AWAY DRAWS CAN secure spots in the Ulster Senior League Cup semi-finals for Swilly Rovers and Fanad United on Sunday.
Swilly go to derby rivals Letterkenny Rovers in search of a point while Fanad head for Cockhill looking for at least a point against Cockhill, the Cup holders (pictured above), who will crash out with anything less than a win.
Derry City Reserves and Bonagee United have already secured their places in the semis.
GROUP A – Letterkenny Rovers v Swilly Rovers
AN OPENING day six-nil hammering by Derry City at the Brandywell hasn’t quite popped Eamon McConigley’s baloon at Letterkenny Rovers.
A strong Derry team overpowered Letterkenny on a day when the Candystripes fielded several players with regular first team experience.
This Sunday, Letterkenny host old rivals Swilly at The Aura Centre (kick-off 2pm).
McConigley will be without Darren McElwaine and Thomas Bonner, whose sendings off compounded a day to forget for the Leckview Park outfit in Derry.
A draw will suffice for Swilly, who lost 4-2 against Derry in Ramelton in their season opener.
With Letterkenny’s Under-19s taking on Dundalk at Leckview at the same time, McConigley isn’t too troubled by the outcome.
“It’s must win if we’re to go through and the maths are simple that way,” the Letterkenny boss told Donegal Sport Hub.
“Derry were very strong that day we played them and the unfortunate thing is that they won’t have that team out again.
“We didn’t play at all and were really caught on the hop. I wouldn’t be putting too much emphasis on this. It’s better to get beaten in the League Cup because it’s the League we really want to win.”
Goals by Dan O’Donnell and Duncan Patterson couldn’t prevent Swilly from losing against Derry, who took a 4-2 win thanks to a brace each from Donegal men Conor Tourish and Ronan Curtis.
With Derry already into the semi-finals, Swilly can advance too with a draw on Sunday against their derby rivals.
Goalkeeper Gareth Wade picked up an injury against Derry and has yet to recover, meaning Caolan Bolton will again deputise in nets while O’Donnell is also absent for Sunday’s game.
GROUP B – Cockhill Celtic v Fanad United
COCKHILL have won three League and League Cup doubles in a row – but they must win at home to Fanad United on Sunday at The Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds (kick-off 2pm) or that sequence will come to an end.
Their League Cup title is on the line when Arthur Lynch pulls up with a new-look Fanad team.
Gavin Cullen is the player-boss now at Cockhill with Shane Gallivan and Daniel Nolan also on the management team.
They’ve lost the likes of Gerry Gill, Matthew Henry, Ryan Varma and Liam O’Donnell, with players such as Ronan ‘Ollie’ Doherty, Ronan ‘Newman’ Doherty, Darren Coyle, Jason Breslin and Benny McLaughlin added.
McLaughlin’s GAA commitments with Malin mean he will sit this one out, though.
Cockhill pushed Longford Town all the way in the FAI Senior Cup, but ultimately fell to a 2-0 defeat.
Lynch is new to the helm at Triagh-A-Locha but the former Fanad centre-back needs little introduction to big games having won countless honours in the famous red and black.
They asked questions of Bonagee United, but lost 3-2 at Dry Arch Park in a game that marked their return to the Ulster Senior League after deciding not to enter the interim season.
Davitt Walsh was sent off against Bonagee and will serve a suspension this weekend, but Lynch can call on the likes of Brian McVeigh and Shaun McElwaine, who will ensure that Fanad will be competitive enough to give themselves a chance of booking a spot in the semis – like Swilly, a draw will suffice to secure that berth.
| Group A | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
| Derry City Reserves | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Swilly Rovers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 0 |
| Letterkenny Rovers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 0 |
| Group B | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
| Bonagee United | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Fanad United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 |
| Cockhill Celtic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
