Letterkenny Rovers squeeze out Rathmullan Celtic to land Premier Division crown

Letterkenny Rovers are the new Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division champions with three games to spare after a narrow win against Rathmullan Celtic at Flagpole Field. 

On a sunny afternoon, David O'Donnell bagged an early goal while BJ Banda netted with only a few minutes gone in the second half. 

Jay Dee Alawiye found the back of the net in the latter stages for Rathmullan Celtic but Rovers held on to win their first top-tier title since the Ulster Senior League in 2009.

Dylan Woods was unlucky in the opening stages with a low shot that struck the base of the post, while at the other end, Jay Dee Alawiye fired one just wide of the target after ten minutes. 

With 15 minutes gone, Letterkenny Rovers took the lead. Rory Gallagher's throw-in from the left was only half cleared and it fell nicely for O'Donnell to hit first time into the bottom right corner with his left foot.

Chances occurred at regular intervals for the visitors, and their lead could have been doubled on more than one occasion. 

Banda directed one effort narrowly wide of the target from close range after a low cross from O'Donnell, while he dragged another one wide prior to the half hour, as he latched onto a boot up field from Mark Anthony McGinley. 

On the half hour, Lee McMonagle was presented with an opportunity inside the box, but once again, the woodwork was their nemesis. 

Shortly before the break, there were chances at both ends of the park. Alawiye had a pop straight at McGinley, while Nathan Plumb had an acrobatic attempt that floated into the grasp of Killian Hagan.

Five minutes into the second half, Rovers clinched a bit of breathing room. Joel Gorman lifted an inviting ball into the box from a corner and Banda headed home for his 16th League goal of the campaign. 

That goal took the sting out of the game and Rovers were well on their way to a first Donegal League Premier Division title since 1982. 

Into the latter stages of the game, Rathmullan Celtic began to cause a few problems for the Rovers rearguard. 

Alawiye was mightily close to getting one back after a prod beyond McGinley, but Caolán McConnell was alert to clear the danger. 

In stoppage time, Alawiye reduced the deficit. A throw-in from the left wasn't fully dealt with, and it allowed him to head home at the back post.

Rovers held on to clinch the title and make it back-to-back first place finishes after lifting the Temple Domestic Appliances Division One last season. 

Rathmullan Celtic: Killian Hagan; Matthew McNulty, Islem Siguerdjidjane (Mohammed Sharifi, 76), David Miller, Peter Curran; Eoin Sheridan, Gerard McAteer (Ryan Graham Sheridan, 76), Daire Sheridan, Kevin Doran (Glenn Curran, 80); Jay Dee Alawiye,  Achul Eldad (Serhii Oriabinskyi, 65).

Letterkenny Rovers: Mark Anthony McGinley; David O'Donnell (Padraic Gilsenan, 53),Rory Gallagher (Caolán McConnell, 77), Dean McCarry, Dylan Woods (James Barlow Gallagher, 82); Chris Malseed, BJ Banda, Joel Gorman, Lee McMonagle (Adrian Delap, 85); Gareth Doherty (Adam Murphy, 65), Nathan Plumb. 

Referee: Mick Lagan