O’Hanrahan the hero with late try

GREYSTONES OLD WESLEY 20 13

IN a season where the Greystones firsts achieved their main of objective of qualifying for the All-Ireland League (Division 2) in the 1990/91 season after something of a mixed campaign, their club colleagues in the eighths team brought home silverware in the form of the Greenlea Cup after toppling Olf Wesley this week 30 years ago.

The game was reported on in the Bray and Wicklow People of the following week and the headline was grabbed by match-winner

Michael O’Hanrahan.

‘The Greystones eighths salvaged a lot of pride for the club when they overcame the challenge of a strong Old Wesley side in this thrilling Greenlea Cup final at Lakeland’s Park, Terenure, on Sunday.

‘With the scores tied at 13-13 going into injury-time, second row forward Michael O’Hanrahan burst through for the match-winning try and outhalf Jimmy Cleland added the conversion.

‘’Stones owed their victory to the fantastic tackling of their backs who stopped Wesley time and time again while the pack played magnificently as a unit.

‘There was some terrific line-out jumping from John O’Brien, who was captaining the side in the continued absence of the injured Martin Ryan.

‘Greystones trailed 4-3 at halftime with Jimmy Cleland getting them off the mark with a drop-goal. It was touch and go in the second half with both teams endeavouring to play good attacking rugby.

‘Greystones were rewarded with tries by Stephen Keating and John Spotswood, once of which was converted by Cleland.

The cheer could be heard all the way to Dr. Hickey Park when O’Hanrahan got the clinching score to secure the Greenlea Cup crown for Greystones.

Three memers of the club’s under-18 team – Mark Hogan, John Spotswood and Tiernan Brennan – made outstanding contributions to this victory.

After the match, club chairman Des Guilfoyle presented the players with their trophies.

Greystones: John Spotswood, Dave Coleman, Al Nolan, Tiernan Brennan, Emmet Brennan, Jimmy Cleland, John Galligan, Willie Byrne, Stephen Keating, Paul Higgins, John O’Brien, Michael O’Hanrahan, Mark Hogan, Aonghus Ward, Paul Roche. Subs: Martin Ryan, Jason Walsh and Justin O’Reilly.