Thrilling O’Connor final as season ends
THE final match of the 2016/ 17 Sligo Rovers Astro league season takes place tomorrow, Wednesday May 3rd, at 8pm, with the Sally Gardens taking on the Belfry in the Emmett O’Connor Memorial Cup final.
Both sides were victorious in their respective semi- finals in normal time, however both games proved tight and well contested in what was a perfect night for football.
The Belfry faced rank outsiders Cash Savers in the first semi final.
The Belfry went 1- 0 up as early as the fifth minute and everyone in attendance expected the floodgates to open.
However, this could not have been further from the truth as Cash Savers showed a good level of composure on the ball and worked their way back into the game.
At times they were outperforming their opponents in the first half.
The one area in which Cash Savers let themselves down was in the final third, as they failed to capitalise on some neat build- up play which they produced on numerous occasions.
The second half proved quite similar, with the Belfry trying to protect their slender one goal advantage while Cash Savers went in search of a deserved equaliser.
However, the Belfry showed why they are Championship champions as they punished their opponents for a second time in the game .
This goal came through Kyle Kane, as his low shot powered past Alan Tiernan in the Cash Savers’ goal.
This goal was enough to secure a 2- 0 victory for the Belfry men who successfully booked their spot in the final.
The second semi- final saw the Premier Division champions the Sally Gardens take on the newly crowned Open Cup champions, GSS.
The game proved a frantic and physical one from the start as both sides battled it out under floodlights for the right to play the Belfry in the final.
The first half was end to end, with both sides coming extremely close to breaking the deadlock, including Damian Fallon of the Sally Gardens hitting the post.
The game remained 0- 0 at half time.
The second half proved just as physical and the match looked set for penalties.
Then, five minutes before the full- time whistle, the Sally Gardens struck a blow to GSS and went 1- 0 ahead.
GSS then threw everything they had at the Sally Gardens, but it wasn’t enough and the Sally Gardens will now play the Belfry in what should be a cracker of a final.
The final takes place tomorrow night, Wednesday, with a kick- off time of 8pm.
Everyone is welcome to attend and admission is free.
Martin O’Connor, Emmett’s father, will be in attendance at the final to present the winning trophy.
It should be a thrilling final as the Sligo Rovers Astro Turf season draws to a close.