‘Tarzan’ stole the show Aughrim never gave up but there was no stopping Little Bray

at the Carlisle Grounds 5 2

only to be beaten by an Owen Moore goal in a 0-1 defeat to Arklow Town the following week that saw the Lamberton men secure league honours.

The poor attendance was deemed worthy of a very prominent position in the match report in the following Friday’s Bray and Wicklow People newspaper. ‘Fine football’ was how the writer described the standard of football on display.

‘One had to feel some sympathy for Aughrim Rangers who have now suffered three heavy defeats at the hands of the Bray men,’ read the report on the game.

‘They did manage to beat Little Bray on the opening day of the season, but that has only inspired Ollie Flanagan’s men who have now put 13 goals past them in their last three meetings.

‘Before the match started, the teams were presented to the cup final guests who included the Chairman of Wicklow Co. Council, Johnny Fox, and the managing director of Hills of Arklow, Max Hill.

‘Playing in their first final since 1984, Aughrim could not have made a worse start, going behind after only five minutes when they conceded a rather needless penalty. Brendan Barnes appeared to handle a corner kick from Little Bray’s Kevin Farrell and referee Pat McManus had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. As has been the case throughout this cup campaign, John Bishop had little trouble in tucking away the penalty to give the Bray side a flying start.

‘Aughrim ’keeper Brian Doyle kept his team in the hunt with good saves from Kieran O’Brien and Kevin Farrell in the sixth and 13th minutes respectively.

‘It was Little Bray’s turn to have a close call in the 25th minute, Declan O’Brien shooting just over the crossbar.

‘Little Bray doubled their advantage in the 37th minute when Chris Martin headed the ball into the path of Kieran O’Brien who finished clinically from 12 yards. Joe Leonard almost made it three on the stroke of half-time, his header just clearing the crossbar.

’Rangers brought on Tommy O’Brien (player/captain) for Declan O’Brien at half-time in an effort to pep up their attack but the plan backfired a minute after the restart when Kieran O’Brien headed in a great cross from Alan Connolly to get his second and his side’s third goal.

‘But to their credit, the Ow men never gave up and they were given a flicker of hope in the 61st minute when Chris ‘Kit’ Keogh’s free was headed on by Eugene O’Brien to Joey Lenihan who found the net from close range.

‘However, the Darglesiders had restored their three-goal cushion within seven minutes – Kieran O’Brien nodding home another Kevin Farrell corner.

‘That really ended the game as a contest even though there were two more goals in the final three minutes.

‘Firstly, Kieran O’Brien was on hand to put away the rebound after Brian Doyle had made a terrific stop from a Billy Treacy blockbuster.

‘Then Eugene O’Brien and substitute Kevin Barry combined to finish a Kieran O’Shea free to the net in the dying seconds, but it was too little too late as far as the Own men were concerned.

‘Apart from the outstanding O’Brien, Chris Martin, John Bishop, Joe Leonard, Stephen Martin and Des Kelly were all in magnificent form for the winners. It was a particularly sweet triumph for Kevin Farrell and Alan Connolly, the two members of the Little Bray team who tasted defeat in the 1897 decider against Gorey Rangers.

Brian Doyle, Kieran O’Shea, Chris ‘Kit’ Keogh and Eugene O’Brien were the top men for Aughrim who never gave up hope, but were always struggling after giving away that early penalty.

Although there were a couple of yellow cards shown, this was generally a very sporting game and it was well refereed by Pat McManus.

LITTLE BRAY UNITED:

Gary Snow, Edward McCann, John Bishop, Joe Leonard, Stephen Martin, Des Kelly, Alan Connolly, Billy Treacy, Kieran O’Brien, Chris Martin, Kevin Farrell. Subs: Danno Keating for Connolly, Billy Cash for Leonard.

AUGHRIM RANGERS:

Brian Doyle, Declan O’Brien, Niall Carroll, Brendan Barnes, Chris ‘Kit’ Keogh, John Coogan, Kieran O’Shea, Larry O’Brien, Joey Lenihan, Martin Newsome, Eugene O’Brien. Subs: Tommy O’Brien for D O’Brien, Kevin Barry for Lenihan.