Letterkenny Rovers into Junior Cup fifth round after fine win over Peake Villa

Letterkenny Rovers will await the draw for the next round of the FAI Junior Cup after a comfortable win against Thurles-based Peake Villa FC at Leckview Park on Sunday afternoon. 

The first goal was scored by Lee McMonagle early in the first half, while BJ Banda ensured a two-goal cushion at the break.

Another strike from Banda put some distance between the two sides, as Rovers continued their impressive start to the 2024/25 season.

Peake Villa were the first to have a pop at goal, despite the fast start from the hosts. Keith Cahill was able to get a shot away from range, but Shane O'Gara always had it covered. 

Peake Villa FC weren't in the attacking third much after that early attempt as Letterkenny Rovers began to control proceedings. 

BJ Banda flashed an effort wide from the edge of the area with ten minutes on the clock, and just a few minutes later, Rovers found the first goal.

Gareth Doherty's low ball into the box from the left side was cut out by Alan Leahy, but the defender's touch wasn't telling as Lee McMonagle was able to sneak in and slot the ball beyond the onrushing Evan Comerford. 

Letterkenny Rovers were frequently in the final third of the park, and attempts kept on coming as BJ Banda fired against the side netting, while a long-range shot from Chris Malseed floated over the bar.

Moments after that wayward shot from Malseed, he was able to bag an assist for the second goal of the day.

A lofted ball over the top of the defence was picked up by Banda, and with Leahy alongside, he held possession and slotted the ball underneath the grasp of Comerford. 

At the start of the second half, Peake Villa FC had a couple of efforts to get back into the game.

Stephen Carroll setup McGuire for one attempt, but it fizzed over the bar, while Carroll had one effort of his own, which looked destined for the top right corner but curled just wide.

With an hour gone, Rovers bagged a third goal of the afternoon, and it was the pick of the bunch. 

Banda picked up possession on the touchline, and a solo run was unmatched with those in red and black unable to stop it, and he finished it off with an emphatic shot into the bottom right corner.

Rovers continued their push to add to their tally, and they almost had it a few minutes later, but the woodwork denied McMonagle a second goal.

Joel Bradley-Walsh was the next to have a prod towards goal, and his free kick looked likely to creep in, but a strong hand from Comerford parried it wide.

Bradley-Walsh had another strike a few minutes later, this one from close-range, with Comerford able to make another strong save.

As the minutes ticked away and with the full-time whistle on the horizon, Rovers were able to control the final moments as O'Gara made one last save in the final ten minutes to deny McGuire.

Letterkenny Rovers: Shane O'Gara; Padraic Gilsenan(David O'Donnell 82), Joel Bradley-Walsh, Dean McCarry(Caolon McConnell 85), Keith Cowan; Chris Malseed, BJ Banda(Conor O'Donnell 82), Joel Gorman, Lee McMonagle(Nathan Plumb 75); Adrian Delap, Gareth Doherty(Chris Flanagan 84)

Peake Villa FC: Evan Comerford; Darragh Byrne, Dale Loughnane, Evan McCormack, Alan Leahy(Kieran Hennessy 77); Jack Casey-Ryan(Michael Ryan 77), Keith Cahill, Michael Quinlan, Ronan McGuire(Michael Wade 81); Stephen Carroll, Robbie Stapleton(Sean Condron 77). 

Referee: Packie Coll