Letterkenny Rovers progess to last 16 of FAI Junior Cup with fine win in Mervue

Letterkenny Rovers have a last-16 tie to look forward to in the FAI Junior Cup following a fine win over Mervue United at Fahy’s Field.
Mervue United 2-3 Letterkenny Rovers

Stephen McConnell’s 10 men - Joel Gorman was sent off late on - held on through eight minutes of injury time to defeat the former League of Ireland First Division outfit.

Lee McMonagle put the visitors in front on just three minutes, scoring from close range following a corner by Joel Gorman, only for the home side to get back on terms when Colin Kelly curled one past Blake Forkan to make the score 1-1.

Dean McCarry looped a header over Conor Winn, the former Finn Harps goalkeeper who was caught in no man’s land, from a Joel Gorman free-kick on 31 minutes. But it was all square at 2-2 come half-time, when Lewis Waweru steered home Mervue’s second levelller

However, on 50 minutes, Adrian Delap edged Letterkenny back in front following a corner from Joel Gorman, who was dismissed with 11 to play having picked up a second yellow card. With goalkeeper Blake Forkan in inspired form, though, including one brilliant stop from Charlie Concannon, Rovers held on to book their tickets in the next round.

Letterkenny Rovers: Blake Forkan; Ryan Lonergan (Rory Gallagher 83), Michael Gallagher, Dean McCarry, Caolan McConnell (Leon Doherty 74); Christy Connaghan, Zach Gorman (David O'Donnell 70), Joel Gorman; Gareth Doherty, Lee McMonagle (Nathan Plumb 81), Adrian Delap.