TEN-MAN LETTERKENNY ROVERS earned themselves another cup replay when they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Portmarnock FC this afternoon.
Portmarnock FC 1-1 Letterkenny Rovers
Following their 1-1 draw in the FAI Intermediate Cup semi-final at Ringmahon Rangers last Sunday, Eamon McConigley’s side produced a similar scoreline today in the FAI Senior Cup first round.
Rovers had fallen behind early on and just after they had equalised in the 63rd minute through Darren McElwaine, were reduced to 10 men following the sending off of Tommy Bonner in the 66th minute. However, the 10 men comfortably held on for the draw in the final 20 minutes.
Rovers had an early chance when full-back Ryan Lonegan did well to put him in but the frontman failed to apply the required finish in the fourth minute.
The home side responded well and went ahead in the ninth minute when winger Chris Burgess cut in from the left side and drilled a low shot into the far corner of the net.
McConigley described his side’s first-half display as flat and somewhat leg weary but as the game became somewhat scrappy they kept the margin between the teams to the mininum.
The visitors suffered another blow during the break when Johnny Minnock had to withdraw due to a hamstring injury, which could keep him out for some time – certainly a blow with so many big games coming up, starting with the Ringmahon replay this day week at Leckview.
Despite his loss Rovers upped the ante after the break and were rewarded in the 63rd minute when Mark Forker’s corner was flicked on by Paul McVeigh and McElwaine slid in to finish it to the net.
Three minutes later, Bonner clashed with one of the home players and most of the other players on the pitch also got involved. When the dust settled the home player got a yellow while Bonner was shown red card.
However Mc Conigley’s men dug in and again showed the resolve that has been so evident in their performances this season especially in tough cup games.
They left McElwaine up front and he put in a big shift while his teammates worked hard to hold what they had and did it impressively. This one will be replayed in two weeks’ time.
Portmarnock FC: Roger Byrne; Aaron Egan, Niall Kenny, Callum Riches Gareth Whelan; Alan O’Shaughnessy, Ross Moran, Philip Rusk, Chris Burgess; Graham Rusk, Darragh Coates. Subs: Daniel Butler for Riches (52), Shaun Moore for Coates (65), Cormac O’Leary for Burgess (80).
Letterkenny Rovers: Rory Kelly; Ryan Lonergan, Jonathan Minnock, Paul Boyle, Terence Shiels; Kevin McGrath, Mark Forker, Paul McVeigh; Darren McElwaine, Steve Okakpo Emeka. Subs: Tristan Ferris for Minnock (half-time), Christy Connaghan for McGrath (72).
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