Rangers suffer extra-time heartache in Shield semi-final

NEWLY-CROWNED second division champions Rangers suffered extra-time heartbreak after recovering from 2-0 down as their nearest challengers in the league, Carrick, booked their place in the final of the Fitzsimons Shield on Sunday.

Rangers scored twice in the final five minutes, both goals resulting from corner kicks by Gavin Gaffey.

The first sailed directly into the home net, and from the second the ball was knocked past his goalkeeper by a Carrick player after it bobbled about in the goalmouth.

Carrick shared the spoils in the league with Rangers, with the sides managing a victory apiece at home, so it was a big challenge for Rangers to try and overturn their earlier defeat at the venue, especially so soon after celebrating their league success the previous Sunday. Carrick took the lead after half an hour, and doubled their advantage on the hour mark.

Rangers shuffled the pack with 20 minutes to go, changing to a 3-5-2 formation, and put Carrick under heavy pressure, with the woodwork twice coming to the home side’s rescue. TJ Murtagh struck the crossbar and also the post. But the pressure paid off when Gavin Gaffey hit the net from the flag post, and then when it looked Carrick would hold out he swung in another corner kick that the home side couldn’t defend as the tie moved into injury time.

At that stage Rangers looked to have the momentum to earn a place in the final, but the huge effort to get back into the game took its toll, with fatigue setting in, and both Jimmy Byrne and Michael Bergin retired injured.

Nevertheless, they had an excellent chance to secure their place in the final when they made a push for victory in the second period of extra time, with the first period a rather cautious affair.

Shaun O’Connor found him- self free at the back post with only the goalkeeper to beat, but he shot weakly. Carrick sprung immediately into attack, and with Rangers short players in defence the Monaghan side notched the decisive goal. RANGERS: Thomas Mulvey, Brian McCloskey, Jimmy Byrne (Shane McKenna), Padraig Browne, Stephen Begley, Shaun O’Connor Michael Bergin (Keith Harmon), Sean Kellegher (Gavin Lennon), Gavin Gaffey, Barry Carr, TJ Murtagh.