Rovers rule in O-35 final
THE CULMINATION of three months of Over-35 soccer arrived on Saturday, as Shamrock Rovers took on Rosslare Rangers to see who would be crowned the 2018 champions of the Richie Dwyer Memorial League.
The game was hosted in Campile United’s grounds on a rather damp evening, but the weather certainly didn’t affect the quality of football on offer.
Rosslare Rangers started the game brightest and dominated the opening exchanges, coming close on a few occasions. Shamrock Rovers were dealt another blow ten minutes in when Martin Armstrong was substituted due to a hamstring injury.
Rosslare broke the deadlock 13 minutes into the game when a good cross in from the left corner was finished well by the incoming Ian O’Leary to give them a deserved lead after a strong period of sustained pressure.
The introduction of Glen Fortune saw Rovers get a lot more of the ball and they gradually started to test the Rangers defence.
The last 15 minutes of the firsthalf saw Rovers dominate the possession but Rangers defended very well to ensure they maintained their 1-0 lead at the break.
Rovers started the second-half as they finished the first with some really good football being played, and they got their reward when a fine passage of play saw an excellent through ball into Martin Redmond who finished coolly to the bottom left corner.
It looked like Rovers had found their rhythm, but Rosslare dealt them another blow almost immediately after the re-start as a good cross into the box was bravely challenged by the Rosslare forward who forced the ‘keeper to spill the ball, which allowed Paul Culleton to slot home from close range and put Rangers 2-1 ahead.
With 15 minutes remaining the game had another defining moment with the arrival of two key players for Shamrock Rovers.
The introduction of Tomás Mahon and Willie Hudson now put Shamrock Rovers firmly in the ascendancy as they constantly tried to break through the Rangers defence.
The pressure paid off with ten minutes remaining when the ball fell kindly for Willie Hudson on the edge of the box, and his looping effort caught out the Rosslare ‘keeper as the ball dipped in under the crossbar to make it 2-2.
Rovers could now smell blood and were pushing hard for a winner, with some good attacking football in particular from Peter Marsden, Glen Fortune, Martin Redmond and Tomás Mahon.
Rosslare were defending very well and almost caught Rovers out when they forced a corner on the counter-attack which was headed just wide.
With only minutes remaining the deadlock was broken after some great team play, and it was Shamrock Rovers who were celebrating.
The ball was played in to Tomás Mahon who weaved through a few Rosslare defenders and squared it back to Martin Redmond.
With the goal in sight, he eluded the Rosslare defence by calmly laying the ball off to the incoming and unmarked Willie Hudson who slotted home into the bottom right corner, giving the Rosslare ‘keeper little chance.
The final whistle soon followed as it finished 3-2 and saw Shamrock Rovers become the 2018 league champions after a very entertaining and competitive game.
Rosslare will have another chance to get their hands on some silverware this coming Saturday as the Over-35s’ season comes to an end with the shield and cup finals being hosted by St. Leonards in Ballycullane.
The shield final will see Rosslare take on Forth Celtic at 4 p.m., while the cup final will see Campile United take on Taghmon United at 6 p.m.