Limerick's Fairview Rangers celebrate 'perfect 10' FAI Junior Cup final wins

2024/2025 FAI Junior Cup Final

Fairview Rangers 4 North End United 1

THE FAI Junior Cup is back in Limerick, or more accurately back in The Fairgreen after a five-year absence, following Fairview Rangers fabulous 4-1 win over North End United in the final at Turner's Cross on Saturday afternoon.

Like a prodigal son, the trophy is back again for the 10th time, an incredible record by 'the Blues' that has seen them win ten finals in ten appearances.

READ NEXT: Slick Limerick book place in All-Ireland minor hurling quarter-final with victory over Wexford

It was a superb performance by the Limerick team. They rode a dodgy patch after the break during which the Wexford side levelled at 1-1. However, Fairview made a couple of tweaks and powered on to a well-deserved win.

Things did not look so good however when captain and talisman Shane Duggan hobbled out of the action after 20 minutes. Luckily for the Blues they had a number of experienced players who stepped up to see them through.

Both sides started rather tentatively and Fairview were grateful to Jason Cross in the opening minutes when he got a vital touch to stop Murphy opening the scoring.

An early yellow card for Jeffery Judge was a further worry for the Blues, considering his style of play, but the midfielder managed his game perfectly thereafter.

Five minutes after a disconsolate Duggan took his seat, Fairview took the lead.

Jason Cross was deservedly named man of the match but he could have shared it with any of his team mates and there would be few complaints.

Goalkeeper Josh McCarthy was emulating the feat his grandfather achieved 60 years ago and was rock solid throughout.

Josh Dillon and Brian Ahern at full back kept two tricky wide men at bay while all the time looking for openings.

The experience of Conor Kavanagh and the enthusiasm of Jasson Cross proved the perfect mix.

Jeffery Judge was brilliant in the heart of the midfield while Duggan’s replacement Shane Carmody slipped into the role with effective ease.

Wide men Oleg Vysochan and Adam Dore had tough markers on their case all afternoon but were always an out when the pressure came on.

Cian McNamara ran himself to a standstill in a swashbuckling display while striker Gbadebo Habideen worked tirelessly for the side keeping two and three defenders at time occupied and on tenterhooks. With a little luck could have had a hat trick.

The management team should also tale their bow as their timing for substitutions was perfect. Danny O’Neill and Blake Curran provided speed and width when both sides were tiring while Josh McCarthy and Rubin McCarthy chipped in with the deciding goals.

Cian McNamara and Gbadebo Habideen combined to find Oleg Vysochan out wide and he cut inside his marker to dink a ball into the area where Jeffery Judge arrived on cue to take on his chest before volleying home a superb goal.

Fairview nearly had a carbon copy of the opening goal but on this occasion Judge’s shot was blocked by Jason McGuire in the North End goal, but only as far as Habideen who fired wide from close range.

Five minutes before the break a super run by McNamara saw him race through the Wexford defence. Faced oner on one the keeper got a touch but Habideen picked up the loose ball but his shot struck the upright.

Continuing the move Judge crossed, Dore’s header was blocked on the line and Habideen had another effort also blocked on the line.

North End came up fired up in the second half and McCarthy had to make a fine save to deny Paul Murphy in the opening minutes.

The relief was short-lived as minutes later Reece Murphy blasted home from close range following an in-swinging corner kick.

McNamara was denied with a shot from the edge of the box and at the other end Rhodes looked like he was in on the Limerick side’s goal but a brilliant last-ditch tackle by Brian Aherne saved the day.

Fairview made the most of that let off and regained the lead on 75 minutes when Vysochan’s corner kick was headed powerfully home by Cross.

The introduction of fresh legs saw Fairview take charge and Josh McCarthy made it 3-1 when he got the required touch to divert Vysochan’s corner kick to the net.

With time running out Vysochan again provided the pass to send Habideen in on goal. He wormed his way around the last defender but was denied by McGuire. However, on this occasion the rebound was gleefully tucked away by Rubin McCarthy as the celebrations began.

Fairview Rgs: Josh McCarthy GK; Jake Dillon; Brian Aherne; Conor Kavanagh; Jason Cross; Oleg Vysochan; Shane Duggan; Jeffery Judge; Adam Dore; Cian McNamara; Gbadebo Habideen. Subs: Shane Carmody; Danny O'Neill; Josh McCarthy; Rubin McCarthy; Blake Curran; Aaron Hough; Gavin Mellerick.

North End United: Jason McGuire; Ayman Yousif; Todd Hynes; Reece Murphy; Gary Delaney; Alan Rhodes; Ciaran Paige; John Peare; Eoin Rhodes; Paul Murphy; Robert Kane. Subs: Craig McCabe; S Dempsey.