Fanad United and Letterkenny Rovers ends all square in Ulster Senior League

Fanad United and Letterkenny Rovers played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in blustery conditions in Traigh-a-Loch on Sunday afternoon.

The first half chance of the game came in the fifth minute when Chris Flanagan won the ball outside the box but his rushed shot was easily saved by Shane Graham in the Fanad nets.

Fanad took the lead in the 11th minute is what was their first attack of note in the game.

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When persistence by Davitt Walsh forced a corner, the ball was swung in by Marty McAteer which was met by Shaun McElwaine who powered his header into the top corner.  Letterkenny should have drawn level nine minutes later when Darren McElwaine found himself with a lot of space but his shot went well wide.

Five minutes later Shane Graham produced a fine save after Steve Okakpo-Emeka burst into the box but his well hit shot failed to get past Graham. 

Fanad’s bets chance of the half to extend their lead fell to Seimi ‘Nanny’ Friel in the 35th minute.

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 After some good work by Daire McDaid and Marty McAteer, the ball cam to Friel on the edge of the box but his shot came agonisingly back off the underside of the crossbar and away to safety. 

The second half starting at great pace and Daire McDaid missed a decent chance to extend the lead for Fanad straight from the kick off when he pressurised the Letterkenny defence but his shot went over the bar. Letterkenny equalised in the 47th minute. 

After some sloppy play by the Fanad defence the ball fell to David Shovlin who’s super cross was met at the back post by Darren McElwaine who made no mistake.

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Rovers took the lead on the hour mark in controversial circumstances. When Kieran Gorman challenged Chris Flanagan in the box. McElwaine stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards.

 This spurred Fanad back into life and they were rewarded for their pressure with an equaliser in the 72nd minute. When Friel was fouled 25 yards out, Daire McDaid stepped up and his free found the back of the net deceiving Sean Friel in the Letterkenny net.

Fanad had a chance to win it with three minutes remaining when Matty Crossan seen his free kick from 25 yards fly just wide of the post. 

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Rovers played the last few minutes with 10 men when Brian McVeigh received his second yellow card for a pull back on Seimi Friel. 

There was worrying scenes at the end when Seimi Friel was stretchered off after an accidental clash of heads with Declan O’Donnell. 

This resulted in a number of minutes injury time but neither team could find a winner. 

Best for Fanad were Shaun McElwaine, Daire McDaid and Seimi Friel. Best for Letterkenny were Conor Tourish, David Shovlin and Darren McElwaine.

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Fanad United: Shane Graham, Oisin Langan, Conor Blaney, Kieran Gorman, Shaun McElwaine, Matthew Crossan, Marty McAteer, Daire McDaid, John McGarvey, Davitt Walsh, Seimi Friel

Letterkenny Rovers: Sean Friel, David Shovlin (Paul Boyle 70), Ryan Gildea, Conor Tourish, Declan O’Donnell, Kevin McGrath, Chris Flanagan, Brian McVeigh, Darren McElwaine, Christy Conaghan, Steve Okakpo-Emeka

Referee: Michael Connolly