Goulding goal secures play-off joy for Slaney
A jubilant Slaney Rovers team after beating St Fiacc's in the Over 35s Division 2 Play-Off
Slaney Rovers have been one of the most successful O35's sides over the past few years and on Friday night, they added another trophy to their impressive collection, winning the Division 2 league title in a play-off. They had to beat their old rivals St. Fiacc’s to do it, a side that has pushed them all the way this season. Slaney probably went in as favourites, having had Fiacc’s number this season. It’s a remarkable turnaround from the Rathvilly side who found themselves in last place in the league this time last season. It’s a trophy in the Slaney trophy cabinet for a second year in a row; despite a poor league season, they managed to turn it around to win the Division 2 Cup, after yet another encounter with St. Fiacc’s in the final.
Slaney were full value for the win. They were dominant from the start but just struggled to convert their chances. Although to be fair, they came across a resilient Fiacc’s defence who fought hard and got to everything first, whilst their ‘keeper was on top of everything, sharp and alert to the danger at every opportunity. In the end, Slaney’s class showed under the lights in Tullow and they got the job done, coming from behind to do so.
Slaney went close early on after two minutes when an effort from the right was cleared off the line at the far post with Dan O’Brien steering the rebound over the bar. A couple of minutes later, Rob O’Neill saw an effort cleared with O’Brien attempting to bicycle kick the loose ball but he saw it land over the bar. Derek Daly tried to get onto the end of a long through ball but couldn’t quite get enough on the ball to guide it past Donal Hurley in the Fiacc’s goal. Midway through the half, O’Brien scooped an effort over Hurley in the goal but saw his effort cleared.
It was the Graiguecullen side who took the lead, much against the run of play. Ambrose Doran drilled a cross into the box and David Hurley got onto the end of it, smashing an effort home into the roof of the net.
However, their joy was short lived as Slaney were back on level terms less than a minute later when O’Brien finally found joy, striking to leave the two sides at a goal apiece.
Fiacc’s started strongest after the break, enjoying a little purple patch, but struggled to convert their chances into goals. Jamie Parr struck an effort wide on the right before Bobby Doyle guided an effort over the bar. Slaney went close themselves, being denied by the crossbar 15 minutes in. Doran went close for Fiacc’s with an effort from the left, but pushed it wide on the far side, hitting across the box, before hitting another attempt over the bar.
Slaney eventually took a deserved lead, finally paying off their hard work and dominance on the game. O’Brien’s cross from the right was missed in the middle but Brian Goulding got on the end of it and knocked it home.
Barry O’Connor looked like he might be able to cause some damage when he got on the ball down the right and cut into the box but his effort was cleared. Fiacc’s pushed everyone forward for a Parr free just outside the box but he could only steer it wide on the right. Michael O’Sullivan almost added a third goal when he dispossessed a defender just outside the box and drifted to the left, only to be denied by the crossbar.
Fergal Harmon, Kevin McCall, Robert O'Neill, Michael Foley, Killian Bolger, Thomas Tallon, Dan O'Brien, Barry O'Connor, Derek Daly, Brian Goulding, Dominic Byrne
Tom Cassells, Declan Jones, Derek Nolan, Eoin Coyle, Michael O'Sullivan, Thomas Redmond, Paddy Kelly.
Donal Hurley, Thomas O'Rourke, PJ Connolly, Bryan Lawler, Alan McDermott, Jamie Parr, Bobby Doyle, Shane Aylward, Ambrose Doran, Rory Hurley, David Hurley.
Ronan Brennan, David O'Regan, Pete Dorgan, Shane Condron, Patrick James Nolan, Patrick Scully, Bobby Whelan.
Shane Farrell assisted by Gerry Cosgrove and Mick Monaghan
