LECKVIEW PARK HOSTS its biggest ever game tomorrow when Letterkenny Rovers host Ringmahon Rangers in an FAI Intermediate Cup semi-final replay (kick-off 12noon).
A place in the May 14 final at Aviva Stadium is the prize on offer for Rovers and the Letterkenny club will welcome a bumper crowd to Leckview.
The numbers will be boosted by a crowd of 160 who have accompanied Ringmahon on the long trip from Cork.
Rovers are fighting on all fronts these days, with an FAI Senior Cup replay next weekend against Portmarnock and Eamon McConigley’s men also have an Ulster Senior League Cup final to look forward to.
There is no doubt that tomorrow’s fixture is the big one, though.
It is only the second time that Rovers have been in the Intermediate semi-final. Back in 2004, there was no reward of a final at Lansdowne Road when Rovers were beaten in a semi-final replay by Rockmount FC in Cork. Then, a late cross by Ronan Beckinson was headed off the underside of his own bar and into the net by Shane Sweeney.
A fortnight ago, Steve Okakpu-Emeka’s 14th minute goal, but Roy Kenny’s equaliser rocked Rovers. Coming in the 94th minute, just when the tickets to Aviva were set to be stamped for Rovers, it was a body blow – but tomorrow’s replay offers Rovers a second bit of the cherry.
“Taking the games back to Letterkenny is a big advantage for us,” says McConigley ahead of tomorrow, referencing also next week’s Senior Cup replay against Portmarnock.
“If you win away from home, it’s a massive boost, but a draw is a great result away.
“These are the type of games we want to be involved in. This is for the Donegal public, this is for Letterkenny and this is for Letterkenny Rovers. These are bog days for the lads playing and I hope the support will come out for us.
“It’s really fantastic to be looking forward to these games.”
McConigley won the Intermediate Cup twice – in 1988 and 1995 – with Fanad United and lost the 1996 final against Wayside Celtic.
Rovers overcame Cockhill Celtic in the opening round and have skipped through the rounds with some fine outings along the way.
McConigley “The players are buzzing. You need that type of impetus to carry you through in games.”
McConigley says: “We were fantastic against Portmarnock, especially after going down to ten men with 20 minutes to go. To hold out for a result was absolutely fantastic.
“It was some relief to get the equaliser, but we were on top at that stage and they got surprised by how well we were playing.
“If we’d had 11 men I think we’d have won. We were in the ascendancy at that stage and were putting a lot of pressure on. I felt we could have got the win, but circumstances dicated otherwise.
“They defended very well and Darren was fantastic up front. He held the ball up very well and worked so hard. I couldn’t fault anyone for effort and commitment – they’ve deserved these results.”
The Rovers dressing room is wedged with experience. Not only have they McConigley’s know-how and nous for the big days, but the likes of Jonathan Minnock and Shane Bradley are stalwarts at Finn Harps with Minnock the record appearance holder in Ballybofey, having donned the Harps shirt 485 times.
Although Minnock is struggling with a hamstring injury that forced him off last weekend, Bradley’s recent return has further boosted Rovers.
Bonnar, Mark Forker, Christy Connaghan and Paul McVeigh bring senior experience, too, while Terence Shields was in the Rovers class of 2004 who lost out to Rockmount at this stage and doesn’t need to revise his notes on the importance of these days.
Since Fanad lost 1-0 at Tolka Park in 2006, Fanad, Letterkenny, Swilly Rovers and Kildrum Tigers have all lost in Intermediate semis.
Now, Letterkenny look to bridge the gap and give Leckview its most famous chapter yet.
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