2017 League of Ireland Cup final explained

2017 League of Ireland Cup Final
Event:	2017 League of Ireland Cup
Team1:	Shamrock Rovers
Team1score:	0
Team2:	Dundalk
Team2score:	3
Date:	16 September 2017
Stadium:	Tallaght Stadium
City:	Dublin
Referee:	Derek Tomney
Attendance:	4,102
Previous:	2016
Next:	2018

The 2017 League of Ireland Cup Final was the final match of the 2017 League of Ireland Cup (called the EA Sports Cup for sponsorship purposes), a knock-out association football competition contested annually by clubs affiliated with the League of Ireland. It took place on 17 September 2017 at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, and was contested by Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers. Dundalk won 3–0 to win the competition for the sixth time.

Background

The League Cup was the first trophy of the 2017 League of Ireland season. The two sides had met three times in the League already that season, with Dundalk winning the first match and Rovers the next two.^[1] Dundalk had last won the cup in 2014 (defeating Rovers in the final), and reached the final by defeating UCD in a penalty shoot-out (after a 1–1 draw), Waterford (3–0), and Galway United (3–0).^[2]

Shamrock Rovers had last won the League Cup in 2013. To get to the final they overcame Bohemians (3–1), Longford Town (1–0) and Cork City (1–0 after extra-time).^[3]

The final was broadcast live on Eir Sport.

Match

Summary

David McMillan put Dundalk ahead with a header from a corner after five minutes, and there were chances for both sides in the rest of the first half, with Rovers hitting the post on one occasion. The second half saw Dundalk dominate, particularly after Aaron Bolger was sent off for a reckless challenge on Dundalk defender Niclas Vemmelund. Patrick McEleney got their second with a strike from the edge of the penalty area in the 81st minute, and deep into injury time substitute Thomas Stewart scored a third to seal the club's sixth League Cup.^{[4] [5] [6]}

Details

GK Tomer Chencinski DF David Webster DF Roberto Lopes DF Simon Madden MF Trevor Clarke MF MF Ronan Finn MF Aaron Bolger MF Brandon Miele MF CF Substitutes: MF 22 MF 29 FW 10 Manager: Stephen Bradley

GK 22 RB 2 CB 19 Niclas Vemmelund CB 15 LB 12 Shane Grimes RM 10 CM 5 (c) CM 18 LM 7 CAM 11 CF 9 Substitutes: MF 24 Stephen Kinsella MF 6 FW 26 Manager: Stephen Kenny

External links

EA SPORTS Cup Final - Behind The Scenes. FAI TV, via YouTube

Notes and References

1. Web site: FIXTURES FOR 2017 LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION . www.extratime.ie . 21 November 2019.
2. Web site: DUNDALK 2017 . www.extratime.ie . 21 November 2019.
3. Web site: SHAMROCK ROVERS 2017 . www.extratime.ie . 21 November 2019.
4. Web site: Dundalk see off 10-man Rovers to claim EA Sports Cup. 16 September 2017. RTE Sport. 19 September 2017.
5. Web site: Dundalk claim eighth trophy in four seasons as Lilywhites down sorry Hoops in Tallaght. 16 September 2017. The 42. 19 September 2017.
6. Web site: Dundalk ease past 10-man Rovers to claim cup glory. 16 September 2017. Irish Independent. 19 September 2017.