McMonagle the hero as Letterkenny Rovers pip Keadue in dramatic McCormick Cup final

Letterkenny Rovers celebrate their success following the Brian McCormick Sports Cup final in Ballyare. Photos: NW Newspix

placeholder image — Letterkenny Rovers celebrate their success following the Brian McCormick Sports Cup final in Ballyare. Photos: NW Newspix

Lee McMonagle scored a hat-trick as Letterkenny Rovers pulled victory from the fire against Keadue Rovers in the Brian McCormick Sports Cup final in Ballyare

A Lee McMonagle hat-trick that included a last-minute winner for Letterkenny Rovers settled a remarkable Brian McCormick Sports Cup final against 10-man Keadue Rovers.

Stephen McConnell’s side were 1-0 and 2-1 up, but then 3-2 down with just three minutes remaining with it looking like Peter McGee’s double was going to take the trophy to the Rosses. However, substitute Aidy Delap made it 3-3 before McMonagle headed a late winner.

In a dramatic encounter, Keadue saw Matthew Smith pick up a second yellow - somewhat unfortunately having appeared to play the ball - in conceding the penalty to go 2-1 down on 61 minutes. However, Pat Ward’s side, who hadn’t lost since December, rallied to get their noses in front.

Letterkenny were aiming to add further silverware having already lifted the TDA First Division title in the Donegal Junior Football League, and the Letterkenny Area of the McCormick Cup.

They might’ve thought that things were conspiring against them with goalkeeper Blake Forkan having to leave in an ambulance with a suspected broken leg having picked up a first-half injury, and striker Tim Callaghan lasted only 15 minutes before being replaced by Delap, with Nathan Plumb not making it out for the second half.

McMonagle broke the deadlock with a close-range finish on 34 minutes. Plumb’s ball down the left set substitute Delap away and his perfect centre was met by the inrushing McMonagle to put Letterkenny in front.

Just shy of 10 minutes into the second half, 17-year-old Davin Blake - whose sum total for the Leckview Park’s first team was a late cameo against Cappry Rovers - went full stretch and tipped a Michael Greene daisycutter around the post. However, from the resultant Mark Forker corner, Paul Yank Boyle got up at the back post to head Keadue level.

They were on terms for only eight minutes though as McMonagle scored from the spot on 63 to put Letterkenny 2-1 up. The award followed a challenge by Smith on McMonagle, with the Keadue defender then being sent off. Goalkeeper Caelan Bonner right and got a hand on McMonagle’s penalty, but couldn’t keep it out.

Letterkenny looked to be in the driving seat and held that advantage until the 73rd minute when McGee got clear from a defence-splitting pass from substitute Jordan Saville to make it 2-2. Then, with 10 to play, McGee was again on hand to score, planting home after Brendan McCafferty’s ball into the penalty area was palmed out by Blake for a 3-2 lead.

The game appeared to be slipping from Letterkenny’s grasp with time running out. They had been beaten in the final 12 months ago 2-0 by Kilmacrennan. But with three minutes of the 90 remaining, Delap hooked home with his back to goal for 3-3 following Joel Gorman’s corner and captain Chris Malseed’s header.

Neither team were looking to sit on things and wait on extra-time and McGee played himself into space by getting around Malseed, only to blast narrowly over. Then, in the last minute of the 90, Delap fired in a cross from the left which McMonagle stretched to meet with a glancing header and seal one of the the most celebrated wins for Letterkenny.

For Keadue Rovers, it was a case of what might have been, having played a huge part in the spectacle, while Letterkenny Rovers concluded a fantastic season with plenty to cheer and even more to look forward to next season.

Letterkenny Rovers: Blake Forkan (Davin Blake 28); David O’Donnell, Caolan McConnell, (Rory Gallagher 88) Chris Malseed, Dean McCarry; Nathan Plumb (Ryan Lonergan, half-time), Joel Gorman, Christy Connaghan, Tim Callaghan (Adrian Delap 15); Gareth Doherty, Lee McMonagle.

Keadue Rovers: Caelan Bonner; Matthew Comiskey (David Ward 90+2), Brendan McCafferty, Matthew Smith, Paul Boyle; Aidan Brennan (Jordan Saville 69), Maurice McGee, Michael Greene (Barry Curran 90+2), Peter McGee; Mark Forker, Chris Greene.

Referee: Vincent McLoughlin