LETTERKENNY ROVERS’ DREAM RUN to the final of the Aviva Stadium in the FAI Intermediate Cup was as good as it got as they were comprehensively defeated this evening by Crumlin United.
Letterkenny Rovers 0-5 Crumlin United
Eamonn McConigley’s side had captured the imagination of the footballing fraternity in the Cathedral town in a way that no other team had before in recent weeks.
Photo caption: The Letterkenny Rovers and Crumlin United teams before the FAI Intermediate Cup final at the Aviva Stadium this evening. Photo: Geraldine Diver
But tonight in Ballsbridge, Rovers were no match for a Crumlin United team who had won the competition 12 months ago when they dismantled Tolka Rovers on a 4-0 scoreline.
Crumlin showed just how impressive a team they are. They rained shots in on Rory Kelly’s goal all evening and Gregory Moorhouse took home the match ball following his hat-trick as well as his medal.
The coup de grace came a minute from time when Carl Forsyth steered in a diagonal cross from the right and Moorhouse back-heeled a beautiful fifth. In many ways it was a goal that highlighted the difference in class on the night.
Rovers, at that stage, would’ve been as happy were they told they could go home.
The closest the Leckview Park residents came to a consolation for their vociferous support was when, 12 minutes from time, Christy Connaghan headed over a yawning goal following a neat cross from substitute Steve Okakpu-Emeka.
Gregory Moorhouse of Crumlin United scores his side’s second goal in the final of the FAI Intermediate Cup final against Letterkenny Rovers at the Aviva Stadium tonight. Photo: Geraldine Diver
In the first half, Terence Shiels had an angled shot that seemed to be clawed away by former Ipswich Town goalkeeper Shane Supple, although match referee Edwin McNally signalled for a goal kick.
Moorhouse’s first came on 14 minutes when he steered underneath Kelly in the Rovers goal following a pass from captain James Lee in the inside right channel.
It was a goal that was coming as moments beforehand Rovers right-back Ryan Lonergan had to make a last ditch clearance to turn a Moorhouse centre inches around his own post. Some of the Crumlin support thought it was in it was so close.
But Moorhouse wasn’t to be denied a first goal or indeed a second or third.
He shot past Kelly again on 18 minutes from close range after being set up by Conor Murphy, who had got away from Jonathan Minnock.
Crumlin continued to create chances at will and might well have added a third before the break. However, Eamonn McConigley’s Ulster Senior League team hung in and would’ve been glad their deficit was just the two at the break.
Crumlin were holding all the aces and 10 minutes into the second half made it three when Alan McGreal took on right-back Lonergan and his angled shot on the left foot flew into the net.
[adrotate group=”64″]Eight minutes from time, Moorhouse turned provider as he squared for Dean Hurley to bang home from close range past a flat-footed Kelly.
Rovers were like a boxer whose corner had offered the towel and were made to fight on by the time Moorhouse clipped in the fifth.
It was a harsh conclusion to a wonderful journey for Letterkenny Rovers and one that will open the eyes of their fellow Ulster Senior League teams.
Sometimes it’s not your destination that’s most fondly remembered, but how you got there.
[adrotate group=”46″]Crumlin United: Shane Supple; Gavin Kavanagh (Patrick Brophy 79), Thomas Hyland, Noel Murray, Daniel McGuinness; Alan McGreal (Dean Hurely 74), Luke Kelly (Jonathan Meleady 67), James Lee, Carl Forsyth; Grogory Moorhouse, Conor Murphy.
Letterkenny Rovers: Rory Kelly; Ryan Lonergan (Kevin McGrath 73), Shane Bradley, Paul Boyle, Jonathan Minnock (Tristian Ferris 62); Terence Shiels (Steve Okakpu-Emeka 56), Mark Forker, Christy Connaghan, Paul McVeigh; David Shovlin, Darren McElwaine.
Referee: Edwin McNally.
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