Lethal Leonard strikes late to seal sweet success

early lead.

Rovers settled soon after and dominated the remainder of the half with Ian Kavanagh, Mikey Nolan and Charlie Phelan all fashioning chances only to be denied by the brilliance of Midhnav Manjo in the Rathnew goal.

On 20 minutes, Rovers’ good play was rewarded with an equaliser. A through ball from Peter Dunne appeared to be running harmlessly through to the Rathnew keeper untill the ball held up and Ryan McConnell bravely launched himself into a diving header, scoring from 15 yards out as he got clattered by Manjo.

McConnell’s class almost gave Rovers the lead on the stroke of halftime but was again foiled by Manjo.

The second half was a much more even affair with Kiva Doyle, Conor Snell and Bill Moorehouse the stars for Rathnew.

Ben Bowen, Ryan McConnell and Ian Kavanagh were Rovers biggest attacking threats but an enjoyable game was now heading into extra time.

Extra-time saw two tired teams continue to play good football, but little by the way of goal action meant penalties were looking likely.

Rovers captain Cian Leonard had other ideas though. Carrying the ball out of the backline, Leonard combined with Peter Dunne before firing towards goal and into the bottom corner of the net.

The whistle blew soon after. Ryan McConnell was impressive but player of the match was Peter Dunne. Bill Moorehouse was immense for the Villagers.

Wicklow Rovers: 1. Kacper Lepek, 2. Harry Tobin-Kelly, 3. Cian Leonard, 4. Cormac Waldron, 5. Oliver Lawless, 6. Peter Dunne, 7. Ryan McConnell, 8. Mikey Nolan, 9. Charlie Phelan, 10. Ian Kavanagh, 11. Ben Bowen, 12. James Duffy, 13. Dylan Synnott.

Rathnew: 1. Midhnav Manjo, 2. Adam O’Toole, 3. Alex Doyle, 4. Dylan Massey, 5. Alex Earls, 6. Conor Snell, 7. Bill Moorehouse, 8. John Moorehouse-Hayden, 9. Max Guillamert-Miracle, 10. Olivia Carabel, 11. Kiva Doyle, 12. Brandon Eager, 13. Sean Clarke, 14. John Hunter, 15. Ben Flynn.

Referee: T Dowling