Kilmacrennan Celtic architects of own downfall against Letterkenny Rovers
Two own goals from Kilmacrennan Celtic and another from Rovers ace BJ Banda meant that Stephen McConnell's side easily progressed to the Brian McCormick Cup decider
Letterkenny Rovers maintained their unbeaten run and booked their spot in the Brian McCormick Cup final after two own goals helped them see off Kilmacrennan Celtic in Ballyare.
Kieran Gorman unfortunately found his own net early on, while BJ Banda scored the second goal for his side before the break.
Stephen Black was the next unfortunate player to score an own goal, but he did bag a late consolation goal after Matthew McLaughlin had a penalty saved by Mark Anthony McGinley.
Letterkenny Rovers had the ideal start to this semi-final encounter with a goal inside five minutes, though not from one of their own.
In the build-up, BJ Banda had a low shot palmed wide by Mark Gallagher. The shot-stopper then parried an effort from Padraic Gilsenan over the bar from the resulting corner.
However, the next set-piece whipped in by Joel Gorman was diverted into his own net by Kieran Gorman.
With a little over ten minutes gone, Kilmacrennan Celtic almost equalized from a set-piece of their own. Paul Bradley floated the ball in from the left, and Stephen Black rose highest, only to see his header clip the crossbar.
A few more set-pieces followed at either end, but with little reward.
Just beyond the half-hour mark, Letterkenny Rovers doubled their lead on the counter-attack. Adrian Delap sprinted from the halfway line, and his well-timed pass put BJ Banda one-on-one with Gallagher. Banda calmly finished into an empty net after rounding the keeper.
In the second half, corners continued to pose a threat for both sides. Nathan Plumb had a header punched clear early on, and soon after, Conor Black’s header was blocked on the goal line by Dean McCarry.
After the hour, Rovers had three decent chances in as many minutes. BJ Banda, Gilsenan, and Dean McCarry were all denied by Mark Gallagher’s gloves. At the other end, Mark Anthony McGinley was called upon to thwart an attempt from Shane McNamee.
With just under 20 minutes to go, Rovers extended their lead to three with another stroke of good fortune. Joel Gorman floated the ball in from the right, and it looped over Gallagher’s reach after brushing off Stephen Black’s head.
With 15 minutes left, Kilmacrennan was offered a route back into the game after a handball by McCarry in the box. Matthew McLaughlin stepped up, but his low penalty to the left was saved by McGinley.
In stoppage time, Kilmacrennan bagged a consolation goal. Paul Bradley curled a corner from the right, and Stephen Black powered home a header.
Letterkenny Rovers: Mark Anthony McGinley; Padraic Gilsenan (Ryan Lonergan, 78), Rory Gallagher (Nathan Bonner, 83), Dean McCarry, Keith Cowan; Gareth Doherty (Caolan McConnell, 67), BJ Banda, Joel Gorman, Lee McMonagle (David O'Donnell, 78); Adrian Delap, Nathan Plumb (Dylan Woods, 67)
Kilmacrennan Celtic: Mark Gallagher; James Doherty (Owen Browne, 67), John Sandilands (Mark Patterson, 67), Kieran Gorman (Philip Buchanan, 78), Stephen Black; Caolon Kelly, Matthew McLaughlin, Conor Black, Shane McNamee; Caolon Curran (Sam Harvey, 88), Paul Bradley.
Referee: Patrick Martin