Letterkenny Rovers moved back into second spot with the win they needed to preserve the USL title race until, at least, tomorrow afternoon.
Letterkenny Rovers 2 Derry City Reserves 0
By Chris McNulty at Leckview Park
Conor Tourish and Kevin McGrath netted as Eamonn McConigley’s side overcame the young Candystripes – who fielded their under-17 side.
Rovers had to win or Cockhill Celtic would’ve been crowned champions. Instead, it’s over to Cockhill, for whom a draw will suffice when they host Finn Harps Reserves at 1pm tomorrow.
Tourish’s soaring header powered Rovers in front six minutes before half-time. Tourish rose to meet Lee Toland’s testing corner and his header gave Kyle Burns, the Derry goalkeeper, no chance.
Earlier, BJ Banda was denied by Burns in the opening minute while Banda struck against the base of the post on 12 minutes.
Caoimhinn Porter fashioned an opening for the Candystripes but he drilled wide from the edge of the area.
Just before the break, Dominic Dunne created a chance for Jordan Nugent at the near post, but he shot into the side-netting when most of the Leckview Park stand thought he’d equalised.
Pajo Rafferty could have doubled Rovers’ lead, but he was off-cue from a Ryan Lonergan cross.
Rovers wrapped it up 23 minutes from time when McGrath’s deflected effort beat Burns.
Letterkenny Rovers: Rory Kelly, Ryan Lonergan, Lee Toland, Ryan McConnell, Conor Tourish, Declan Sharkey, Luke Nelis, Kevin McGrath, BJ Banda, Brian McVeigh, Pajo Rafferty. Subs: Darren McElwaine for Banda, Joel Gorman for McConnell, Conor Duggan for Nelis, Joel Gorman for Rafferty, Johnathan Coadey for McGrath.
Derry City Reserves: Kyle Burns, Caoimhinn Porter, Evan McLaughlin, Michael Doran, Shaun McDermott, Orin McLaughlin, Jordan Nugent, Ronan McKinley, Dominic Dunne, Adam Curran, Michael Harris. Subs: Jack Doherty for McDermott, Eoin McLaughlin for Doran, Ryan Kennedy for Nugent, Liam Quigley for Porter, Charlie White for McLaughlin.
Referee: Vincent McLoughlin.
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