Celebrations at Leckview as Letterkenny Rovers win TDA Repairs Division 1 title

Letterkenny Rovers came from a goal down against Donegal Town to win and wrap up the TDA Repairs Division 1 title.

The side managed by Stephen McConnell are unbeaten in the league this term, winning 15 of their 16 fixtures and still in contention in both the Ulster Cup and Brian McCormick Sports Cup but for now, they can celebrate their championship. 

Against Donegal Town, who are chasing promotion themselves in third spot, with what looks now likely to be via the play-offs, goals from Caolan McConnell, Lee McMonagle and Joel Gorman sealed the three points.

However, after 10 minutes, Paul McHugh’s visitors deservedly led, with Oisin Gorrell smashing home a brilliant free-kick from right on the edge of the penalty area. The kick was awarded when match referee Seamus Seimi decided a foul by Chris Malseed on Ronan McHugh was outside and not inside the area. 

It was close, although Gorrell’s goal was just rewards for Donegal Town, who had a goal disallowed beforehand for offside and were denied early on when Rovers goalkeeper Blake Forkan bravely took one in the fact to keep Declan Duignan’s show.

However, that well-trotted line about being at your most vulnerable when you’ve just scored would come to pass. Just a minute after conceding, the home side worked a move between David O’Donnell and Gareth Doherty on the right, with the latter whipping a ball across that corridor of uncertainty and McConnell popped in at the back post to level.

Letterkenny shaded the second quarter chances although it would remain 1-1 at half-time. McConnell shot wide, Gorman’s powerful free-kick was gathered in goalkeeper John McMullin’s breadbasket and then saw Nathan Plumb’s header go just wide. 

Eoin Slevin’s free for Donegal Town at the start of the second half was narrowly off target and then McHugh created an opportunity for himself after a daring break, only for Forkan to save.

The hosts went in front on 69 minutes when McMonagle finished well from a pass by Adrian Delap, although the Donegal Town bench had claimed for a foul on Ronan McHugh in the lead-up.

It was 3-1 six minutes later, when Gorman, with a free on the right which the whole of Leckview thought he’d cross, cheekily caught McMullin out by planting home at the near post. It was the final touch on the win, with captains Malseed and Ronan Curran picking up the trophy as the heavens opened. Letterkenny, by then were singing in the rain. 

Letterkenny Rovers: Blake Forkan; David O’Donnell (Henry Welles 81), Leon Doherty (Nathan Bonner 84), Chris Malseed (Tim Callaghan 84), Caolan McConnell; Gareth Doherty, Christy Connaghan, Joel Gorman (Dean McCarry 81); Adrian Delap, Lee McMonagle (Adam Murphy 81), Nathan Plumb. 
Donegal Town FC: John McMullin; Matthew McKenna (Tom Cutts 74), Ryan O’Brien, John Doherty, Oisin Gorrell (Kumar Digant 74); Ben Sweeney (Tobi Owoeye 34), Eoin Slevin, Stevie Graham, Declan Duignan (Glen Harron 70); David Graham, Ronan McHugh.
Referee: Seimi Ferry