Giant killers Rathnew join Rovers in Cup semis

TWO OF the Wicklow Cup semi-finalists have been confirmed and one of them slayed a giant to get there.

Rathnew AFC C of Division 3 North travelled to Finlay Park on Sunday to take on Andy McEvoy Premier 1 side Wicklow Town A and they claimed the hosts’ scalp against all odds.

John Sayer opened the scoring as the fired home an outrageous free kick early in the first half before David O’Connor levelled a few minutes into the second period.

Ten men Rathnew hung on for the rest of normal time and survived extra time to set up penalties. The shoot-out proved to be nothing short of incredible, as Rathnew edged it 3-4 after 16 penalties had been struck. A full report on that fascinating encounter is available in today’s newspaper.

Ashford Rovers faced the threat of a banana skin as they visited Ferndale Park for a clash with Arklow United B.

Midfielder Finn Brooks set the visitors on their way in the first half but Craig Kinsella put the wind up Rovers with an equaliser after the interval.

Goalscoring ace Dean Mooney ensured there’d be no embarrassment for the Ballinalea Park men though as he netted the winner late on.