DONEGAL LEAGUE Div 3

Ulster Junior Shield Quarter Final

Letterkenny Rovers 3-2 Convoy Arsenal
Leckview Astro – 15th February

Letterkenny Rovers edged past Convoy Arsenal in a thrilling Ulster Junior Shield encounter at Leckview Astro, securing a 3-2 victory to advance to the next round.

Convoy struck first in the 17th minute when Jamie O’Donnell’s pinpoint cross from the right found Anthony Bogle, who headed into the net to give the visitors the lead. Rovers responded well and were awarded a penalty on the half-hour mark when Jordan Nugent was fouled in the box. Conor O’Donnell stepped up and coolly converted to level the score at 1-1.

Rovers continued to press, with O’Donnell and Winston going close, and Nugent rattling the crossbar in the 37th minute. Just before the break, O’Donnell broke free down the left and unleashed a strong strike, but Convoy’s keeper Konrad Krol was equal to it, ensuring the sides remained level at halftime.

The second half started with Convoy creating an early chance, forcing Rovers’ keeper Josh Wade into action. However, it was Rovers who struck next in the 48th minute, as O’Donnell latched onto a great ball wide, drove into the box, and rifled a shot across goal to put Rovers 2-1 ahead.

Convoy quickly hit back, winning a penalty in the 53rd minute. Bogle made no mistake from the spot hitting high into the roof of the net, bringing the game back to 2-2.

Rovers continued to push forward, and their persistence paid off in the 64th minute. O’Donnell whipped in a dangerous cross, and Keelan Dunleavy met it with a powerful header, restoring Rovers’ lead at 3-2.

Both sides created chances in the closing stages, with Adam Murphy going close from 35 yards and Wade making a crucial intervention to clear the danger during a scramble in the Rovers' box. Despite Convoy’s late pressure, Rovers held firm to secure the victory in a fiercely contested match.

Goalscorers: Conor O’Donnell x2, Keelan Dunleavy

Referee: Matt Hull

Letterkenny Rovers produced a dominant display under the lights at Leckview Park, securing a commanding 5-1 victory over Drumoghill. Despite early pressure and numerous chances, Rovers had to wait until the 34th minute to break the deadlock through a superb strike from Adam Murphy.

Rovers controlled the opening stages, with early efforts from Conor O’Donnell, Jordan Nugent, and Oisin McMenamin testing the Drumoghill defence. However, the visitors held firm, with goalkeeper Ryan Lockhart making a series of key saves. The breakthrough finally arrived when Murphy struck from 20yds out, rifling his effort into the net.

Rovers doubled their lead five minutes into the second half as O’Donnell unleashed a powerful shot from 25 yards, finding the bottom corner. Drumoghill had a rare chance just after the hour mark following a defensive mix-up, but Rovers keeper Davin Blake was quick to react, preventing a goal before a swift counterattack saw Pavel Shevaniuk set up McMenamin to make it 3-0.

Conor O’Donnell added his second in the 75th minute with a stunning long-range strike, but Drumoghill pulled one back five minutes later when a cross from the right found its way to Shane Duffy, who bundled it into the net.

Adam Murphy wrapped up the scoring in stoppage time with a precise finish into the bottom right corner, sealing a comfortable win for Rovers.

Goalscorers: Adam Murphy x2, Conor O’Donnell x2, Oisin McMenamin

Referee: Paddy McCauley

Letterkenny Rovers 5-0 Glenea United

Leckview Park

Letterkenny Rovers secured a commanding 5-0 victory over Glenea United on a cold afternoon at Leckview Park. After a slow start, Rovers grew into the game, delivering a dominant second-half performance to seal the win.

The opening ten minutes were uneventful, with both teams battling for control in midfield. The first clear chance fell to Rovers when Conor O’Donnell sent Jordan Nugent through on goal, but a heavy touch took him too wide to capitalise.

Glenea’s Seamus Doogan caused some early problems, but Rovers’ Keelan Dunleavy was quick to recover and thwart any real danger. Rovers began to create opportunities, with Dylan Doogan and Nugent coming close, but it wasn’t until the 34th minute that they broke the deadlock. Gareth Temple’s pinpoint free kick found Dunleavy, who rose highest to head home and make it 1-0.

Glenea nearly equalised before halftime when Doogan found himself one-on-one with Rovers goalkeeper Davin Blake. However, Blake closed the angle quickly, forcing Doogan to shoot over the bar. Glenea showed signs of danger, but Rovers held their narrow lead going into the break.

The second half began with Glenea pressing early, but Rovers soon took control. After several near misses, they doubled their lead in the 61st minute. Jordan Nugent delivered a dangerous ball across the face of the goal to the back post, where Oran Winston was waiting to tap in. Just a minute later, Dylan Doogan played a superb pass through the middle for O’Donnell, who calmly slotted past Glenea keeper Oisin Cannon to make it 3-0.

Rovers continued to dominate, with O’Donnell adding his second goal in the 82nd minute after a clever combination with Adam Murphy and Winston. Murphy then put the finishing touch on a fine team performance in the 85th minute, striking a powerful low shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner to seal the 5-0 win.

Glenea had their moments, with Michael McHugh and Shane Coll trying to create chances, but Rovers’ defense were solid throughout.

Goalscorers: Keelan Dunleavy (34’), Oran Winston (61’), Conor O’Donnell (62’, 82’), Adam Murphy (85’)

Referee: Liam McLaughlin

Saturday 2nd Division

Saturday Second Division

Letterkenny Rovers 9-1 Fintown Harps

Leckview Park

Letterkenny Rovers produced a strong second-half display to defeat Fintown Harps 9-1 in their final game before the Christmas break. Despite a competitive first half, Rovers’ quality shone through as they overwhelmed their visitors at Leckview Park.

The game began with Fintown Harps showing early promise, with Mark McDevitt twice threatening in the opening moments. They were rewarded for their persistence in the 16th minute when Kieran Gallagher intercepted a pass and fired a sensational strike into the top corner to give Fintown the lead.

Rovers responded quickly and leveled in the 23rd minute when Jordan Nugent’s through ball found Conor O’Donnell, who drove into the box and finished confidently. Just a minute later, Oran Winston’s tenacity set up Lee McMonagle to capitalize on a bouncing ball, lobbing it over the onrushing Fintown goalkeeper Leon Thompson to put Rovers ahead 2-1.

Fintown had their moments, with Logan Quinn and McDevitt combining well in attack, but Rovers goalkeeper Josh Wade stood firm. Rovers continued to create chances, with O’Donnell and Nugent both going close before halftime, but the score remained 2-1 at the break.

James Barlow Gallagher opens the scoring for Rovers on the 9th minute rising heights.