BJ Banda grabbed a hat-trick as Letterkenny Rovers got their first win of the new Premier Division season with a 5-2 victory over Keadue Rovers at Leckview Park.
In a repeat of last year’s Brian McCormick Sports Cup Final, which Letterkenny won in dramatic circumstances, it was the hosts who struck first inside ten minutes. A perfectly weighted pass from Adrian Delap sent Banda in the clear and the former Larne striker drilled his effort past Patrick McGarvey.
Keadue responded well and scored a deserved equaliser on the half hour mark. Mark Forker’s corner was punched clear by Mark Anthony McGinley but it fell to Oisin McKelvey outside the box and he rifled home a brilliant effort to send the sides in level at the break.
Rovers clearly moved it up a gear in the second half and Banda restored their lead three minutes after the break with a close range finish to make it 2-1.
Joel Bradley-Walsh’s free-kick was met by a beautifully glanced header from Natham Plumb to extend Letterkenny’s lead on 51 minutes and suddenly it looked a long back for Keadue.
Just after the hour mark, Plumb slotted home his second of the game to stretch the home sides lead to 4-1 but to Keadue’s credit they battled hard and McGinley had to be in top form to deny Calum Boyle from close range and again to make a smart save from McKelvey’s free-kick.
Banda completed his hat-trick with a fine header from a superb Delap cross to make it 5-1 on 76 minutes before Paul Boyle slotted home from the penalty spot to grab Keadue a consolation goal against his former club.
Referee – Barry Maxwell.