Novel Challenge Cup final in store

It’s a Joe’s Bar sponsored Challenge Cup final that few would have predicted.

Division Two side Cloonfad United come up against Premier Division outfit CP Ajax in an intriguing decider this Sunday at RDFL headquarters, Lecarrow (kick-off at 3 p.m.).

It would have taken a brave punter to back this pairing before a ball was kicked in anger. However, both sides are deserving of their place in the showpiece event of the Roscommon and District League season.

Cloonfad United, who are back in their first Challenge Cup decider since defeating Castlerea Celtic 2-1 in 2004, have scored 15 goals in their four Challenge Cup games to date, with dangerous striker Conor Flynn netting in their past three encounters.

The West Roscommon side have enjoyed a stellar season, claiming the Division Two title by going through the full league season unbeaten. Their progression to the Connacht Shield semi-final was another high point. Unfortunately, they came up just short in their first provincial last four clash in 29 years, losing 2-1 to a fancied Westport outfit.

The Division Two side have beaten Premier Division outfits in St. John’s and Moore United on their way to the final. A 2-1 win over Moore was highly impressive last Sunday, especially considering Cloonfad could have won in a more comfortable fashion after some excellent stops by Adam McManus in the opposition’s goal.

This may turn into a battle of the Cloonfad attack against a CP Ajax defence that has been nearly flawless to date. The Castleplunkett-based outfit have only conceded one goal in three games during their run to the final.

CP finished their Premier Division campaign on a high, securing fourth place in the table and avoiding a dramatic relegation battle that went down to the final day of the season.

They are renowned for playing a positive brand of football. After a slow opening ten minutes against Shiven Rovers in their semi-final last Sunday, the winners showed their class and youthful exuberance to run out commanding 3-1 winners.

Dan Connolly could play a pivotal role after the winger bagged a brace in their last four triumph, while Paul Mee’s ability to dictate the play in midfield will be tested by Cloonfad, particularly Frank Ronayne.

CP’s foundation is a watertight defence with Ryan Larkin, who has operated as a defensive midfielder and centre-back in their past two games, a key figure. He has starred during his side’s quarter and semi-final triumphs and will need another commanding display on Sunday.

Cloonfad striker Conor Flynn is an ever-present threat, who can drop between the lines and cause issues for the opposition’s defence For Cloonfad, they will aim to cap a historic season and defy the odds once more. For CP Ajax this is a chance to capture a precious piece of silverware.

It should be a fascinating match.

CLOONFAD UNITED SQUAD: PJ Donnellan, Pauric Miskell; Luke McDermott, David Frayne, Conor Ruane (captain), Conor Donnellan, Dylan Connolly, Jack Harrington, Kevin Lynch; James Brennan, Dean Coyne, Matthew Frayne, Frank Ronayne, Seán Burke, James Cribben, Neil Morris; Daithí Gannon, Darragh Flynn, Robert Heneghan, Conor Flynn, Leigh Fitzpatrick.

CP AJAX SQUAD: Killian Higgins, James Egan, Gavin Callaghan, Darren Flynn, Daniel Connolly, Paul Mee, Ryan Larkin, David Coyne, Rowan Wagner, Pedro Jailes, Thomas Callaghan, Elias Junior Venancio, Michael Kelly, Shane Kilkenny, Ciarán Kilkenny, Colm Earley, Gearoid Kearney, Rory Kilkenny, Eoghan Flanagan, Denis Barron.