Rathmullan Celtic 1 - 2 Letterkenny Rovers

🏆 SUNDAY PREMIER DIVISION CHAMPIONS 🏆

Sunday Premier Division – April 7, 2025 – Rathmullan

Letterkenny Rovers secured the Sunday Premier Division title with a hard-fought 2-1 win away to Rathmullan Celtic in a tense and dramatic encounter.

The game began with high intensity but little quality in the final third, as both sides struggled to settle in the opening minutes. Rory Gallagher tried his luck from distance early on, but his effort was off target.

In the 8th minute, Rovers nearly opened the scoring. A free kick was cleared to the edge of the box, where Dylan Woods fired low and hard, but his strike clipped the outside of the upright.

Rathmullan responded with a neat move between Daire Sheridan and Achul Eldad, who combined to create a chance just outside the box, but the shot drifted wide.

The breakthrough came in the 12th minute. A long throw-in by Rory Gallagher was only half-cleared, falling perfectly for David O’Donnell, who struck a superb left-footed effort into the net from the edge of the area – 1-0 to Rovers.

Rovers pushed for a second, with Bj Banda going close after a pinpoint ball from O’Donnell, and again in the 25th minute when he beat the centre-back but couldn’t find the target.

Rathmullan had a golden chance in the 26th minute from a free-kick, but Kevin Dorans effort at the near post went wide. Rovers almost made it 2-0 moments later when Joel Gorman sent a delightful ball over the top to Lee McMonagle, who fired across goal only to see his shot rebound off the left post.

The hosts continued to push and had two late first-half chances through Jay Dee Alawiye, but both were off target or lacked the power to trouble Mark Anthony McGinley.

Half-Time: Rathmullan Celtic 0-1 Letterkenny Rovers

Rovers came out strong after the break and doubled their lead in the 48th minute. Joel Gormanwhipped in a dangerous corner, and Bj Banda rose highest to guide his header into the right corner – 2-0.

Rathmullan refused to back down and came close in the 56th minute, with Eldad narrowly missing with a strike across the face of goal. Rovers continued to create, with Nathan Plumbnearly getting on the end of a cross from Gareth Doherty in the 63rd minute.

The hosts’ best period of the second half came around the 69th minute, as Daire Sheridan broke through the middle and laid it off to Alawiye, who shot wide from 20 yards.

Rovers nearly sealed it in the 84th minute when Lee McMonagle was played through but couldn’t keep his shot on target.

In the 85th minute, Caolan McConnell came to the rescue, heading off the line to deny Alawiyeagain, who had created Rathmullan’s best chance of the match.

90th minute drama saw Rathmullan get a goal back. A long throw by Daire Sheridan into the box was met by Alawiye, whose header deflected past McGinley into the net – 2-1.

The final minutes were nervy, but Rovers held firm to see out the game and claim a well-deserved league title.

Final Score: Rathmullan Celtic 1-2 Letterkenny Rovers

Well done to all the players and management team on a fantastic league campaign.

Scorers:

• David O’Donnell (12’)

• Bj Banda (48’)

• Jay Dee Alawiye (90’ - Rathmullan Celtic)

Referee: Mick Lagan