Annacurra in the ascendency but lights failure leaves fixture in the dark

TIME WAS when a headline like that that was all but banned in the GAA.

If those two little words appeared on a results sheet it started a stampede of journalists from the national papers wanting to hear all about the bloodbath or whatever.

You had a big job persuading them that there was, or could be, a simple answer - sure this is Wicklow - 'aint they always at it’.

Behind every abandoned match there has to be a story, big or small - and generally a loser, and this one is no exception.

While in this case the reason was quite simple - the flood lights failed with time almost up - the losers in the end could very well be Annacurra.

After an even enough match Annacurra appeared to be staying the distance the better and with a little over five minutes to go they struck for two goals and were coasting home.

Coolkenno were fighting back, had got a point from a close in free and missed another when we were all plunged into darkness.

Referee Ciaran Fleming could not even check his watch and had to get assistance from a spectator with a flash lamp.

There was two minutes plus extra time still to be played and after waiting around for another eight minutes he abandoned the match.

The outcome will now be decided in the board room.

This was a nice, close match where we were learning quite a bit about both teams.

First thing was that Rathvilly man, Paddy Molloy, was getting Annacurra into nice shape and come championship time they could be quite a force. Alan Byrne was making the fitness built up with the county team tell and was the driving force behind a team with a few nice young players.

The other side of the coin was not so bright. The Intermediate champions Coolkenno are struggling to find their feet in Senior ranks.

They lost their real leader Paddy Dalton who went over on an ankle early enough on and was a big loss.

On the plus side Don Jackman is still going strong and his ability under the high ball could still be useful to Harry.

Alright, he has not got the radar system working right just yet. While David Tompkins is shaping up in attack, the question is, have Coolkenno enough young players to make a real input in Senior ranks?

Annacurra got off to the better start with the Horan brothers and Ian McDonald sending over points. Coolkenno kicked a few bad wides before David Tompkins got their first point in the 12th minute.

Annacurra were leading by 0-5 to 0-1 when Conor Walker struck for the first goal of the match, a point by Eamonn Rossitar brought the sides level but points bt Clive Horan and Mick O'Brien sent Annacurra in with a slender lead - 0-7 to 1-3 at half time.

Alan Byrne had a point to extend the Annacurra lead early in the second half but points by Jackman and Eamonn Rossitar brought the sides level again.

Annacurra went two points up again but Again Eamonn Rossotar pointes frees to level the game once more

With just five minutes to go Annacurra struck for home; Clive Horan found a gap in a none too steady Coolkenno defence and blasted home a goal and almost from the kick out the home side were in again. This time a high lob was fumbled by the defence, it may even have been an OG but Colm Maher probably got the last touch.

Even though Coolkenno were fighting back it did appear that it was Annacurra's night - and then the lights failed.

ANNACURRA

Bob Fitzgerald; Jack O'Sullivan, Vincent Flaherty, James Keenan; Liam Moules, Alan Byrne(0-1), Paul McDonald; Mick O'Brien (0-3),Martin O'Brien; Alan Horan(0-1), Ian McDonald(0-4), Dean Barnes; Clive Horan (1-2), Colm Maher(1-0),Nessan O'Sullivan.

COOLKENNO

John Corcoran; Niall Keogh, Stevie Cush, Shane Walker; Colm Murphy, Bobby Keogh, Pierce McCarthy; Ben Jackman, Paddy Dalton; Brian Rossitar, David Tompkins (0-1), John Gregan; Eamonn Rossiter (0-4), Don Jackman (0-1), Conor Walker (1-3). Sub Brendan Byrne for Dalton. VENUE: Annacurra

REFEREE: Ciaran Fleming (Baltinglass)