Letterkenny Institute of Technology are on their way to the CFAI Umbro Cup final.
IT Sligo 1 Letterkenny Institute of Technology 2
Daire McDaid and Simon McGlynn hit the second-half goals as LyIT defeated IT Sligo in today’s semi-final in Sligo.
The home side – with plenty of Donegal representatives – hit back with a last-ditch goal by Letterkenny Rovers man Odhran McMacken, but LyIT weren’t to be denied.
Four minutes into the second half, Fanad United attacker McDaid tucked home a penalty, giving Jack Mannion, the IT Sligo goalkeeper, no chance with a clinical finish.
The first half ended scoreless and it had been a game of few openings.
The best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell the way of Dean Larkin, but the LyIT man saw his shot saved by Mannion.
LyIT doubled the lead 18 minutes from the end when Finn Harps’ McGlynn fired home with the killer second.
Two weeks ago, the Port Road students struck late to record a come-from-behind win over Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa, when BJ Banda and then McDaid netted in a 2-1 home win in the quarter-finals.
That win came after a disappointing CUFL quarter-final loss to NUI Galway, but now they’re final-bound.
At 2-0 the LyIT nerves whistled and, while Letterkenny Rovers’ McMacken netted in the 95th minute, it was too little too late.
IT Sligo: Jack Mannion., Mark Connaughton, Conor Blaney, Ryan O’Reilly, Shay Doherty, Odhran McMacken, Ryan Norris, Fola Ayorinde, Conor Brennan, Brian Kavanagh, Jack Murphy. Subs used: Brandon Wilkie, Gary Higgins.
Letterkenny Institute of Technology: Mark McELhinney, Caolan McDaid, Oisin Langan, Lee McColgan, Ciaran Kelly, Daire McDaid, Dean Larkin, Brian McVeigh, Paul McVeigh, Martin Doherty, Ryan Connolly. Subs used: Keelin McElwaine, Simon McGlynn.
