Revenge win keeps double bid on track
BEATEN by their opponents earlier in the season, Rangers had reason to be wary about this tie, but made a flying start, scoring in the first-minute as they went on to clinch a place in the semi-finals of the Fitzsimons Cup on Sunday .
Close challengers Kells-Blackwater the same morning snatched a late goal for victory in the league against Hazel Lane to draw level at the top of the second division and earn promotion along with Rangers. With a game left Rangers can become second division champions with a draw against Hazel Lane next weekend.
This game was just started when Shaun O’Connor broke down the right and crossed for Michael Bergin to score with a first time effort from the edge of the box.
The surface was poor and wasn’t conducive to playing attractive football, and scoring chances were scarce enough in the first half.
However, Rathkenny spurned a glorious opportunity to equalise when the ball fell to a home forward inside the six yard box and he put it over an open goal.
Thomas Mulvey had to be alert to make a good save from a long range shot, while at the other end Barry Carr drew a fine save from the home goalkeeper with a shot from inside the box following great play by Stephen Begley
The second half the play was more open and two goals midway through within the space of a few minutes effectively booked Rangers’ passage into the last four.
The first was headed home at the back post by TJ Murtagh, rounding off a great run down the right and cross by Gavin Gaffey in the 65th minute.
A couple of minutes later a delightful pass by Anto McLaughlin split open the home defence as Rathkenny pushed forward to try and get back into the game. Carr took possession outside the box and fired past the goalkeeper.
Rangers were coasting at this stage, but to Rathkenny’s credit they kept plugging away and were rewarded by reducing the deficit five minutes from time.
This resulted from a harsh enough penalty with the referee deeming that Michael Bergin handled as a shot from just outside the box struck him five yards away inside the penalty box.
The spot kick was put away confidently by the home full-back, and Thomas Mulvey had to be alert to deny them a second goal in injury time when a Rathkenny player out-jumped the Rangers defence to get in a header.
However, Shaun O’Connor, maker of his side’s important opening goal, nearly scored before the final whistle when he got away to be one on one with the home goalkeeper who saved his shot with his legs. RANGERS: Thomas Mulvey, Brian McCloskey, Jimmy Byrne (Shane McKenna) Padraig Browne, Stephen Begley, Shaun O’Connor, Michael Bergin, Anto McLaughlin (Keith Harmon) , Gavin Gaffey (Ger Garvey), Barry Carr, TJ Murtagh.