Munster Champions Cup Semi-Final
Ringmahon Rangers 2 – 1 St. Michaels (AET)
Ringmahon Rangers booked their place in a first-ever Munster Champions Cup Final after edging out St. Michaels 2–1 in Ringmahon Park, with Osobor Kennedy’s extra-time penalty proving the difference.
The TSDL side made the dream start, going ahead after just four minutes. Russell Quirke slipped a clever pass into Daniel O’Dwyer, who showed strength to hold off Alan Higgins before finishing coolly into the bottom corner.
But the lead didn’t last long. Only two minutes later, Jordan Delurey’s curling free kick struck the post and rolled across goal, where Oran Ross reacted quickest to bundle home the equaliser. The home side pressed on, with Delurey forcing a smart stop from Adam Gallagher, while Saints went close through O’Dwyer and Quirke in an evenly-matched first half.
The second period was scrappy, both defences standing strong. Ringmahon threatened from set pieces with Delurey, while substitute Willie Armshaw added some spark for Saints, but neither side could find a breakthrough and it finished level after 90 minutes.
Extra time brought drama. On 98 minutes, Dario Murphy Greene was adjudged to have fouled Aidan O’Shea in the area, and Osobor Kennedy held his nerve from the spot to fire Ringmahon ahead. St. Michaels threw everything forward late on, Daniel O’Dwyer seeing a close-range effort dramatically cleared off the line during a late goalmouth scramble, but the Cork side held on.
The final whistle sparked huge celebrations as Ringmahon advanced to their first Champions Cup Final, while a gallant St. Michaels were left to reflect on what might have been.
Scorers
Ringmahon Rangers: Oran Ross (6’), Osobor Kennedy (98’ pen)
St. Michaels: Daniel O’Dwyer (4’)
Ringmahon Rangers XI
Cian O’Connor, James O’Callaghan, Oran Ross, Alan Higgins, Dylan O’Regan Forde, Kalem Cashman, Aidan O’Shea, Osobor Kennedy, Ivan Abrumets, Jordan Delurey, Adam O’Callaghan.
Subs: Dean McCarthy, James Morrissey, Humberto Januero, Eoin Murphy, Derek O’Sullivan, Ron Keating, Aaron O’Brien Towlef.
St. Michaels XI
Adam Gallagher, Colin Bargary, Donagh Hickey, Dario Murphy Greene, DJ Cremins, Ed O’Dwyer, Jimmy Carr, Sami Laaksonen, Daniel O’Dwyer, Russell Quirke, Jake Ffrench Davis.
Subs: Willie Armshaw, David Slattery, Josh Healy, Denis Cremins, Darragh Bresnan, Faolan Doyle.
Verdict
A compelling semi-final that swung both ways, decided ultimately by a penalty in extra time. Ringmahon Rangers showed resilience to recover from an early setback and took their chance when it mattered most. St. Michaels, for their part, will rue missed opportunities and a late goalmouth scramble that might have forced penalties, but they contributed fully to a hard-fought contest. Ringmahon advance to a first-ever Champions Cup Final, while Saints bow out with credit for their effort and endeavour.