Fairview Rangers Reach First FAI Cup Final in 10 Years

Fairview Rangers reached the club’s first national final since their victory over St. Michaels in 2010 when they defeated Athenry FC 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out in the semi-final at the Fairgreen.

The game finished 1-1 with Clyde O’Connell scoring a penalty with just one minute to go before Colm O’Donovan equalised in injury time for the visitors.

As early as the first minute, two dangerous Adam Frahill deliveries were not dealt with by Athenry netminder James Healy and Clyde O’Connell came close to giving Fairview the lead.

It was a very cagey first half from that moment with the biggest chance of the game falling to Jamie Enright who linked up with John Mullane before cutting inside Jackson De Sliva and forcing a great save from Healy.

Outside of a couple of long range efforts from Cathal Fahy, Athenry really struggled to create any chance of note in the first period.

Ten minutes into the second half, the Fairgreen outfit had a shout for a penalty as Jeffrey Judge went down in the box but the referee cautioned the former Limerick FC man for simulation.

The Galway outfit made a better start to the second half and almost took the lead when Mark Slattery misjudged a long goal kick by James Healy and Shane Costello was slow on the cover which allowed Adam Duffy to strike at goal and force a great save from Aaron Savage.

There were very few chances before the end of the 90 minutes but it looked as though it would be heartbreak for Athenry when referee Vinny Coonan adjudged that Adam Duffy fouled Ross Mann inside the area and Clyde O’Connell emphatically converted the spot kick.

However, the Galway outfit showed great character and Colm O’Donovan superbly volleyed into the corner of the net to rescue the game.

Jason Purcell’s side had the best chance of the first period of extra time when a great pass from Mann set substitute Robbie Kelleher away but his attempted lob was misdirected. At the very end of the extra-time period Eddie Byrnes directed a header wide at the back post and the semi-final would be settled by penalties.

Jeffrey Judge, Clyde O’Connell, Robbie Kelleher, James Fitzgerald and Steven Bradley were all successful from the spot in a 5-3 shoot-out victory and the club will now face either Oliver Bond Celtic or Usher in the final. Fairview will be looking to win their ninth national trophy.

Fairview Rangers: Aaron Savage, Shane Costello, Mark Slattery, Clyde O’Connell, Jamie Enright, Steven Bradley, John Mullane (Robbie Kelleher), Adam Frahill (Eddie Byrnes), Jeffrey Judge, Conor Keane (James Fitzgerald), Ross Mann

Athenry: James Healy, Gary O’Connell, Jackson De Silva, Nathan Ward, Aaron Leggett, Garvan Broughall (Cole Connolly), Ray Moran, Cathal Fahy (Vinicius), Ryan Shaungnessy, Colm O’Donovan, Adam Duffy