FAI Intermediate Cup Semi-Final Report: Ringmahon Rangers 2 - 3 Killester Donnycarney

Dylan O'Connell reports from Ringmahon Park.

Killester Donnycarney booked their place in the 2020 New Balance FAI Intermediate Cup final on Saturday afternoon with a 3-2 win over Ringmahon Rangers at Ringmahon Park. 

The Dublin outfit, who were formed in 2018 from a merger between Killester United and Donnycarney FC, will play Leinster Senior League rivals St. Mochtas FC in the final. 

Killester Donnycarney stormed into a 3-0 lead inside the first half an hour. 

Just thirteen minutes into the game, Eoin Fowler laid the ball  across goal for Cian McMullen to fire it low passed Eric Grimes in the Ringmahon goal.  

Ex-Bohemians midfielder Steven Nolan made it 2-0 three minutes later after he took the ball down and volleyed it into the roof of the net from twenty yards out. 

Left full-back Reece McEnteer was the catalyst for the third goal after he won the ball in his own half, played Josh Scully through, he stormed ahead before crossing it for McMullen who tapped it in. 

The home side were not without chances. Anthony McAalvey tried an audacious lob on goalkeeper Evan Whelan, but the ex Cabinteely shot stopper clawed it from the top corner.

It was similar situation approaching half time when Dean Swords forced an excellent save from Moran. 

Ringmahon pulled one goal back on the stroke of half time through a spectacular shot from Jack Cairns which bounced off the crossbar and fell behind the goal-line. 

Rangers  threw everything into the opening of the second half, exploiting the hosts out wide, but each time the Dublin side's organised back four cleared the danger. 

Ringmahon, having switched to three at the back in the first half, were being left seriously vulnerable with their attacks.

Substitute John Brophy took advantage of this opening and  could have made it 4-1 if not for the intervention of Grimes.

Forward Scully was left in a similar position when his shot flew over the bar. It was a similar situation for McEnteer who saw his attempt on goal blocked by Anthony O’Donnell who was the last man back. 

At the other end Whelan was cool, calm, and collected as he commanded the Killester Donnycarney penalty area. His performance in goal stretched beyond his acrobatic saves, but also included his ability to organise and shape his team’s defence. 

Danny Long made it 3-2 in what was nearly the last kick of the game. Inside a scrambling penalty area, he pounced onto a lose ball to pull another goal back for the Cork side. 

Ringmahon Rangers: Eric Grimes, Philly Keane, Jason Forde (Roy Long 30), Anthony O'Donnell (Anthony Wolfe 90), Cian Kingston, Darren Murphy (Roy Kenny 62), Jack Cairns (Jason Dunphy 71), Anthony McAlavey, Dean Swords, Danny Long, Pa O'Brien (Alan Higgins 80).

Killester Donnycarney: Evan Whelan, Sean Rogers, Reece McEnteer, Terry McCauley (Gary Kenny 90+2), Brendan Lee, Stephen Nolan, Mark Ryan, Stephen Chambers, Eoin Fowler, Josh Scully, Cian McMullen (John Brophy 70).

Referee: Eddie McNally.