The top two teams in the Ulster Senior League standings played out draws at the weekend. Derry City Reserves shared the points in a 1-1 draw against Kildrum Tigers and Cockhill Cetic came away with a 0-0 draw against Fanad United at Traigh a Loch . Letterkenny Rovers moved up to third after defeating Swilly Rovers by the odd goal in 5 at Leckview Park and Drumkeen United warmed up for their Donegal News League Cup Final game against Letterkenny Rovers next weekend with a 7-3 victory over Bonagee United- front man Richie Moore scored a hat trick for the St Patricks Park men.
Kildrum Tigers moved to the top of the DPD Division One league after a 3-2 victory against Drumkeen United on Saturday. Glenn Bovaird scoring a late winner for Dessie McGinty’s troops. Tonight Drumkeen United host Letterkenny Rovers.
RESULTS
4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League
Letterkenny Rovers 3-2 Swilly Rovers
Fanad United 0-0 Cockhill Celtic
Derry City Ressrves 1-1 Kildrum Tigers
Bonagee United 3-7 Drumkeen United
DPD Division One
Bonagee United 2-3 Kildrum Tigers
FIXTURE
DPD First Division
Monday, July 23rd Ko7:30pm
Drumkeen United v Letterkenny Rovers
LETTERKENNY WIN BATTLE OF THE ROVERS
LETTERKENNY ROVERS 3
SWILLY ROVERS 2
Letterkenny Rovers recorded back to back wins for the first time in the league this season but they had to survive a late comeback from Swilly Rovers before clinching all three points.
A ruthless Rovers led 3-0 wih just seven minutes remaining thanks to a brace from Davitt Walsh and a goal from Paddy McNulty on his return to the club but some lapses at the back give the visitors an unlikely glimmer in the dying minutes.
It was still a pleasing victory for Rovers boss Eamonn McConigley to follow-up on the previous weekends 1-0 victory at Cockhill Celtic.
They could not have asked for a better start when Davitt Walsh fired home his penalty on five minutes after Dylan Hegarty had hauled the striker to the ground. Only minutes earlier, it took a fine stop from Gareth Wade to deny Walsh.
The chances were coming think and fast for the hosts with Walsh miscuing when one on one with the goalkeeper, Chris Malseed fired narrowly wide with Wade unsighted but the ‘keeper was on hand to deny Garbhan Grant at the back post following a terrific pass from Jonathan Minnock.
The second goal did arrive two minutes before the break when Walsh latched onto McNulty’s knock down and rifled his shot past Wade from the edge of the box.
Lawrence Toland had a chance for Swilly on the stroke of half-time but his header went wide of the target.
Rovers put further daylight between themselves and their opponents midway through the second half when McNulty headed home a John Doherty cross to make it 3-0 and that goal proved to be decisive as Rovers took their foot of the pedal late on.
Firstly, Glenn Hamilton was penalised for a foul on Michael Doherty inside the penalty area and the former Rovers man made no mistake from the spot-kick.
And deep into injury-time – with Rovers down to ten men following an injury to substitute Graham Cullen – Lawrence Toland brought it back to 3-2 with an opportunist strike from 20 yards.
However, the Cathedral town men had little time to sweat on it as it proved to be the last note of the game.
LETERKENNY ROVERS – James Gallagher, Conal McGonigle, Jonathan Minnock, Paul Rua McBride, Glenn Hamilton, Garbhan Grant, Dan O’Donnell, Jamie Doherty, Davitt Walsh, Chris Malseed, Paddy McNulty. Subs used – John Doherty, Mark Forker, and Graham Cullen.
SWILLY ROVERS – Gareth Wade, Ronan Gibson, JP Doran, Dylan Hegarty, Ruairi Kelly, Ryan Toland, Terence Shiels, Keith Hegarty, Lawrence Toland, Marty McDaid, Michael Doherty. Subs used – Kyle Black, Darren Dunswoth.
REFEREE – Stephen Toner
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