Letterkenny Rovers F.C.

Football club infobox
clubname = Letterkenny Rovers


fullname = Letterkenny Rovers Football Club
nickname = "Rovers"
founded = ?
ground = Leckview Park,
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
capacity = ?| chairman = flagicon|IRL Dessie Kelly
manager = Eamon McConigley
league = Ulster Senior League
season = 2004/05
position = Champions
pattern_la1=_blackshoulders|pattern_b1=|pattern_ra1=_blackshoulders
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pattern_la2=_whiteshoulders|pattern_b2=|pattern_ra2=_whiteshoulders
leftarm2=000000|body2=000000|rightarm2=000000|shorts2=FFFFFF|socks2=FFFF00

Letterkenny Rovers Football Club ("Ruagairí Leitir Ceanainn " in Irish) is a football club from Ireland currently competing in the Ulster Senior League. The club is based in Letterkenny and works closely with League of Ireland First Division side Finn Harps F.C.. Some of Rovers' players go on to sign contracts with Finn Harps. Letterkenny Rovers play their home games at Leckview Park. Letterkenny Rovers also compete in the FAI Cup.

History

The team recently won the Ulster Senior League. At the end of 2006, the club began preparation for an application for a semi-professional license to compete in the new third division of the FAI National League. As part of this, the stadium is expected to undergo renovations and the backroom staff will require official UEFA coaching licences.

2004-05 season

Having reached the semi-final stage of the FAI Intermediate Cup the previous season only to lose to eventual winners Rockmount in a replay, Letterkenny began their League challenge well, and were soon placed in the top two positions, competing with Kildrum Tigers and Fanad Utd. Crucial games for Rovers included a 1–0 derby win with a late John Gregg header against a Bonagee Utd team containing several Rovers players from the previous season and their remaining four league fixtures when nothing short of maximum points was required to lift their first Ulster Senior League title.

With Rovers having struggled all season against their main rivals in head to head games they were faced with the uphill challenge of needing to win their remaining four matches, all of which were against their main rivals. A Michael Lynch equaliser in added on time against fierce rival Swilly Rovers at Leckview Park was to prove crucial at Rovers entered their final games with the return trip to Swilly Park. Three second half goals ensured the three points. Rovers next faced the defending Champions Kildrum Tigers at home, however a Chris Malseed goal within 10 seconds gave them the start they needed and he completed his brace with a late header.

With two fixtures remaining, the return match of Bonagee Utd was eagerly anticipated, however in a game which Rovers played their best football all season, a first half 5-0 demolition with goals from Steven Gregg (2) John Gregg, Barry Porter and Terence Shields ensured a final showdown with Fanad Utd at Leckview Park. A stunning 30 yard free kick midway through the first half from Conail McGonigle was enough to ensure a first league title for Rovers.

Under 21 Team

Letterkenny Rovers' Under 21 team currently competes with other League of Ireland teams in the Under 21 league and cup. Shay Given's younger brother Paul, currently plays for the team. Many of the players now playing for the under-21 team represented Letterkenny in the Under 18 Foyle Cup in 2006. They finished runners up to Glentoran F.C. under 18s. Former Finn Harps manager and current Derry City assistant manager Anthony Gorman managed this side - some of whom were offered full time contracts as a result.

quad

Foyle Cup Under-21 Squad

External links

* [http://www.letterkennyroversfc.com/Home/tabid/799/Default.aspx Letterkenny Rovers Website]
* [http://www.foylecup.com/2006%20youth%20group%20games.htm Foyle Cup Youth (U18)]
* [http://www.foylecup.com/team%20info/team%20results/Letterkenny%20Rovers%202005.htm Foyle Cup]
* [http://www.damienblake.com/2005/07/letterkenny-rovers/ Letterkenny Rovers Civic Reception hosted by the Mayor]
* [http://images.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://www.donegalnews.com/donegal%2520news%2520copy%2520july/pics/LK%2520Rovers%2520U21s.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.donegalnews.com/soccer.htm&h=262&w=350&sz=99&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=YhwWeU2-OuAAOM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dletterkenny%2Brovers%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG New U-21 Manager]
* [http://images.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://www.donegalnews.com/donegal%2520news%2520copy%2520july/pics/LK%2520Rovers%2520U21s.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.donegalnews.com/soccer.htm&h=262&w=350&sz=99&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=YhwWeU2-OuAAOM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dletterkenny%2Brovers%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG Fanad Utd Beat Letterkenny Rovers]