Letterkenny Rovers return to Leckview Park on Sunday when Eamon McConigley’s team have a big chance to close the gap on 4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League leaders Cockhill Celtic to just three points.
A few short weeks ago, it seemed as if the green and white ribbons could be knotted on the silverware and handed to Cockhill, but Rovers have inched their way back into the reckoning.
Rovers host Finn Harps Reserves on Sunday and are back at Leckview having been based at the Aura Leisure Centre of late.
A recent 2-0 loss at home to Derry City Reserves meant that Cockhill gave up ground and, with Gavin Cullen’s team having no game this weekend, Letterkenny can capitalise.
Rovers defeated Bonagee 3-0 at the same time as Cockhill were losing to Derry and, with five games to go, the Cathedral town men have a chance to, at least, make Cockhill sweat.
The two teams have to meet again as well, although Cockhill will have a game in hand after this weekend’s round of games.
Letterkenny have had an indifferent season at times and how McConigley and company must rue the dropping of critical points, particularly pre-Christmas, when they lost to Bonagee United and drew games against Fanad United, Finn Harps Reserves and Swilly Rovers.
Letterkenny and Harps played out a 3-3 draw at Finn Park in November, when Harps led 3-1 at a stage only to be denied by a comeback.
McConigley has added goalkeeper Christopher Sweeney to his ranks since the turn of the year.
Veteran striker Darren McElwaine has been in good form, while young Kevin McGrath has really stepped up to the plate and Paul Boyle is excelling at centre-back for Rovers.
Joe Boyle’s Harps could be a strong unit on Sunday given that the Harps Under-19s have no fixture this weekend.
On Thursday night, Bonagee United play host to Fanad United in a game that has been moved to Dry Arch Park, while Swilly Rovers will travel to face Derry City Reserves on Sunday.
RESULTS
Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup, Quarter-Finals
Saturday
Greencastle FC 3 Derry City 3 (after extra time, Greencastle win 4-2 on pens)
Sunday
Drumoghill FC 1 Letterkenny Rovers 2
Clonmany Shamrocks 0 Glengad United 2
Glenea United P-P Cockhill Celtic (Conceded by Glenea United)
FIXTURES
4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League
Thursday, March 16, 7.45pm
Bonagee United v Fanad United
Sunday, March 19, 2pm
Derry City Reserves v Swilly Rovers
Finn Harps Reserves v Letterkenny Rovers
| TABLE | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| Cockhill Celtic | 13 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 38 | 12 | 26 | 31 | * |
| Letterkenny Rovers | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 29 | 19 | 10 | 25 | |
| Fanad United | 13 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 21 | 15 | 6 | 21 | |
| Derry City Reserves | 13 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 25 | 21 | 4 | 19 | |
| Bonagee United | 13 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 27 | -16 | 14 | * |
| Swilly Rovers | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 16 | 28 | -12 | 9 | |
| Finn Harps Reserves | 12 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 10 | 28 | -18 | 5 | |
| * Cockhill Celtic awarded a 3-0 win after Derry City Reserves team deemed ineligible on Jan 22 | |||||||||
TOP GOALSCORERS (LEAGUE ONLY)
Cathal Farren (Derry City Reserves) 9
Darren McElwaine (Letterkenny Rovers) 8
Mark Moran (Cockhill Celtic) 6
Jimmy Bradley (Cockhill Celtic) 5
Laurence Toland (Swilly Rovers) 5
Aaron McCready (Finn Harps Reserves) 4
Gerard McLaughlin (Cockhill Celtic) 4
KNOCKALLA CARAVANS SENIOR CUP SEMI-FINALS
The draw was made this week for the Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup semi-finals. Holders Cockhill Celtic will travel to play Inishowen neighbours Glengad United in a repeat of last season’s final while Letterkenny Rovers will be away to Greencastle United. These ties are pencilled in for Sunday, April 9th.
