Letterkenny Rovers produce fine win over Knocknacarra in SFAI National U-15 Cup

Letterkenny Rovers pulled off a notable victory after an excellent disciplined workmanlike performance saw them defeat Knocknacarra 4-2 in Galway in the SFAI National U-15 Cup.

Knocknacarra 2-4 Letterkenny Rovers

Rovers advanced to this stage having won the Ulster area at the beginning of the month and had a dream start when Guillermo Tavares got on the end of a long ball from defence to coolly slot home past the hapless Thomas Philips in the home goal after just a minute.

The Westerners though played their way into the game and Rovers were indebted to goalkeeper Daniel McClafferty who pulled off a great stop from Ronan Muldoon. That was a warning shot for Rovers and it was the home side who levelled on 31 minutes when Ruairi Tuft fired home an unstoppable effort from the edge of the box.

Rovers though responded well to that and crucially restored their advantage on the stroke of halftime when Tavares was again tormentor in chief when his surging run down the left hand side saw his cross pick out Evan Hickey who slotted home from close range

Rovers started the second half brightly and had a number of good forays into the opponent's box and extended their lead midway through the half when Tavares was upended and Padraig Murphy slotted home the resultant penalty.

That should have been comfortable for Rovers but Knocknacarra were thrown a lifeline six minutes from time when a long ball wasn't dealt with and Eoghan Garquin found the net.

Rovers though were in no mood to forego the lead and any fraught nerves were dissipated when Hickey fired home a powerful effort in the dying embers of a hard fought cup encounter, which means a place in the last 16 with Dublin opposition to come.