Rovers win a thriller from the spot

Derry Rovers second team were in cup action last weekend when they took on Laois side Rosenallis on Saturday night in Brians Park in the first round of their Divisional cup.

CCFL Division 4 Cup

Derry Rovers B 2

Rosenallis B 2

(Derry Rovers won 5-4 on pens)

Rovers went into the game on a high after the previous game when they defeated unbeaten league leaders Eastend Celtic away in their first game back after the Christmas break but they knew this was their last competition to compete for Cup silverware so a win was a must as they took to the field.

The starting side saw a lot of changes from the week before as some lads were unavailable due to work commitments and early on in the first half it did not seem to matter as Rovers began brightly and inside five minutes almost went ahead but Ross Kearney’s deft touch beat the keeper but rolled the wrong side of the post.

Rosenallis then began to look dangerous on the break as both their wingers were very quick and they looked to run at Rovers backline every time they received the ball.

Rovers created another opening when Pe Murphy was put through and he shot goalwards but his shot deflected for a corner.

It was Rosenallis who struck for the opening goal on 25 minutes when a cross in from the right fell kindly to their centre forward in space 12 yards out and he finished smartly giving Jason McNamara no chance.

Rovers were getting no joy from a very physically big Rosenallis back four and their opponents were dangerous on the break.

Rovers knew they had 45 minutes to save their season and harsh words at half time triggered a response as they came out a very determined. As a team they upped their game and they dominated the opening 15 minutes and deservedly levelled the game

Ollie Dunne and Emlyn Donoghue combined to put Michael Foran through in space in the box. Foran still had a lot of work to do as his marker went with him but excellent control saw ‘Ned’ turn sharply and he curled a magnificent left footed shot round the keeper high into the top corner fto level the game.

It was now game on and while both sides had some openings to win it, it ended 1-1 at full time. In extra time both sides were still at full pelt and it was the away side who struck for a crucial lead after five minutes.

Rovers now had to do it all over again but only this time the clock was against them. They responded magnificently and were level before half time in extra time. Ross Kearney did not give up on a lost cause and he crossed the ball low to Ollie Dunne at the back post and he gleefully tapped in to level the game.

Neither side came close in the second period and so it was on to penalties Rosenallis won the toss and went first but missed their first penalty but so did Rovers.

They both scored their next two penaltiess each before missing their fourth penalty each. Rosenallis scored their fifth and Jerome McBride held his nerve to send it to sudden death.

Michael Cleary and Kevin Smyth scored in the sudden death as did Rosenallis next two takers but Jason McNamara saved Rosenallis eighth penalty kick to now give Rovers the chance to win it.

Pe Murphy was next for Rovers and he was calmness personified to hit a brilliant penalty to send Rovers into the next round.

Derry Rovers: J McNamara, J McBride, K Smyth, J Murphy, E Donoghue, P Murphy, M Cleary, R Kearney, M Foran, O Dunne. Subs: M Kearney for O Dunne. (A Cullen, D Ryan not used)

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