Saturday 9th December
Donegal Junior League Division 3
Letterkenny Rovers grew in strength in a convincing 6-1 victory against Lagan Harps, who battled hard to the end making Rovers have to work for their goals.
The game kicked off with Lagan Harps applying early pressure, testing the defense of Letterkenny Rovers. Within the first 3 minutes, a moment of tension arose as Pavel Shevanink played a dangerous ball across his own 18-yard box, but Lagans Ross Hamlyn couldn't capitalize.
Fifteen minutes in, Letterkenny Rovers found their rhythm with a brilliant ball from James Barlow Gallagher to Conor O’Donnell, resulting in a shot across the box, but cleared by Lagan's young center back Aiden Devir.
The breakthrough for Rovers came in the 28th minute when a corner delivered by Gareth Temple found Oran Winston, whose glancing header found its way into the left of the goal.
As the first half unfolded, Letterkenny Rovers continued to dominate for large parts of the game. In the 39th minute, Adam Murphy played a precise ball to James Barlow Gallagher, who, in turn played it hard into the 6yard box, finding Gareth Temple who hammered it home, extending Rovers' lead to 2-0.
The second half saw a stronger start from Letterkenny Rovers, aiming to settle down and control the game. However, Lagan Harps remained resilient, keeping the pressure on.
Against the run of play, a pivotal moment arrived in the 50th minute when a deflected ball in the Rovers' box led to an own goal, bringing Lagan back into contention at 2-1.
Rovers responded on the 72nd minute, when a free-kick by Conor O’Donnell found Jordan Nugent, whose header set up Danny Hall for the third goal, reestablishing Rovers' dominance.
The goals continued to flow for Letterkenny Rovers. Conor O’Donnell took his goal well on the 80th minute, finishing a one-on-one with Lagan's keeper, Kai Brown, making it 4-1.
Two more goals followed, with Danny Hall and Conor O’Donnell adding to the scoreline on the 82nd and 91st minutes, respectively, sealing a resounding 6-1 victory for Letterkenny Rovers.
Referee Dessie McLaughlin