DUNBOYNE AND LETTERKENNY ROVERS will have to do it all again to see who advances in the FAI Intermediate Cup.
Dunboyne 0-0 Letterkenny Rovers
The two sides shared an exciting scoreless draw at Blanchardstown IT in super conditions on Sunday afternoon.
The Letterkenny men dominated for long periods and were particularly rampant in the last 20 minutes but just couldnt find that elusive goal which would have been just rewards for a disciplined hardworking performance but Eamon McConigley will be hoping his side can complete the job in the replay which is provisionally set for January 10.
Rovers started the better and forced a succession of corners which caused some bother for the Dunboyne defence although they didnt overly exert home goalkeeper Stephen Trimble with half chances falling to Darren McElwaine and Kevin McGrath while Paul McVeigh probably should have done better on 27 minutes but saw his shot from eight yards out blocked by Eoin Haggerty.
Dunboyne did not provide any real threat until late in the half and remarkably had two chances in the space of three minutes.
Ryan Lonergan pulled off a fine tackle to deny Dan Beattie after he had rounded the keeper and looked set to score while just two minutes later Noel Connellan will be wondering how he failed to finish when it looked easier to score.
With a great reward of FAI Senior Cup qualification as well as Intermediate Cup advancement both sides were tentative as the match wore on and Dunboyne did start to boss midfield for a a 10-minute spell but did not really trouble Rory Kelly in the Rovers goal.
Indeed Rovers were rampant for the final half hour and had numerous chances but a combination of poor finishing, some last ditch defending and a fine goalkeeping performance form Trimble denied the Donegal men.
Jonny Bonner was twice denied by Trimble while sub Stevie Okakpo-Emeka also came close as his pace caused some problems while Paul McVeigh missed a golden chance with a last gasp free header from Jonny Bonnars corner from close range which just went a whisker wide. deep into injury time.
The two sides will have to do it all again in early January but Rovers probably feeling they should have completed the job at the first attempt but now have a big tie to look forward to which should keep a good buzz going around the club.
Dunboyne: Stephen Trimble,Eoin haggerty, Adam Jackman, Gary McCrossan, Sean Roarty, Stephen McCrossan, Niall Jones, Brendan McCrossan, Niall Connellan, Cillian Duffy, Dan Beattie
Subs; Davy McLaughlin for Niall Jones 45, Michael Cunniffe for Connellan 82 mins.
Letterkenny Rovers; Rory Kelly, Ryan Lonergan, Jonny Bonner, Tristan Ferris, Paul Boyle, Terence Shiels, Paul McVeigh, Toommy Bonnar, Darren mcElwaine, Mark Forker, Kevin McGrath. Subs; Stevie Okakpo-Emeka for Shiels 58 mins, Dylan Sweeney for McElwaine 82 mins.
Referee: John McCarthy.
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