Mixed luck for Lyit teams in Cup Competitions as Charlie Collins reports.

It was a mixed day for the Letterkenny IT soccer teams on Wednesday as the Ladies team advanced to the last eight of their Cup competition with a fine 1-4 away win in Dublin over UCD but the Men’s team crashed out of the Rustlers Shield after a disappointing 1-3 home defeat to Sligo IT at the Port Road venue. In Dublin the home team UCD took the lead in the 20th minute but Vanessa Mc Hugh had the Lyit level by half-time with a well taken goal. The Letterkenny girls took command in the second-half and after Mc Hugh had given them the lead further goals by Lauren Cregan and Zoe Green saw them run out comfortable and impressive winners to claim a last eight spot in the Cup. The story was not so good with the Men’s team as their run of poor results continued at home to Sligo IT. The visitors took the lead in the 19th minute when Gary Higgins headed home Jack Keaver’s free-kick and could have added to that goal as Higgins went close again in the 29th minute and then Ciaran Kelly made a vital interception to deny Keaver from Ryan Norris excellent low cross. Lyit had plenty of possession and several good move just needed a better final pass, Jordan Toland’s well struck angled effort forced a good save from Sligo keeper Jack Mannion in the 35th minute. Four minutes before half-time it was 0-2 to the visitors when Donegal lad Timmy Govorov’s fine cross was brilliantly controlled by winger Darren Sommers who then flicked the ball over a defender before volleying past Jason Quigley for a super goal. Lyit applied plenty of pressure in the early stages of the second period but Sligo remained dangerous when breaking forward. The home side finally pulled one back when Dean O Donnell’s lopping header beat keeper Mannion following a corner in the 67th minute but the visitors quickly restored their two goal advantage when more poor defending allowed Jack Keaver to score after a exchange of passes with Higgins inside the penalty area. Late on in the game Jordan Toland’s shot was deflected onto the crossbar and keeper Mannion denied Garteth Doherty after good work by Adrian Delap but apart from that Sligo IT held on comfortable to advance to the semi-finals, Fanad Utd’s Conor Blaney was impressive at left-back for the visitors. LYIT ; Jason Quigley, Adrian Delap , Ferghal Harkin , Ciaran Kelly , Lee Mc Colgan , Odhran Mc Macken , Jordan Toland , Gareth Doherty , Darragh Black , Dean Larkin , Dean O Donnell. Sub ; Justin Mc Gee for O Donnell ( 70mins ).