Fingal win cup to pen 'amazing story'

The Republic of Ireland's newest club, Sporting Fingal FC, brought the country's domestic season to a dramatic conclusion by overcoming Sligo Rovers FC 2-1 in the FAI Cup final.

Last-gasp winner
Founded two years ago, the Dublin outfit secured promotion to the Premier Division six days ago and are now celebrating their first ever piece of silverware. Top-flight Sligo were favourites ahead of the showpiece, the first to be played at the Tallaght Stadium, and when Eoin Doyle put them ahead on 57 minutes it seemed they were set to lift the trophy for the first time since 1994. All that changed in the last six minutes, however, starting when Sligo goalkeeper Ciaran Kelly brought down Éamon Zayed, allowing Colm James to level from the spot. Then, in the first minute of added time, striker Gary O'Neill headed in the winner from Robert Bayly's cross.

European football
"It's an amazing feeling," said Fingal manager and former Republic of Ireland international Liam Buckley, whose side earned themselves a tilt at next season's UEFA Europa League in the process. "Three years ago, this club was only an idea and now here we are, guaranteed Premier Division football and Europa League football next season, and we have the FAI Cup as well. It's an amazing story."