Wicklow Rovers stay on track

Impressive Tom Carroll Cup win over Railway Union

in Sandymount RAILWAY UNION WICKLOW ROVERS 2 4

WICKLOW ROVERS’ Leinster Senior side were in cup action last Saturday when they travelled to take on Railway Union in the third round of the Tom Carroll Cup.

Railway Union ply their trade two divisions higher than Rovers and are ticking along nicely in third place.

Rovers themselves are in a rich vein of form having won four league games on the bounce.

The home side, with the advantage of the strong wind in their backs, were first to draw blood when they went one up.

It almost got worse for Rovers shortly after but they had Rossa Marron in their goal to thank for keeping them in the game with a magnificent save.

The save proved to be crucial as Wicklow Rovers battled the elements and deservingly drew level on 35 minutes when

Ciaran McGettigan finished off a good move.

Just on the stroke of halftime Rovers were presented with a golden opportunity to go in front.

Tommy Kelly set McGettigan away but his route to goal was abruptly brought to an end resulting in a penalty kick been awarded.

David O’Connor deputised as the penalty taker in the injury enforced absence of normal spot taker Ian Brannigan.

O’Connor made no mistake as he coolly dispatched the ball to the net to put Rovers in the driving seat leading 2-1 at the break and with the advantage of the strong wind in their backs for the second half.

The Wicklow Rovers men were brimming with confidence as they took to the field for the second period and it showed as they dictated the early exchanges.

Five minutes into the second period Rovers extended their lead when a long throw from O’Connor found McGettigan whose effort struck the crossbar with the ball falling into the path of the incoming Tommy Kelly who finished to the net to make it 3-1.

Rovers booked their place in the quarter-final of the competition with a fourth in the 65th minute when the ball took a deflection off a home defender.

Rovers were in total control at this stage in what was a good game of football played in a sporting manner.

Deep into injury time the home side added a second but Rovers had done the hard work by this stage.

It was a good all-round team performance from Rovers which sees them now with five wins on the trot and a quarter-final spot in the cup to look forward to.

Even though it was a fine team performance a few players came in for a special mention.

Rossa Marron was one of those players for that magnificent save when Rovers were 1-0 down to keep his side in the game.

Other players who stood out were David Rowan, Ciaran McGettigan, David O’Connor and Paul Newsome.