JOSH MCMENAMIN’S second-half goal was the only separator as Cappry Rovers defeated Fintown Harps to win the Donegal Schoolboys Under-12 Champions League final today.
Cappry Rovers 1 Fintown Harps 0
McMenamin pounced 12 minutes into the second half as Cappry inched past Fintown in a derby battle that saw the top two from the East Donegal League clash in the decider at Leckview Park.
The highlight of a tough contest was the ‘Rabona’ cross by Cappry’s Luke McGlynn that led to the winning goal.
The delicious rabona cross – hooking his right foot behind his left to cheekily chip to the far post – from the left-hand side of the area was crashed in at the far post by McMenamin.
Cappry Rovers celebrate their win
Defensive Fintown had to go for broke by then, but Cappry were deserving winners on the day after a closely-fought game.
The excellent McGlynn pulled the strings for the winners and provided the magical moment to tee up the decisive strike.
[adrotate group=”88″]No more than goal has decided any game involving Fintown this season and the Pairc Acla boys were in contention here until the moment Marty Quinn shrilled the whistle one final time.
McGlynn headed narrowly wide from a corner after Sean Ó Baoill did likewise at the other end.
McGlynn again went close from another corner in the 12th minute.
Cappry fashioned another opening when Andrew Murray – grandson of former Finn Harps goalkeeper Gerry Murray – saw persistence pay off, but his teasing low cross just couldn’t find a target.
Cappry turned the screw and when Dylan McGlynn, the Fintown goalkeeper, palmed away a Luke McGlynn cross, McMenamin saw a deflected effort creep just over,
McMenamin wouldn’t be denied in the 42nd minute, though, and it was crucial as the side managed by James Long and Martin McMenamin sneaked the silverware.
Fintown Harps
Ben Campbell tried his luck from distance for Fintown – who were searching for their first ever Champions League title – while McGlynn wasn’t far away with a daisy-cutter as he sought a second.
But Cappry left toasting McMenamin’s precious strike and savouring that splendid cross from the talented McGlynn. Their season will continue with an SFAI Under-13 Cup clash at home to Nenagh next month.
Cappry Rovers: Evan Long, Oisin McGlinchey, Daniel Marley, Andrew Murray, Shaun McMenamin, Luke McGlynn, Josh McMenamin, Mark Mbuli, Shaun Ward, Kevin McCormick.
Fintown Harps: Dylan McGlynn, Sean Ó Baoill, Ben Campbell, Odhrán Breslin, Sean Doherty, Shae Malone, Oisin Caulfield, Jack McGlynn, Jamie O’Donnell, Conor McDevitt, Odhrán Doherty, Peter Doherty, Peter McGlynn.
Referee: Marty Quinn.
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