Suncroft AFC 0 Rathangan AFC 2
Rathangan travelled to Suncroft eager to bounce back after their Final loss last Sunday, facing a strong Suncroft side which is no easy task. Rathangan started bright pressing high trying to disrupt the crofts back four. In the early stages Rathangan were awarded a penalty when Arun Doyle was brought down in the box, Joe Breen slotting home. 1-0 Rathangan.
From here Suncroft grew into the game, having large spells of possession but couldn’t break down Rathangans back 4 who were superb on the day. A frantic first half came to close with Rathangan taking a narrow lead into the break.
The Crofts intent for the second half was evident and were straight out of the blocks going close on a few occasions with JP McDonagh failing to find the back of the net which the former player of the year is so accustomed to. Any hope of a revival for Suncroft were dealt a blow when centre half Mark Boland saw red after an off the ball altercation which also saw a Rathangan player head for the dressing room. Rathangan regained the upper hand with Joe Breen and Stefan Lawler shaping some great work in midfield and Tommy power setting the tone with his energy that the whole squad had to match if they were going to keep Suncroft at bay. Suncroft were really pinning Rathangan back keeping possession very well, A late JP McDonagh effort for Suncroft hit the Craig Shannon’s post which would’ve given them a lifeline but it wasn’t to be. The pressure from Suncroft left gaps that gave Rathangan some half chances, but never really tested Keggy in the Croft goal. The final quarter of the game saw the best chances for both sides with yeh Croft striking the post and forcing some top saves out of Craig Shannon. Rathangan put the game to bed with 5 minutes left, Jason Dempsey from inside his own half with an incredible strike sending Rathangan through to a league final.