GLENCORMAC STUN DEFENDING CHAMPIONS ASHFORD IN WICKLOW CUP
24-PAGE SPORT PULLOUT
ASHFORD ROVERS 2
GLENCORMAC UTD 3
GLENCORMAC United got the better of two-time Wicklow Cup winners Ashford Rovers in a thrilling 3-2 victory last Sunday morning at Enniskerry all weather pitch.
Glencormac went into the cup tie as severe under dogs as Ashford were currently first in the Premier Division and had previously won the Wicklow Cup in 2016 and 2017, but the Glencormac side used that fact to their advantage and played the game as if they had nothing to lose and took the game to last year’s winners.
Glencormac started the game much better than their opponents, who looked nervy from the first whistle.
United were looking to get pacey winger Dean McCormack into the game on the right wing.
The winger was causing awful trouble for the Ashford defence as he kept making some great runs in behind the Ashford backline.
He should have opened the scoring in the 15th minute when he was played in on goal with a wonderful through ball by Sam Kerr.
McCormack went to go around keeper Cathal Moody but Moody prevented the winger from progressing onto goal with a great last minute tackle to put the ball out for a corner.
It wasn’t long before McCormack got the goal he was seeking and opened the scoring just on the 26th minute mark.
McCormack went sprinting past the Ashford midfield and looked like he would go all the way before he was taken down by Mick Taylor just outside the penalty area.
The free-kick was whipped into the centre of the penalty area and McCormack was in the right place at the right time as the ball dropped right to his feet five yards out from goal, the winger took the strike on the half volley and fired home putting his side 1-0 up.
Ashford began to get frustrated with the lack of opportunities they had in front of goal during the first half an hour and started to result to hoofing the ball long to their pacey attacker Jay Taylor who on so many occasions has used his pace to devastating effect for his side but found himself isolated up front when he gained possession from the long balls and more often than not very little came from their attacks.
Glencormac did not let up and were in dream land just before half-time as they went 2-0 up in the 41st minute with a superb bit of skill from striker Sam Kerr.
Kerr won possession on the edge of the penalty area and with some great foot work he beat two Ashford defenders and then dragged the ball out to the by-line of the box to go around Ashford keeper Cathal Moody.
It looked like an impossible angle for Kerr to take the shot on and had options on the edge of the area as Dean McCormack was waiting for the pull back, but Kerr wanted to go himself and fired the ball into the corner of the net. Great footwork with an impressive finish from the striker to put his side 2-0 at the end of the first half.
Ashford went in at half-time and were staring down a possible early exit from the Wicklow Cup, a competition in which they had excelled in over the past two seasons.
The introduction of Danny Byrne provided a much-needed attacking option on the right wing as the home side began to turn the screw early in the second half.
The goal finally came for Ashford in the 50th minute after a much more attacking presence than the first half, a well delivered corner from Callum Pursey met the leaping head of Shane Dunne who rose above everyone in the penalty area.
His bullet header smacked the inside of the post and into the net, Dunne was brave in his effort on goal as he looked to get a very dangerous head injury as a result of scoring the goal.
Things got worse for Glencormac as defender Sean Holly was sent off for a late challenge on Jay Taylor who was in on goal, Holly was last man and was shown a red card for his actions.
Substitute Danny Byrne stepped up to take the penalty and sent the keeper the wrong way to give his side a chance of a comeback with 20 minutes remaining.
It looked like it was going to be a bleak affair for Glencormac as they got every player behind the ball and were defending for their lives.
The game came to a complete turn-around as Glencormac were in complete control of the game in the first half but in the second Ashford dominated possession but Glencormac kept battling and in the last kick of the game they got their reward.
The away side were awarded a free-kick just outside the box and with only seconds remaining Nathan Watters sealed the victory with a last-gasp effort.
There was no time for an equaliser from Ashford as referee Carl Doyle blew up just as Ashford kicked off after conceding in literally the last second of the game.
Everyone at the game was expecting the game to continue into extra-time but Watters sealed the victory with the last kick of the game.
A great performance overall from Glencormac, who were under great pressure from their oppo- nents in the second half after going down to ten men but it’s them who continue on to the next round of the Wicklow Cup.
ASHFORD ROVERS: 1. Cathal Moody,
2. Fiachra Ryan, 3. Ross Brown, 4. Mick Taylor, 5. Andy Reilly, 6. Brian Coen, 7. Brendan Manning, 8. Shane Dunne, 9. Rossie Eyre, 10. Callum Pursey, 11. Jay Taylor. Subs: Danny Byrne for Rossie Eyre (45min), Jamie Byre for Fiachra Byrne (62min), Naoise Tracey (72min).
GLENCORMAC UNITED: 1. Gabor Radoczy, 2. Alan Hill, 3. Luke Callaghan,
4. Mark Delahunty, 5. Sean Holly, 6. Simon Doyle, 7. Dean Mc Cormack, 8. Ben O’ Callaghan, 9. Nathan Watters, 10. Sam Kerr, 11. Sam O’ Callaghan. Subs: James Delahunty for Dean Mc Cormack (65min), Mick Rooney for Sam Kerr (65min).
REFEREE: Carl Doyle.