DONEGAL LEAGUE Div 3

Ulster Junior Shield – Saturday, March 21, 2025 – Leckview Astro

Letterkenny Rovers booked their place in the Ulster Junior Shield Final with a solid 3-1 victory over Sea Rovers in a competitive clash at Leckview Astro.

Rovers got off to a dream start, scoring in the opening minute. Conor O’Donnell played a clever flick over the defense, and Jordan Nugent was quickest to react, sliding in to guide the ball into the net.

The hosts continued their attacking pressure, with James Barlow Gallagher heading into the keeper’s hands from a long throw after five minutes, while O’Donnell sent a teasing cross to Oran Winston in the ninth minute, but he was unable to connect cleanly.

At the other end, Sea Rovers almost equalized in the 13th minute when a long free kick into the box caused problems. Rovers’ keeper Josh spilled the ball under pressure, but Gallagher made a crucial block to deny a certain goal.

Letterkenny doubled their lead in stunning fashion in the 19th minute. With space 40 yards out, Oran Winston unleashed a powerful strike that flew into the top left corner, leaving the keeper with no chance.

The home side continued to dominate, with Keelan Dunleavy and James Gallagher both going close, while Artem Tymosch was a constant threat on the right wing, setting up O’Donnell, who fired just over from close range in the 40th minute.

Half-Time: Letterkenny Rovers 2-0 Sea Rovers

Sea Rovers started the second half brightly and pulled a goal back in the 48th minute through their Conor McGettigan, capitalizing on a mix-up in the Letterkenny defense.

Despite conceding, Rovers regained control and created several chances, with O’Donnell narrowly missing the target and Gallagher heading just over from a corner. Sea Rovers pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but their long-range efforts failed to trouble the Rovers’ goal.

As Sea Rovers committed numbers forward, Letterkenny struck on the counter in the 90th minute to seal the victory. Adam Murphy played a well-timed pass through to Volodymyr Kevalchuk, who unselfishly squared it to Ben O’Donnell, allowing him to finish from close range and secure Rovers’ place in the Ulster Shield Final.

Full-Time: Letterkenny Rovers 3-1 Sea Rovers

Goalscorers: Jordan Nugent, Oran Winston, Ben O'Donnell

Letterkenny Rovers now advance to the Ulster Junior Shield Final, where they will look to cap off their strong campaign with silverware.

Saturday Division 2 – Leckview Park (Grass) – Friday, March 7

Letterkenny Rovers put on a dominant display under the lights at Leckview Park, securing a 7-0 victory over Castlefin in a one-sided encounter.

After an evenly contested opening 10 minutes, Rovers began to assert control, and they took the lead in the 19th minute when Oran Winston headed home a pinpoint Adam Murphy cross. Winston then turned provider in the 26th minute, setting up Jordan Nugent, who made it 2-0.

The home side extended their lead further in the 38th minute when Kian McGrath was fouled in the box, allowing Conor O’Donnell to step up and convert the penalty. Just before halftime, O’Donnell struck again to make it 4-0.

Saturday Division 2

Letterkenny Rovers 6-4 Gweedore Celtic

Leckview Astro - 1st March

Letterkenny Rovers came out on top in a ten-goal contest against Gweedore Celtic, securing a hard-fought 6-4 victory at Leckview Astro.

The visitors struck first inside the opening minute when a long-range effort forced Rovers keeper Josh Wade into an early fingertip save. From the resulting corner, Gweedore’s Cian McBride capitalized on a defensive lapse to fire home the opener.

Rovers found their rhythm and pulled level in the 8th minute when Jack Duff finished well after an excellent through ball from Adam Murphy. However, Gweedore responded immediately, with McBride pouncing on indecision at the edge of the box to restore their lead at 2-1.

The end-to-end nature of the game continued, and Rovers struck back in the 15th minute when Oisin McMenamin met a long throw from Conor O’Donnell, guiding his header into the net to make it 2-2.

Defensive uncertainty cost Rovers again in the 21st minute, as Gweedore’s Charlie Gallagher rounded the keeper and slotted home to give the visitors the advantage once more. But Rovers kept pushing forward, and in the 31st minute, Duff grabbed his second of the match, bundling the ball home at the back post after an O’Donnell cross to bring it back to 3-3.

As halftime approached, Rovers began creating more chances, with McMenamin heading over from a corner and Gallagher testing the Gweedore keeper from close range, but the sides went in level at the break.

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