RDFL Challenge Cup Final Replay

St. Peter’s FC rounded off a fine first season in the Roscommon & District Football League as they secured a treble of trophies by overcoming a gallant Ballinasloe Town side in a keenly contested Challenge Cup final replay at the RDFL Grounds, Lecarrow on Saturday evening. With nothing between the teams last week, this was always going to be a tight encounter and a solitary goal from substitute Noel McGee on 50 minutes proved decisive.

As with last week’s game, clear-cut chances were hard to come by early on as both sides were defensively solid. The first real opportunity of the game fell to Ballinasloe on ten minutes when Gary Canavan found Liam Lynch in space on the left but his centre was just ahead of Mahmoud Guimaa and Aidan Browne was quickly out of the Peter’s goal to smother. Moments later, Mark Sherlock created St. Peter’s first opportunity but his low cross from the left was gathered by Ballinasloe keeper Padraic Maloney.

In the 27th minute a cross from St. Peter’s Niall Scullion was headed inches wide by Mark McConnell. Ballinasloe’s Liam Lynch and Ryan Burke combined twice in quick succession towards the end of the half but both attacks were well intercepted by Ian Dempsey & John McCrossan respectively. The best chance of the half came St. Peter’s way in stoppage time when a Darragh Concannon free-kick found Garvan Broughal at the far post but his side-footed effort was cleared off the Ballinasloe goal-line. There was yet more drama before the interval as a late challenge led to a red card for St. Peter’s, Mark McConnell leaving them with a numerical disadvantage for the second half.

The break must have reenergised both sides as the second half started in lively fashion with chances at either end within moments of the restart. Mark Sherlock went on a mazy dribble towards the Ballinalsoe goal and when the ball broke after a fine Mike Lynch challenge, Niall Scullion’s shot was comfortably dealt with by net-minder, Padraic Maloney. At the other end, a deep cross from Ryan Burke was sent back across the face of the goal by Gary Canavan and it took a vital flick from Scott Delaney to deny Liam Lynch a certain goal.

The introduction of St. Peter’s substitute Noel McGee in the 50th minute of the game would have an immediate impact on proceedings. He was only on the pitch a minute when he got the ball to his feet just inside the Ballinasloe penalty area and from the left of the goal he curled a perfectly placed right-foot shot to the corner of the net. He almost got another moments later but this time his shot was well saved. Ballinasloe responded with a double substitution and the lively Gary Canavan surged down the left in the 65th minute but his cross was volleyed over the bar by Liam Lynch.

Needing a goal, Ballinasloe seemed to change to a back three with Joe Woods pushing into midfield where he would link up the play well as they tried to get back into the game. A neat interchange of passing on 68 minutes involving Mike Lynch, Joe Woods & Mark Duffy set up a shooting opportunity for Shane Duffy but Aidan Browne saved comfortably. Gary Canavan’s free-kick was headed just wide of the St. Peter’s goal by Des Hope moments later. As Ballinasloe pushed players forward in search of an equaliser, St. Peter’s were looking dangerous on the break. Noel McGee got another shot on target on 72 minutes and there were claims for a penalty when Michael Lee burst into the Ballinasloe penalty area but David Nee seemed to just get nick on the ball with his last-ditch tackle. Noel McGee turned well on the edge of the box but shot just over the bar as the clock showed just 5 minutes remaining.

Ballinasloe had a late penalty shout turned away before they introduced Oisín Kelly as stoppage time approached. He immediately got the ball to his feet in the St. Peter’s penalty area, turned swiftly but just as he was about to shoot, the ever-dependable Scott Delaney cleared the danger. This proved to be Ballinasloe’s last chance as St. Peter’s held on to secure the 1-0 victory and achieve a remarkable treble of trophies in their inaugural season in the Roscommon & District Football League.

Roscommon & District League chairman, Niall Kelly presented the Challenge Cup to jubilant St. Peter’s captain, Scott Delaney as the curtain came down on the 2017/18 season their celebrations began.

Ballinasloe Town: Padraic Maloney, Joe Woods, Gary Canavan, Mike Lynch, Des Hope (c), Darren Kelly, Shane Duffy, Mark Duffy, Liam Lynch, Mahmoud Guimaa, Ryan Burke, David Nee, James Kinsella, David McDonnell, Oisín Kelly, Malcolm Flannery, Diarmuid Leyden.
Management: Henry Loughnane, Peter Keighery, Wayne Braithwaite, Brian Harte, Gary Egan.

St. Peter’s FC: Aidan Browne, Niall Scullion, John McCrossan, Ian Dempsey, Scott Delaney (c), Garvan Broughal, Darragh Concannon, David Donohue, Mark, Sherlock, Mark McConnell, Michael Lee, Noel McGee, Henry Ethiosa-Odia, Gary Stephens, Mark Hewitt, Derek Egan, Paul Allen, Phillip Coffey.
Management: Phillip Coffey, Brian Flynn, Ian Stacey, Patrick Monaghan.

Elsewhere, in the RDFL Masters League, Glen Celtic & Skyvalley Rovers drew 2-2, Dunmore Town & CB Trotters drew 0-0 while on Friday Cam Celtic had a 3-1 win over Ballinasloe Town.