The unstoppable force continues
Rathnew’s march appears relentless
RATHNEW AFC ARKLOW UNITED 4 0
‘A Rathnew Romp’ shouted the headline over the report from the Aughrim Motor Skoda Wicklow Cup final in the Wicklow and Bray People newspapers on Thursday, May 22, 1997.
A 4-0 victory over challengers Arklow United saw Tony Jameson’s side claim their third title on the trot while condemning Sean Kelty’s side to their third final defeat in as many weeks after they had lost the Noble Waste Premier Shield and Charlie Bishop Cup deciders at the hands of Arklow Town and the all-conquering Rathnew respectively.
Suggestions in then lead up to the final that Rathnew boss Tony Jameson would pack it in after securing the treble were quickly put to bed immediately after the final whistle by the man himself.
‘Today made me realise that it just wasn’t right to call it a day,’ he said. ‘We have a young side who I think are capable of winning the Leinster Junior Cup and having gone out at the quarter-finals this year, I think most involved with the club feel we have to put the record straight,’ he added.
Regarding the victory over Arklow United, James felt that it was a better all-round team performance from his players.
‘It was a great all-round team performance. We played a lot better this time round and showed what we are capable of. I feel sorry for Arklow who could have had a treble themselves so it must be really hard for them to take,’ he said.
There were two key moments that had a bearing on the final outcome, according to Jameson.
‘The save Holly (Robert Hollingsworth) made after five minutes was outstanding, right out of the top drawer. And they had a reasonable shout for a penalty. Had they both gone in United’s favour, we could be talking about a different story,’ he added.
Arklow United’s Sean Kelty said the defeat was all part of the learning process for his side.
‘It wasn’t the result we wanted. It proved to be a little too much for us but it’s all part of the learning process. Rathnew wanted it more on the day,’ he said.
‘In the Charlie Bishop, we failed to take our chances, in this, we failed to create chances which is what you have to do to win games,’ he added.
Kelty, like Jameson, felt that the penalty call was correct after Mark Doyle had appeared to handle inside the area.
‘I think it was a penalty. If it had been given, it could have been 1-1 at that stage. It’s the sort of decision which can change games,’ he said.
Kelty reflected on the season in the moments after the final whistle 23 years ago.
We had an excellent campaign considering it’s our first time in the Premier Division,’ he said. ‘We reached three finals and nothing to take back home for our supporters who travelled up three times. They have been great, as have our sponsors, Kitty’s Bar,’ he added.
Man of the match from the final was Rathnew’s Don Doyle who said that they didn’t take Arklow United for granted and that the Ferndale Park side had made them work hard for their victory.
‘It’s a great privilege to have been selected and an honour to play on such a good team,’ he said in relation to winning his award.
Club legend Joe Ronan collected his seventh Wicklow Cup winners medal that day.
‘This medal means as much to me as my first,’ he said. ‘This is by far the best team I’ve played with,’ he added.
Robert ‘Rosie’ Doyle was another to go down in the record books following the victory over Arklow United. He scored in the 1995 win against Gorey Rangers, the 1996 victory over Lens United and got on the scoresheet on this day in 1997.
‘I’m ecstatic to have scored again but I’m getting used to it at this stage,’ he said.
The aforementioned superb save from Robert Hollingsworth arrived after six minutes of this final when he turned Paul Kelty’s 25-yard drive over his crossbar.
This narrow escape seemed to spur Rathnew on and Robert Doyle’s free-kick was only half cleared to the edge of the area where MIck McDonald was waiting. His rising shot was parried by United goalkeeper Brian Hersee into the path of the waiting Robert
Doyle who blasted home to the roof of the net for the only goal of a closely contested first half.
Chris Sillery came in for the injured Clifford Murphy (hamstring) at the break and Mark Doyle reverted back to centre half where the moment of major controversy would erupt early in the second half.
Doyle was reported to have handled two yards inside his area but referee Fran Martin awarded a free outside. A converted penalty at this stage may well have changed the complexion of this encounter but it was not to be.
Hollingsworth’s kick-out caught the Arklow United defence ball watching and Anthony Mernagh ghosted in off the left wing to head the second over the stranded Hersee.
Seven minutes from time, Chris Sillery grabbed the third and then Joe Ronan capped a fine team performance when he stroked home from two yards after Hersee had saved from Sillery.