Cup final heartbreak for Rosenallis

Rosenallis have fallen at the final hurdle of the CCFL Division 1 Cup, losing 3-2 in the final. There was plenty of green in DPD Park, Athlone as Rosenallis brought great travelling support to the game. Second half goals from Jack Friel and Brian Fitzpatrick were not enough to overturn a three-goal deficit, as Gaels United went on to lift the trophy.

Both teams eased into the final with Rosenallis beating Moydow 6-0 while Gaels were 3-0 winners over Clonaslee. Rosenallis were unchanged from their victory while Gaels made two changes to their line-up. Jeremiah Idahor and Dean Cosgrave came into the side and both played a vital part in their side winning the game. 

Gaels United 3

Rosenallis 2

CCFL Division 1 Cup Final

 After a dominant first half, it looked as though the Longford outfit might coast to victory as they did against Clonaslee. They opened the scoring in the 39th minute, hitting Rosenallis on the counter attack. Darren McEvoy had almost given Rosenallis the lead but Gaels went straight up the field where Niall Mulligan's left-footed strike found the bottom of Paul Friel's net. 

Geals then struck a big body blow in the 44th minute when Tormey switched the play from right to left, picking out Sean McCormack with a beautiful ball. McCormack gathered the ball in plenty of space, charged into the box, and fired the ball into the net right before half time.

The Longford side parked the bus in the second half, happy to sit back and protect their lead. Rosenallis introduced Cian Ryle and Brian Fitzpatrick shortly after the break, playing three in midfield with Ryle playing behind the front pair of Fitzpatrick and Charlie Friel. Friel, despite losing the game, put in a Man of the Match performance for Rosenallis.

Gaels would find their third goal on the hour mark when they launched a counter attack. Jordan Kelly picked out Idahor who's looping header made it 3-0.

Rosenallis kept on pushing and looked a new team in the second half. Donal Lawlor and Jack Claffey came in and like Ryle and Fitzpatrick, had a huge impact on the game. Lawlor's well-delivered corner in the 78th minute fell to Jack Friel who's left-footed volley smashed the Gaels net. 

Two minutes later and it was Fitzpatrick who found the net, again from a Lawlor corner. Gaels, however, hung on for the last ten minutes, with Charlie Friel, Conor Conroy and Darren McEvoy all coming desperately close to finding the equaliser. 

Rosenallis kept faith with the starting eleven that won the semi-final, but the four subs all made a huge impact and perhaps one or two of them should have been on from the start.