Letterkenny Rovers add more silverware with Area Shield win over Swilly Rovers

Letterkenny Rovers lifted the Letterkenny Area Shield and set up an appointment with Kilmacrennan Celtic next weekend in the Brian McCormick Cup semi-final after a hard-fought win over Swilly Rovers.

Goalless at the break at Leckview Park, Padraic Gilsenan scored the first goal of the day before Shea McFadden netted a late leveller for Swilly Rovers.

Lee McMonagle instantly restored the lead for his side, and BJ Banda ensured the victory in stoppage time.

Letterkenny Rovers enjoyed a chunk of the possession in the early stages, but it was just that, as chances weren’t too common in the opening half-hour.

Joel Gorman floated a couple of corners into the area — one fizzed just over the head of Dean McCarry, while the centre-back kept the second alive, only for Lee McMonagle’s shot to be blocked on the line by Damien Friel.

Mark Anthony McGinley was called into action to save an effort from Ian Ward with half an hour gone, while Adam Murphy had two strikes at the other end that glided just off target.

McCarry was involved again from a corner just before half-time, but this one was a fraction over the bar.

Into the second half, the chances kept flowing for Letterkenny Rovers. An acrobatic effort from McMonagle was comfortably caught by Barry Gallagher, who then watched a chipped attempt from Rory Gallagher loop over his goal.

The hosts ended the stalemate just a few minutes past the hour.

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Padraic Gilsenan combined well with Adrian Delap down the right side, and the final pass from the latter enabled Gilsenan to coolly place the ball into the bottom left corner.

Twenty minutes later, Gilsenan was involved in the defensive third, but an untimely slip allowed Shea McFadden to pick up the loose ball and slot it beyond the grasp of McGinley.

The match wasn’t level for long though, as Letterkenny Rovers instantly restored their lead — with Gilsenan in the mix again.

His low ball into the box from the right side was tucked away by McMonagle from point-blank range.

In the final moments, BJ Banda had an effort saved by Gallagher, while Nathan Plumb clipped the top of the bar.

In stoppage time, Banda finished the job. McMonagle played a ball over the top and, with the offside trap beaten, Banda took the ball beyond Gallagher and slotted into an empty net.

Letterkenny Rovers: Mark Anthony McGinley; Padraic Gilsenan (Ryan Lonergan, 89), Rory Gallagher (BJ Banda, 81), Dean McCarry, Keith Cowan; Gareth Doherty, Adrian Delap, Joel Gorman, Lee McMonagle; Adam Murphy (Nathan Plumb, 81), Caolan McConnell.

Swilly Rovers: Barry Gallagher; Darragh McDaid, David Craig, Damien Friel, Conal McGonigle; Duncan Patterson (Shea McFadden, 69), Jordan McDaid, Marty McDaid, Toby Taylor; Ian Ward, Micky Kerr.

Referee: Mick Lagan