Greystones and Aughrim beaten by Rathnew and United
AFTER their Wicklow Cup successes in 1995 and 1996 all eyes were on Rathnew to see if they could maintain the high standards and capture a magical three-ina-row when 1997 rolled around.
Standing in their way were the men of Arklow United who had marched past Aughrim Rangers in their semi-final battle to book a place in their very first Wicklow Cup decider where they were expected to pose a significant challenge to Tony Jameson’s side come final day.
The Village side had proven far too strong for strong for Greystones United in their last-four encounter in Arklow, running out 5-1 winners in the end as their dominance on the local soccer scene showed no signs of easing up in the slightest.
Not alone were Rathnew within sight of a third Wicklow Cup crown but they were also in a very strong position in the league, sitting in fourth at the time of the cup final with five games in hand on leaders St. Patrick’s, while also on target for the Charlie Bishop Cup crown as well.
An opener from the boot of the flying Anthony Mernagh – set up by brother Barry – for the first goal after 14 minutes. Greystones were busy throughout the game but were never blessed with the slightest touch of good fortune, Nigel Doyle’s shot immediately after conceding the goal to Mernagh crashing back of the Rathnew crossbar.
A sizzler from Mick McDonald followed for Rathnew after 40 minutes as he unlocked the Greystones defence from 40 yards with a rocket to the top corner before Adrian Marah showed beautiful control on the stroke of half-time to receive a Robert Doyle ball on the chest, swivel and fire home to the corner for a 3-0 lead at the break.
Marah grabbed his second 10 minutes into the second half when he got on the end of a Mark Doyle cross to more or less put this game to bed.
And that coffin was finally nailed shut when Anthony Doyle stoked home their fifth goal after good work by substitute Chris Sillery and Mark Doyle.
Goalkeeper Robert Hollingsworth was credited with making several quality saves in that second half.
The 20-year-old student would go on to have a successful career with club and county before entering into management where he can still be found.
Arklow United’s last clash before the final was a tougher one. Sean Kelty’s side faced Aughrim Rangers in the semi-final and it would prove to be a stiff examination with the Ferndale Park outfit catching the Rangers off their guard and progressing by a 2-0 margin.
A David McBride strike after 20 minutes was to be a huge factor in this game as it forced Aughrim to chase the game and the second hammer blow came shortly after the restart when Robert Long fired home past Paul O’Neill in the Aughrim goal.
‘Aughrim Rangers lacked the pace and solid composure of Arklow
United,’ read the report from the semi-final by sports reporter Mark Kennedy.
‘Particularly on the break, though in the second half United’s goalkeeper Brian Hersee had to cut out a dangerous cross from John Keenan while Donal Linehan had a shot cleard off the line,’ he added.
This was the second semi-final of the day and was played on a greasy pitch and in constant drizzle which was reported to have not helped with the standard of the football played. However, both teams were applauded for serving up a competitive game nonetheless.
Following David McBride’s opener, Rangers tried to come back but found George Murphy in uncompromising form in the heart of the United defence.
‘This was a classy team performance from all the United players, with Nathan Carr and Anthony O’Neill in inspirational form and Mark Reilly giving them the edge in midfield,’ wrote Mark Kennedy.
Aughrim did come searching for a lifeline in the second half but were unable to pierce that United defence and were well served by John Alexander, Declan O’Brien, John Keenan and substitute Donal Keenan.