Close affair as Rovers ‘A’ claim Premier title
This became extremely interesting when the game went to penalties and Ciaran Coffey was the first man up to take the spot kick. More about that anon.
Secondly, it was the ‘B; team who took the lead thanks to a stunning free kick from Sean Leonard who lashed the ball home past Rossa Marron in the ‘A’ goals.
It had looked like the ‘A’ side were going to boss this encounter but there’s simply no accounting for passion and will to win and, despite the dominance in terms of possession which the ‘A’ side were enjoying, the ‘B’ team made deadlier use of what limited supply they had.
It remained 1-0 to the underdogs at the break and that looked set for a rapid change when Stuart Cox stepped up to take a penalty he won himself shortly after the re-start. However, Sean Coffey is a formidable sight on the goal line and he saved a poorly placed strike and the rebounding ball was eventually cleared.
It would have been amazing had the ‘B’ outfit managed to survive but as the game went on the likelihood of that seemed to get less and less and in the 35th minute Luca Rampersaud was played on and he fired home from close range to level matters.
There was plenty of drama in both halves of extra-time with the crossbar being smacked at one stage but eventually we were all set for penalties.
Up stepped Ciaran Coffey to take a spot kick against his brother Sean. Ciaran struck, Sean dived, but Ciaran scored.
Thinsg weren’t looking too healthy when Cian O’Brien’s shot was saved by Ross Marron 14 penalties later (one re-take) the responsibility of keeping the ‘B’ side in it fell to Tom Farrell but Rossa Marron was now in the zone and he saved well from Farrell’s strike and the celebrations began in style.
Wicklow Rovers A: 1. Rossa Marron, 2. Adam Cuddihy, 3. Eli Graham, 4. Daniel Harbourne, 5. Jack Gibney, 6. Liam Ronan, 7. Jack Dunne, 8. Luca Rampersaud, 9. Stuart Cox, 10. Stephen Finlay, 11. Patrick O’Keane. Subs: 12. Paul King, 13. Ciaran Coffey, 14. Ronan Murray, 15. James Lewis, 16. Jack Evans.
Wicklow Rovers B: 1. Sean Coffey, 2. Fiaichra O Briain, 3. Luke Whyte, 4. Cian O’Brien, 5. Tom Farrell, 6. Shane Cullinan, 7. Jack Colaluca, 19. Sean Leonard, 9. Conor Byrne, 10. Shane Lincoln, 11, Daniel Fitzsimons. Subs: 12. Sean Farrell, 14. Owen Shreenan.
Referee: Tony ‘Butch’ Doran. KIEREN GRIFFITH played his captain’s role superbly as he netted a fantastic hat-trick.
He was joined on the scoresheet by Sam Condon, Michael Prendergast and Erica Conroy, who netted from the penalty spot as the young Glens bounced back from their heart-breaking Shield final defeat a few days earlier.
Glencormac United: 1. Charlie Ward, 2. Shane Merriman, 3. Simon Jacinski, 4. Conor Giles, 5. Michael Prendergast, 6. Sam Condon, 7. Kieran Griffith, 8. Erica Conroy, 10. David Honan, 11. Luke Honan.
Greystones United: 1. Qveinge Tsumbo, 2. Daniel Callaghan, 3. Sam Farrar, 4. Daniel O’Brien, 5. Jack Cullen, 6. Emmet Beatty, 7. Jack O’Brien, 9. Oliver Orr, 10. Je- thro Mason, 11. Hugh Carr. Subs: 12. Jake McCormack, 13. Andrew Kiernan, 14. John King.