Letterkenny Rovers went to within three points of Cockhill at the top of the 4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League on Sunday with a 2-1 away win while Finn Harps Reserves defeated Swilly Rovers and there was a draw between Derry City Reserves and Bonagee United.
Cockhill Celtic 1 Letterkenny Rovers 2
Letterkenny Rovers are right back breathing down the necks of Cockhill Celtic.
With just three games to go, Rovers are just three points behind after Darren McElwaine score twice in a come-from-behind win for Eamon McConigley’s team against the champions and League leaders at the Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds.
McElwaine moved out on his own at the top of the goalscoring list, too, as he went onto 11 League goals with a brace.
Cockhill had led from Gerard McLaughlin’s header in the 52nd minute, but the champions finished with 10 men as McLaughlin was sent off four minutes from the end.
McLaughlin walked after an incident involving David Shovlin.
Earlier, McLaughlin headed home at the near post from a Gerry Gill corner as Cockhill took the lead.
However, Rovers equalised 11 minutes later when McElwaine collected a scooped pass from Shovlin and placed his effort beyond player-manager Cullen.
And the Cathedral Town side had the lead soon after.
With the ball bobbling awkwardly in the area, McElwaine managed to get a touch and the ball cannoned in off the bar.
It had been a game of little incident before McLaughlin broke the deadlock.
Mark Moran shot over from the edge of the D early on while McLaughlin nodded wide from another Gill deliver with Oisin McColgan side-footing wide as Gill’s corner wasn’t dealt with.
Letterkenny felt their way into the tie and Christy Connaghan stung Cullen into action with a fierce drive that the former Harps netminder did well to get down on.
Another low teaser from Connaghan drew a save from Cullen.
A win here for Cockhill would have taken them to within a point of the silverware and they sensed something when McLaughlin broke the deadlock.
However, McElwaine’s double swung the pendulum – and although Letterkenny are running out of games, Cockhill are similarly running out of lives.
Cockhill Celtic: Gavin Cullen; Paul McDermott (Marty Doherty 82), Peter Doherty, Oisin McColgan, William O’Connnor (Paul McKinney 75); Derek Doherty, Jimmy Bradley, Gerard McLaughlin, Gerry Gill; Garbhan Friel, Mark Moran.
Letterkenny Rovers: Christopher Sweeney; David Shovlin, Paul Boyle, Conor Tourish, Lee Toland; Paul McVeigh, Brian McVeigh, Ryan Lonergan (Odhran McMacken 84), Christy Connaghan; Steve Okakpu-Emeka (Chris Flanagan 80), Darren McElwaine.
Referee: Marty Quinn.
Finn Harps Reserves 2 Swilly Rovers 0
Finn Harps reserves secured their second win in a row when they overcame a resilient and organised young Swilly side at the Curragh.
Simon McGlynn opened the scoring with just two minutes on the clock with a fine individual effort.
The Raphoe man – who recently made his debut for Harps senior team against Cockhill – calmly finished past Bolton in the visitors goal following a mazy run from outside the box.
McGlynn had another chance to add to his tally after 12 minutes but his shot went narrowly wide after Mooney for Swilly had a good effort clear the Harps crossbar.
Liam Walsh for Harps and Brandon Toye for Swilly traded opportunities before Oran McConnell put Harps two up on 42 minutes with a fine free kick from outside the box which put the home side in a commanding position going into the break.
A hard-fought second half saw chances at a premium but a much changed Swilly never gave up with former Harps player Tony McNamee delivering some quality service from corners which resulted in chances for Mooney and Patterson.
Harps had taken the opportunity to offer new faces competitive action and one of thosem U17 player Steven Doherty, put in a fine cross which would have been converted by McConnell had Bolton not produced a fine save.
Finn Harps Reserves: Bell, McLaughlin,Clifford, McCready, White, McDermott, McGlynn, McKelvey, McConnell, Walsh, Browne. Subs used: Wray, Ferry and Doherty
Swilly Rovers: Bolton, Durning, Crossan, Boyce, McNamee, R McDaid, M McDaid, O’Donnell, Mooney, Toye, Patterson.
Referee: Vincent McLaughlin
Derry City Reserves 1 Bonagee United 1
Derry City Reserves and Bonagee United played out a low-key draw at Templemore on Sunday afternoon.
Derry, the League’s third-placed team, had a chance to extend their advantage with Fanad United having no game.
However, they fell behind in the 11th minute when Aidan McLaughlin shot Bonagee United ahead.
Derry, though, secured a share of the spoils when Josh Daniels converted the equaliser.
RESULTS
4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League
Sunday
Cockhill Celtic 1 Letterkenny Rovers 2
Derry City Reserves 1 Bonagee United 1
Finn Harps Reserves 2 Swilly Rovers 0
FIXTURES
4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League
Sunday, April 16, 2pm
Bonagee United v Swilly Rovers
Cockhill Celtic v Fanad United
Letterkenny Rovers v Derry City
| USL | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| Cockhill Celtic | 15 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 41 | 15 | 26 | 34 | * |
| Letterkenny Rovers | 15 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 33 | 20 | 13 | 31 | |
| Derry City Reserves | 15 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 31 | 23 | 8 | 23 | |
| Fanad United | 15 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 22 | 21 | 1 | 21 | |
| Bonagee United | 15 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 28 | -15 | 18 | * |
| Finn Harps Reserves | 15 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 16 | 31 | -15 | 11 | |
| Swilly Rovers | 14 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 17 | 35 | -18 | 9 | |
| * Cockhill Celtic awarded a 3-0 win after Derry City Reserves team deemed ineligible on Jan 22 | |||||||||
TOP GOALSCORERS (League goals only)
Darren McElwaine (Letterkenny Rovers) 11
Cathal Farren (Derry City Reserves) 9
Mark Moran (Cockhill Celtic) 6
Laurence Toland (Swilly Rovers) 5
Jimmy Bradley (Cockhill Celtic) 5
Gerard McLaughlin (Cockhill Celtic) 5
REMINDER TO CLUB PROS
Ulster Senior League club PROs are reminded about the match day protocol for submission of reports. Detailed reports are to be emailed to the League PRO BEFORE 6pm on match days.
Failure to comply will result in the home club being fined.
Some clubs have become extremely lax on this matter and clubs are asked to ensure that arrangements are in place to ensure reports are filed on time.
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