Conor O’Donnell in action for Letterkenny Rovers U16 team.
Letterkenny Rovers took on Illistrin United last Sunday in the SFAI National Cup but came unstuck against their local rivals at Leckview.
Letterkenny Rovers headed into the game having drew the previous week against Kilmacrennan in the league.
Illistrin had taken all three points off Gweedore Celtic and sat top of the table.
Illistrin went into the game as favourites and they started very strong.
Letterkenny sat back from the start inviting pressure from the visitors and it only took them twenty minutes to find the net.
Shane Blaneys lobbed pass to Jordan Ryan from outside the box was on target and Jordan Ryan headed home from two yards to take the lead for the visitors.
Letterkenny pushed on after conceding and went at the visitors.
A few Letterkenny heads got extremely close to a couple of Conor O’Donnell crosses but that’s as close as Letterkenny came in the first half.
Chances were limited in the first half and the teams went in at half-time with Illistrin leading 1-0.
The second half started the same with most the game being played in the middle of the pitch.
Midway through the second half Jeaic McKelvey had a goal disallowed as Illistrin goalkeeper was fouled going for the ball.
Shortly after Illistrin centre-half Patrick McColgan got sent off for a second yellow card offence.
As the game neared the final whistle Letterkenny pushed forward and were hit on the break by Illistrin substitute who forced Letterkennys goalkeeper Eoin O’Boyle to pull off a brilliant save.
Letterkenny were unable to create any more chances and the game finished 1-0.
Illistrin now advance to the next round.
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