Letterkenny Rovers made it back-to-back wins on successive Saturdays in the Ulster Senior League when comfortably disposing of the challenge of Finn Harps Reserves at the Aura Centre.
Letterkenny Rovers 2 Finn Harps Reserves 0
The 2-0 win ensured that Eamon McConigleys men moved second in the League.
This was the second part of the double header at the Ballymacool venue and Rovers seniors – buoyed on by National SFAI Cup victory for the u14s which preceded this encounter – started the game the brighter and played at a high tempo which yielded its rewards when going ahead in the 13th minute.
Harps were penalised for a foul on Kevin McGrath and it was debutant Lee Toland -impressive throughout – who whipped over a cross which was only partially cleared by Harps keeper Lee McCarron and it fell to Ryan Gildea who shot towards goal.
It fell into the path of Conor Tourish who had the simple task of slotting home from close range.
That set the tone for the game and Rovers continued to impress going forward trying to play a neat passing game and came close again through Paul McVeigh before Darren McElwaine shot narrowly wide on the half hour mark after another foul on McGrath.
Rovers almost doubled their lead on 37 minutes and again Toland was the architect when his corner fell to Tourish and his header clipped the top of the crossbar but it proved to be Tourishs last action as in going for the header he also connected with a defenders head and suffered a nasty wound above the eye which required stitches.
Harps fielded mainly an under-19s squad which was bolstered by the addition of Gareth Kelly, Thomas Amegnaglo and Aizi Nahaynod and the game was watched by a number of the Harps management team as preparation for the senior side was interrupted following a cancellation of their proposed Saturday friendly in Athlone.
Harps who almost got a goal back at the end of the first half when after forcing a number of corners former Rovers player Luke Nelis tried his luck and was narrowly wide with an effort from distance.while Alex Carolan also saw an effort go wide.
Rovers again started the second half the better and McGrath shot straight at McCarron when well placed on 49 minutes before Harps had their best chance to level on 54 minutes when another former Rovers man Paul Ferry saw his long throughball aid Nahanod and he beat the offside trap but failed to connect with his header when he ought to have done better.
Rovers’ loud protests for offside were swiftly dismissed by match referee Vincent McLoughlin.
That proved to be Harps last chance to exert any real pressure on Rovers as the home side secured a priceless second goal on 65 minutes after David Shovlin was fouled on the edge of the area although both benchs protested at the decision.
Harps believed it was not a foul while Rovers thought it was in the area and from the resulting set piece again from Toland the ball found its way via McElwaine to Paul Boyle and he showed great agility when somehow finding the net with an overhead kick which found the bottom corner and it capped a fine overall performance by the flame haired centre half.
That goal proved to be the clincher and Rovers forced the issue from then on in and were content to play some disciplined football and were in no mood to relinquish the lead and held on for another win and probably more pleasing another clean sheet.
Rovers move to within 6 points of leaders Cockhill and are back in action next Sunday when visiting Swilly Rovers while Harps travel to Cockhill.
Letterkenny Rovers: Rory Kelly, Ryan Gildea, Lee Toland, Conor Tourish, Paul Boyle, Ryan Lonergan, Paul McVeigh, Kevin McGrath, Darren McElwaine, Christy Connaghan, David Shovlin. Subs: Declan O’Donnell for Tourish (38), Steve Okakpo-Emeka for Shovlin (74), Brian McVeigh for Lonergan (76)
Finn Harps Reserves: Tommy Lee McCarron, Paul Ferry, Dara Ellison, Ciaran Kelly, Shane Blaney, Thomas Amegnaglo, Alex Carolan, Gareth Kelly, Aizi Nahanod, Jordan Ryan, Luke Nelis. Subs: Liam Walsh for Carolan (60), Ronan Finn for Ryan (60), Niall McGinley for Ellison (65).
Referee: Vincent McLoughlin
| USL | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| Cockhill Celtic | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 32 | 10 | 22 | 25 | * |
| Letterkenny Rovers | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 22 | 16 | 6 | 19 | |
| Fanad United | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 12 | 5 | 17 | |
| Bonagee United | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 17 | -8 | 13 | |
| Derry City Reserves | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 19 | 17 | 2 | 10 | * |
| Swilly Rovers | 9 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 24 | -13 | 6 | |
| Finn Harps Reserves | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 24 | -14 | 5 | |
| * Cockhill Celtic awarded a 3-0 win after Derry City Reserves team deemed ineligible on Jan 22 | |||||||||
RESULTS
Thursday
Fanad United 2 Swilly Rovers 1
Saturday
Letterkenny Rovers 2 Finn Harps Reserves 0
FIXTURES
Sunday, January 29, 2pm
Bonagee United v Fanad United Referee – Michael Connolly
Swilly Rovers v Derry City Reserves Referee – Marty McGarrigle; Assistants – Marty Quinn; Vincent McLoughlin
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