Letterkenny Rovers prevailed on penalties to move into the final of the Donegal News USL League Cup at the expense of derby rivals Bonagee United.
Bonagee United 1 Letterkenny Rovers 1 (after extra time) Letterkenny win 2-1 on penalties
Michael Funston drew Bonagee level in the dying embers of normal time with a penalty, after BJ Banda’s goal late in the first half looked to have sneaked Rovers through.
Extra time came and went without anyone conjuring up a winner – and it was down to the lottery from 12 yards.
Of the nine penalties taken, only three were scored. Jordan Armstrong netted Bonagee’s first spot-kick, but that was as good as it got for the hosts.
Rory Kelly, the Letterkenny Rovers goalkeeper, saved twice and Chris Breen and, finally, Micheál Doherty blazed over to confirm Rovers’s place in the final.
Lee Toland and Conor Tourish were successful with their penalties and Eamonn McConigley’s men could breathe in relief.
It was a game of few chances and one where quality was a rare commodity.
Doherty had an early opening for Bonagee, but skewed off-target from the left edge of the penalty area.
Banda was denied with a low daisy-cutter as Letterkenny probed for an opener, but they lost the class of Jonny Bonner by the midway point of the first half.
However, Rovers stole a march four minutes before half-time when Bonagee’s rear-guard was punished for their hesitancy and failure to deal with Toland’s angled delivery.
Banda profited and the former Finn Harps striker could scarcely believe his luck as he tucked home.
Deano Larkin had a sniff of an equaliser early in the second half, but was thwarted by Kelly.
Banda drilled across goal after being fed by sub Luke Nelis, while it took Tommy McMonagle’s intervention to prevent Banda from galloping clear after he profited from a misguided Funston pass.
The clock was well in the red zone when Funston went down under Banda’s challenge, Marty McGarrigle, the referee, pointed to the spot, Funston converted and the attendance were nestling in for an additional instalment.
Rovers have a Cup final to look forward to and Bonagee left to wonder and agonise over what might have been.
Bonagee United: Eugene Ferry; Mark Harkin, Tommy McMonagle, Gareth Breslin, Jamie Lynagh; Darren McMonagle, Michael Funston, Ryan Rainey, Micheál Doherty; Deano Larkin, Garbhan Grant. Subs: Jordan Armstrong for D.McMonagle, Chris Breen for Rainey, Codey Brogan for Lynagh.
Letterkenny Rovers: Rory Kelly; Ryan McConnell, Conor Tourish, Lee Toland; Kevin McGrath, Brian McVeigh, Chris Malseed, Christy Connaghan, Declan Sharkey; Jonny Bonner; BJ Banda. Subs: Luke Nelis for Bonner, Ryan Lonergan for Sharkey, Conor Duggan for McGrath.
Referee: Marty McGarrigle
