Keadue Rovers set to meet Letterkenny Rovers in cup decider

Keadue Rovers booked their place in the final of the Brian McCormick Sports Cup with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Cappry Rovers in Ballyare. 

Brendan McCafferty, Chris Greene and Mark Forker scored the goals for the men from Central Park in a last four clash the Premier Division side dominated for most of the 90-plus minutes. 

One full division separates the sides with Keadue finishing the season in third place in the Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division. 

Cappry, who were relegated from the top flight at the end of 2022/23 season, finished in fifth place in the Domestic Appliances Division One league. 

 A tenth-minute freekick from McCafferty from outside the box on the right wing was the difference between the sides at half-time as Keadue went in one up. 

The number seven got a sweet strike to find a way through a crowded goalmouth to nestle in  the right corner of Brendan Gallagher's net.

There were bound to be one or two blushes among the Cappry defenders in the changing room at half-time on how the ball made it all the way through a packed rearguard.

In fairness to Gary Wilson, Brendan McLaughlin and Aaron Kelly they stood firm at the heart of the Cappry defence and Keadue’s scoring chances were few and far between. 

Apart from a few half chances for all their possession, Keadue's only other real scoring opportunity fell to Peter McGee who headed over.

McGee rose well to connect with a Chris Greene nod down off a Aidan Brennan cross from way out on the right wing. 

Brendan McLaughlin came closest to breaking the deadlock on the half hour mark but hedrilled  well over Caolan Bonner's crossbar from inside the box. 

With Forker orchestrating in the centre of the midfield, Keadue started the second period on the front foot. 

However, the first real chance of goal on the resumption fell to Shaun Ryan from a Patrick McNulty lay off in the Keadue box. But Ryan’s volley from close range was inches over the crossbar. 

Ten minutes into the new half Keadue took another giant step towards a final meeting with Letterkenny Rovers, next Sunday, back in Ballyare. 

Greene, with another well-struck free from just outside of the box, found the back of the net and a 2-0 lead. 

In a game that never rose above the ordinary, Aidan Brennan went close to making it 3-0 shortly after.  

The left sided midfielder, who played well until replaced late on, pounced when he skimmed the top of the Cappry crossbar after a McGee shot had been parried.

With Cappry manager James Doherty running his bench the game fizzled out and before veteran Forker capped a fine individual performance with goal number three. 

That was three minutes from the end and shortly after, Cappry were reduced to ten men after Jack Burke McFadden was shown a red card in what was a bizarre sending off. 

The player seemed to have left the field of play and was about to be substituted but was followed to the line by referee John Coll who flashed a yellow card followed by a red. 

He had apparently been shown a yellow card earlier so he effectively was sent off for a second yellow card offence.   

Keadue Rovers: Caolon Bonner; Matthew Smith, Brendan McCafferty, Martin Ferry, Paul Boyle; Maurice McGee, Aidan Brennan, Michael Greene, Chris Greene; Mark Forker, Peter McGee. Subs: Matthew Comiskey for Smith (79 mins), Jordan Saville for Brennan (86 mins), David Ward for McGee (90 mins) 

Cappry Rovers: Brendan Gallen; Jack Burke McBride, Brendan McLaughlin (Darragh Boyle, 79) , Gary Wilson, Aaron Kelly; Callum Long, Odhran O'Connor (Shaun McMenamin, 52), Conor McDaid, Patrick McNulty; Peter Sweeney (Conor McGinty, 52), Shaun Ryan (Kevin McCormick, 52). 

Referee: John Coll.