Rosbercon clinch Division 4 crown
CROSSABEG AFC 1 ROSBERCON UNITED 1
ROSBERCON UNITED got the point they needed to clinch the Division 4 crown, but they were forced to do it the hard way against a talented Crossabeg outfit.
The hosts, who themselves had ensured promotion before this game, certainly had the better of it for much of the contest, but the Barrowsiders showed the grit and determination of champions to dig their heels in and grind out a result when it mattered most.
They were really up against it when Davie Fenlon expertly fired Crossabeg in front in the fifth minute, but they responded well, with Barry Ryan’s goal midway through the first-half enough to earn them a precious point.
Courtown Hibs’ midweek defeat to Gorey Rangers meant a draw would suffice to clinch the silverware, and the visitors almost made the perfect start when Kevin Doyle arrowed a fierce volley goalwards inside two minutes, but netminder Vinnie Browne was equal to it, pulling off an eye-catching save.
They were quickly rocked right back on their heels though, when Davie Fenlon was put through and he finished in the style of a striker high on confidence, giving goalkeeper Wayne Handrick no chance.
Crossabeg’s tails were up and they had another sight of goal with nine minutes on the clock, but Jamie Crean rushed his effort and fired over the crossbar.
Rosbercon gradually got a foothold in the contest and came close to getting back on level terms in the 21st minute when David Moran’s shot was blocked, and the Crossabeg defence scrambled the ball out for a corner.
The reprieve was short-lived, however, as Rosbercon drew level a minute later.
Barry Ryan was put in the clear by Joe Meggs, and with the Crossabeg contingent vehemently calling for offside, the attacker kept his cool to slot the ball past Browne.
Crossabeg were quickly back on the front foot though, with Conor Keeling meeting a downward Mark O’Connor header but failing to get enough purchase on the shot, although at the other end, Jamie St. Ledger fluffed a decent chance when he got on the end of a Ryan cross but miscued his shot.
The home side again threatened in the 38th minute when Keeling arrived at the back post to meet a teasing Mark O’Connor cross, but after his effort was blocked, Jamie Crean blazed the follow-up over the crossbar.
Whatever was said to the Rosbercon team at half-time appeared to have the desired effect, as they twice went close to getting their noses in front shortly after the restart.
Just 20 seconds in Philly O’Connor made space for a shot, but dragged his effort wide of the left upright, and a minute later the netminder had to be alert to deny David Moran.
However, knowing a stalemate was all they needed, they gradually retreated into their collective shell as the half wore on and a couple of Mark O’Connor deadball deliveries caused a few hearts to skip a beat in the Rosbercon defence.
In the 56th minute Jamie Crean was teed up by Fenlon, but his shot was always rising over the top, and ten minutes later Handrick needed two bites of the cherry to gather a Mark O’Connor shot.
Substitute Alex Wilson threatened to spoil the party late on, when first he looped a header on target and then fizzed a free-kick narrowly wide of the right post, but the shrill blast of referee Alan Franklin’s final whistle was sweet music to Rosbercon ears and the celebrations could begin. CROSSABEG AFC: Vinnie Browne, Robert Murphy, Craig Coughlan, Paddy Sinnott, Oran Maddock, Eoin Raftery, Mark O’Connor, Oisín O’Connor, Jamie Crean, Conor Keeling, Davie Fenlon. Subs. - Ross Waters for Sinnott (61), Johnny Coughlan for Raftery (82), Alex Wilson for Crean (82). ROSBERCON UNITED: Wayne Handrick, Corey St. Ledger, Mick Kelleher, Nathan Gaffney, Páidí Murphy, Joe Meggs, David Moran, Philly O’Connor, Jamie St. Ledger, Barry Ryan, Kevin Doyle. Subs. - Cillian Bennett for Ryan (61), Jamie Lawlor for Meggs (81).
REFEREE: Alan Franklin.