Lisnaskea Rovers 3 Derrychara United 1

Lisnaskea Rovers advanced to the final of the Division Two League Cup with a 3-1 victory over newly-promoted Derrychara United.

The division runners up went into the match as hot favourites over relegated Rovers, but it was the home team that claimed their spot in the final thanks to goals from Adam McDonald, Brian McDermott and Hayden Lynch.

Lisnaskea’s Rhys McQuigg admitted his side’s victory was unanticipated.

“In the end it was almost a straightforward win for Rovers, which we didn’t expect,” he acknowledged. “It was always going to be a tough game, and we thought they would be very strong after getting promoted this season, but we played well.

“We are now looking optimistically to the final on Saturday, and hopefully we can get a result.

“Mountjoy are the league champions; they beat us by seven and six this year, although we were very understrength. It’s going to be a tough one, but the boys are up for it and hopefully we can finish the season off on a positive note.

“The boys have worked hard this season and they deserve something after a tough year. Hopefully, we can do well on Saturday and then take that into next season.”

Rovers made a positive start that belied the gap between the sides in the league this season, and they took the lead inside the first ten minutes when McDonald’s free kick from 20 yards found the bottom corner.

Seven minutes on, they moved further ahead when Brian McDermott controlled a long pass on the edge of the penalty area and flicked the ball over Brownlee in the Derrychara goal, with the linesman deciding the Derrychara defence had been unable to clear the ball before it crossed the goal line.

Derrychara started to show more of their league form in the opening stages of the second period as they pressed for a way back into the match, but Rovers were defending well with Matty McGrade in goal keeping the visitors scoreless in the early exchanges.

Midway through the half, Derrychara’s chances of a revival were ended when Rovers added a third when Hayden Lynch controlled a cross from Niall Keenan and swivelled to fire into the net.

Derrychara finally got on the scoresheet with five minutes remaining, but it was merely a consolation as Rovers set up a final clash against Mountjoy.