Reports: The FAI Intermediate Cup took centre-stage in the county

WITH THE RETURN to winter football it’s hoped that the Ulster Senior League combatants can improve their standing in the FAI Intermediate Cup.

Here’s how this weekend’s fixtures went …

Cockhill Celtic 1-2 Letterkenny Rovers

Over the last couple of seasons Cockhill Celtic have flown the USL flag outside of Donegal in the FAI Intermediate Cup and they began their campaign with a tricky assignment on Sunday at home to Letterkenny Rovers under the wily Eamon McConigley who has been involved in three Intermediate Cup finals from his tenure as player and player / manager of Fanad United.

Letterkenny with the breeze at their backs started the brighter and dominated procession for the first 15 minutes without really threatening the Cockhill goal.

Paul McVeigh had a half chance on 20 minutes but he blazed over the Cockhill goal from 10 yards. Defences dominated for the majority of the half with neither team finding that final through ball. Ronan Doherty brought a smart save from Ruairi Kelly in the Letterkenny goal on 30 minutes while Darren McElwaine did likewise for Rovers.

On the stroke of half time Cockhill took the lead when a Benny Fildara free found the unmarked Peter Doherty who headed home from close range. Half Time Cockhill 1 Letterkenny 0.

Letterkenny got level on 53 minutes when Cockhill claimed off side but Referee Coll waved play on and Darren McElwaine coolly slotted home. Letterkenny then took the lead on 60 minutes when following a Cockhill corner Mark Forker broke from his own half and crossed for McElwaine whose initial shot brought a great save from Cullen but McVeigh was on-hand to slot home from close range.

Cockhill huffed and puffed for the remainder of the second half but the young Rovers defence stood firm. The home side had a few half chances but could not get an equaliser. Cockhill had a major penalty shout when Ronan Doherty got upended in the dying minutes but it wasn’t given.

Derek Doherty got the red card and his marching orders for protesting the decision. The experienced duo of Mark Forker and Darren McElwaine both had fine games and helped a young Rovers side deservedly progress to the next round of the cup.

Bonagee United 4-0 Fanad United

BonageeUnited and Fanad United met for the third time this season after earlier meetings in the League Cup and League with Bonagee winning both previous encounters.

Intermediate kingpins Fanad would have been hopeful they could cause a small upset after they gained a point against champions Cockhill last week in the league but once again Bonagee came out on top to progress to the next round of this year’s competition and they await the draw for Round Three with interest and like Letterkenny Rovers will be hoping lady luck hands them a home tie with both sides now moving out of the county to the national stages.

Fanad United will be annoyed at the final score line, when indeed on the day, the hosts were not as good as the 4-0 score suggests.

They had a number of players returning to their starting eleven, started the game well, and may have taken the lead in the ninth minute.

Davitt Walsh, who was excellent throughout the contest, had an effort from the edge of the box rattle the crossbar and cleared to safety by Declan Lynch. Midfielder Michael Cannon also tried his luck from distance but both his efforts, on 15th and 18th minutes, went narrowly wide of Eugene Ferry’s post.

Bonagee to the lead in their first real attack of the game, when Chris Moran played a ball to Dean Larkin wide on the right and his cross into the area was tapped home by Aidan McLaughlin. Walsh had an opportunity in the dying seconds of the first half, but his effort from close range was smothered by Ferry.

Bonagee really upped things in the second 45, and with Aodhan Cannon an endless threat on the left wing, they deservedly got their second in the 66th minute. A mistake by a Fanad player allowed Ryan McFadden get possession of the ball, and he ran thirty yards unchallenged to place the ball past Oran Blaney to make it 2-0.

With Fanad pushing forward in the hope of getting something from the tie, further goals from McLaughlin and Larkin in the 68th and 79th minutes wrapped up the result for the home side, with McFadden providing the assist for both scores.

Bonagee United: Ferry, Breslin, McGinley, Hunter, Lynch, Lynagh, McFadden, Moran, McLaughlin, Larkin, Cannon.  Subs: Russell, McCarron, Clarke, Appiah, Browne

Fanad United: Blaney, Langan, Duffy, McAteer, Friel, McVeigh, Carr, Cannon, Roberts, Walsh, McElwaine.  Subs: Gallagher, McGonigle, McElwaine, Lynch.

USL Results

FAI Intermediate Cup Rd. 2

Bonagee United   4-0 Fanad United

Cockhill Celtic  1-2 Letterkenny Rovers

Fixtures

Sunday, November 1,2pm

4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League

Derry City Res. v Fanad Utd.

Letterkenny Rovers v Cockhill Celtic

Swilly Rovers v Bonagee Utd.