Little Bray fancied
Darglesiders favourites but ’Youth Club very capable
THE Hills of Arklow Wicklow Cup final of 1994 brought together two north Wicklow sides for the second time in two years with the meeting of Little Bray and Enniskerry YC.
From the publishing of the preview in the Wicklow and Bray People newspapers on Friday, May 13, it would be Friday, June 3, by the time that the concluding report would be printed due to fog being reported as causing the postponement of the first game, then that rescheduled game ending in a draw before the adventure would eventually be decided after penalties in the Carlisle Grounds on a Thursday night.
Mark Brophy’s preview in the Wicklow and Bray People pointed to the fact that Little Bray United were starting this Wicklow Cup final as ‘strong favourites’ given that they were seeking their second crown in three years, had claimed six trophies in two seasons and were on course for their first ever cup and league double should they get the job done over Enniskerry YC.
The Berryfield Lane outfit were appearing in their very first Wicklow Cup final and had taken out last year’s finalists, Glenview and Kilcoole United, on route to the final, the Goosebankers in the fourth round and Glenview in the semi-final.
In terms of scoring goals Little
Bray were far more prolific than their north Wicklow counterparts, bagging 24 on the journey compared to 14 by Enniskerry YC, although a 7-0 win over Gorey Rangers ‘C’ and a 9-0 thumping of Arklow Celtic in the first and second rounds certainly boosted that goal tally.
‘Their first real test came in the third round when a Jonathan O’Neill goal saw them overcome Wicklow Rovers. They then needed a replay to see off Newtown, Billy Treacy eventually getting the winner in extra-time,’ writes Mark Brophy in his final preview.
‘Gorey Celtic gave them plenty to think about in the semi-finals, but Jonathan O’Neill saved their bacon with a late equaliser in the first game, with Shay Lowe grabbing the winner in the replay.
‘Having lost the likes of Stephen Martin, Des Kelly, Gary Snow, John Bishop, Kieran ‘Tarzan’ O’Brien and Danno Keating at the start of the season, many pundits were predicting that Little Bray would struggle to maintain their supremacy, but they look just as strong this year.
‘Ian Fowler has already established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the league, while Darren Keating, Darren Temple, James Devlin and Brendan Lowe make up a solid back four.
‘Billy Treacy, Kevin Farrell, Eddie McCann and Jonathan O’Neill provide the inspiration in midfield, while Paul Treacy, Alan Connolly and Shay Lowe give them plenty of options up front.
‘There are four survivors – Billy Treacy, Farrell, McCann and Connolly – from the team who beat Aughrim Rangers 5-2 in the 1992 decider. That was Little Bray’s first ever Wicklow Cup triumph and it was richly deserved on the day.
Darren Keating was also in the squad but didn’t play in the final.
‘Enniskerry Youth Club will relish their underdogs tag as they have already seen off a number of good sides.
‘They looked on their way out in the opening round when Vincent
McGrath popped up with a second-half equaliser against Division 1 side St. Patrick’s.
‘Goals from Jose Poveda and Tony Martin saw them through in the replay, but it was much easier in the next round against Carnew. A narrow home win over Arklow
Town B followed in the third round and then came that dramatic quarter-final tie against Kilcoole.
‘The first match ended 2-2 in Enniskerry, but all the drama came in the replay at Kilcoole. ’Youth Club were leading 2-1 with 90 seconds remaining in extra-time when the entire Kilcoole side walked off the pitch in protest at the refereeing of Shay Kiernan, who had sent off two of their players. Not surprisingly, Enniskerry were awarded the game.
‘It was their defence which took the honours in the semi-final as a Dominic Taheny goal enable them to see off Glenview 1-0.
‘Goalkeeper Karl Bradshaw was most assured under pressure, while Shane Greene, David Ebbs, Paul Kavanagh and Eddie Hayden kept a very tight rein on the Glenview attack.
‘A lot will depend on the influential Vincent McGrath if Enniskerry are to get any joy in the final. He will be supported by Gary Kavanagh and Aidan Leonard in the midfield sector.
‘’Youth Club would appear to have an embarrassment of riches up front as Fran May, Tony Martin, Jose Poveda and Dominic Taheny are all capable of putting the ball into the back of the net.
‘Hopefully, this will be a thrilling, exciting spectacle as cup finals don’t always fulfil expectations. Little Bray have to be fancied, but Enniskerry have overcome the odds before and who is to say they cannot do so again.