David Shovlin returns to boost Letterkenny Rovers ahead of FAI Junior Cup clash

Letterkenny Rovers have received a significant boost ahead of their FAI Junior Cup tie against Mervue United with the return of former player David Shovlin.  

The experienced midfielder, who spent the past five years with Cork club Avondale United, brings a wealth of knowledge and a winning mentality back to the Donegal side. 

Shovlin’s career is marked by high points, including a memorable appearance in the 2016 FAI Intermediate Cup final, where Letterkenny Rovers narrowly lost to Crumlin United. 

Determined to turn that heartbreak into triumph, in 2019 he helped Avondale claim their eighth FAI Intermediate Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Crumlin at the Aviva Stadium.

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“David will be a massive asset to the team,” said Rovers manager Stephen McConnell. “He’s so experienced, he’s won so much in his career including the Intermediate Cup.  

“He played in the final a number of years back for Letterkenny Rovers and then he went on to win it with Avondale. He’s a great player to add to the squad and he’ll be available for us this weekend.” 

Shovlin’s addition comes at a crucial time for Letterkenny Rovers, who are gearing up for a challenging tie against a Mervue United side currently undefeated in all competitions this season. 

This time last year at a rain soaked Fahy’s Field in Galway, it was Adrian Delap’s 50th minute goal which eventually settled the tie in the visitors favour as they managed to hold on over the closing stages despite being reduced to ten men following the late dismissal of Joel Gorman for two bookable offences. 

But that dismissal didn’t affect the result as Letterkenny Rovers saw themselves through to the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup. 

“We played them this time last year in the same round away from home and truth be told we absolutely robbed them in that we beat them 3-2,” manager Stephen McConnell said. “Blake Forkan had the game of his life that day. 

McConnell cites Forkan’s game that day as one of the best goalkeeping displays he’s ever seen. 

“Forkan was so good that day that I remember going to Dublin to do a coaching course last year and I ran into some man from Connacht and he walked over to me when he saw I had a Letterkenny Rovers badge on and he said that ‘they’re still having nightmares down in Mervue about Blake Forkan’.  

“I’m being honest when I say that it was the best goalkeeping display that I’ve ever seen live.” 

And now one year on and Letterkenny Rovers hopes that they can have a repeat of last year’s affair but they know it won’t be easy. 

“We went down to watch Mervue twice so we could get an idea of what they’re like,” he said. “We know that they’re undefeated in all competitions this season and they’re top of their league. 

“We know that they’re going to be a good side, they’re a former League of Ireland team, they have great facilities, they’ve staff working fulltime, they’re just a proper football club.” 

Focusing on his own side, McConnell cites a clean bill of health for the upcoming weekend, and while the rumours continue to spin regarding Joel Bradley Walsh’s future at the club with a possible move to Finn Harps, McConnell states that for the moment, the full-back is very much still a Letterkenny Rovers player. 

“For ourselves, there’s a good bit of health, and there’s probably more headaches this week in terms of picking the team because all the boys are fighting for places, but it’s a good place to be in,” he said. 

“As of now, Joel is still a Letterkenny Rovers player. He’ll be with us on Saturday and his commitment lies with us at Letterkenny Rovers.”