Quigley’s Point Swifts complete treble after seeing off Sea Rovers cup decider

QPS bounced back from last week's cup defeat to claim the Fr. O'Gara Cup and complete a treble, adding to their Division One league and Ulster Shield successes, to cap a tremendous season.

Rovers have also had a successful campaign, winning Division Two and earning promotion, and will feel the final scoreline was a bit harsh on them.

In the early exchanges, Lee Barr of QPS played a one-two with Josh Boyle on the edge of the area but fired just over. Rovers responded when Andrew Gallagher found space outside the area, but his attempted chip went just over Jason McCallion’s crossbar.

The Point broke the deadlock on 16 minutes when Barr’s 25-yard free-kick eluded Marc McLaughlin in the Rovers goal. A minute later, a superb Oisín McIntyre cross from the right found his brother Darragh, who failed to direct his downward header on target when very well placed.

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QPS remained in control, and after a swift break midway through the half, the ball broke to Cillian McEleney on the edge of the area and he fired low into the bottom left-hand corner to put the Division One side firmly in charge.

On 26 minutes, McEleney then had a superb curling effort from 20 yards brilliantly tipped over the bar by McLaughlin.

Rovers gradually grew into the game and, after some good combination play on the left, Gallagher cut in but his effort from the angle of the area was safely gathered by McCallion. 

They then spurned their best chance of the half on 41 minutes when Gallagher’s ball over the top sent Conor McCloskey clear, but McCallion advanced to make a superb clearing tackle as the attacker bore down on goal.

Rovers started the second half well, with Gallagher having a snapshot gathered at the second attempt by McCallion. A rare loose pass in the middle of the QPS defence then presented McCloskey with a half-chance, but he snatched at it and failed to trouble the keeper.

QPS hit back, and after a superb move that switched play from right to left, McEleney cut across the box before laying the ball off to Barr, whose powerful 22-yard effort flashed inches past McLaughlin’s right-hand post with the keeper stranded.

Rovers had another great chance midway through the half when Gallagher laid the ball into McCloskey’s path on the edge of the area, but his well-struck low effort was superbly saved by the outstretched left leg of McCallion.

At the other end, another superb cross from the left by McEleney found substitute Daniel McMenamin inside the area, but he miscontrolled, allowing McLaughlin to gather.

Rovers pushed men forward in search of a goal but struggled to create clear openings. 

The more they pushed, the more dangerous The Point looked on the break. McMenamin’s dangerous cross was superbly cleared by Rovers substitute Christy McDaid, while a brilliant Ross Nicholas delivery just eluded the inrushing Oisín McIntyre.

McIntyre then sealed the victory in the final minute when brother Darragh slipped the ball into his path in the right-hand channel, and from 14 yards, he slotted low across McLaughlin into the far corner.

Man of the Match: Cillian McEleney (QPS). For Rovers, the likes of Andrew Gallagher, Conor McCloskey, Ryan Doherty and Joey Holland all performed well. For the winners, keeper Jason McCallion, Lee Barr and Lee Rutherford all had excellent games. However, on the day, the award goes to McEleney, who was a constant threat on the left, scored the crucial second goal, and created a number of good chances with his vision and awareness.