Broadford United celebrate fifth Desmond Cup final success

FOR a fifth time in their storied history, Broadford United annexed the coveted Desmond Cup.

Seeing off familiar foes Rathkeale 2-0, the winners were inspired by captain Mícheál Brosnan, who provided two moments of high quality before a large crowd at Mick Hanley Park, Clounreask.

Having come up just short in their League title defence, Ray Lynch’s men made no mistake in repeating the defeat on Rathkeale, winning by the same scoreline as in the Premier Division play-off.

While Brosnan collected the Man-of-the Match award, he was ably assisted by fellow goalscorer Bryan Hannigan, the experienced Joe McAuliffe and young flyer, Adam O’Kelly. Indeed, they made Rathkeale look toothless and Gearoid Greaney wasn’t overly worked to preserve his clean sheet.

Keith Hartnett’s experienced outfit were led in attack by Seamus O’Carroll though he was well marshalled by the Broadford defence all evening. These sides finished 3rd and 2nd in the recently concluded Premier Division so there was always likely to be little between them.

After a sedate opening quarter-hour, O’Carroll tried his luck with a 30-yard free-kick which Greaney was equal to. Then Rathkeale saw a Thomas Quilligan corner scrambled clear, with uncertainty in the box after an inviting delivery.

Broadford found their first opening, after Rathkeale attempted to play out from the back. Jack Pierce turned over a defender and with Brendan Carmody stranded in the goal, Pierce had a clear opening. However, he took too long allowing the towering keeper to recover and hack the shot away.

Pierce was again trying hit luck, his left footed free-kick was scrambled clear by a combination of Carmody and the woodwork. The winger took the corner which again, needed intervention from the keeper. The support for Broadford were finding their device.

The opener arrived on 38 minutes. Brosnan, who may have been invited showed fleet of foot required to twist and turn on the edge of the area and feint a shot before eventually taking it on, firing low to the corner.

Rathkeale brought a renewed energy in the third quarter but apart from a O’Carroll effort which was touched around the post, they never looked like levelling this contest. Key in this period was captain Jack Hennessy, while Dean Maune and Thomas Quilligan helped them sustain pressure some pressure from midfield.

Broadford defended deep but with the influx of fresh legs, they were able to escape on the counter on occasion.

One such opening came after they regained possession in the middle of the park. Hannigan found Brosnan who turned backwards. With Hannigan’s run looking unlikely to find, the midfielder picked a defence splitting pass for the full-back to race in and fire low to the net to seal the silverware. Perfect timing for his first goal of the season.

In the end, the winners showed a greater deal of balance in defence and threat in attack, but in a game of fine margins, a couple moments of magic was the difference on a splendid evening of football.  
 
Winners in 1989, 2003, 2017 and 2019 this time Broadford were guided by a management team of Ray Lynch, Gary Egan and Aidy Doran. Rathkeale last collected this title in 2018.
 
Rathkeale: Brendan Carmody; Alan O’Shea, Eoin Barry, Seán O’Shea, Mikey Morrissey; Dean Maune, Gary Enright; Eoin O’Donnell, Thomas Quilligan, Jack Hennessy (Capt); Seamus O’Carroll. Subs Used: Michael Mulcahy for Enright (63 mins); Cathal Cummane for Maune (77 mins); Timmy Hogan for O’Shea, Johnny Fitzgerald for O’Donnell (both 84 mins).

Broadford United: Gearoid Greaney; Bryan Hannigan, Seamus Brosnan, Joe McAuliffe, Seán Brosnan; Colm Ryan, Jack Hogan; Adam O’Kelly, Michaél Brosnan, Jack Pierce; Kenny Lynch. Subs Used: John Hayes for Pierce, Brian O’Sullivan for Lynch (both 60 mins); Charlie Finn for Seán Brosnan (63); Alan Fitzpatrick for Ryan (78);
 
Officials: Pat King (Referee), Ger O’Connor, Eugene Nunan (Assistant Referees), Pat O’Connor (Fourth Official).