ROCKMOUNT AIM FOR BACK TO BACK INTERMEDIATE CUP GLORY
READY TO ROLL: Stephen Bradley, Gavin Cullen (Cockhill Celtic) and Eddie Kenny and Luke Casey (Rockmount AFC ) at the FAI Intermediate Cup press conference in Abbotstown midweek.
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Preview | Cockhill Celtic v Rockmount
FAI Intermediate Cup Final
Rockmount will be looking to defend their FAI Intermediate Cup title against Cockhill Celtic with the final set for the Showgrounds in Sligo on Sunday.
It is the first time in their long history that Cockhill Celtic have reached the final of the Intermediate Cup after an impressive run to the final.
Rockmount, who beat Bluebell United in last year's final, will be looking to claim consecutive Intermediate Cup titles on Sunday with a number of Ireland Amateur internationals set to feature.
Match Details
Competition: FAI Intermediate Cup Final
Fixture: Rockmount v Cockhill Celtic
Date: Sunday, April 23
Kick-off: 2pm
Venue: The Showgrounds, Sligo
Tickets: €10 adults | €5 children | On the gate
TV: FAITV Official YouTube Channel
Official Match Programme: Download here
Match Officials
Referee: John McCarthy
Assistant Referee1: Sean Boyd
Assistant Referee 2: Mick Hughes
Fourth Official: Dave Gallagher
Cockhill Celtic - Route to the Final
Round One - Ulster
Bye: Cockhill Celtic
Round Two - Ulster
Bonagee Utd 0 - 2 Cockhill Celtic
Round Three
Cockhill Celtic 1-0 Liffey Wanderers
Round Four
Avondale United 2-3 (AET) Cockhill Celtic
Quarter-Final
Drumcondra FC 0-3 Cockhill Celtic FC
Semi-Finals
Ringmahon Rangers FC 0-1 Cockhill Celtic FC
Rockmount - Route to the Final
Round One - Munster
Douglas Hall AFC 1-3 (AET) Rockmount AFC
Round Two - Munster
Rockmount AFC 4-0 Macroom FC
Round Three
Carrigaline United AFC 1-5 Rockmount AFC
Round Four
Usher Celtic 3-4 (AET) Rockmount AFC
Quarter-Finals
Rockmount AFC 3-1 Kilbarrack United FC
Semi-Finals
Lucan United FC 0-2 Rockmount AFC
What he said - Cockhill Celtic manager Gavin Cullen
"It is the first time ever that a club from Inishowen has reached this level of club football in Ireland so it is an achievement in itself to get there. A few years of trying and a lot of hard work over a number of years building up to this moment.
"For Cockhill, we've been knocking on the door for a few years and we always had the belief that we were a match for anybody at this level but obviously you've still got to go and do it.
"We've got a core group at the club who've set a high standard over the years and have set that winning mentality within our own league and now, it has carried on to the national level. New players have come but brought into that winning mentality and kept that culture we've created at the club going and that has been essential in our progression as a club."
Watch the FAITV Interview with Gavin Cullen here
What he said - Rockmount manager Eddie Kenny
"Huge occasion again. We're delighted to be back here and we're not taking it for granted. Hugely proud of the lads to get to the final in consecutive seasons after a hard start to the competition but really looking forward to it.
"Douglas Hall was our first test and they'd be a good rivalry there between the two clubs, Northside and Southside so we know it is always difficult there but also, everyone in the country would love to beat the holders in the very first game but we came through that and have progressed well I feel.
"Going back to the Usher Celtic game, it was helter-skelter and I remember after the game that one of the lads said we had the video of the match and I said I never want to see that game for the rest of my life! They're a good team and in the semi-finals, to beat Lucan who have the likes of Conor Clifford and Matt Byrne in the side so we've came through the tough tests to get here."
Watch the FAITV Interview with Eddie Kenny here
Player Pre-Match - Cockhill Celtic captain James Bradley
"It means a lot. It has been a tough run to the final, we've had to travel a fair bit and faced some difficult opponents but we're now fully focused on the final and looking forward to it," said Bradley.
"We defend from the front as a team, that's the hard work mentality that we've got, they boys work really hard across the pitch. Lee McColgan, who has been with the Amateur team, has really helped us come on over the past few years as well as Peter (Doherty), who was in the Amateur team too, is a incredible leader."
Watch the FAITV Interview with James Bradley here
Player Pre-Match - Rockmount winger Luke Casey
"There is a few players involved with the Irish Amateurs from Cockhill so we're expecting a tough game. There hasn't been any text messages to Lee (McColgan) yet! I'll say we'll leave it until after the game.
"You know, from what I know of Lee is that he is very passionate and committed to the game so if there is another ten of them, it'll be a really tough game for us but we're looking forward to it."
Watch the FAITV Interview with Luke Casey here
Cockhill Celtic - Match-day Squad
Goalkeepers: Harry Doherty, Daniel Houghton, Gavin Cullen
Defenders: Jason Breslin, Lee McColgan, Peter Doherty, Lee McLaughlin, Fionn McClure, Odhran O Brien Daly, Keegan Hegarty, Adam McCarron, Oisin McColgan
Midfielders: James Bradley, Adam McLaughlin, Daniel Doherty, Paddy Slevin
Forwards: Garbhan Friel, Stephen Duffy, Adam Duffy, Corey McBride, Christy McLaughlin, Callum Gillen, Luke Rudden
Rockmount - Match-day Squad
Goalkeepers: Brendan O'Connell, Adam Mylod, Karol Malecki
Defenders: Jack O'Sullivan, Adam Crowley, Jason Sexton, Martin Connolly, Cian Murphy,
Colin Hanifin, James O'Connell
Midfielders: Ian Mylod, Danny Aherne, Niall Hanley, Hughie O'Donovan, Nathan Broderick, Luke Casey, Eoin Murphy, Bradley Walsh, Daniel Smith
Forwards: Cian Leonard, Colm Healy, Daniel Leonard, Jake Courtney
