Letterkenny Rovers produce fabulous win on the road in U-13 National Cup

LETTERKENNY ROVERS PULLED off one of their best victories in their illustrious history today in Sallynoggin.

In terms of schoolboys football, it was a case of going into the lion’s den that is Pearse Park today and defeating top Dublin side St Joseph’s Boys 1-0 to reach the last eight of the  SFAI Under-13 National Cup.

Rovers were good value for the win which went some way to compensating for a 4-1 defeat at the same venue just a year previously for the same team when they were at Under-12 level.

Rovers started very well  and were on top in the opening quarter hour dominating possession  without creating much in the way of clear chances.

St Joeseph’s had a couple of opportunities on the  break but  Killian Gribben in the Rovers goal was resolute and in defiant mood and was alert to make two good stops.

Joel Gorman from  centre back  had a long range effort  but St Joeseph’s ‘keeper  dealt with it comfortably. as the game remained deadlocked at the interval.
 
St Joeseph’s came out strong after the break  aided by  a stiff breeze and tried to take the game to their visitors.

 They came close on a couple of occasions before Rovers  started to impose some semblance of authority on proceedings.

Adam Yissau came closest to breaking the deadlock firing just wide until the crucial goal came with 13 minutes remaining.

 A David Boyle corner was  met at the back post  by James Lenty Gallagher and he hit it first time with a left footed half volley to the back of the net much to the huge cheers from the large travelling faithful.

Sean McGinley could have put the icing on the cake for the Cathedral Town men  with five minutes left but saw his shot crash back off the post.

Joeys did come close on two occasions as time was running out  with Killian Gribben in particular  being at his flying best to make a game winning save right at the death.

A good hard working industrious team performance from Rovers who deservedly progress and proves they can mix it with some of the best sides in the country.

Great win for Michael Boyle’s side but things don’t get any easier as they make the trip to the capital to play another heavyweight side in the form of St Kevin’s Boys in the quarter-finals.

Letterkenny Rovers squad: Killian Gribben, Leon Doherty, Joel Gorman, Sean McVeigh, James Lenty Gallagher, James Barlow Gallagher, Adam Yissau, David Boyle, Sean McGinley, Dermot Slevin, Nathan Plumb,  Fouad Bashar, Odhran Galvin, Jonathan Pearson, Jake Kelly, Nathan Bonner, Jason Blake