Rovers rule in cup final
Enniscorthy side’s first title won in fine style
A LONG-STANDING hoodoo was ended in considerable style in Ferrycarrig Park on May 10, 2015, when Shamrock Rovers finally laid their hands on the Wexford Cup final silverware at the fifth time of asking.
And they did it in considerable style too, giving a sensational performance in blustery conditions to see off North End United on a 4-1 scoreline.
The Enniscorthy club had endured defeat in their four previous appearances in the showpiece, but this time they recovered from the concession of an early goal and proceeded to shock the holders, who were bidding for a third title on the trot.
Even having to play the closing 20 minutes with only nine players against North End’s ten, after three red cards were flashed, didn’t halt their charge, and they were full value for their triumph.
Few could have predicted the outcome when the Wexford town men raced out of the blocks, with Stuart Lawlor thumping home a header from a Paul Murphy corner in the second minute.
Shane Dempsey almost made it two from a 40-yard free-kick before he had to be substituted due to injury, and the influential midfielder was sorely missed by his team.
He had barely left the pitch when Martin McKeown equalised with a controlled header to the far corner of the net.
And an energised Rovers hit the front two minutes later when man of the match Chris ‘Hopper’ Kenny struck a brilliant drive from the edge of the area past Dylan Owens.
North End lost Kyle Dempsey to a second yellow card on the 60-minute mark, and their situtation grew even more precarious when Mikey Dempsey made it 3-1 after Kenny’s initial effort was blocked following a Marty Kelly corner.
Although Alan Freeman and Martin McKeown both departed after double bookings, Kenny giftwrapped the victory with a fourth for the men from the shadows of Vinegar Hill in the 77th minute.
Marty Kelly twice saw efforts on goal blocked, and when the ball fell to Kenny he made no mistake to seal a memorable victory.
North End, who showed signs of leg-weariness after an energy-sapping campaign, hadn’t been outplayed to this extent too many times during the season.
However, Shamrock Rovers really had the bit between their teeth and nobody could say they weren’t due this success after their previous final disappointments.
Shamrock Rovers: Lee Murphy, Alan Freeman, Mikey Dempsey, Ian Sinnott, Seán Miller, Chris Kenny, Marty Kelly, James Carty (capt.), Ricky Fox, Eamon O’Brien, Martin McKeown. Subs. - John O’Connor for O’Brien (67), Emmet Quirke for Dempsey (79), Ricky Dwyer for Kelly (88).
North End United: Dylan Owens, Warren Broaders, Declan Downes, Robin Dempsey, Stuart Lawlor, John Fenlon, Kyle Dempsey, Shane Dempsey, Gary Dempsey, Paul Murphy, Keith Kearney. Subs. - Adam Beary for S. Dempsey, inj. (27), Jason Murphy (capt.) for Downes (64), Jason Swords for Broaders (66).
Referee: Jimmy Kelly.