Earls grabs winner as Ashford pass tough test

Wicklow Cup first round

Ashford Rovers came through a tough test against Arklow Celtic to book their place in the second round of the Wicklow Cup, running out hard-fought 3-2 winners on Sunday. Rovers took the lead when Jamie Byrne found the head of Robbie Eyre with a fine crossfield pass and although the goalkeeper made a smart save, Eyre was on hand to hammer home the rebound.

Ruadhán Fallon Verbruggen then doubled Ashford’s advantage with a good run and finish but Celtic refused to throw in the towel and battled their way back to parity.

Celtic halved the deficit just before the interval thanks to a clinical finish from Patrick Walker and they were back on level terms five minutes after the turnaround when Lee Doyle fired home a penalty.

However, the brave fightback proved to be in vain when Danny Byrne headed the ball into the path of Andy Earls, who made no mistake, slotting the winning goal to the net.

Arklow Town also booked their place in the second round as they saw off Greystones United 3-1 at the Woodlandds. The visitors scored through John Kearns, Cian Bolger and an own goal, with Anthony Fermoyle getting on the scoresheet for Greystones.

Ballywaltrim needed penalties to shake off Ashford Rovers after finishing deadlocked at 1-1 after extra-time.

Ballywaltrim took the lead early in the second-half, but Mark Evans grabbed an equaliser for Ashford in the 90th minute.

Extra-time couldn’t separate the sides and Ballywaltrim advanced 3-1 on penalties.

Charlie Byrne Cup

Dearg Celtic had too much firepower for Avonmore B as they put them to the sword in their Charlie Byrne Cup preliminary round tie in Redcross on Sunday.

Johnny Kinsella netted a hattrick, for the winners, Michael Murphy added a double, with Craig Browne and Jamie Power also getting in on the act.

Mark Byrne hit the back of the net for Avonmore.

Dargle Rovers edged out Aughrim Rangers by the odd goal in five in People’s Park, with Allen Harris, Tom Treanor and Steven Temple scoring for the hosts. Stephen Doyle bagged both goals for Aughrim, a free-kick in the first-half and a penalty after the interval.

Elsewhere, Roundwood saw off Coolboy Rangers 2-0 (see focus match).

PAT O’TOOLE DIVISION 1

Avonmore 5 4 1 0 26 8 13 St Anthony’s 8 4 1 3 20 22 13 Wicklow Tn 7 4 0 3 18 17 12 Rathnew AFC 5 3 0 2 17 8 9 Greystones 6 2 2 2 13 14 8 Arklow Cel 3 1 0 2 10 12 3 Arklow Utd 5 1 0 4 7 21 3 Wicklow Rvs 10012 30 Newtown 20020 80

Dearg Celtic 7 7 0 0 33 13 21 Arklow Town 11 6 2 3 37 17 20 Shamrock Cel 10 6 1 3 31 16 19 Ashford Rvs 7 5 1 1 21 10 16 Carnew FC 7 4 0 3 20 20 12 Roundwood 63129 6 10 Conary Utd 5 3 1 1 11 10 10 Dargle Rvs 8 3 0 5 23 14 9 Aughrim Rgs 8 1 4 3 17 25 7 Avonmore 8 2 1 5 16 33 7 Ballywaltrim 7 1 1 5 15 31 4 Coolboy Rgs 8 1 0 7 12 31 3 Arklow Utd 6 1 0 5 4 23 3

JOHN TOBIN YOUTHS LEAGUE Avonmore 22005 16 Ashford Rvs 21019 63 Arklow Town 3 1 0 2 6 10 3 Arklow Utd 10011 40