Cody Rogers surges forward for Robinstown during Sunday’s Leinster Junior Shield semi-final against McKelvey Celtic at the MDL. Photo: Gerry Shanahan / www.sportinmotion.ie

Rampant Robinstown march on to final of Leinster Junior Shield

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Cody Rogers surges forward for Robinstown during Sunday’s Leinster Junior Shield semi-final against McKelvey Celtic at the MDL. Photo: Gerry Shanahan / www.sportinmotion.ie Gerry Shanahan

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Dylan Kavanagh controls possession for Robinstown during Sunday’s Leinster Junior Shield semi-final. Gerry Shanahan

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Conor Farrell was in outstanding form for Robinstown during the Leinster Junior Shield semi-final. Gerry Shanahan

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Robinstown’s Ciaran Roche advances forward during Sunday’s Leinster Junior Shield semi-final. Gerry Shanahan

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Paul Garry holds off the challenge of a McKelvey Celtic player during Robinstown’s Leinster Junior Shield win. Gerry Shanahan

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Robinstown’s Jack Brady makes a quick turn during Sunday’s Leinster Junior Shield semi-final. Gerry Shanahan

Fergal Lynch

Published: Wed 29 Mar 2023, 9:30 AM

NEFL side Robinstown qualified for the Leinster Junior Shield final on Sunday after they beat Dublin side McKelvey Celtic in emphatic fashion at the MDL Grounds Navan.

The hosts journey in this competition has been remarkable to say the least, coming from behind in every game, going to extra-time and penalties, but they avoided such drama in this semi-final as they crusied to victory.

Robinstown burst from the blocks and knew an early goal would settle the butterflies in their stomachs and they got rewarded after five minutes.

Conor Farrell collected the ball in his own half and evaded a tackle before sending a forward pass onto Cody Rogers, the striker chested the ball forward before beating his defender and sending a ball into the box for Paul Curtin to guide home into the far corner with his right foot.

They had to wait until after the hour mark before they doubled their lead.

A long kick out by Tommy Carroll was controlled by Man of the Match Conor Farrell, he passed it to Alan Watters and it was his vision that played in Cody Rogers with a long pass over the defence and Rogers showed strength and composure before firing past a hapless 'keeper to make it 2-0.

Tommy Carroll played a big role with the third goal with 15 minutes remaining when his long punt up field reached substitute Ionut Todea on the right wing. He took one touch before crossing the ball into Rogers who was lurking and though his first time effort was saved by the McKelvey 'keeper, Rogers was quick to make no mistake with his follow up.

With the final whistle looming, it was two substitutes who combined to grab the fourth goal. Aidan Hilliard sent the perfect pass with the outside of his right boot oito the path of Todea and the striker blasted home from close range to send the large crowd home happy.

Robinstown's victory sets up an all North East Football League final as Sporting BJD won their semi-final the previous day, beating Baldoyle United 4-2 on penalties after the game finished 1-1 after extra time.

No date has been set for the final, but it will be a great day for the NEFL.

Robinstown - Tommy Carroll; Jack Brady, Mark O’Neill, Eoghan O’Neill, Paul Garry, Dylan Kavanagh, Alan Watters, Ciaran Roche, Paul Curtin, Cody Rogers, Conor Farrell. Subs - Josh Finnegan, Ryan Walsh, Paul Maxwell, Ionut Todea, Aidan Hilliard, Cian O’Neill, Sean McSweeney, Sean Murphy, Kesley Rodrigeous.