Rathnew rise to the big occasion
‘RATHNEW had that bit ‘extra’’ roared the headline in the Wicklow and Bray People newspapers on Thursday, May 25, to proclaim that the Villagers had toppled Gorey Rangers in the replay of the Hills of Arklow Wicklow Cup final.
After the first game had ended in a 0-0 draw after extra-time the previous Sunday this game proved to be a much more entertaining spectacle but still the deadlock couldn’t be broken in the 90 minutes and on they had to go to a second bout of extra-time.
And it was here that the drama was about to unfold.
Rathnew finally drew first blood four minutes into the first period of extra-time when Tommy Gill floated the ball into the Gorey penalty area for Robert Doyle to volley into the corner from eight yards.
‘The cheers had barely died down when Jonathan Quinn added a second three minutes later, ramming the ball home from 12 yards after Barry Mernagh had shown great determination to win the ball off Gorey defender Richard Leacy on the edge of the penalty area,’ read the report.
‘But the Wexford men were given a lifeline 90 seconds later when substitute Donal Hosey’s goal-bound shot was handled on the line by Rathnew’s Alvin Mitchell. Referee Andy Kavanagh was then left with no option but to produce the red card and award Gorey a penalty which was duly converted by John Lambert.
‘The Wexford men piled on the pressure in the second period, but Rathnew’s defence, which was once again superbly marshalled by Chris Duffy, held them at bay.
‘Earlier, Rathnew were much the better side in the opening 20 minutes. Alan Newsome saw an effort cleared off the line by Paul Hempenstall on two minutes, while Gorey ’keeper Edward ‘Bear’ Kennedy tipped over a shot from the same player in the 14th minute.
‘Rangers gradually settled down and it was they who took over in the latter stages of the first half.
They did have the ball in the net on 23 minutes when Rochard Leacy deflected Danny Whitty’s shot to the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
‘Gorey’s Dicky Nolan then headed off the line from Gill in the 24th minute. Rangers were then desperately unlucky on the half hour when David Howard’s 30-yard rocket came back off the crossbar with Rathnew goalkeeper Roy Brauders beaten all ends up.
‘Danny Whitty then volleyed straight at Brauders and Alan Byrne shot into the side netting as the Wexfod men finished the half on a high note.
‘The second half was a rather more scrappy affair and there was little goalmouth action until the final 20 minutes.
‘Rathnew substitute Bobby Murphy should have put his side ahead in the 73rd minute when he miskicked in front of goal. Tommy Gill then forced Kennedy to make a good save, while Quinn volleyed over from a Bobby Murphy cross.
‘David Howard and John Lambert were both narrowly off target for Gorey in the closing minutes, while Kenedy made a good stop from Barry Mernagh.
Rathnew AFC: Roy Brauders, Alvin Mitchell, Tommy Gill, Clifford Murphy, Chris Duffy, Robert Doyle, Barry Mernagh, Pat ‘Bomber’ Murphy, Jonathan Quinn, Alan Newsome, Declan Sillery. Subs: Bobby Merrigan, James Merrigan.
Gorey Rangers: Edward ‘Bear’ Kennedy, Ger Swords, Dicky Nolan, Paul Hempenstall, Richard Leacy, Stephen ‘Bro’ Kennedy, Danny Whitty, Alan Byrne, Vinny Finn, John Lambert, David Howard. Sub: Donal Hosey.
Referee: Andy Kavanagh