Rosemount cap off incredible season with fifth trophy

Rosemount completed an incredible season securing their fifth trophy of the year, to see off Creggan, in the Jimbo Crossan Cup, at McCourts, on Saturday.

Trailing 2-0, Paul Simon Tracey’s side produced a tremendous second half come-back to deservedly win the encounter.

IN PICTURES: Rosemount overcome Creggan in the Jim Crossan Cup

Man of the match TJ Begley played a major role in the win, scoring twice and was also brought down for their two penalties, but another man who played a big part in the win was substitute Mo McElhinney, who was also a threat up front in the second half.

For the Rosemount player-boss he couldn’t praise his players enough after the come-back to see off the ten men.

“To be honest I’m stunned for words, the boys were 2-0 down and they came back and I’m over the moon,” he explained.

“The sending off made a wee bit of a difference, but I thought we controlled the game from start to finish to be honest, we gave away two stupid goals, but to win five trophies in the calendar year there aren't many teams in the North West who can say that they have done that.

“I don’t really care what standard you’re playing in, that's some achievement by anybody.”

While Tracey didn’t really want to signal anyone out, he did feel that Begley was the difference maker when it mattered.

“TJ is outstanding, he’s still young, he’s only 20. He has everything ahead of him and if he just gets his head down and works hard the achievements will come for him,” he added.

“But to be honest again man to man, every man was outstanding today and I thought it was a well deserved victory.

“Our attitude has always been about never giving up and we showed that again, fighting back from 2-0 down, by playing some outstanding football.

Rosemout celebrate winning the Jim Crossan Cup. (Photos: George Sweeney, nwpresspics)

“Look to win two trophies in two days; three games in three games, it was hard for the players but they got going today and as I said I felt they were outstanding.”

Creggan took an early lead thanks to Jack Coyle’s cool finish on seven minutes, the striker side footing home from close, this after he saw a glancing header come back off the post moments earlier.

Declan Divin’s men doubled their lead after a defensive mistake again Coyle was involved, nipping in to touch the ball away from the out-rushing Rosemount goalkeeper Tracey and his striking partner PJ Ward turned the ball into the empty net.

Seven minutes later Ward missed a glorious chance to add a third for Creggan, when he got his close range shot away after a goal-mouth scramble, but Marc Crossan cleared the ball off the line.

Rosemount’s first real chance came mid-way through the half when Ryan Cleere’s 25 yard strike flew inches past JP McColgan’s right hand.

Just after the half-hour mark Jake Morrow’s right wing free-kick drew Tracey from his goal, but the keeper didn’t get there and he was fortunate that Coyle’s header fizzed over the crossbar.

Right on the stroke of half-time Rosemount, should have netted as Begley’s lovely left-footed cross found an unmarked Darren Crossan, but his header was saved by McColgan.

Whatever was said at the break certainly worked a treat for Rosemount as they came out of the blocks fast in the second half, with Begley seeing his shot saved by McColgan, after McElhinney had created the chance.

On 48 minutes Creggan missed another super chance to probably kill the game off when Mark Doherty’s super run, which saw him beat a few players, before finding Ward, but the big striker blasted over when well placed inside the box.

After that let-off Rosemount pulled a goal back on 52 minutes as William McVeigh’s curling left footed shot from the edge of the box flew past McColgan, this all coming after Rosemount had incredibly rattled the crossbar twice in the build up to the goal.

The sides were level on 60 minutes as Begley was brought down inside the box by Eugene Deery, referee Mark McGarrigle rightfully pointed to the spot, during Creggan’s protests Ward was shown a second yellow card for dissent and was sent-off, finally when the dust settled McElhinney slotted home the resulting penalty, despite McColgan getting a tough on the effort.

Down to ten men Creggan struggled to really get a foothold in the final and with the man advantage Rosemount took the lead on 72 minutes Marc Crossan’s super 20 yard free-kick found the net, after David O’Brien had been brought down on the edge of the box.

Minutes later Begley scored his first goal of the game when he dusted himself down to side foot home from the penalty spot, after Dean Power had brought him down inside the box.

To their credit Creggan continued to battle and they went close to pulling a goal back on 86 minutes as Coyle’s dipping 20 yard free-kick had to be well handled by a diving Tracey.

It was fitting that Begley had the last kick of the final, calmly curling the ball low into McColegan’s right hand corner after he cut in from the right onto his favoured left-foot.

Rosemount: Paul Simon Tracey, Ciaron Melaugh, Dean Curran, Decky Burns, Marc Crossan, Eoin McKeever, Ciaran Deery, Mo McElhinney, William McVeigh, David O’Brien, TJ Begley, Ryan Cleere, Caolan McLaughlin, Ray Rogan, W Wade.

Creggan: JP McColgan, Dean Power, Eoin O’Neill, Eugene Deery, Steven McBride, Jack Coyle, PJ Ward, Seamus Ferry, Lee McCafferty, Mark Doherty, Jake Morrow, John Ferry.

Referee: Mr Mark McGarrigle.