Castle Bar League Cup:
RATTOO ROVERS 1, TRALEE DYNAMOS 3

RATTOO Rovers could have proved to be a potential banana skin for Castle Bar League Cup holders Tralee Dynamos at Ballyduff on Sunday last but as things transpired the favourites got through to the next round without too much fuss.

It was good contest full off flowing football with both sides playing their parts and though Dynamos were the better side, Rattoo played football at all times and never threw in the towel. Joe Murphy made some fine saves in goal for the Ballyduff side and Kenneth Boyle and Bobby O’Sullivan were excellent at the back. John Paul Leahy never stopped trying on the wing while Joe Bunyan and Liam Boyle never gave up but Dynamos had too many strong players in key positions.

Tim Cotter had a fine game in goals making some fine saves and being ultra safe under the high ball, while Eoin Cassidy and Paul Daly were rock solid at the back. Mark Fitzgerald and Samier realy gave Dynamos the edge at midfield while Daien Diggins gave a man of the match display up front.

In the eighth minute Edward Duggan raced on to a ball over the top and it took a fine save by Murphy to deny him. In the 11th minute Dynamos struck for the lead goal when Mark Fitzgerald dispossessed a Rattoo player at midfield and moving forward, he played a lovely ball into the path of Damien Diggins who had the legs of his marker and he was felled inside the box.

Edward Duggan remained clam as he converted the spot kick down the middle past a despairing Murphy and the Tralee side had gained the decisive lead goal.

John Carroll had free kick charged down while Liam Boyle had a snap shot just off target as Rattoo tried hard to get an equaliser. Paul Daly was another Dynamos defender who was excellent and any ball that came in over the top he was there to clear the danger and this meant that Rattoo created very few clear cut chances.

Then in the 41st minute Samier won a good ball at midfield and split the Rattoo defence with a great pass that saw Damien Diggins beat the cover and opening his shoulders he unleashed a terrific shot that hit the top corner of the Rattoo net like a torpedo and Dynamos retired 2-0 at half time and it truth it was difficult to see how the Ballyduff side could stage a comeback.

Rattoo to be fair did restart with gusto and Boyle and Leahy tried to get through but Cassidy was unbeatable while Fitzgerald and Samier were in control in midfield so Dynamos were soon back in control. However, Rattoo were given a life line when Edward Duggan incurred the wrath of the referee and received a second yellow in the 55th minute and so Dynamos were down to 10 men.

Rattoo failed to take advantage though and it was Dynamos who wrapped up the game in the 65th minute when Cassidy played a superb ball over the top to his best mate, Damien Diggins. Diggins beat the Rattoo offside trap before clinically finishing to the net and the striker in form, had scored his sixth goal in three games as Dynamos moved out of range for Rattoo.

The Ballyduff side never gave up but it was an unequal struggle as the Tralee side always looked that bit more composed. Rattoo did get a late consolation when they were awarded a penalty in the 82nd minute and O’Carroll beat Cotter but that was as good as it got and Dynamos played out time to advance to the next round.

Rattoo Rovers: J Murphy, K Godley, B O’Sullivan, K Boyle, J O’Carroll, E Joy, A Boyle, J Bunyan, J P Leahy, L Boyle, G O’Brien. Sub used: M Bowler.

Tralee Dynamos: T Cotter, K McCannon, E Cassidy, M O’Rahilly, P Daly, B Stack, J White, M Fitzgerald, V Samier, E Duggan and D Diggins. Subs: M Lynch for V Samier, Lulu for B Stack, D Crotty for J White.

Referee: J O’Connor