Ten-man Crusaders claim Setanta Cup against Derry City

Crusaders 2 Derry City 2, AET: Crusaders won 5-4 on pens

Sean O’Neill and Gareth McKeown were the Crusaders heroes in a dramatic penalty shootout as the Belfast club won the Setanta Sports Cup at the Oval this afternoon.

With the shootout tied at 4-4 after the designated five kicks each, sudden death penalties were required. Crusaders’ keeper O’Neill saved from Dermot McCaffrey leaving substitute McKeon to step up to slot home the deciding kick.

It was no more than Stephen Baxter's side deserved as they created much the better chances over the 120 minutes of play.

Despite being the better side, Crusaders fell behind on 81 minutes of normal time when Rory Patterson collected Owen Morrison’s pass inside the area to sidefoot a shot past O'Neill.

But in further late drama, Crusaders levelled on 87 minutes when skipper Colin Coates headed home a Stuart Dallas free-kick. Derry were furious as they felt keeper Ger Doherty had been fouled by David Rainey as the ball came into the box.

Crusaders had full back Stephen McBride sent off for a second booking for a foul on Patterson in stoppage time.

Coates then put Crusaders ahead five minutes into extra-time after Doherty failed to gather a ball into his area.

Back came Derry with Patterson scoring again from a penalty in the 102nd minute, after a handball by Paul Leeman, to force the shootout.