Letterkenny Rovers edge closer to the title with commanding win over St Catherine's

Letterkenny Rovers move another step closer to clinching the Brian McCormick Premier Division title following a superb 3-1 win over St Catherine’s on Thursday night in Leckview Park. 

The Letterkenny side went into this game top of the table on 35 points with a game in hand over their rivals Bonagee United, who stood second on 31 points, but the pressured that has been gnawing at Rovers from the men from Dry Arch Park has been eased somewhat, as Stephen McConnell’s men now go seven points clear with four games left in the league. 

On a crisp evening in Letterkenny, two sides with very different ambitions took to the pitch. For Rovers, it was about maintaining their momentum, keeping the pressure on at the top end of the table, and ensuring their ruthless attacking form didn’t go to waste.  

St Catherine’s, meanwhile, came in as underdogs, looking to punch above their weight and cause an upset against a side that had been motoring through the league. 

From the outset, it was clear that this was going to be a battle. The early exchanges were cagey, both teams testing the waters, trying to find their rhythm.  

The visitors showed flashes of intent, but Rovers had the sharper edge, their game plan evident in every movement. The pace was high, the tackles were firm, and as the game settled, it became apparent that the home side had an extra gear to shift into when needed. 

The first ten minutes were as lively as a Sunday morning queue at the post office, both sides poking and prodding, trying to settle into a rhythm.  

Then, on the 10th minute, with one hoof of the ball from Mark Anthony McGinley, the tempo shifted.  

His long free kick hung in the Donegal air just long enough for Adrian Delap to sneak in while Daniel Mullarkey dithered, the St Catherine’s goalkeeper waiting for the bounce that should never have been allowed.  

Delap took full advantage, whipping a ball across the six-yard box for BJ Banda to arrive on cue and finish with minimum fuss. Fourteen league goals for the season and counting. 

Letterkenny Rovers had their tails up. Their passing was crisp, their movement sharp, and their plan was clear — feed Banda and let him do the rest.  

Chris Malseed had a go with a volley that flew high, but Rovers were in control, with Keith Cowan and Dean McCarry marshalling things at the back while St Catherine’s struggled to land a punch of their own. 

It took nearly half an hour for the visitors to rattle the cage. Joshua Maxwell sent a free kick swinging in from the right, a teasing delivery that had potential until Josh Cunningham managed to get enough on it to snuff out the danger.  

A moment later, Paul O’Hare’s effort skidded past McGinley’s goalmouth, the Rovers defence caught in two minds. For the Killybegs side, it was a sign of life at least, the first real indication that they could string something together if given the chance. 

Rovers, though, had the better of it and could easily have doubled their lead before the break. Gareth Doherty’s well-placed corner found Cowan’s head, but the big centre-back didn’t quite get the purchase he wanted, allowing Mullarkey to gather comfortably.  

Banda was a menace, his pressing causing St Catherine’s all sorts of bother. One near miss had the home crowd on their feet as Mullarkey dallied once more, with Banda throwing a boot in, only for the visitors to escape by the skin of their teeth. 

With half-time looming, Rovers ramped up the pressure. Banda shrugged off Ryan Carr and let fly, a stinging effort that Mullarkey did well to parry. Nathan Plumb lurked, poised for the rebound, but the St Catherine’s keeper was equal to it, scrambling the ball to safety to keep the scoreline at 1-0 as the players made their way to the dressing room for the break.  

The second half picked up where the first left off — high intensity, hard challenges, and Rovers pressing for more.  

Josh Cunningham put himself about, allowing Maxwell to dart through in search of an equaliser, but a crunching clash just outside the Letterkenny box put an end to the attack before it ever truly developed. 

At the other end, Conor Doherty found himself in space after a lofted ball over the top, attempting an audacious lob over the keeper, but the effort drifted just wide.  

Rovers, though, weren’t about to let up. Ryan Lonergan burst down the wing and whipped a dangerous ball across the face of goal, only for Plumb to arrive a second too late as it trickled out of play. 

Then came the move of the night. Delap and Banda combined beautifully; a slick one-two finished with a deft backheel from Banda to send Delap charging through. He squared it for Plumb, unmarked and in acres of space. It should have been the easiest goal of the match, but somehow, the striker fluffed his lines, dragging his shot wide of the post. 

By the hour mark, Rovers were purring. Rory Gallagher’s introduction added fresh impetus from midfield, his driving runs giving the home side another edge going forward.  

Still, St Catherine’s held firm, Colin Mooney marshalling Plumb well to keep them within touching distance. But that resistance was finally broken in the 67th minute. Chris Malseed worked the ball back to Gareth Doherty on the edge of the area, and his shot took a wicked deflection before nestling in the net.  

A touch of fortune, maybe, but Rovers were good value for the two-goal cushion. 

The tempo inevitably dropped after the second goal, the game in need of a jolt. Enter Banda. Ten minutes from time, he put the contest to bed, bursting through the St Catherine’s defence and bearing down on goal. There was only ever going to be one outcome. A thunderous finish, a 3-0 lead, and the points secured. 

To their credit, St Catherine’s never stopped battling. Sitting sixth in the Premier Division, they weren’t about to roll over entirely. Their persistence was rewarded five minutes from time when Dylan Doherty slotted a neat finish into the bottom corner.  

But it was a consolation, nothing more, as Letterkenny Rovers ran out 3-1 winners, a scoreline that reflected their dominance on the night. 

Letterkenny Rovers: Mark Anthony McGinley; David O’Donnell (Rory Gallagher, 52), Dean McCarry, Keith Cowan, Ryan Lonergan (Nathan Bonner, 85); Chris Malseed, Adrian Delap (Caolan McConnell, 73), Joel Gorman (Dylan Woods, 22), Nathan Plumb; Gareth Doherty, BJ Banda (Adam Murphy, 69). 

St Catherine’s: Daniel Mullarkey; Colin Mooney, Ryan Carr, Odhran McGuinness, Alex McBrearty (Noah Connor, 65); Jack Elliott, Paul O’Hare (Thomas White, 65), Conor Doherty, Joshua Maxwell (Dylan Doherty, 65); Ryan Cunningham, Josh Cunningham. 

Referee: Marty McGarrigle