SAYER THE SLAYER
Rathnew stalwart produces trickery to undo Celtic
RATHNEW advanced to the final of the Charlie Byrne Cup with a well-deserved two-goal victory over a limited Arklow Celtic side. Goals in either half from the influential Jordan Graham and the evergreen Jason Farrell were decisive to the outcome.
Things soured for the hosts towards the end with stupid indiscipline resulting in three Rathnew men sent to the line and one for Celtic.
The Villagers started on the front foot with John Sayer firing the first shot in anger with a 25-yard effort that drifted wide of John Cushe’s goal.
Soon after, the dangerous Jordan Graham had a half chance blocked away after a delicious through ball from John Dunleavy.
The wind swirling around the pitch was causing problems for both teams.
Good football was in short supply as both midfields tried to get on top.
Arklow’s first meaningful attack saw Wayne Kenny break down the left flank his centered ball to strike partner Jason Rowland was miscued and impressive center back Edward Doyle cleared the danger.
A stop start encounter meandered on without any real chances been created.
The only really threat in the first half hour was from John Sayer set pieces; his left foot having the magic of a wand.
It was from a bit of Sayer skill that saw Jordan Graham open the scoring.
Sayer picked the ball up about 30 yards out rode a couple of challenges and dinked a beautifully weighted ball just beyond center half Danny Cowan into the path of Graham who drove a daisy cutter beyond Cushe’s reach into the left hand corner of the visitors net.
Back came Celtic and Mick Doyle’s battling qualities created an opening, his looping effort was well plucked out of the air by the vigilant James Hunter in the Rathnew goal. Shortly after good Arklow interplay by Doyle, Rowland and Killean Cushe just lacked the final pass to fashion an opening.
The second half started in a similar vein to the first. Sayer given space 25 yards out but his drive rising too high to trouble Cushe.
On 50 minutes, Rathnew replaced Glen Fewings with Mick Nolan who was to have a massive bearing on the outcome.
Five minutes later Rathnew doubled their lead. Sayer got the ball 35 yards out on the right touchline he produced a bit of trickery and lofted a cross to the far post where strike partner Jason Farrell rose like a salmon to nod home.
Arklow Celtic tried hard to come back without creating any real chances.
Long balls in were dealt with easily by Doyle and the immense Nolan. Hunter in the goal had little to do.
Celtic brought Tom Kavanagh on and he did ignite a limp visitors attack.
Every time he got the ball he ran at the Rathnew defence and looked to ask questions that were not asked for the first hour.
Brave goalkeeping by Hunter just on the hour mark saw him jump on a loose ball as Rowlands pulled on it after a bullocking run from Craig Kinsella created a chance.
More Arklow pressure saw Kavanagh and Rowland have half chances blocked away by the dominant Nolan.
The game was fizzling out to the inevitable conclusion until 10 minutes from time a long ball by Celtic keeper Cushe was knocked back across goal by center back Conor Doyle and Rowland’s diving header beat Hunter, but Doyle on the line deflected the ball over with his hand.
Referee David Jameson pointed to the spot and red carded the unfortunate Doyle.
Rowland’s penalty was drilled low and hard but just alluded Hunter’s right hand post and wide.
As Rowland turned around he became involved in a verbal exchange with Hunter who seemed to react with a thumping box across the Celtic man’s face which resulted in a needless dismissal for the Villagers’ netminder. Sayer stepped into the nets for the now nine-man home team as Celtic laid siege for the last 10 minutes without creating any real chances. Nolan marshalled his backline superbly and was dominant in the air.
Kavanagh, who fought till the end for Celtic, took off on a meandering run from half way that got him in on goal but makeshift keeper Sayer blocked away with his legs.
The visitors’ keeper Cushe was sent forward for the corner in a last throw of the dice. His presence caused a goal mouth scramble before Sayer leapt on the stray ball.
As tempers flared, Cushe and Rathnew’s Nigel Darragh were seen striking and Jameson gave both of them their marching orders.
As the players walked to the dressing rooms words were exchanged and Jameson was forced to intervene before matters escalated further. The long whistle sounded soon after.
Rathnew deserved their victory. Sayer for his moments of magic deserved to be man of the match. Mick Nolan deserves praise for a dominant display at the back especially in the last 10 minutes when the Villagers were down numerically.