Other days when Garden went goal-crazy

WICKLOW finding the net a magnificent seven times last Saturday had plenty scurrying to the record books wondering how often had that feat been achieved by the footballers in the recent past.

After Wexford’s somewhat surprising win down in Rathkeale last Sunday the ruthlessness that the Wicklow players showed in Aughrim has now became a real plus point.

A draw in Wexford Park could see score difference kick in if results require and this will have us in the box seat for promotion.

In March of 1978 Kilkenny were on the wrong end of an 8-12 to 4-4 league defeat in Aughrim. Not to take anything away from the Wicklow team on the day but Kilkenny had travelled very weak.

They had to draft in their football board Chairman and two of their selectors to have a team at all. Wicklow led 4-6 to 1-2 at the break even after playing against a gale force wind.

It was comfortable all through with all starting forwards and both midfielders getting on the scoreboard. Tommy Foley scored one of his many hat-tricks of goals for Wicklow.

The team and scorers that day were: Brian Finnegan (St Patricks); Liam McGraynor (Avondale), John Lyons (Ballinastoe), Bobby Dignam (Rathnew); Pat Doyle (Avondale), Brian Laide (Avondale), Sean Daynes (Dunlavin); Mosey Coffey (Rathnew, 2-1), Pat Quinn (Blessington, 1-2); Pat Baker (Avondale, 1-2), Tommy Murphy (Baltinglass, 0-3), Owen Doyle (Avondale, 0-1); Eamon Dunne (Dunlavin, 1-2), Tommy Foley (Dunlavin, 3-0), Johnny

Allen (Dunlavin, 0-1). Subs used: Pat Esmonde and Brendan Cunningham (both Dunlavin)

It was to happen again in early February 1981.

This was also a strange game as the Carlow county board had granted Éire Óg permission to represent them in the game in Dr Cullen Park.

Éire Óg were to play Walterstown from Meath later in February in the Leinster Senior club football final.

Wicklow won all seven games in their division that year before losing out to Armagh in the league quarter final in Croke Park.

Like last Saturday Wicklow held their opponents to just one score in the opening half and led 4-1 to 0-1 at the break.

The goals came from Tommy Murphy, Pat O’Byrne and a brace from Fr. Declan Foley in a comfortable opening half.

It finished 7-4 to 1-4 in a game not of great benefit to either set of players.

This was one of the few times Wicklow scored more goals than points in a game.

The Wicklow team that day lined out as follows: Johnny Kavanagh (Kilcoole); Gary Hurley (Ballymoney), John Lyons (Ballinastoe), John Dooley (Baltinglass); Owen Doyle (Avondale), Pat O’Toole (Blessington), Keith Ryan (St Fergals); Pat Byrne (St Patricks), Pat O’Byrne (Raheens, Kildare 1-0); John Lynch (Newtown), Pat Baker (Avondale, 1-2), Brian Kilcoyne (Baltinglass); Con Murphy (Baltinglass, 1-0), Tommy Murphy (Baltinglass, 1-1), Fr. Declan Foley (Rathangan Kildare 3-0). Subs used Richard Harmon (Kiltegan), Mick Doyle (Carnew Emmets) and Martin Hennessy (Blessington).