Delight for Letterkenny Rovers U-9 with Foyle Cup success after memorable week

Letterkenny Rovers U-9 side put in the most impressive of weeks to win the Foyle Cup in style in Derry.

The side managed by Marcus Oliver, assisted by Charlie Lynch and Krissi McLaughlin, ran in an incredible 45 goals and conceded just one.

In the group stages, based a Templemore, Letterkenny Rovers were 15-0 winners over Illistrin Colts, 6-0 victory against Shankhill Junior Colts and enjoyed an 8-0 success over Tummery Athletic Colts. 

That was followed up with a 3-0 against Foyle Harps then a 4-0 win over NFC Kesh and a narrow 1-0 over Glenree United with Alfie Gallagher on the mark.

That meant a place in the knock-out stages of the Cup competition, where they produced a 3-1 victory over Phoniex Athletic. The goals came from goalkeeper Scott McLaughlin, Charlie Lynch and Alfie Gallagher, before a narrow 1-0 against Don Boscos in the quarter-final at Broadbridge Primary School thanks to Finn Dillon’s wondergoal.

Charlie Lynch, Alfie Gallagher and Mason Oliver grabbed the goals in the 3-0 semi-final success over Tummery Athletic at Templemore. Friday’s final took place at the same venue in driving rain with Femi Gallagher hitting the only goal of the game against Dungannon United. 

Letterkenny Rovers squad: Scott McLaughlin, Martin Okedokun, Rhys Lynch, Alfie Gallagher, Finn Dillon, Mason Oliver, Shane O’Donnell, Charlie Lynch, Femi Gallagher, James McLaughlin.

There was also success for the Leckview Park club’s U-8 team, with a seventh-placed finish of the 56 competitors in the age bracket. Friday’s games saw them draw 2 - 2 with Bushmills Youth and lose out on penalties. The second game of the day was against Limavady United and this also ended in a draw, but this time Rovers won the penalty shoot-out to end their week on a high.

The U-11 side won the final of the Foyle Vase against Strabane Athletic, 4-3 on penalties following on from a 1-1 draw, when a free-kick from James Davidson provided the equaliser.

In the shootout, goals from James Mc Cormick, Sam Tourish, Filip Niewiadomska and James Davidson, as well as two saves from goalkeeper Nathan Duffy meant delight for all at the club.