USL Results & Reports 30.06.13
Results
4 Lanterns USL
Drumkeen Utd. 0 v Cockhill Celtic 2
Kildrum Tigers 2 v Bonagee Utd 1
Letterkenny Rovers 1 v Derry City Res. 0
Swilly Rovers v Finn Harps Res. (Playing Monday)
DPD Div. 1
Bonagee Utd. Res.2 v Letterkenny Rovers Res. 1
Kildrum Tigers Res. 4 v Swilly Rovers Res. 0
Reports
DPD First Division –
Letterkenny Rovers 1
Swilly Rovers 2
Two second half goals from new Swilly Rovers’ striker Liam O’Donnell proved decisive as they defeated Letterkenny Rovers in a tight affair at Leckview Park, last Tuesday night in the Ulster Senior League First Division.
In an eventful game, the visitors opened the scoring within minutes of the re-start when O’Donnell raced clear of the Letterkenny defence to dispatch his effort beyond the reaches of substitute goalkeeper Greg Regan.
The home side pressed and probed for an equaliser which duly arrived on 70 minutes. Odhran McMacken drilled in a 25 yard free-kick which Kieran MacPherson got the slightest of touches to divert the ball past Caolan Bolton.
However, Swilly swiftly restored their goal lead. Shane Porter hesitated in clearing a ball out of defence and Cathal Diver took full advantage to fire a low cross into the box. O’Donnell saw his first effort smartly saved from Regan before scoring at the second attempt.
Although all the goals came in the second half, the opening forty-five minutes was not without incident. Kevin McGrath saw a rasping effort for the home side shave the crossbar while O’Donnell and Mooney were both denied by Shane O’Gara at the other end.
Rovers new signing Darragh Patton also saw a close range effort saved by the in-form Bolton.
Referee – Vincent McLaughlin
Bonagee Utd 2
Letterkenny Rovers 1
This was a very open and evenly contested game off football with both off these young teams always looking to get the ball on the ground and play football. The game sprung to life on 10 minutes when Bernard Mc Menemin’s cross cum shot cannoned of the Letterkenny post and Ciaran Gibson shot wide from the edge off the box.
Bonagee took the lead on 18 minutes when Ciaran Gibson curled home a delightful shot from 18 yards out off the inside off the post after great work by Sam Murphy and Peter Mc Glynn to set him up .Letterkenny responded to this by upping their game and Jason Doherty had a shot blocked by Glenn Rainey, and Matthew O’ Rourke had another shot bravely blocked by Chris Mc Laughlin.
On 37 minutes Shane Porter broke from the centre off defence on a great run through midfield to set up Jason Doherty who fired just over the bar. Matthew O’ Rourke was very unlucky on 43 minutes when his neat and inteligent flick came back off the post with Bonagee keeper Roy Duffy stranded.
Peter Mc Glynn then shot over the bar after being set up by Bernard Mc Menamin and Ciaran Gibson to bring the first half to an end. Half-time score Bonagee Utd 1 Letterkenny Rovers 0
The second half started with Ciaran Gibson firing a snapshot wide and another over the bar. Eddie Moore came to Bonagee’s rescue when he headed off the line from Marty Vance’s curling shot from inside the box. Rovers keeper Shane O’ Gara did well to save in a one on one with Ciaran Gibson.
Letterkenny drew level when a free kick delivered in to the box was only partially cleared and Jason Doherty brilliantly struck shot found the corner off the net giving keeper Roy Duffy no chance.
Bonagee were dealt another blow on 62 minutes when defender Chris Mc Laughlin received his second yellow card for a late tackle and had the pleasure off an early shower!. Gareth Doherty shot wide after neat work from the resulting free kick.
The game started to open up at this stage with both teams pressing for the winner. Peter Mc Glynn went on a great run down the right side and his cut back was excellent to Sam Murphy, but his shot was brilliantly cleared off the line by the outstretched leg off defender Anthony Doherty.
The breakthrough came on 74 minutes for Bonagee when Aodhan Cannon crashed home a superb free kick to the corner off the net from 20 yards out giving O’ Gara no chance in the Rovers goal. Letterkenny responded on 79 minutes when after neat footwork by Kevin Doran his shot was just over the bar. On 82 minutes Bonagee keeper Roy Duffy did well in a one on one situation with Rovers forward Marty Vance. This was the last real chance off the match and Bonagee were able to close the game out. This was a highly entertaining and sporting game and the game was let flow by the excellent refereeing off match official Stephen Toner.
Ulster Senior League Reports
Letterkenny Rovers 1
Derry City 0
Oisin McMenamin struck an 83rd minute winner as Letterkenny Rovers secured all three points against Derry City at Leckview Park on Sunday.
It was Rovers’ first victory since their opening day win over Finn Harps with too many draws ruling them out of the title race but McMenamin’s first goal for his new club turned what seemed like another draw into a win.
Trevor Scanlon was forced to reshuffle his pack with the experienced due of Jonathan Minnock and Anthony Gorman both missing from the previous week’s draw in Cockhill while Dan O’Donnell and Ciaran Greene were also absent.
But young stars Kieran Doherty, Aaron Scanlon, Kevin McGrath and Odhran McMacken all took their opportunity with maximum effect.
Rovers dominated the opening half but contrived to miss several chances when they could have put the game beyond doubt by the interval.
Darren McElwaine was unlucky with a superb free-kick which crashed against the post but the striker had two further chances to break the deadlock but missed the target on each occasion.
Josh Tracey created the best opportunity for the visitors but his stunning 25 yard free-kick was expertly tipped over the crossbar by Jason Quinn.
Just before the break, Kieran Doherty saw his back post header clear the crossbar following a fine delivery from McMacken.
Rovers failed to create the same number of chances in the second half but the break through goal arrived late in the game.
Substitute Kevin Doran fed McMenamin with a precise pass and the former Finn Harps striker showed magnificent composure to first round the goalkeeper Seamus Houghton before drilling the ball into the net despite the presence of several retreating Derry defenders.
The Candystripes had a late free-kick to draw level but made nothing of the situation as Rovers held on for a deserved victory.
Letterkenny Rovers – Jason Quinn, Kieran Doherty, Aaron Scanlon, Kieran Gorman, Ruairi Kelly, Oisin McMenamin, Steve Okapu, Kevin McGrath, Darren McElwaine, Chris Malseed, Odhran McMacken. Subs – Kevin Doran for S. Okapu on 70 mins.
Derry City – Seamus Houghton, Michael Barr, Shane Curran, Ryan Harkin, Caolan McLaughlin, Paul Ramsey, Conal Kelly, Tony McNamee, George Kelly, Cormac O’Brien , Josh Treacy.
Referee – Stephen Toner
Ulster Senior League Fixtures
Monday, July 1st at 7.30pm
Swilly Rovers v Finn Harps Reserves
Referee Packie Coll
Thursday, 4th July at 7.30pm
Swilly Rovers v Bonagee Utd
Referee Paddy Melaugh
Cockhill Celtic v Derry City
Referree Packie Coll
Monday, July 8th at 7.30pm
Fanad Utd v Finn Harps
Referee Paul Duddy
Wednesday, 10th July at 7.30pm
Kildrum Tigers v Drumkeen Utd.
Referee Stephen Toner
Ulster Senior League Division 1 Fixtures
Saturday, July 6th at 2pm
DPD Division 1 Cup (Preliminary Rd)
Swilly Rovers Res. v Letterkenny Rovers Res.
Referee Joe McHugh
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