Ashford come out on top in real goal-fest

Charlie O’Leary Cup

Ashford Rovers booked their place in the final four of the Charlie O’Leary Cup after edging out Carnew AFC after extra-time in an incredible eleven-goal thriller at Ballinalea Park last Wednesday evening.

Rovers held a 2-1 advantage at half-time with Robbie Eyre and Mick Taylor hitting the back of the net for the hosts and James Behan halving the deficit before the interval.

Adam Doyle then struck a hat-trick to seemingly put Carnew in control at 4-2, but Ashford fought back to force extra-time through Taylor’s second and a Danny Byrne penalty.

JJ McCrea then fired the visitors back in front, but goals from Shane Dunne and Byrne saw Ashford prevail.

Pat O’Toole Division 1B

Arklow United kept themselves in the Pat O’Toole Division 1B title race when they hit Greystones United for six without reply on Sunday.

Jonny Quinn and Niall Higgins both bagged doubles for the Arklow men, with Tom Kavanagh and Zach Kilbride also hitting the back of the net.

Wicklow Youth Cup

Ashford Rovers and Arklow United will contest this season’s Youth Cup decider after both came through exciting semi-finals.

Rovers shocked John Tobin Youth champions Avonmore 4-3, with Oisin Hill, Nathan Doyle, Ruadhan Fallon-Verbruggen and Ryan Beale scoring for the winners and Cody Reid and Conor McGraynor (two) replying for Avonmore.

Meanwhile, Darnell Nobbs and Craig Keegan (two) got the goals for Arklow as they pipped Wicklow Rovers ‘A’ 3-2 after extra-time.

Shane Cullinan and Luke Whyte scored for Wicklow Rovers.

Youths Shield B

Wicklow Rovers ‘B’ proved too good for Aughrim Rangers in the Youths Shield encounter, winning out 5-1 with strikes from Conor Collier (two), Charlie Williams, David Browne and an own goal.