Rovers remain in title mix after deserved victory
at Whitegates
made a good run out on the left and his dangerous cross was cleared by the away defence. On eighteen minutes a long clearance from Rovers keeper Shane Doyle fell to Ciaran McGettigan whose stinging shot was straight at the keeper.
Just before the break, Alan Delaney pulled the ball back from the end line to pick out Maurice Dunne on the edge of the area but his shot sailed over into the night air.
The teams went in at the break all square at 0-0 and it wasn’t a surprise on the balance of play as neither keeper was really troubled.
The second half saw Rovers playing into the clubhouse end of the ground and they showed their intent after two minutes of the restart when Gareth Murphy worked the keeper with a fine shot that the keeper done well to turn away.
A minute later, Rovers went in front, Murphy turned provider when he crossed from the right to find Ciaran McGettigan who fired home to give the home side a dream start to the second period.
After 55 minutes, McGettigan and Murphy combined well to set up Alan Delaney, but his effort didn’t trouble the keeper.
Rovers continued to pile forward in search of the insurance goal, while always been wary of been hit on the break.
With 20 minutes remaining, McGettigan had a great chance but the Shankill keeper parried his shot away.
A minute later Gareth Murphy attempted a cheeky chip but the keeper was alert to it.
Rovers keeper Shane Doyle had a quiet night, but in the 72nd minute he was called into action when he bravely saved at the feet of the Shankill striker to snuff out the danger.
Rovers broke upfield and Ciaran McGettigan made a solo run but yet again the keeper denied him with another good save.
Rovers were creating plenty of chances and the danger was always were they going to regret not taking them with Rathmichael Shankill capable of hitting Rovers on the break.
Both Gareth Murphy and Ciaran McGettigan had chances to increase the Rovers lead but on both occasions the keeper denied them.
Rovers finally nabbed the well deserved insurance goal with four minutes left on the clock.
Luke Byrne who was introduced as a 63rd minute substitute got on the end of a Ciaran McGettigan through ball and Byrne made no mistake when he coolly slotted the ball past the advancing keeper to ensure all three points were safely staying in the Whitegates.
The icing was put on the cake in injury time when Byrne notched his second when he cut in from the right wing before powerfully blasting home to round off a well deserved 3-0 victory.
The lads were slow to get into their stride on the night but when they did there was only going to be one winner.
It was hard to pick a man of the match for Rovers on the night as there were a lot of good performances.
As usual, someone has to be nominated and I’m sure people’s opinions will differ. Peter Finnegan and Tommy Kelly impressed in the middle of the park, Jim Foley, Mark O’Sullivan and Davy Rowan were solid at the back.
Luke Byrne when introduced to the fray scored two well taken goals.
But on the night Lenny Carton earns the man of the match nomination for the way he marshalled his defence so well, he was solid in defence and was a major player in making sure Shane Doyle had a relatively quiet night between the Rovers posts.
He was assured on the ball and led by example.
This was a valuable three points for Rovers and keeps them well in the title race with a couple of points separating several teams.
Wicklow Rovers: Shane Doyle, Mark O’Sullivan, Jim Foley, Leonard Carton, David Rowan, Tommy Kelly, Peter Finnegan, Alan Delaney, Maurice Dunne, Gareth Murphy, Ciaran McGettigan. Subs: Luke Byrne for (Alan Delaney 63 mins), Rikki Quinn for (Jim Foley 75 mins), Mark Johnson for (Maurice Dunne 80 mins),Ian Brannigan, Greg Dunne.