Little Bray fancied
But Aughrim Rangers not without their strong points
TWO very strong campaigns throughout the 1992 Wicklow Cup campaign sent Little Bray United and Aughrim Rangers on a collision course to the Carlisle Grounds on May 17.
The Darglesiders had accounted for Newtown (5-2), Glenview (2-0), Arklow Town (2-0), Knockananna (2-0) and Enniskerry YC in the semi-final by 1-0 in their march to the decider.
Aughrim Rangers accounted for Redbank (6-0), Wicklow town (1-0), Avonmore (2-0), Gorey Rangers (1-2) and Rathnew AFC (2-0) as they built strongly on foundations laid in Wicklow Area FAI Junior Cup wins in 1988/89 and 1990/91 and a superb season in 1992/93 that saw them beat Little Bray 4-1 in the league earlier in the campaign.
Little Bray were tipped as ‘warm favourites’ in the Wicklow and Bray People newspaper’s preview of the big showdown the week prior to the meeting.
The Little Bray men were said to want to wipe away the bitter memories of their cup final defeat to Gorey Rangers in 1987 in a game in which they had chances to win it in the first outing only to be beaten by the Co. Wexford side in the replay.
Of that team only two, Kevin Farrell and Alan Connolly, remained with the rest rejoining Glenview when that team was revived.
‘Having conceded just two goals in five matches,’ read the preview, ‘both coming in the 5-2 win over Newtown in the first round, Little Bray’s defence has given precious little away thus far. Their victories over Glenview and Arklow Town were most impressive even if they did have a bit of luck against the latter.
‘Somewhat surprisingly, John
Bishop is Little Bray’s joint leading scorer in the cup with three penalties. Paul Temple scored a hat-trick in the opening round against Newtown while Chris Martin, Ciaran O’Brien, Joe Leonard and Billy Treacy have also hit the rigging.
‘Darren Keating, John Bishop, Des Kelly and Stephen Martin are four of the reasons why Little Bray have had such a successful season.
‘They have defended magnificently this season and nobody has been really able to break them down. Goalkeeper Gary Snow is a very underrated performer who can lift his game on the big occasion.
‘Little Bray have already beaten Aughrim in a final this season, hammering them 4-0 in the Premier Shield decider. Danno Keating (2), Ciaran O’Brien and Edward McCann scored the goals for the Darglesides who won with the greatest of ease.
‘But Aughrim’s chances should not be dismissed lightly despite that heavy defeat. One will remember that they crushed Little Bray 4-1 in the league on the opening day of the season.
‘John Coogan, Martin Newsome, Eugene O’Brien and Joey Lenihan were on the mark for the Ow men on that great occasion.
‘Rangers have scored 13 goals on their way to this final, conceding just one. Their toughest encounter was in the quarter-final when they recorded a marvelous 2-1 away win over Gorey Rangers, Eugene O’Brien and John Keenan getting the crucial goals.
‘Eugene O’Brien has already netted six times in the cup including the two goals which saw off Rathnew in the semi-finals. But one must also mention the contribution of goalkeeper Brian Doyle and defenders Declan O’Brien, Andrew Byrne, Brendan Barnes and Chris ‘Kit’ Keogh, all of whom have been magnificent throughout the campaign.
Having won the Wicklow Area FAI Junior Cup in the 1988/89 season and again in 1990/91, Aughrim will not be short on experience. Players like Martin Newsome, Tommy and Eugene O’Brien know all about the big occasion and they shouldn’t freeze.
Although one expects a close game, it is very difficult to back against Little Bray. They should win by the odd goal.