‘Macca’ on the double as Letterkenny Rovers reach Intermediate Cup semis

A goal in each half by team captain Darren Mc Elwaine was enough to send former finalists Letterkenny Rovers through to the last four of the FAI Intermediate Cup in this keenly contested quarter-final at Leckview Park.       Letterkenny Roves 2 Home Farm 0      

Rovers were the better team in this game but were made to work very hard by competitive opponents.

The visitors almost got the perfect start when Eoin Murray’s cracking free-kick from 35 yards crashed back of Rory Kelly’s crossbar with the keeper at full stretch, Jack McMullan followed up but couldn’t control his headed effort from 12 yards.

Five minutes later Pajo Rafferty’s corner found the head of Ryan Mc Connell and his effort was headed off the line by Christy Doran, McElwaine blasted the follow-up over.  The visitors threatened again in the 24th minute when Sean Goulding shot wide after Bradley Hand had done well.

Rovers made the breakthrough in the 32nd minute when Darren McElwaine turned well on the edge of the box and was fouled, he took the free-kick himself and found the bottom corner with a placed shot rather than a power effort.

Just before the break Home Farm again threatened when Matt McEntee found Hand but his effort was easily dealt with.

Rovers began well after the restart and David Shovelin’s cross created danger for the visitors in the 49th minute. Shovelin was involved again in the 63rd minute when his short corner routine with Rafferty caused problems and Ryan Mc Connell blasted just over.

Four minutes later it was 2-0, the excellent Paul McVeigh was upended after  another positive burst into the box and McElwaine confidently slotted the penalty into the top corner.

Both teams made a number of substitutions in the final half-hour as the play became a bit disjointed.

Paul McVeigh’s cross almost found Rafferty in the 85th minute  and Rory Kelly had to push Christy Doran’s well struck free-kick a minute later but by that time Rovers were comfortably on their way to the semi-finals of the FAI Intermediate Cup yet again.

LETTERKENNY ROVERS:  Rory Kelly, Ryan Lonegan (Garbhan Grant 77), Ryan Gildea, Ryan McConnell,  Conor Tourish, Kevin McGrath ( Chris Malseed 70), Paul McVeigh , David Shovelin, Darren McElwaine (Odhran McMacken 72), Christy Connaghan, Pajo Rafferty (Luke Nelis 90 ).

HOME FARM: Peter Halpin (Liam Woodcock), Steve O’Sullivan , Fintan Kearns,   James Duff , Jack McMullan ( Martin O’Brien), Eoin Murray (Patrick Davis), Matt McEntee (Aaron O’Dwyer) , Colm Richardson ( Barnard Ogene),  Sean Goulding , Bradley Hand (Ross Coyle 75 ), Christy Doran.

REFEREE: Marty Mc Garrigle.