Red-hot Rovers have too much for Enniskerry YC
ENNISKERRY YC WICKLOW ROVERS 1 4
POWER, pace and precision were the attributes which helped Wicklow Rovers to a deserved 4-1 victory over Enniskerry YC at Berryfield Lane last Friday night.
The power came from the likes of Michael Delaney, Lenny Carton, Ian Brannigan and Tommy Kelly, the pace from the very impressive Ciaran McGettigan who caused major problems for Enniskerry all night and the precision was brought to the table by Gareth Murphy, Luke Byrne, Adam Cox and the very capable Peter Finnegan.
Enniskerry contributed massively to what was an entertain- ing affair on the all-weather and they will be only too well aware that this defeat was much to do with their own errors as anything else. Wicklow Town’s second and third goal – arriving during a period of productive Enniskerry play – should never have been allowed to have been scored. The home side could also claim that goalkeeper Graham Mooney was bundled over just before Tommy Kelly slipped home a beauty of an pening goal after eight minutes of hectic play.
The win puts Rovers in fourth spot, six points behind leaders Trinity Donaghmeade who accounted for Wicklow side Blessington FC at the weekend. Enniskerry sit one place above the west Wicklow outfit in eighth spot on 16 points, Blessington accruing 15 from their eight games played so far compared to Enniskerry’s 12.
Tommy Kelly’s opener arrived thanks to a strong opening from Wicklow Rovers. A long ball from a free from Ian Brannigan dropped down on top of Mooney who had Adam Cox for company. Enniskerry will argue that Mooney was fouled but the ball spilled to Tommy Kelly who lashed home from a tight angle.
Five minutes later another long ball was missed by the Enniskerry defence and squared by Ciaran McGettigan to Gareth Murphy who sent it sailing high and over Graham Mooney’s head and into the back of the net.
Sweet play from Enniskerry after 26 minutes allowed Eoin O’Reilly fire home a screamer past Shane Doyle to bring the home team right back into the clash. It was a goal Enniskerry fully deserved after producing some fine play despite falling 2-0 behind.
That’s how it stayed until the break and an Enniserry equaliser looked very much on the cards until a defensive blunder allowed Ciaran McGettigan in and the Rovers striker finished with aplomb.
The home side did battle on but that goal certainly deflated their spirits somewhat and when Gareth Murphy converted his own penalty – won after Gra- ham Mooney wrestled him to the ground – the game was over.
A quality win for Rovers. Enniskerry will be gutted but can take some compensation that improvements on their side should leave future games very much in their control.
1. Graham Mooney, 2. Robert Plunkett, 3. Alan King,
4. Shane Fitzpatrick, 5. Alan Acres, 6. Niall McCaull, 7. Eoin O’Reilly, 8. Shane McDermott, 9. Dean Mooney, 10. Paul O’Reilly, 11. Luke O’Sullivan. Subs: Adam Kinsella for S McDermott (75min), Jordan Conroy for A King (80min).
1. Shane Doyle, 2. Mark O’Sullivan, 3. Michael Delaney, 4. Lenny Carton, 5. Ian Brannigan, 6. Tommy Kelly, 7. Peter Finnegan, 8. Ciaran McGettigan, 9. Adam Cox, 10. Luke Byrne, 11. Gareth Murphy. Subs: Mark Johnson for I Brannigan, David Rowan for L Byrne (both 75min), Alan Delaney for C McGettigan (80min).