A goal in each half was just enough to give Letterkenny Rovers this narrow and hard earned win over a gallant Dunfanaghy Youths side which was trying to win their second Cup competition of the season , having already taken the John Gorey Curran Cup. They will certainly feel that this was an opportunity lost as they had plenty of the possession and enough chances to win this game. There was an element of good fortune in both goals scored by Rovers but they took those two chances and with them the Ulster Youth Cup. LETTERKENNY RVS 2 V 0 DUNFANAGHY YOUTHS. Letterkenny Rovers made the better start and took the lead in the 18th minute, Dunfanaghy goalkeeper Oisín Cannon kick-out went straight to Conor Friel and he raced forward before passing inside to Ryan O Donnell who blasted the ball past Cannon. Two minutes later Dunfanaghy Yts could have been level wnen Luke McCarry found Edward O Reilly but he headed over from 6 yards. In the 27th minute Cannon saved well from Friel after Darren Ferry’s pass put him through. A minute later McCarry was almost in after good work by Roan Dewar on the right. It should have been 2-0 in the 36th minute when Ruairi Dennehy’s strong header forward sent Ryan O Donnell racing through but this time he blasted the ball over the bar. Oisín Cannon then made two excellent saves to deny headers by both Caolan Dunleavy and then Dennehy following corners by Gavin McGee and then just before half-time Dunfanaghy broke away and Luke McCarry almost got to Carlos O Reilly’s cross as it flashed across near the goal-line. Charlie Collins reports from the Dry Arch Grounds at Bonagee FC. In the 48th minute McCarry was just wide after a good run and shot. On the hour Ryan O Donnell and Darren Ferry combined to send Conor Friel through but Cannon again saved well . However ten minutes later disaster for Cannon and his team as the keeper raced from his penalty to clear a long hopeful ball by Ryan O Donnell but completely missed it to allow Conor Friel to race clear and simple pass the ball to the net for a 2-0 lead somewhat against the run of play. Dunfanaghy to their credit kept pushing forward but Rovers held firm with good defending and at times a bit of luck to take the Ulster Youth Cup. LETTERKENNY ROVERS ; Aaron Hepburn , Jerry Obi , Caolan Dunleavy , Ruairi Dennehy , Thomas Keys , Gavin McGee , Conor Friel , Darren Ferry , Ryan O Donnell , James Kernan , Clinton Ilupeju. Subs Used ; Jake Kelly , Caolan McConnell , Cian McMonagle. DUNFANAGHY YOUTHS ; Oisín Cannon , Callum Friel , Krystian Fuit , Paddy McGinley , Patrick Moffitt , Carlos O Reilly , Roan Dewar , Kyle McGarvey , Calvin Murray , Edward O Reilly , Luke McCarry. Subs Used ; Dara Breen , Eanna McCafferty , Dan Ferry , Euan Wilson . REFEREE ; Marty Quinn , assisted by Marty McGarrigle and Vincent McLaughlin.
Letterkenny Rovers claim Ulster Youth Cup against gallant Dunfanaghy Youths.
written by
Chris McNulty
August 2, 2018
Chris McNulty
Author of 'Boxing In Donegal: A History (2021)' - the definitive history of the sport in County Donegal - and 'Relentless: A Race Through Time', the 2019 memoir of former Irish Athletics Team Manager Patsy McGonagle. From St Johnston and now based in Letterkenny, Chris was a nominee for NUJ Sports Journalist of the Year in 2010. Honoured by the Donegal Boxing Board in 2016 for his coverage on the sport.