McGettigan earns a share of the spoils for Wicklow Rovers

WICKLOW Rovers’ Leinster Senior side travelled to take on Kilbarrack United on Saturday evening in what was always going to be a tough assignment.

The assignment was made all the harder after a confidence busting performance against Ardmore Rovers in midweek in which Wicklow never performed to their potential losing 4-1.

Rovers showed what they were made of, showing great character to earn a share of the spoils in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Wicklow didn’t get off to the best of starts as they found themselves 1-0 down after fifteen minutes.

To Rovers credit they showed their battling qualities to fight back and they deservingly drew level when Ian Brannigan fired home a screamer for his fourth goal of the campaign, a goal worthy of winning a game never mind levelling proceedings.

It was end to end football with both sides going for it in a fast open game.

With the half-time break fast approaching Ciaran McGettigan popped up with his first goal of the season in his first start to give Rovers a 2-1 lead going into the break.

On the resumption Rovers got caught cold when the home team equalised.

Kilbarrack then nosed themselves in front on the hour mark which was a bit harsh on the Rovers team.

Rovers didn’t lay down, they battled on in pursuit of a third goal, they were creating the chances and after knocking on the door their efforts were rewarded with five minutes remaining on the clock when McGettigan popped up to fire home his second of the game and Rovers third.

All in all both sides contributed to an entertaining game of football and a draw was probably a fair and fitting outcome. On the night every player played their part but a special mention goes to Ian Brannigan for his thunderbolt of a strike and to Luke Byrne, Ciaran McGettigan and Tom Smullen who stood out for Rovers.