Rosenallis survive Cloneygowan onslaught to advance in the cup

Cup competitions always bring a feeling of excitement that the league just cannot replicate and the Combined Counties Cup is no different. The one-off nature of the ties means that anything can happen, as form and table positions go out the window. The games that attract most interest are when one of the favourites face lower-division opposition. This was the case on Sunday morning when Division 1’s Rosenallis faced Division 3A’s Cloneygowan Celtic. 

After a strong start to the season, Rosenallis have somewhat plateaued more recently however, making them ripe for a giant-killing. Cloneygowan, conversely, sit top of Division 3A, having won their last five on the bounce. 

Rosenallis A 2 

Cloneygowan Celtic 1

The hosts could not have hoped for a better start, taking a two-goal lead inside the opening ten minutes. The first came in just the second minute when Jack Friel floated a free kick into the box from halfway, which Charlie Friel got on the end of to flick the ball into the net. Not the first time the Friel brothers have combined for a goal this season.

When Cian Ryle turned home Rosenallis’s second goal in the 9th minute, it looked as though the host would run away with the game. But the Offaly men began to settle into the game after this, relying on goalkeeper, Brian Cahill’s quality distribution. The keeper was accurate from both boot and hand, and got plenty of distance despite the strong, swirling wind.

Lee Mulpeter had a goal chalked off for offside in the 17th minute, and then glaring chance fell to Liam Toland off a corner in the 25th minute, but he could not convert. It was all Cloneygowan for twenty minutes after the second goal, with quick, skilful passing getting them up the field time and again. But Rosenallis weathered the storm and got back on the front foot after half an hour, seeing out the half with their lead intact.

The second half was more open as the visitors began to throw more bodies into attack. Rosenallis trio, Charlie Friel, Cian Ryle and Dermot Dooley combined to create a great chance in the 54th minute as Rosenallis looked to extend their lead. 

But Cloneygowan were finally on the score sheet on the hour-mark. Dylan Cahill got on the end of a cross into the box to hit a left-footed finish past Paul Friel. The visitors went up another gear afterwards, creating a slew of chances, first to Chris Kirwan and then to Chris Floody, but both put their efforts over the crossbar. 

Rosenallis were struggling with the pace and made some substitutions. John Dunne had an outstanding game on the right wing, working hard on and off the ball and always looking for the positive option. He picked up a few knocks in the first half, but it was still a surprise to see him go off with the game in the balance. 

Rosenallis were limited to long balls up from the back from Jack Friel, who’s distribution is a major asset to his side. Rosenallis are light at the back these days and Friel is doing a good job as cover, but the team suffers from not having him in more advanced areas of the pitch. 

The visitors had one last good chance in the 87th minute but Rosenallis managed the final moments well and closed out the game to advance to the next round. They join Abbeyleix and Emo Rangers in the draw for Round 2, while Portlaoise, Emo Celtic, Midlands Celtic and Maryborough were all eliminated. 

Rosenallis A: Paul Friel, Conor Conroy, Jack Claffey, Paul Dunne, Jack Friel, Adam Finlay, John Dunne, Charlie Friel, Cian Ryle, Dermot Dooley, Subs: Donal Lawlor (65 mins for J. Dunne), Sean Dunne (74 mins for D. Dooley), Niall Doolin (74 mins for C. Ryle), 

Goals: Charlie Friel, Cian Ryle

Cloneygowan Celtic: Brian Cahill, Liam Gorman, Daniel Floody, Philip Hurley, Adam Kelly, Liam Toland, Dylan Cahill, Chris Floody, Lee Mulpeter, Keith Kirwan, Patrick Hurley, Subs: John Tobin (80 mins fork. Kirwan)

Goal: Dylan Cahill