Phelan and Wegner the Cup Final stars for Rangers
The Park Rangers players celebrate their win over Dungarvan in the U11B Waterford & St. Dominic's Credit Union Cup at Graun Park. Photos: Paul Elliott.
It was Park Rangers striker Oisin Phelan who stole the show with two first-half goals, however Rangers goalkeeper and joint captain Rudi Wegner was outstanding between the posts for the winners.
Dungarvan were gallant in defeat as they pushed Rangers all the way and but for Wegner the boys in blue could have won the tie or at least forced extra-time.
The game was only two minutes old when Park Rangers raced into the lead. Fionn Coffey skipped past two Dungarvan defenders and hit a powerful right foot strike that beat Dungarvan keeper Tomas Og O Cadhla, the ball hit the underside of the crossbar but Oisin Phelan was alive to the situation and he pounced to bundle the ball over the line from close range.
Rangers went close to increasing their lead on 5 minutes, Bradley Walsh cut inside from the left and smashed a right foot shot against the crossbar with the keeper beaten. Dungarvan went close to an equaliser on seven minutes. Tiernan Hogan lined up a free kick from 20 yards, his effort was on target but Rangers keeper Ridi Wegner got across his line to make an impressive save.
At the other Oisin Phelan was at it again as he raced along the end line but smashed his shot against the near post. On 19 minutes Rangers defender Danny Kelly broke up a Dungarvan attack and played the ball wide to Charlie Kavanagh, the full back whipped a first time cross but as winger Shuin Kelly game flying in she just failed to make contact with the ball.
With 20 minutes on the clock Oillie Curran beat the Rangers off side trap and raced in on goal but Rudi Wegner raced from his goal to make a fine save. Dungarvan got back on level terms with a goal on 19 minutes. A free kick by Conor De Burca was pushed out by Wegner but Tiernan Hogan was well placed at the far post to stab the ball into the net from six yards. With half time approaching on 23 minutes Park Rangers went back in front, Oisin Phelan took advantage of a mix up in the Dungarvan defence and he controlled the ball before firing hard and low into the net.
Into the second-half and on 33 minutes with Dungarvan on the attack referee Pat Fitzgerald pointed to the penalty spot after Oscar Rowan was deemed to have tripped Dungarvan striker Conor De Burca. The Dungarvan man De Burca picked himself up and took the spot kick, but Rangers keeper Wegner dived to his left to save. However the referee ordered a retake for encroachment, De Burca took the retake but Wegner was equal to the task once more and this time he saved with his legs. Dungarvan fought all the way to the final whistle but the Rangers defence held firm to run out winners. After the game Tim O’Byrne of the Waterford & St. Dominics Combined Credit Unions presented the U11B Cup to Park Rangers joint captains Rudi Wegner and Osin Phelan.
Rudi Wegner, Charlie Kavanagh, Oscar Rowan, Charlie Jacob, Danny Kelly, Cathal O’Leary, Fionn Coffey, Oisin Phelan, James Casey, Ryan Flynn, Edward Jones, Smuin Kelly.
Tomas Og O Cadhla, Jack Hickey, Tieran Hogan, Paid O Haraigh, Joey Keoghan, Liam O Hogiun, James Canning, Rafael Gorbaius, Conor De Burca, Bradley Walsh, Cayden Lennon, Ben Murray, Ollie Curran, Alan Poznanski.
Pat Fitzgerald. Assisted By Noel Lavery and Trysten Russell.
