Tramore catain Craig Maher heading clear under pressure from Robert Kelleher
Tramore 0; Fairview Rangers 1
Carrick United and Fairview Rangers will meet in the final of the Munster Junior Cup in the middle of May, a repeat of the FAI Junior Cup decider of 2004. Rangers won that game 2-0 so Carrick will be aiming for revenge.
Tramore matched the Limerick outfit for long periods but their failure to take chances and a rather lucky goal cost them a place in the final and also put paid to an all-Waterford League final.
Leigh Quilty went close for Tramore with a curling effort after eight minutes which went inches over the crossbar. William O’Brien of Rangers got in a cross from the left on 19 minutes which fell nicely for Christy Doyle who cracked in an effort from the right but Craig Maher kicked the ball off the line. A minute later Sean Browne was just wide for the seasiders.
Fairview Rangers’ centre-half Brian Buckley produced a fine save from AJ Murray on 24 minutes with a powerful header after meeting a cross from Christy Doyle. Straight away at the other end Leigh Quilty almost lobbed the visiting goalkeeper from long range but was just over.
Martin Whelan then miskicked in front of goal but Tramore’s best chance fell to Stephen Grant five minutes before half time. Robbie Phelan drilled the ball through the Rangers defence and Grant had only Robert Crowley to beat but he shot straight at the ‘keeper from 10 yards.
Kelleher strike
The second half was not as open and stretched as the first. Robbie Phelan met a Leigh Quilty cross from the left on 54 minutes but his diving header was superbly saved by Robert Crowley.
The only goal of the close second half was scored by Robbie Kellegher. The ball was played long from the middle of the park. Martin Whelan headed the ball out and Kellegher controlled it out on the right and though in a very tight situation he somehow managed to find the net from just inside the penalty area.
Christ Doyle almost made it 2-0 on 78 minutes but his shot on the run came crashing back off Murray’s right upright. Leigh Quilty almost took the game into extra time with a fine strike from the left but Crowley tipped the ball over the bar.
Tramore: AJ Murray, Ian Stenson, Stephen O’Shea, Craig Maher, Martin Whelan, Francis Rockett, Stephen Grant, Sean Browne, Micheal Downey, Leigh Quilty, Robbie Phelan. Sub: Zach Shanahan for Downey (71 mins).
Fairview Rangers: Robert Crowley, Eoin O’Sullivan, Paul Harmon, Martin Neary, Brian Buckley, Colm Heffernan, William O’Brien, Jeffrey Judge, Robbie Kellegher, Christy Doyle, Ross Cosgrove. Subs: Trevor Cosgrove for O’Sullivan (64 mins) Darren Harrighton for Ross Cosgrove (71) David Morris for Kellegher (89)
Referee: John Lyons (Tipperary).
