Rovers win thrilling Futsal semi final

Rovers progressed to the inaugural Emerald Futsal League (Leinster) final with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Alpha Futsal Club last night (Monday, September 21).

The Hoops will meet Bray/St Joseph's in the final on Saturday, September 26 (3.00pm), after their success over Sporting Fingal in the other semi-final.
With injury ruling out Ian Byrne and Alvin Lawlor and Brazilian pair Anderson Nunes and Ronaldo Grube unavailable, the Hoops were stretched in terms of resources but they produced a top class display.
Alpha took the lead midway through the first half when Ger Prendergast squeezed a low shot past John Somers but Rovers showed great composure not to panic at that set-back.
Leading scorer Philip McDonagh brought the sides level when he finished low past keeper Maiko Da Costa after turning his marker.
Brazilian midfielder Leonardo Da Sousa the put the Hoops ahead minutes before half-time with a low left footed strike.
With the Hoops defence in excellent form, Alpha found it difficult to find a way through to Somers' goal but a momentary lapse of concentration opened a gap which Prendergast exploited to level with ten minutes left.
Once again Rovers rolled up the sleeves and eventually found the winner through Vinicius Terso, who capped his return from injury with a crucial strike.
Alpha threw everything at producing another equaliser but with Somers, Brendan Dawson and Richard Maher in excellent form, Rovers held firm at the back to record a memorable victory.
 
SHAMROCK ROVERS - John Somers; Philip McDonagh, Brendan Dawson, Hiago Frietas, Leonardo Da Sousa, Vinicius Terso, Richard Maher, Marwan Azimi.