Varian’s goal sends Rangers into FAI Intermediate cup final decider

Ringmahon Rangers 1

Liffey Wanderers 0

Ringmahon Rangers booked their place in the final of the FAI Intermediate Cup following a 1-0 win over Liffey Wanderers at Ringmahon Park on Saturday.

Ethon Varian’s second-half goal sent last year’s beaten finalists through to the decider where they will face College Corinthians/Douglas Hall next month.

Ringmahon have been favourites for this competition from pretty much the opening round and were well worth their victory even if the scoreline suggests a closer contest than it actually was.

In reality, Ringmahon, who always appeared to have another gear in them, could have won by more but passed up several good goal chances in the second half.

Liffey’s cause wasn’t helped by the sending off of full-back Jamie Wilson with 25 minutes remaining, but Ringmahon had one foot in the final at that stage following Varian’s opener.

The home side threatened early on when, two minutes in, Varian beat his marker on the left and pulled the ball back for Nathan Broderick on the angle of the six-yard box, but his shot was blocked and cleared.

Three minutes later an Anthony McAleavy free from the right had to be punched clear by keeper James Mooney under his crossbar and out for a corner.

From Adam Delurey’s flag kick a headed clearance struck a Liffey defender and Tony Whitehead hooked the loose ball narrowly wide.

Ringmahon were asking all the questions at this early stage as Liffey struggled to make an impression on the game.

Varian had a snap shot go high and wide while Jack Cairns fired over from a difficult angle on the left side of the penalty area following a quick free kick by McAlavey.

On 15 minutes a measured Broderick cross from the left found Varian at the far post and he was unlucky to see his header go wide.

Ringmahon’s early pressure continued with Whitehead volleying over after Christopher McCarthy headed McAlavey’s free back across the penalty area.

Liffey couldn’t get a foothold in the game, but it remained scoreless at half-time despite further chances for Ringmahon — a McAlavey a effort inside the box that went over, while Dylan Roche made a terrific tackle on Gearoid Morrissey after he burst into the box following a break from midfield.

Ringmahon continued to dominate in the second half and five minutes in McAlavey released Varian in a good position on the left side of the penalty area, but he pulled his shot across the goal and wide.

Two minutes later, though, Ringmahon took the lead when a Delurey corner on the right was met by Varian at the near side of the penalty area, and his header beat Mooney in the Liffey goal, helped by some poor defending.

Ringmahon keeper Eric Grimes had seen little or no action for the first hour but on 62 minutes he made his first, and only, save of the game when Sean Doran found space through the middle and broke forward before unleashing a shot which the netminder batted away for a throw.

It was a rare threat from the visitors who, two minutes later, were dealt another blow when Wilson received a second yellow for a foul on Varian.

Liffey had it all to do at that point but never troubled Ringmahon who had several chances to put the game to bed. Midway through the half Broderick raced on to a ball through the middle, but with just Mooney to beat he pushed his shot wide.

The Liffey keeper then made a fine save from Ciaran Griffin at his near post with Roy Kenny’s follow-up being blocked while McAleavy fired wide from inside the area after being put in by Griffin.

There were further chances from Morrissey and Kenny late on, but Varian’s goal proved to be enough to send the premier division leaders through to next month’s decider.

RINGMAHON RANGERS: Eric Grimes, Glen Towler, Adam Delurey, Christopher McCarthy, Tony Whitehead, Roy Kenny, Nathan Broderick, Gearoid Morrissey, Jack Cairns, Anthony McAlavey, Ethon Varian.

Subs: Ciaran Griffin for Cairns (68), Cameron Harlson for Broderick (78).

LIFFEY WANDERERS: James Mooney, Jamie Wilson, Jake Cregg, Callum Goad, Dylan Roche, Sean McLean, Sean Doran, Adam Deegan, Paul Mooney, Brendan Kinsella, Curtis Murphy.

Subs: Ceilim Gannon for Mooney (ht), Aaron Montgomery and Ben Ratethorne for McLean and Murphy (both 63), McMahon for Doran (69), Jake Ellis for Kinsella (78).

Referee: Alan Belmajoub, assistants Tom McCarthy, Gorkem Alemdar, Allan Martin.