Historic day as Letterkenny Rovers pick up first National League win

September 5 2026 will go down in Letterkenny Rovers history as they picked up a first win of their FAI National League campaign in style with a three-nil victory over Mayo FC in Leckview Park.

The home side got off to a great start as Ronan McHugh opened the scoring on just five minutes after latching on to a clearance, while Luke Parke converted a rebound on 18 minutes to double their lead.

And in stoppage time, Shane McNamee added a third on the counter for an historic victory.

After losing out 4-1 away to Salthill Devon in their opening game, the Letterkenny men were keen to get their first points, while Mayo began their campaign with a 1-0 home win over St Francis.

It was a dream start for Rovers on five minutes, as they dealt with a Mayo corner, and Keith Cowan’s clearance was missed by Aidan Coyle and Ronan McHugh raced on to it, curling a left-footed effort low past Matthew Fox when one-on-one.

Despite this, Mayo had a bright start to the game, with Sean McAteer having two efforts at goal, first after a 1-2 with Ben Edeh as he hit the side netting, while his next from 25 yards went over the top corner.

But on 18 minutes, Stephen McConnell’s men got their second after a good move down the right, which saw Luke Parke get into the box and pull it back for Adrian Delap, who had his shot well blocked by Dáire O’Connor, but Parke got the rebound and dispatched it from close range.

Mayo should have got one back when Alfonso Barrios Sanchez got a cross from the left in low that fell to the back post, but McAteer was just leaning back when he struck the ball and blasted it over.

The next phase of play saw big chances at both ends, first as Keith Cowan looked to be fouled by Noe Baba in the box, but no penalty was given.

Mayo countered, and Ben Edeh pulled the ball back for Aidan Coyle, with Patrick McGarvey making a superb save from close range.

And from that, the ball was played forward to Zach Gorman, who crossed for McHugh at the back post, but Fox made a diving save.

The final half chance of the opening 45 fell to Rovers as a Gorman long throw was flicked on, and Oisin O’Reilly’s clearance was sliced towards his own net and out for a corner, but the score stayed 2-0 at the break.

There were just half chances for either side in the third quarter, McHugh skying a shot after good work, while Dean McCarry got a good foot to a McAteer cross to deny the Mayo forwards, with his sliding challenge going just wide of his own post.

Edeh had a couple of half chances, the first deflected out for a corner, while he got under the ball with his header from the corner.

McAteer then had another shot from range deflected and tipped wide by McGarvey.

Further headers wide followed, first McCarry after a fizzing free kick, while at the other end Darragh Forde headed over.

Rovers made their five subs, and they combined for one of the best moves of the game, which ended in Ryan Lonergan crossing for Cathal McGeever, with his back post header being held by Fox.

It looked like the hosts would easily see out the win, but they added a third in added time after good work from Jamie Harris, with Joel Gorman playing Shane McNamee in, who rounded the goalkeeper and slotted in.

The linesman did have his flag up, but McNamee was in his own half when the pass was played, and referee Warren Harvey overruled the decision to let the goal stand as Letterkenny Rovers picked up their first points.

Letterkenny Rovers: Patrick McGarvey; Padraic Gilsenan (Ryan Lonergan ht), Keith Cowan, Dean McCarry, Brendan McCafferty; Ryan Shields (Cathal McGeever 66), Joel Gorman, Luke Parke (Gareth Doherty 82), Adrian Delap, Zach Gorman (Shane McNamee 73); Ronan McHugh (Jamie Harris 82).

Mayo FC: Matthew Fox; Dáire O’Connor, Noe Baba, Oisin O’Reilly, Guga Kokaia (Aron Heaney 55), Gary Armstrong, Aidan Coyle, Darragh Forde, Sean McAteer, Alfonso Barrios Sanchez (Padraig Heinz Ward 66); Ben Edeh.

Referee: Warren Harvey.