Conor O'Donnell fires Letterkenny Rovers to narrow derby win at Bonagee United

There might well be a long way to go, but when Conor O’Donnell tucked in the match winner here, it felt like a possibly seismic moment in the Donegal League Premier Division title race.

Ultimately, the difference on one afternoon is that Letterkenny Rovers - with two games in hand - closed the gap on leaders Bonagee United to just two points with a slender derby win.

As far as the consequences for the remainder of the season go, it remains to be seen, but O’Donnell’s magic moment, at this albeit early juncture, certainly narrows the beads on the abacus. 

The margins are wafer thin at the summit of the Premier Division, where only three points now separate the top four sides with Kildrum Tigers and Kilmacrennan Celtic firmly in the shake-up.

For Rovers, there are still 10 games left to play - more than half of the 18-game League schedule.

The match winner arrived beneath a spring sky at Dry Arch Park with only four minutes left on the clock. Joel Gorman’s ball was inviting and precise, O’Donnell’s first touch exquisite. With the ball delightfully trapped, O’Donnell slotted past Andrew Nicholls to break the stalemate on a largely timid derby.

Rovers were shorn a number of players for their trip across the Cathedral Town. Adrian Delap, Ryan Lonergan and Chris Malseed were all suspended - as was manager Stephen McConnell - while Nathan Plumb was unavailable.

BJ Banda broke away in the ninth minute, but his first touch was too strong, enabling Nicholls to come out to save.

Jamie Harris, with 12 goals in all competitions so far this term, has proved a handful and the ex-Harps and Derry City prospect had a decent opening soon after. Harris nipped in when Dean McCarry attempted to head back to his ‘keeper. Harris got around Mark Anthony McGinley but lost his footing as he shot.

Henry Welles whizzed narrowly over on the half-hour as Rovers began to probe with intent. The audience gasped as one when Welles let fly with a real warning shot.

In the 33th minute, Jack Parke intervened at a vital moment beneath his own bar when Banda’s prodded effort looked goal-bound.

On the stroke of half-time Banda’s daisy-cutter was held by Nicholls while Thomas Mullen’s header was dealt with by McGinley at the other end.

Bonagee lost the services of the influential Gareth Harkin in the 67th minute after a robust collision with David Shovlin. Harkin left the venue in an ambulance after taking a heavy blow, but was reported afterwards by Bonagee to be in good spirits.

The absence of Harkin’s guile in the engine room came as a hammer blow to Bonagee but still they might’ve gone in font. Harris warmed the hands of McGinley with a stinging effort 11 minutes from the end. Harris tried his luck again, but a low effort was saved by McGinley.

The duck, so to speak, was broken by O’Donnell in the 86th minute.

Dan O’Donnell saw a free well held by McGinley and Gavin Sweeney headed over from a Sean Hume free as Bonagee sought a way back.

Read next: Donegal League to take on Mayo counterparts in Oscar Traynor last eight

Six minutes into added time, Banda was fed by Adam Murphy, a former Bonagee player, but Nicholls saved at the expense of a corner.

Bonagee United: Andrew Nicholls, Jack Parke, Jamie Lynagh (Sean Hume 85), Gareth Breslin, Eoghan Doherty, Gareth Harkin (Gavin Sweeney70), Fintan Hasson (Kyle McLaughlin 58), James Henry, Thomas Mullen (Ricky Guntrip 85), Dan O’Donnell, Jamie Harris.

Letterkenny Rovers: Mark Anthony McGinley,  Padraic Gilsenan, Caolan McConnell (Kealan Dunleavy 30), Dean McCarry, Keith Cowan, David Shovlin (Adam Murphy 70), Henry Welles (Conor O’Donnell 57), Joel Gorman, BJ Banda, Lee McMonagle, Gareth Doherty.

Referee: Michael Connolly.