All roads led to Travers Insurance Park this evening as our under 14A's took on Kilcullen FC in the SFAI South Leinster Regional Final. This was Rovers second successive year making the regional final after been edged out 4-3 after extra time to Portlaoise last year. Rovers started the game on the front foot and created a couple of half chances with Zach Kavanagh going close on one occasion. Rovers were on top for the first fifteen minutes but then got hit on the counter attack as Kilcullen scored to edge in front. Kilcullen then wrestled control in the middle of the park with the Kilcullen number 8 dictating matters. Sam Czwalina came to Rovers rescue with a brave save at the feet of the Kilcullen number 9. Five minutes before the break Rovers were on level terms, Sam and Kale Conyard combined from a corner, the cross was finished off by Dan Connolly for an equaliser. Three minutes later Rovers were in front when David McCormack nipped in to put Rovers 2-1 up to send the large Rovers crowd wild. The teams went in at the interval with Rovers shading the half and leading 2-1. The second half saw Kilcullen attack Rovers in search of an equaliser, both sides created some half chances and Rovers had Harry Bowen to thank with a couple of timely interventions. With time running out Sam Conyard got on to a through ball and his powerful shot was well saved by the keeper. Kilcullen broke down field and won a disputed free out wide on the right of the Rovers area. The ball was sent in to the back post where the ball was finished off for a Kilcullen leveller amid wild celebrations. All level when the referee blew the final whistle seconds later. The first period of extra time saw Kilcullen hit the front early to go 3-2 up. At this stage Kilcullen were on top and Rovers looked shell shocked. But to this young Rovers side's credit they showed great character to battle back. Just before half time in extra time David McCormack put in some great work on the right and then had the vision to pull the ball back to the edge of the area for Sam Conyard to blast home an unstoppable screamer and we were all square again at 3-3. The second half of extra time failed to provide a winner and it was on to the dreaded penalty shootout. A terrible way to finish what was an epic final between two evenly matched teams. Rovers first four penalties were dispatched with power and efficiency with Sam and Kale Conyard, Richard Carton, and Zach Kavanagh all coolly firing home. Kilcullen saw their second penalty which was hit well excellently saved by Sam Czwalina. It was all down to the last spot kicks, after four penalties Rovers led 4-3, Kilcullen stepped up and fired home to make it 4-4 with one Rovers spot kick remaining. Young goalkeeper Sam Czwalina has to be admired, not only for his crucial save which gave Rovers the advantage in the shootout, he bravely stepped up to take the final penalty and coolly slotted low into the bottom left hand corner to win it for Rovers and send the Rovers supporters into a frenzy. Take a bow young Sam Czwalina. There were no losers here today as both teams left everything on the pitch. Both teams had their good spells in the game and there was definitely nothing between the sides. Both teams were a credit to their clubs. We would like to thank Kilcullen FC for their part they played in an epic final, we wish you the best of luck on Wednesday in your quest for your league title. Good luck Kilcullen. Congratulations to Mo, Swazy, Lenny and the whole squad on a great achievement and well deserved after the heartbreak in last years final. The full squad is as follows: Sam Czwalina, Ryan Cox, Ben O'Leary, Harry Bowen, Kale Conyard, Zach kavanagh, Sam Conyard, Tommy Morrisey, David McCormack, Richard Carton, Daniel Connolly, Luke Connolly, Robbie McCoy, Tiernan Shortall and Jack Madden. Once again well done Mo, Swazy, Lenny and the whole squad on a great achievement 🏆👏🟢⚪️