Glory for Gorey after 54-year gap is bridged
GOREY RANGERS produced a dominant display when it mattered most, as a goal in each half eased them to a fully-merited Wexford Volkswagen Cup final win in Ferrycarrig Park on Sunday.
The north county men were the better side throughout, came out on top in the majority of 50-50 challenges, and most importantly had the gait of a side that wanted it more.
Rangers last won the cup for their one and only time in 1964, and their hunger to bridge that long gap was clear for all to see from the off as they battled for every ball and played with an intensity that Rovers simply couldn’t live with.
The Gorey outfit took the lead midway through the first-half, when an inswinging Mark Woods corner found its way to the net, and Eric Quinn added a brilliant second nine minutes after the turnaround to wrap up the win.
Such was their supremacy that the margin of victory could have been greater, as they created a few other decent opportunities, none more gilt-edged than a penalty that they failed to convert early in the second-half.
They were also defensively sound and left a talented Shamrock Rovers outfit living off scraps, and Rangers goalkeeper Seán Allen didn’t have a difficult save to make during the 90 minutes.
After the sides had spent the opening quarter sounding each other out, Gorey Rangers suddenly sprang to life with 22 minutes on the clock when the assured man of the match Gavin O’Brien played a perfectly-weighted pass to Stephen Moloney, but Martin McKeown slid in with a timely chal- lenge at the expense of a corner.
The Enniscorthy side’s relief was shortlived though as Mark Woods swung in a vicious flagkick and although goalkeeper Lee Murphy got a strong fist to it, he only succeeded in helping it to the roof of his net.
At the other end Seán Allen’s gloves were warmed for the only time in the opening half a minute later, when he comfortably gathered a 25-yard Ricky Fox free-kick.
Joe Bolger, who worked tirelessly up front for Rangers throughout, then headed a Nathan Brennan cross on target in the 30th minute, before teeing up Stephen Moloney five minutes later, but the winger’s effort was well saved by Murphy.
Rangers came close to really stamping their authority on the contest in the 44th minute when Paul Murphy superbly picked out the run of Bolger, but his first touch was too heavy and the chance was lost.
Ben Casserly’s side had an even better opportunity to double their tally two minutes after the interval when referee Seamus Kelly pointed to the spot after Stephen Moloney’s run was halted by Martin McKeown.
Up stepped Nathan Brennan, but his effort was high and not so handsome and Shamrock Rovers could breathe again.
Two minutes later Rovers threatened to punish Gorey for their profligacy, when Ricky Fox whipped a free-kick across the face of goal, but nobody could get a telling touch to turn the ball into the net.
In the 55th minute Rangers had one hand on the cup as they doubled their advantage in style.
Eric Quinn gathered a return pass from marauding full-back Nathan Brennan, strode forward and unleashed a left-footed thunderbolt from 20 yards that arrowed past Murphy and nestled in the corner of the net.
The second goal really took the sting out of the contest and although Shamrock Rovers tried hard to find a way through a water-tight Rangers defence, the Gorey men were always able to keep their opponents at arm’s length.
The Ramstown-based side were certainly full value for their long-awaited success and, with the young, talented squad manager Casserly has at his disposal, they will hope to threaten North End’s Premier Division dominance in the years to come.
GOREY RANGERS: Seán Allen, Conor Casserly, Ryan Cullen, Paul Murphy, Nathan Brennan, Gavin O’Brien, Stephen Moloney, Stephen Kinsella, Eric Quinn, Mark Woods, Joe Bolger. Subs. - Adam Territ for Quinn (69), Eoin Kinsella for Moloney (83), David Behan for Bolger (87), Kevin Kennedy for S. Kinsella (90+3), also Seán Roche, Dylan Vickers.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Lee Murphy, Alan Freeman, Ian Sinnott, Seán Miller, Mikey Dempsey, Marty Kelly, John O’Connor, Ricky Fox, Martin McKeown, Ricky Dwyer, Eamon O’Brien. Subs. - James Carty for Freeman (56), Dan Carroll for Fox (64), Jonny Dwyer for O’Connor (71), also Eoin McDonald, Podge Doyle, Tomás Hawkins.
REFEREE: Seamus Kelly. Assistant referees: Derek Campion and Darren Ennis.