Ulster Junior Cup Quarter-Final
Letterkenny Rovers 3-0 St. Catherine’s
Leckview Park
Letterkenny Rovers secured their place in the semi-finals of the Ulster Junior Cup with a solid 3-0 victory over St. Catherine’s on a crisp afternoon at Leckview Park. Despite St. Catherine’s creating several promising chances, Rovers’ clinical finishing in the second half and resolute defense proved decisive.
The game began with Rovers’ Luke Parke narrowly missing the target in the opening minute. St. Catherine’s responded moments later, with Conor Doherty’s cross finding Joshua Maxwell at the back post, but Maxwell couldn’t direct his effort on target.
Rovers began to apply pressure, with BJ Banda’s solo run in the 9th minute forcing a save from St. Catherine’s keeper Padraig Byrne. Just seven minutes later, Rovers broke the deadlock when Chris Malseed threaded a perfect pass to Adrian Delap. Delap powered through the defense and calmly slotted the ball through Byrne’s legs to make it 1-0.
St. Catherine’s sought an immediate response, but Rovers’ defense held firm. Rovers came close to doubling their lead before halftime, with Joel Gorman’s deflected free kick striking the crossbar and Lee McMonagle hitting the upright. Despite creating multiple chances, Rovers went into the break with a narrow 1-0 lead.
The second half saw St. Catherine’s come out strong, with Joshua Maxwell testing Rovers keeper Mark Anthony McGinley early on. However, Rovers extended their lead in the 51st minute when a throw-in from Caolan McConnell found McMonagle, who turned sharply and fired into the net to make it 2-0.
St. Catherine’s continued to press and created opportunities through Alex McBrearty and Ryan Cunningham, but their efforts either went wide or over the bar. Rovers’ defense came
Under quick fire attempts but Padraic Gilsenan and Dean McCarry, stood tall, blocking the efforts as the visitors piled on the pressure.
In the 85th minute, Rovers sealed the win when Delap went in for a 50-50 with the St. Catherine’s keeper, and the loose ball fell to McMonagle. He made no mistake, striking low past Byrne to make it 3-0.
St. Catherine’s came close to pulling one back late on, with Joshua Maxwell delivering a dangerous ball across goal, but Josh Cunningham couldn’t convert at the back post. Rovers had the final say when Delap’s powerful strike forced an impressive save from Byrne to deny a fourth goal.
Despite a spirited second-half performance from St. Catherine’s, it was Rovers’ ability to capitalise. on their chances that proved the difference.
Goalscorers: Adrian Delap, Lee McMonagle x2
Referee: Patrick Martin
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