McGann steers Pike Rovers to Lawson Cup glory

*Steven McGann. Photograph: Oliver Fitzpatrick

ENNIS’ STEVEN MCGANN captained Pike Rovers as they claimed the Lawson Cup on Thursday night.

Pike Rovers recorded a 2-0 win over rivals Fairview Rangers to get their hands on the Lawson Cup at Jackman Park which drew a decent attendance for a Thursday evening.

It is the second big win in the space of a week that Pike have recorded over the Munster Junior Cup champions. On Sunday, they had a 2-1 victory in the Limerick District League Premier Division play-off to take the Fran Mullaly trophy after the sides finished tied at the summit of the top flight table at the end of the regular season.

McGann who was captain of the victorious team played a part in both goals for Robbie Williams’ side. With fifty nine minutes on the clock, he sent in a ball from the left which found substitute Kevin Barry who impressively controlled the ball on his chest before dispatching an excellent finish to the back of the net.

There was a double Clare connection for the goal that sealed the deal. In the closing moments, Colm Walsh O’Loghlen also of Ennis, won possession in midfield and found Brendan O’Dwyer but his shot was stopped and pushed into the direction of McGann who made no mistake to head the ball to the back of the net.

Twenty seven year old McGann has been playing soccer in Limerick since he turned thirteen, this included a stint with Limerick FC and he has now been six seasons with Pike. Both Walsh O’Loghlen and Steven were joined on the starting team by fellow Ennis man, Paddy O’Malley formerly of Avenue Utd.

Adding to the Clare contingent with the Limerick club is the involvement of physical therapist John Earls. ‘The Dude’ is currently involved with the St Breckans senior footballers and Newmarket-on-Fergus senior hurlers while he was also part of Donie Garrihy’s backroom team which guided Clare to two Oscar Traynor titles.

Shannon’s Eoin Duff was part of the Fairview squad and was introduced from the bench to try snatch a goal.