Hoops reach 3rd successive EA Sports Cup Final

Bohemians 0 - 2 Shamrock Rovers

Goals from Kieran Marty Waters and Dean Kelly fired Shamrock Rovers into their third successive EA Sports Cup Final at the expense of arch rivals Bohemians.

Both strikes came eight minutes into each half and it gave caretaker John Gill a win in his first game as Rovers’ caretaker boss, the first time a caretaker has ever won his first game in charge of the hoops.

Former Bohemians boss Pat Fenlon was in the stands amid mass speculation the 45 year-old is set to take up the reigns in Tallaght.

Following both sides heavy defeats on Friday night, changes were rung and as expected, the visitors looked the most comfortable and there was only two minutes on the clock when the first chance of the game presented itself to Ryan Brennan. Simon Madden pulled the ball back but the former Drogheda United player couldn’t head home from 6 yards out under no pressure at all.

But the holders of this competition didn’t have to dwell on that miss for too long. A mix up between Aidan Price and Derek Pender presented the ball to Kieran Marty Waters who shot under the on rushing Dean Delany to put his side in the lead.

Jason Byrne was chosen by Owen Heary to lead the line and he nearly levelled when he met Anto Murphy’s long throw but it went agonisingly over the bar. The 36 year old also nearly rolled back the years when he showed a touch of class taking down a long ball from the back. He made space for himself but the shot was poor.

Apart from these two instances, The Hoops were comfortable and nearly doubled their lead half way through the first half when Ryan Brennan rattled the crossbar with another header. Dean Kelly flashed a shot wide and it looked as if it was a game too far for the Gypsies.

And so it proved to be when Kelly capitalised on a slip by Roberto Lopes to poke home the decisive goal which killed the game as a contest. Heary shuffled his pack and bar blocked shot from Owen Wearen, the home side didn’t look like getting back into the game and the away fans went home to Tallaght happy in the knowledge that their side is still on course to retain their trophy.