O’Donnell, Ruairi Kelly, Jonathan Minnock, Chris Malseed, Kevin McGrath, Glenn Gallagher, Darren McElwaine, Davitt Walsh, Aaron Scanlon. Subs used – Odhrán McMacken for McElwaine on 68 mins, Jamie Doherty for Gallagher on 75 mins, Keith Malseed for Scanlon on 80 mins.
Finn Harps Res. – Shaun Patton, Ryan Lonergan, Dean Bonner, Aaron O’Hagan, Dylan Hegarty, Josh Mailey, Cathal McDaid, Mark Forker, Matt Harkin, Johnny Bonner, Gareth Colhoun. Subs used – Chris Flanagan for Lonergan on 70 mins.
Referee – Con McLaughlin.
Drumkeen Utd. 2
Bonagee Utd 1
This game was played at windy St Patricks Park on Saturday evening. Bonagee started of the brighter in this local Derby and were much the better team in the first half, the fast moving Jamie Lynagh causing all sorts of problems for the home defence down the left side. Indeed it was Lynagh who put Bonagee in front after 20 minutes when a through ball from Dean Larkin found him running into the 6 yard box he knocked the ball passed McCauley in the home goals to give Bonagee a half time 1 nil lead.
Drumkeen upped their game in the second half and on 60 minutes after good work by O’Farrell his cross found the head of Eunan Kelly whose glancing header beat the excellent Darren Smyth. Drumkeen made a few changes in personnel and introduced a couple of subs as they sought to find a winner and Bonagee were now under great pressure with the home team on top, and forcing corner after corner. It was no surprise when sub Mark Marley, returning after being out injured for 6 weeks showed great control after receiving the ball from O Farrell on the edge of the 18yd line he took a couple steps into the penalty area before picking his spot into the bottom right hand corner to give the home team a rather lucky but deserved win.
Ref Tommy Mc Aree.
Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup Semi Final
McLaughlin’s double sends Glengad to first Knockalla Final
Glengad United 3-0 Fanad United
Played at the Crua in windy conditions this was a tough encounter between Glengad and a youthful Fanad side led by the experienced Paddy McGrenaghan.With the wind Glengad started well and keeper Sean Daffan held a few early crosses confidently.On 13 minutes Fanad replied when Shane Buchanan found space but fired well over from twenty yards.Midway through the half Glengads Terence Doherty saw a close range effort parried by Daffan and when it was cleared to the edge of the area Charlie Byrne drilled wide.Patrick McDermott and John G McDermott then both fired well over before Patrick McDermottt played a one two with Doherty but saw his effort saved by Daffan.The best chance of the half for the home side came on 42 minutes when JG McLaughlin crossed for John McDaid whose first time right footed effort was brilliantly turned round the post by Daffan. McGrenaghan had an early shot in the second half flash just past the right hand post before Glengad resumed control.Stephen McLaughlin broke on the right and when his superb cross was scrambled clear to the edge of the area JG McLaughlin’s effort was well parried by Daffan.Fanad responded and a long range Darragh Mcdaid effort was gathered at the second attempt by Martin McLaughlin.Glengad made the breakthrough on 70 minutes when after a poor back pass Daffan’s clearance was collected by Terence Doherty whose flighted cross found JG McLaughlin to head to the top corner. They made it two nil on 78 minutes after Doherty was upended and McLaughlin converted from the spot to get his second.And they completed the scoring on 88 minutes when John McDaid fed Stephen McLaughlin on the right and his superb cross was swept home from close range by substitute Niall McLaughlin.
Fixtures
4 Lanterns USL
Thursday, May 16th at 7:30pm
Kildrum Tigers v Swilly Rovers Ref. C. McLaughlin
Drumkeen Utd. v Fanad Utd. Ref. P. Coll
Saturday, May 18th at 7:30pm
Bonagee Utd. v Letterkenny Rovers Ref. P. Duddy
Sunday, May 19th at 2pm
Finn Harps Res. v Derry City Res. T. McAree
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