Letterkenny Rovers squeeze out Rathmullan Celtic in dramatic Area Cup decider

Letterkenny Rovers will play Kildrum Tigers in the semi-final of the Brian McCormick Cup next weekend after a dramatic win against Rathmullan Celtic at Flagpole Field.

Rathmullan Celtic 2 Letterkenny Rovers 3

Jordan Nugent and Patrik Gahir have put their case forward for the Rovers opener a minute before half-time but that was quickly cancelled out after the restart via a strike from Mark McAteer. 

Nugent netted a spectacular goal with five minutes remaining as Rathmullan replied instantly courtesy of a low shot from Oisin McMenamin, who was only just on the pitch.

Extratime was on the cards but a headed goal from Danny Hall deep into stoppage time sent the away dugout into a state of jubilation. 

This Letterkenny Area final got off to a cagey start in Rathmullan as clear cut opportunities were not high in the stats list during the opening stages. 

Not through a lack of effort though as most deliveries over the top of either defence were mopped up by Kieran Gorman or Chris Malseed. 

Set-piece deliveries met the same fate as Letterkenny Rovers fashioned the first chance of note with just under 15 minutes gone. Shea McBride Friel's kickout didn't go to plan and that allowed Conor Temple an attempt on goal but his chipped effort landed just wide of the target.

Players from Letterkenny Rovers and Rathmullan Celtic when the home side presented Letterkenny with a wreath in memory of Kieran McGrath. Also in photo are the match officials. (NW Newspix)

Rathmullan Celtic had their first solid chance just under ten minutes later thanks to good work in the midfield from Ronan Morris. 

After a timed interception, he ran clear and played through Mark McAteer who attempted to lob the oncoming Blake Forkan but the netminder was equal to it.

Rovers' next opportunity on the half hour mark also fell to Conor Temple but his low strike was met by a strong glove from McBride Friel. 

The cagey nature of the first-half continued and it looked as though the sides would go into the interval level. However, Rovers netted a unique goal just a minute before the break.

Patrik Gahir played a low ball through the Rathmullan defence and Jordan Nugent was the intended target but with McBride Friel closing in, it looked like neither keeper nor striker got a touch as the ball rolled into the bottom corner. 

But both Rovers players claimed the goal as the squads went into the dressing room for the interval. 

Rathmullan Celtic started the second-half strong and after a couple of efforts went close to the target, their third shot was right on the money.

Kevin Doran and Jay Curran saw efforts go narrowly wide but just a couple of minutes later Mark McAteer hit the equaliser. With his back to goal, he received the ball from Doran and a quick turn in the area allowed him the space away from his two markers to find the top left corner. 

After the equaliser, it was slim pickings in front of goal as both defences were on top of their game, although Rathmullan enjoyed more of the possession during a period of approximately 25 minutes. 

The term 'end-to-end' is often used in football and during the final ten minutes of this game, that was the perfect way to describe how this one played out.

Danny Hall looked to have a prime opportunity to blast the ball home but Kieran Gorman was alert to block the shot at the source.

Just a couple of moments later, Gorman was involved at the other end as he directed a free header narrowly wide of the post after a corner from Kevin O'Donnell. 

With 86 minutes gone, Rovers took the lead. Mokhtar Bouasria showed good close control near the penalty area and he played in Jordan Nugent on the left side and his shot rifled into the far corner.

Oisin McMenamin was introduced during the celebrations and his substitution definitely had the required impact as he netted with his first touch just 30 seconds later. Ephrim McFadden lofted a ball up and Gorman flicked it on for McMenamin to slot underneath the oncoming Forkan.

With stoppage time ticking away, Reid Kelly went close to scoring the winner and with his opportunity gone, it looked as though extra time beckoned but a last minute goal changed that.

A short corner from Rovers was floated in from the left by Kelly and Danny Hall was on target at the back post to head home a dramatic winner.

Rathmullan Celtic: Shea McBride Friel; Alan Boal, Peter Curran, Kieran Gorman, Ephrim McFadden; Ronan Morris, David Edwards (Oisin McMenamin, 86), Eoin Sheridan, Mark McAteer; Kevin Doran, Jay Curran (Kevin O'Donnell, 73).

Letterkenny Rovers: Blake Forkan; Nathan Bonner, Gareth Temple (Caolon McConnell, 64), Leon Doherty, Chris Malseed; David O'Donnell, Patrik Gahir, Ronan Curran (Reid Kelly, 81), Conor Temple (Mokhtar Bouasria, 73); Luke Parke (Danny Hall, 57), Jordan Nugent (James Gallagher, 90)

Referee: Mick Lagan.