Letterkenny Rovers team prior to their FAI Cup win over Dunboyne last week. Picture by North-West Newspix.
Letterkenny Rovers maintained their USL title hopes with a very comfortable 4-1 victory over Swilly Rovers on Sunday afternoon in a game which was reversed to the Aura centre in Letterkenny.
Eamonn McConigleys men went into the game as massive favourites having defeated the Lennonsiders decisively twice already this season and once Paul Boyle headed home the opener on 28 minutes the result was never in doubt.
Swilly though did threaten in the opening minutes and had a big claim for a penalty on 11 minutes when Paul Boyle appeared to foul Calvin Mooney after initially getting caught in possession but referee Marty McGarrigle waved away the protests.
It was the Cathedral Town men though who took over after that initial scare and Paul McVeigh came close on 24 minutes before the opener arrived on 28 mins.
Swilly were penalised for a foul on Kevin McGrath and from the resulting free kick Conal McGonigles excellent delivery was well met by Boyle and his header gave goalkeeper Gareth Wade no chance.
The lead was doubled just 6 minutes later when after Christy Connaghans shot was well saved the rebound fell to Steve Okakpo-Emeka and his exceptional turn and shot crashed off the crossbar into the path of Darren McElwaine and he had the simple task of firing into the empty net.
Dylan Hegarty and Michael McHugh had efforts on goal but that was as close as the visitors got in a first half which was dominated by Letterkenny.
Any hopes Swilly had of a comeback were dashed on 48 minutes when an exquisite move involving David Shovlin and Christy Connaghan led to Connaghan finding McVeigh at the far post and he had the simple task of firing home.
Things got tetchy after that and Swilly thought they ought to have a penalty after a David Shovlin mistimed tackle in the box but play was again waved on much to the chagrin of their management team of Jason Gibson and Michael Deeney.
The Lennon men did get a goal back on 75 minutes when McHughs quickly taken free kick sent Marty McDaid clear and he fired home past Sean Friel and although it was nervous for a short period Rovers could have been further clear by that stage through chances from McVeigh and Okakpo-Emeka before goal number 4 arrived on 90 minutes courtesy of a Paul McVeigh volley after a wonderful move which was assisted by a sublime Minnock cross.
Letterkenny are back in action next weekend in the FAI Intermediate Cup last 16 against Midleton while Swilly are in league action against Derry City.
Letterkenny Rovers; Sean Friel, Conal McGonigle, David Shovlin, Paul Boyle, Darek Frankowski, Kevin McGrath, Paul McVeigh, Tommy Bonnar, Darren McElwaine, Christy Connaghan, Steve Okakpo-Emeka
Subs; Ryan Lonergan for McGonigle 45 mins, Johnathan Minnock for Frankowski 45 minutes, Mark Forker for Bonnar 70 mins
Swilly Rovers; Gareth Wade, Dylan Hegarty, Adam Salhi, Ryan McDaid,Damien Friel, Shay Durning, Brandon Toye, James McCahill, Dan O’Donnell,Calvin Mooney, Marty McDaid
Subs; Michael Mchugh for Mooney 36 mins, Ronan Doherty for Toye 76 mins.
Referee; Marty McGarrigle.
