NO STOPPING SUPER GLENS Doran hits hat-trick for Conary
at Finlay Park WICKLOW TOWN GLENCORMAC UTD 2 5
GLENCORMAC UNITED’S good form continued at Finlay Park last Sunday as their quest for a first trophy in 16 years continued apace.
A first half Nathan Waters hattrick was added to in the second period by marauding centre back Luke O’Callaghan and super-sub Sam Kerr added the cherry on the cake near the end.
Soft underfoot conditions were not constructive to good football but both teams dug in on the slippy surface to provide an enjoyable high scoring match.
Glencormac could have had a dream start as within 12 seconds centre forward James Delahunty found himself through on goal. His low effort beat advancing Town keeper Ian Murphy but unfortunately for the United striker also narrowly beat the goaltender’s left hand post.
On nine minutes the visitors got the lead they craved, a clearance header by centre back Luke O’Callaghan beat the home side’s defence and Waters was onto it in a flash, he cut inside onto his right boot with the poise of a confident attacker and buried his effort past Murphy.
The Glens did not rest on their laurels and pushed for the extra security of a second goal.
Delahunty, who was always lively, provided a chance for Waters who had a good effort parried away by Murphy before Delahunty himself tested the Town stopper from distance.
At this point, Paddy Murphy of Town rose to the challenge in midfield and the home side started creating chances.
Firstly, Eddie Kelly had a goal chalked off for offside.
Then Eddie Geraghty found room down the right flank but his intricate ball through to speedy forward David Shortall ended with his effort flying across the face of goal.
Eventually, their pressure told on 24 minutes. Murphy skipped by a few weak challenges in the middle of the park he spread the play to Shortall on the left of the penalty area whose first time drilled cross was scrambled home by Geraghty for the equaliser.
The goal seemed to spur Glencormac out of their slumber and through Ben O’Callaghan and the impressive Simon Doyle they retook control of the midfield.
With Delahunty always providing an outlet, they pushed on in search of the lead.
On 37 minutes a long, floated free kick by Alan Hill eluded everyone in the Wicklow penalty area except for dangerman Waters at the back post and he drilled home from eight yards out.
More chances came for Glencormac with heroic defending, goalkeeping and unluckiness keeping the contest close.
In first half injury time, they got their breathing space when Waters completed his hat-trick.
Delahunty won a flick on, Waters gathered and passed to Dean McCormack in space, who feinted to shoot, however, at the last moment, he deliciously clipped a ball into Waters path and he expertly sidefooted home.
That goal seemed to deflate Town and a raft of half-time Glencormac substitutions led to a strangely subdued opening to the second period.
A few half chances here and there for both sides littered the first 20 minutes after the interval.
On 67 minutes a beautiful counter attacking goal from United illuminated the gloomy day.
A Town corner was hacked clear to Waters on halfway, he laid back to Doyle who drove through the heart of the Town defence and as he tried to go wide to Sam O’Callaghan the ball was deflected perfectly into the path of marauding centre half Luke O’Callaghan, who, with the composure of a seasoned centre forward, sidefooted beyond the keeper.
As O’Callaghan strode back to the centre of defence he had to answer his manager Colm Mulligan politely enquiring why he was so far out of position at that time. No pleasing some bosses!
Five minutes later, Glencormac had a fifth, Doyle with an audacious volleyed pass freed half-time sub Sam Kerr who rounded keeper Murphy before slotting home.
In fairness, Town kept going and eight minutes from time Paddy Murphy got a goal his performance deserved.
He chased a ball down the line just kept it in play before skipping inside the cover and firing low and hard past Glencormac’s keeper.
No doubting the better team won. In Doyle, McCormack and the O’Callaghan brothers they had the outstanding players on show.
Paddy Murphy was Town’s best player, however, man of the match has to go to hat-trick hero Waters who, apart from his goal, his willingness to work, hassle and chase lost causes never gave the Town defence time to breath.
1. Ian Murphy, 2. Brian O’Sullivan, 3. Jordan Pettigrew, 4. Reese Kelly, 5. Shane Devlin, 6. Eddie Kelly,
7. Eddie Geraghty, 8. Paddy Murphy, 9. David Shortall, 10. Jack Geraghty, 11. Dean Breen. Subs: 12. Mark Darragh for R. Kelly, 13. Sean O’Brien for Shortall, 14. J.J. Power for Devlin.
WICKLOW TOWN:
1. Gabor Radoczy, 2. Alan Hill, 3. Mark Delahunty, 4. Michael Rooney, 5. Luke O’Callaghan, 6. Ben O’Callaghan, 7. Sam O’Callaghan, 8. Simon Doyle, 9. Nathan Waters, 10. James Delahunty, 11. Dean McCormack. Subs:
12. Sam Kerr for J. Delahunty, 13. Sean Holly for Rooney, 14. Stephen Kirwan for Hill, 15. David Hill for McCormack, 16. Ash O’Callaghan for Radoczy.
GLENCORMAC UNITED: Charlie Byrne Cup
A David Doran hat-trick helped Conary United into the semi-finals of the Charlie Byrne (Division 3) Cup as they saw off Avonmore FC 5-1 in Pat O’Toole Park.
Stephen Roche and Stephen McAuley also got on the scoresheet for the winners, with Andrew Browne replying for the hosts.
Pat O’Toole Division 1B
St. Patrick’s moved up to second place in the Pat O’Toole Division 1B thanks to a 4-2 win over Greystones United at the Woodlands on Sunday.
Adam Browne helped himself to a hat-trick for the winners, with Eugene Dunne adding to their tally and Shane McCormack and Michael De Witt hitting the back of the net for the home side.
Jason Carey, Jonathan Quinn and Zach Kilbride got the goals for Arklow United as they overcame Ashford Rovers 3-0. Leaders Glencormac United continued their winning ways with a 5-2 triumph over Wicklow Town (see focus match).
Division 3
Arklow United increased their lead at the top of Division 3, but they were pushed all the way by Shamrock Celtic on Sunday.
Substitute Denis McAuliffe scored the only goal of the game late on to earn the Arklow outfit the points.
John Tobin Youth League
Avonmore FC moved back to the summit of the John Tobin Youth League after a routine win over Wicklow Rovers ‘A’ on Saturday.
The table-toppers scored six goals without reply, with the prolific Oisin McGraynor helping himself to a hat-trick and Eric Olohan, Ross Ward and Dale Fluskey adding a goal apiece.
Arklow United earned the local bragging rights as thy overwhelmed rivals Arklow Town 8-1, with Christian Roche bagging a treble, John Higgins adding a double and Adam Lennon, Darnell Dobbs, and Dean Flood also getting in on the act.
Wicklow Rovers B saw off Aughrim Rangers 5-1, with the winners scoring through Jack O’Gorman, Nathan Wynne, Jaafer Ali, Conor Collier and an own goal.