Bourbon Bar win Rovers Open Cup
THE Bourbon Bar claimed the Sligo Rovers Open Cup on Wednesday last, after overseeing the challenge of GSS 2-1. Both sides had enjoyed a solid league campaign leading up to the decider, with both qualifying for Premier Division football this season. Spectators knew the cup final would be close, with very little between the sides. As expected, the opening period of the game proved frantic, as both sides pressed each other on the ball which resulted in very little openings. Ten minutes into the game, GSS struck with the first shot on target which flew past Ciaran Carty in the Bourbon goal. It resulted from a long ball played up to striker Mick Kelly who unleashed an effort on the half volley which flew into the back of the net, to the delight of his teammates. From then, the Bourbon Bar began to boss possession in the middle of the park but failed to capitalise in the final third. For all their possession, they went in 1-0 down at the break. Twenty minutes from full time, after some good work from Jamie McGoldrick the Bourbon Bar equalised thanks to Martin Bystriansky after the ball somehow came to his feet through the legs of Terry Farrelly and Bystriansky riffled the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-1. Just when it seemed that a penalty shoot-out was looming to decide the destination of the 2018 Open Cup, referee Tommy Oates adjudged GSS centre half Derek Healy to have tripped a Bourbon player in the box which resulted in a penalty being awarded. Up stepped Ian Colburn who calmly slotted the ball home to secure the 2018 Sligo Rovers Open Cup for his side. Presentations were made at full time to both sides, with the winning trophy presented to the Bourbon Bars squad. Sligo Rovers would like to congratulate the Bourbon Bar and their managers Graham Cawley & Gerry Fahy on their achievement, and send commiserations to GSS who failed to regain their cup from 2017.