Letterkenny Rovers 0-4 Shelbourne

Four second half goals gave League of Ireland side Shelbourne a convincing victory over Letterkenny Rovers in the Aoife Carr Appeal Fund match played at the Letterkenny Leisure Complex on Sunday afternoon.

Played in front of a sizeable attendance, the Ulster Senior League side managed to go into the break scoreless after a creditable first half performance but when Dave McAllister netted from the penalty spot on the hour mark, Shels went rampant in the final half an hour of the game with a brace from Paddy Madden and an own goal putting the contest well beyond any doubt.

Shels - who commence their season in just under a fortnight - were playing their third pre-season friendly of the week having drawn 0-0 with Drogheda United on Friday night. Manager Dermot Keely brought a side mixed with youth and experience for this trip to Donegal as he continues to fine tune his sides preparations for a season in which he hopes to bring the famous Dublin club back to the Premier Division.

Letterkenny Rovers return to competitive action in a fortnights time when Eamonn McConigley's men begin the defence of their Knockalla Caravans Cup with a tricky away tie to Redcastle United. The new league season is due to commence at the end of March.

In an evenly matched opening forty-five minutes, Rovers had opportunities to edge ahead through Darren McElwaine and Johnny Gallagher while McElwaine was forced off before the break having received a heavy knock from Shels' Stephen Quigley. Peter Hynes came closest for the visitors but was denied by a fine stop from Caolan McGettigan.

The first goal arrived just short of the hour mark when Shane Bradley was punished for bringing down Anthony Flood inside the penalty area and Dave McAllister cooled slotted home the resultant spot kick.

Shels soon doubled their lead when Paddy Madden's close range header hit the crossbar and rebound off the unlucky McGettigan and into the net. Madden made it 3-0 on 75 minutes when he cut inside the Rovers defence before sliding the ball home while he added a further goal with the final kick of the game to complete the victory.

Letterkenny Rovers: Caolan McGettigan; Conal McGonigle, Shane Bradley, Marty McAteer, Kieran Gorman, Joshua Mailey, Glenn Hamilton, Anthony Gorman, Darren McElwaine, Paddy McNulty, Ciaran Greene.
Subs used: Johnny Gallagher, Fintan Bonar, Paddy McDaid, Hugo Daly, Garbhan Grant, Michael Doherty.

Shelbourne: Vinny Whelan; Keith Murray, Stephen Quigley, Jordon McMillan, Kieran McGuigan; Mark O'Brien, David McGill, Darren Meehan, Derek Doyle; Peter Hynes, Anthony Flood.
Subs used: Paddy Madden, Dave McAllister.

Referee: Stephen Toner.
Assistants: Dave Wogan and Con McLaughlin.

* The match officials kindly donated their fees to the Aoife Carr Appeal Fund *