Letterkenny Rovers 2
Bonagee United 2
A late goal from Shane McNamee earned Letterkenny Rovers a share of the spoils against Bonagee United at Leckview Park on Sunday afternoon.
The two sides were level at 1-1 at the break, with Michael Doherty and Zach Gorman bagging goals for their teams.
The visitors went ahead on the hour mark through substitute Adam Rodgers however, McNamee’s 88th minute leveller earned the hosts a point and more importantly took two points away from Bonagee United in the title race.
The opening spell of this contest was finely poised, with both sides enjoying their fair share of possession.
The first chance arrived on the quarter hour mark when Shane McNamee fed the ball out wide to Padraic Gilsenan who drilled a dangerous delivery across the face of goal but nobody was on-hand to hit it home.
Another chance arrived shortly afterwards for the home outfit when Simon McGlynn received the ball and let fly from distance but his shot went safely into the side netting.
On the half hour mark, Bonagee United hit the front. A cross from the left was flicked on by Dean Larkin and it found the awaiting Michael Doherty who headed the ball past Mark Anthony McGinley.
The Leckview Park residents responded well to this setback and they managed to level proceedings in the last minute of Act One.
Adrian Delap played the ball into the path of Zach Gorman who rifled it first time into the top corner of the net from outside the box, leaving the two sides inseparable at the short whistle.
Seven minutes into the second stanza, the visitors had an opportunity to regain the advantage.
A pass from Michael Doherty found Dean Larkin in the area but Mark Anthony McGinley came off his line to narrow the angle and deny the Bonagee United forward from close range.
On the hour mark at Leckview Park, Mickey Funston’s men found the back of the net for a second time.
Following a scramble in the Letterkenny Rovers goalmouth, Matthew McLaughlin played a lofted ball towards the back post where Adam Rodgers was on-hand to head home from six yards.
For a second time, the Leckview Park residents went in pursuit of an equaliser and they applied pressure on the visiting defence.
It looked like Bonagee United were going to hold out and seal a huge three points on the road but there was to be late drama as Letterkenny Rovers found a leveller.
A delivery from Padraic Gilsenan was met by Zach Gorman who saw his shot stopped by a superb save from Andrew Nicholls.
Lee McMonagle headed the rebound against the crossbar before Shane McNamee headed home at the third time of asking to earn his side a valuable point on home soil.
Letterkenny Rovers: Mark Anthony McGinley; Padraic Gilsenan, Keith Cowan, Dean McCarry, Kealan Dunleavy; Adrian Delap, Caolan Kelly, Darren Shovlin, Simon McGlynn; Shane McNamee, Zach Gorman. Subs: Lee McMonagle and Ryan Lonergan for Dunleavy and McGlynn (63 mins), Joel Gorman for Shovlin (70 mins), Luke Parke for Kelly (82 mins).
Bonagee United: Andrew Nicholls; Ciaran Kelly, Thomas McMonagle, Gareth Breslin, Eoghan Doherty; Aidan Brennan, Gareth Harkin, Shay Maloney, Michael Doherty; Josh Maxwell, Dean Larkin. Subs: Adam Rodgers and Matthew McLaughlin for Maloney and Maxwell (60 mins), Daniel O’Donnell for Larkin (67 mins), Codey Brogan for Doherty (83 mins), Aidan McLaughlin for Breslin (90 mins).
Referee: Gerald Devine.
Game at a Glance
Man of the Match: Zach Gorman. (Letterkenny Rovers). The Letterkenny Rovers forward was lively throughout proceedings on Sunday, scoring a fantastic goal while being involved in the other for his side. Michael Doherty and Dean Larkin impressed at the top end of the pitch for the visitors in this contest.
The Whistler: In what was a competitive encounter, referee Gerald Devine handled proceedings well and kept his cards in his pocket when possible.
Turning Point: Bonagee United looked like they were going to go on and secure a huge three points on the road however, Shane McNamee’s 88th minute equaliser earned Letterkenny Rovers a share of the spoils in an entertaining encounter.
Talking Point: Mickey Funston will be disappointed with just a point from this encounter following a superb display from the side. Three points would’ve left his side top of the table, with Letterkenny Rovers having a game in hand, although the draw leaves the Leckview Park residents still in control of their own destiny.
What’s Next: Letterkenny Rovers are at home against Kildrum Tigers on Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, Bonagee United will host Keadue Rovers next Sunday.