Bright start sets Rovers on road to famous victory
They started like a steam train scoring two goals in the opening nine minutes before getting a third in the second-half and securing the Challenge Cup for only the third time.
What a day it has turned out to be for Kentstown Rovers as they defeated Chord 3-2 to claim the coveted trophy at the MDL this evening in an thrilling contest.
James Lynch fired home the opening two strikes that gave Rovers their great start but Chord, lively and alert throughout, pulled a goal back just before the break when Sevastian Beslic scored from a free-kick.
Rovers had to withstand sustained pressure throughout the second-half and goalkeeper Ross Walsh made a number of smart saves to keep his team in the hunt.
Then against the run of play Rovers got a third when a Chord defender was deemed to have handled in the box when trying to block a Daire Corcoran shot.
Up stepped Keith Walsh to take the penalty but his shot was saved by Chord 'keeper Dean Martin. However Paul McDonnell was on hand to drive home the rebound and put his team 3-1 up with 81 minutes played.
Shortly afterwards Kentstown were reduced to 10 players when they had Corcoran sent off after he picked up a second yellow.
Chord snatched a goal back in the extended injury time when Neil Donnelly made the most of a poor clearance but Kentstown held on for a famous win.
Kentstown Rovers - Ross Walsh; Colin Walsh, Keith Walsh, Colin Lynch, James Friery, Andy Lynch, Cillien Corcoran, Matthew Poutch, James Lynch, David Bowens, Daire Walsh. Subs - Daire Corcoran for Poutch 47 mins, Derek Bowens for J Lynch 64m, Paul McDonnell for D Bowens 76m.
Dylan Doyle, Derek Bowens, Derek Ratcliffe, Paul McDonnell, Shane Gargan, Daire Corcoran, Darren Lynch, Matthew Byrne, Ronnie McDonnell, John Clarke, Brandan Lynch.
Chord Celtic - Dean Martin; Jake Devine, Sevastian Beslic, Neil Donnelly, Morgan Browne, Dean Haggins, Cormac McGroggan, Cormac Reid, Niall Gates, Brandon O'Sullivan, Niall Smyth.
See photographs from the thrilling cup final plus analysis and quotes in next issue of the Meath Chronicle