Semi-final ‘right’ will spur Rockmount in replay

VIDEO evidence has convinced Rockmount of the Munster Senior League that they should already be in the semi-finals of the FAI Carlsberg Cup.

The belief has steeled them for tonight’s fascinating quarter-final

replay with Waterford United at Turner’s Cross (7.30pm kick-off).

Rockmount players and officials are not publicly making a song and dance about the refereeing decisions that

denied them two goals in the 2-2 drawn match in Waterford last week, but frustration lurks under the surface.

Rockmount were leading 2-0 when Shane Hennessy hammered the ball into the Waterford net for a third time, only to be called back by the referee. Then, with the teams tied 2-2 in the third minute of added time, Pat Keane headed in a corner, only to have the score disallowed again.

Rockmount secretary John O’Shea would go no further than to say: “We believe we would be in the semi-finals but for two bad decisions. I hope I don’t get into trouble with the FAI now over saying that.”

Manager Billy Cronin, who was on holiday in Florida for the drawn match, commented: “I’ve come back from one hurricane into another. I didn’t give ourselves any chance in the first game and I suppose it will be harder this time round. Waterford were probably a little too relaxed in the first game, especially after scoring seven against Kilkenny.”

Rockmount’s exciting Cup run r ecalls 1983 when Cobh Ramblers, then in the Munster Senior League, went to the semi-finals before losing after four games to Sligo Rovers.

Rockmount have built their own reputation as a cup team over many seasons. They conceded one goal in nine matches on the way to winning the FAI Intermediate Cup last May.

Rockmount are unlucky in that the counter-attractions will inevitably hit the attendance and deny them the financial return they deserve. They were offered any one of the first three nights of this week but guessed that Cork’s hurlers would return with the Cup on Monday, chose not to go up against Celtic v Barcelona on TV last night and they find themselves now clashing with the GOAL match and Manchester United on TV.

Their efforts to extend their winning run that saw them knock College Corinthians, Portmarnock and Monaghan United out of the Cup have not been helped by injuries to captain Pat Oldham, centre-forward Michael Deasy and centre-back Alan Martin Deasy scored the two goals that beat Monaghan and in his absence Rory Beechinor will probably operate as a lone centre-forward. He will be in competition with Ben Whelehan and Dave Breen in a Waterford team without centre-back Pat Purcell.

Manager Alan Reynolds is expected to start in central midfield and also due back is Wayne Fitzgerald, who will operate alongside Reynolds. Waterford will again be without Vinny Sullivan, who has been forced to miss a lot of matches in recent weeks.