Letterkenny Rovers go top of the table with commanding win over Bonagee United

Letterkenny Rovers have moved to the top of the Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division after a decisive victory over Bonagee United at Leckview Park.

The game took a major turn when Bonagee were reduced to 10 men midway through the first half, with Gareth Breslin shown a red card.

The first half remained goalless, but shortly before the hour mark, Lee McMonagle broke the deadlock with a well-taken finish. BJ Banda doubled Rovers’ lead, and Nathan Plumb added a third in stoppage time to seal an important win.

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The result puts Letterkenny Rovers one point ahead of second-placed Bonagee United, with two games in hand.

The match was reminiscent of their previous encounter at Dry Arch Park in early February, as clear-cut chances were hard to come by early on. Gareth Doherty managed the first effort within 10 minutes, but his tight-angled shot posed little danger.

Around the 15-minute mark, Adrian Delap showed great skill along the byline, delivering a dangerous cross into the box, but no one could provide the finishing touch, with Dean McCarry coming closest.

Moments later, a melee erupted following a mistimed tackle on Doherty near the touchline. Players from both teams rushed in, and amid the chaos, Banda ended up on the ground. Once order was restored, Gareth Breslin was shown a red card, leaving Bonagee down to ten men.

With the numerical advantage, Letterkenny Rovers naturally saw more of the ball and created the better chances. However, Bonagee had some openings before the break.

McMonagle sent one effort over the bar and had two more blocked by Jack Parke, who also denied McCarry. At the other end, Jamie Harris tested Mark Anthony McGinley with a low shot from a tight angle and later sent another effort narrowly wide from the edge of the area.

Bonagee started the second half brightly and came close twice. A set-piece flicked off Chris Malseed’s boot and nearly ended up in his own net, but the ball landed on the roof of the goal. Shortly after, Parke tried his luck from distance, his strike fizzing just over the bar.

With just under an hour played, Letterkenny Rovers found the breakthrough. Nathan Bonner whipped in a cross, which Nathan Plumb flicked on, allowing McMonagle to finish from close range.

Ten minutes later, Rovers doubled their advantage. McGinley launched a long ball forward, and a favourable bounce allowed Banda to round Andrew Nicholls before slotting into an empty net.

The game fizzled out in the closing stages, but Rovers added a third in stoppage time. Pressing high, Plumb dispossessed a defender, and a soft touch took the ball past Nicholls before a simple finish secured an emphatic win.

Letterkenny Rovers: Mark Anthony McGinley; Padraic Gilsenan, Nathan Bonner, Dean McCarry, Keith Cowan; Chris Malseed, Adrian Delap, Joel Gorman (Ben O'Donnell 90), BJ Banda (Dylan Woods 73); Lee McMonagle (Adam Murphy 87), Gareth Doherty (Nathan Plumb 55).

Bonagee United: Andrew Nicholls; Jamie Lynagh, Eoghan Doherty, Gareth Breslin, Jack Parke; Gareth Harkin, Jamie Harris (Kyle McLaughlin 73), James Henry (Deano Larkin 65), Aidan McLaughlin (Thomas Mullen 67); Dan O'Donnell, Gavin Sweeney (Ryan Creevy 23).

Referee: Vincent McLoughlin