Our Leinster Senior team took on Ashbourne United in the final of the Lanigan cup today. The match took place in Capco Park home of Bluebell United and we must say the playing surface was in pristine condition. After a tentative opening ten minutes it was Rovers who threatened first, a high ball in saw Ciaran McGettigan beat the keeper to it only to see his looping header drop the wrong side of the post. In the twenty fourth minute Rovers had Arthur Delahunt to thank when he bravely came out to smother the ball at the striker's feet. Three minutes later we saw a piece of class, Davy O'Sullivan received the ball just outside the left hand corner of the area, took one touch and fired an unstoppable shot into the far right hand corner of the net to put Rovers one up. Thirty three minutes were gone when Ashbourne went close to levelling with an effort that clipped the crossbar. Three minutes later it was Rovers turn to hit the woodwork when McGettigan got on the end of a Peter Finnegan free only for his effort to hit the outside of the post. Rovers went in at the break 1-0 up. The second half started with Ashbourne on the front foot and Rovers had Ian Brannigan to thank with a last ditch interception to prevent an equaliser. Ashbourne were seeking a leveller and on sixty five minutes they got it. 1-1 and all to play for. Ashbourne's tails were up and they went in front with fifteen minutes remaining. Rovers pushed forward in search of an equaliser and had a couple of chances but to no avail. Deep into injury time Ashbourne killed off the game with a third goal. It was a great effort from the lads to reach the final but on the day Ashbourne shaded the match in the crucial areas of the pitch. On the day Ian Brannigan, Jamie Snell, Davy O'Sullivan and Jim Foley stood out for Rovers.