Rovers' 'A' team finish top of Group 2

Rovers' 'A' team beat Bohemians 3-2 at Dalymount Park this evening with goals from Ross Chisholm (2) and Darren Goode. The win sees the Hoops finish five points clear at the top of Group 2 and will now play Group 1 winners, Salthill Devon, in the final of the Newstalk A Championship next Saturday in Drom, Galway at 2pm.

Bohs 2-3 Rovers

As is the norm when these two sides meet, this derby had drama and passion in abundance. In a 'winner takes all' encounter, it is the Hoops that march on to the A-Championship final next Saturday.

It took 26 minutes for the deadlock to be broken and it came courtesy of a penalty from Ross Chisholm who sent Bohemians goalkeeper Matt Gregg the wrong way with his coolly taken spot-kick. The sides were evenly match in the opening period and Bohs had chances to equalise before the break applying pressure to Robert Duggan’s goal with Marc Hughes particularly catching the eye with his clever movement. However, the half-time whistle sounded with Rovers ahead.

It only took four minutes of the second half for the home side to level matters when a Rovers corner broke down and the ball broke to Barry Johnston who got caught in two minds and lost the ball on the half-way line. Ryan McEvoy played a clever pass over Ian Bermingham’s head for Hughes to latch on to. His pace took him away from Bermingham and he cleverly slotted beneath the advancing Duggan and into the corner of the net.

Rovers responded well to this setback and had some good possession. On the hour mark, Paddy Kavanagh picked up the ball down the left and advanced on the home goal, skilfully twisting and turning to hold off three Bohs defenders. He might have gone down under one challenge but showed his experience to stay on his feet and when everyone, including home goalkeeper Gregg, expected a shot, Kavanagh beautifully squared for striker Darren Goode to slot home and send the sizeable away crowd into raptures.

Rovers had looked good value for their lead up to this but were pegged back again when referee Richie Winter pointed to the spot when he picked up on an incident inside the Rovers penalty area. It was Marc Hughes who stepped up to again level the scoreline.

The Hoops were not to be outdone, though and showed great character to push for a winning goal which came, once more, from 18 yards. Referee Winter awarded a third penalty of the game and Ross Chisholm was again the man given the responsibility. He wasn’t deterred by the antics of Matt Gregg in the Bohs goal and he finished with confidence to the net.

A pulsating game at Dalymount finished with Rovers in the ascendancy and deserving their win against a young and very talented Bohemians side.

So, Andy Myler’s troops will head to Galway next Saturday for the A-Championship Final with the opportunity to pick up the second piece of silverware for the club in our maiden season at Tallaght, following on from Rovers Futsal League success.

Special mention must go to the Rovers Number-12. Our fans are known as the best in the country and they showed exactly why during this game. They were vocal and colourful and, no doubt, helped the lads push on for this victory, and it was very much appreciated by Andy Myler and his crew. Hopefully a good turnout of Hoops at the Final can help ‘Myler’s Minors’ make the final step for glory.

Rovers Line-Up:

1.                  Robert Duggan

2.                  Pat Flynn

3.                  Ian Bermingham

4.                  Corie Treacy

5.                  Victor Ekanem

6.                  Barry Johnston

7.                  Simon Madden

8.                  Ross Chisholm

9.                  Darren Goode

10.              Don Cowan

11.              Paddy Kavanagh

Substitutes:

14.   Jason Oladele

15.   Craig Rothery (for Bermingham inj, 55)

16.   Stephen Conlon

17.   Thomas Hyland (for Goode inj, 90)

18.   Keith O’Neill (for Kavanagh, 70)

Matchday arrangements for the final:

There will be a €10 admission fee for adults at the game in Drom next week, children under 16 will be admitted free of charge. Click here for more information on Salthill Devon FC and directions to their fantastic Drom complex.