Under 16 SFAI Regional Cup Final Saturday 07th May 2022 vs Wicklow Rovers

Rathangan F.C welcomed Wicklow Rovers on a beautiful sunny day in Canal road in pristine conditions. Rathangan having won the KDUL cup the week previous were in excellent form and looking to complete a Cup double to finish their season in style and add an FAI cup medal to their collection.

The game started with one change from the week before with Colm Cunningham coning into the starting 11. Wicklow brought huge support and did their best throughout the game to keep their team motivated creating a hostile atmosphere.

The first major chance of the game came when Darragh Flood connected with a header from a corner kick. Unfortunately it hit the underside of the crossbar and was cleared by the Wicklow defence. The first goal came from Colm Cunningham after a scramble by the Wicklow defence to make it 1-0 to the home side. A second followed shortly after an exquisite free kick from Captain Evan Donnelly.

Wicklow Rovers were looking dangerous down the wings and replied with a goal after an excellent cross field ball to make it 2-1 just before the half and all to play for.

Rathangan regrouped at half time and made some substitutions in which they made an instant impact. Oisin Dempsey scored with a great header to give his side some much needed breathing space to lead 3- 1. After great pressure from Niall Aherne turning over the ball from the Wicklow midfield Colm Cunningham made it 4-1 with some good interplay with Oisin Dempsey.

Colm Cunningham had the final say of the day and capped off a brilliant performance with an audacious chip over the keepers head to give the home side a well deserved win.

Rathangan F.C under 16’s finish the season with the KDUL and SFAI Regional Cup champions.

Best on the day for Rathangan F.C. were

Caelan Whiteley, Evan Donnelly, Brandon Evans, Scott Brereton, Darragh Flood.

Man of the Match:

Colm Cunningham (Pudge) Scorers:

Colm Cunningham x 3 Oisin Dempsey x 1

Evan Donnelly x 1