Letterkenny Rovers cruise past Fanad United in Ulster Junior Cup clash

Letterkenny Rovers have progressed to the next round of the Ulster Junior Cup courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Fanad United at Leckview Park on Sunday afternoon.  

Two goals in first-half stoppage time through Lee McMonagle and a Fanad United own goal followed by a second from McMonagle with 70 minutes on the clock sealed victory on what was a fine afternoon for Stephen McConnell’s outfit.  

The hosts came close to hitting the front on two minutes when Billy Banda got on the end of a Joel-Bradley Walsh corner but was unable to keep his header down.  

On 34 minutes, they came close again. Midfielder Joel Gorman intercepted the ball on the edge of the Fanad United box and fired a shot goalwards but it was hit straight at Mark McConigley.  

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On the stroke of half-time, however, the Letterkenny men did find the opener. A great corner from Joel Gorman was swung towards the back post where the ball hit off Fanad United’s Patrick Moffitt and into the net.  

Four minutes later, they doubled their advantage. Joel-Bradley Walsh played a superb pass over-the-top of the Fanad United back line to find the run of Lee McMonagle who headed the ball over the on-rushing Mark McConigley to leave his side two to the good at the break.  

The visitors began the second half on the front foot in search of the goals to get them back into the contest.  

They came close to halving the deficit on 55 minutes when Edward O’Reilly struck a free-kick towards the Letterkenny Rovers goal but Shane O’Gara got down well to deny him.  

On the hour mark, O’Gara was on hand again to maintain his clean sheet. Carlos O’Reilly caught the ball on the volley from the edge of the box but the Letterkenny Rovers keeper tipped the ball over the crossbar.  

With twenty minutes to go, Stephen McConnell’s side found the back of the net for a third time. A left-footed shot from Billy Banda was well-saved by Mark McConigley but the ball fell to the feet of Lee McMonagle who made no mistake in converting his second of the afternoon to cap off a fine afternoon for the Letterkenny outfit.  

Letterkenny Rovers: Shane O’Gara; Padraic Gilsenan, Keith Cowan, Dean McCarry, Joel Bradley Walsh, Billy Banda (Henry Welles, 81), Joel Gorman (Caolan McConnell, 77), Chris Malseed (David O’Donnell, 84), Nathan Plumb (Gareth Doherty, 65), Adrian Delap (Chris Flanagan, 84), Lee McMonagle.  

Fanad United: Mark McConigley, Patrick Moffitt (Sean Carr, 84), Oisin Langan, Seamus Friel, Dylan McGloin, Peter Carr (Conor Blaney, 84), Carlos O’Reilly (Daibhid Lynch, 84), Patrick Carr, Keelin McElwaine, Oisin McMenamin (Martin McElhinney, 70), Edward O’Reilly.  

Referee: Patrick Martin.