Ulster Senior League Results & Reports 16.03.14
Results from the League Cup
Group A
Bonagee Utd 0 3 Drumkeen Utd.
Swilly Rovers Cockhill Celtic
Group B
Letterkenny Rovers 2 2 Derry City Res.
Fanad Utd. Finn Harps Res.
Reports
Group B
Spoils Shared
Letterkenny Rovers 2
Derry City Res. 2
Letterkenny Rovers and Derry City both remain unbeaten in group B of the Ulster Senior League cup following a share of the spoils in cold and blustery conditions at the Aura centre on Sunday afternoon
Rovers took the game to the visitors from the off and following early chances by Kevin McGrath and Stephen O’Donnell they deservedly took the lead from the penalty spot on 18 mins. Oisin McMenamin did well to win possession before taking the ball into the box where he was fouled attempting to round keeper Michael Lynch and referee Paul Duddy had no hesitation in giving Letterkenny their fourth penalty in 5 games. In the absence of veteran striker Darren McElwaine, it was another veteran in Stephen O’Donnell who made no mistake firing low into the left hand corner. Derry came more into the game and got back on level terms after 37 mins following a defensive mix up and it was Conal Kelly who took advantage with his shot taking a deflection and the ball looped over Jason Quinn ensuring the teams went in level at half time
Rovers started the second half brighter and following good efforts from a Jason Doherty header and an Oisin McMenamin strike it was McMenamin who put the hosts ahead on 72 mins. A long clearance from defence was won in the air by the returning Paddy McNulty and his header fell into the path of the former Harps man who ran clear and finished into the roof off the net with consummate ease.
Derry came back into the game after the goal as Letterkenny didnt really push on and came close through a Ryan Doherty free kick and a couple of half chances through Ronan Curtis….However Curtis was not to be denied as he scored the equaliser on 83 mins following good work by Michael Barr on the right hand side and his cross was converted by Curtis despite the very close attentions of Jonathan Minnock from 7 yards out. Derry in fact could have got all three points but for the intervention of Kieran Doherty who made a remarkable goal line clearance 4 mins from time to deny Ryan Doherty.
Both teams will be happy with the point and will fancy their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals of the competition when the League cup resumes at the end of June. These teams meet again in the opening game of the league at the Aura centre next Sunday again.
Harps Win in Fanad
Fanad Utd. 1
Finn Harps Res 2
Group A
Bonagee Utd. 0
Drumkeen Utd. 3
Drumkeen travelled to near neighbours Bonagee to play their first game in this seasons League Cup, and deservedly game away will all three points thanks to goals from Michael Carroll, Gary Patton and Darren Cassidy. Drumkeen started the game well and had the Bonagee defence on the back foot for much of the opening period, with Conor Carlin’s pace causing a few problems for the home side. Mickey Rodgers side took the lead in the 29th minute, when a corner from David Shovlin was met by a Michael Carroll header at the front post. Drumkeen did test Darren Smyth’s goal on a few occasions before the half but it remained one nil going in at the break.
Bonagee did start the second period much better and did almost equalise in the 49th minute through Kevin Barr effort from the edge of the penalty area. David Shovlin played a ball into the area in the 62nd minute to substitute Gary Patton, and with the Bonagee bench calling for a handball against the Drumkeen man, Patton coolly lobbed the ball over Smyth for goal number two. The final goal came with seven minutes remaining on the clock. With the Bonagee players caught flat-footed, Shovlin played a quick free to Gary Patton wide on the right and his cross was emphatically thumped home by Darren Cassidy from fifteen yards out. Ref Tommy McAree
Swilly Rovers 1
Cockhill Celtic 3
Victory for Cockhill Celtic in this entertaining game played before a large crowd in Swilly Park.
Swilly lost Ryan Shields and David Fisher to injury in the first half, which upset their rhythm and game plan somewhat. Swilly went ahead on seven minutes when Gareth Colhoun released Calvin Mooney, who chipped the keeper for a delightful goal. Garbhan Friel equalised for Cockhill on 36 minutes, when he fired home from 15 yards. Friel went on to convert a penalty after a foul in the box. Gerry Gill wrapped matters up with 10 minutes remaining, when his free ended up in the Swilly net. Dylan Hegarty went close for Swilly near the end as his volley required a stunning save from Gavin Cullen in the visitors’ goal. Swilly defended strongly throughout as Cockhill piled on the pressure. Best for Swilly were Dylan Hegarty, Gareth Wade and Laurence Toland, while Garbhan Friel, Gerry Gill and Malachy McDermott shone for Cockhill.
Fixtures
Sunday, March 23rd at 2pm except where stated
Four Lanterns Ulster Senior League
Cockhill Celtic v Bonagee Utd. Ref. P. Coll
Fanad Utd. v Drumkeen Utd. Ref. V. McLaughlin
Finn Harps Res. v Swilly Rovers Ref. S. Toner
Letterkenny Rovers v Derry City Res. (3pm) Ref. T. McAree
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