Late Gormley point earns Abbey a draw

SCOIL CHONGLAIS ABBEY CC 1-7 2-4

THE Wicklow Post Primary Schools first-year title was yet to be decided this week in 1994 when the final between Scoil Chonglais of Baltinglass and Wicklow town’s Abbey CC ended in a draw at 1-7 to 2-4 when the sides met in Tinahely.

The battle was described as ding-dong and the draw was said to be a fair result with neither team deserving to lose on the night.

‘Possession was evenly shared in the first half but Baltinglass were better at taking their chances and led by 1-3 to 0-1 at half-time,’ read the report.

‘A feature of this half was the many dangerous solo runs by the Baltinglass stars John Bookle and Jimmy Fluskey which put the Wicklow defence under strong pressure.

‘The second half took a similar pattern to the first with Wicklow mounting increasing pressure but Baltinglass looked dangerous in breaks.

‘Two goals by determined corner-forward Jason Giffney, who also hit the crossbar, brought the Abbey level but they were then reduced to 14 players when Mark Doyle was sent off after an earlier booking.

Baltinglass took the lead again but in the last minute, Abbey captain Warren Gormley stormed through for the equalising point.

Apart from Bookle and Fluskey Baltinglass had stars in full-back J. Cronin, wing half backs F. Gartland and R Donegan, while Luke Nolan was the pick of the forwards.

Abbey Community College had fine defenders in Nigel Cody, Ray Healy and Jack Byrne. Jonathan O’Neill played his heart out at midfield while others to impress were Warren Gormley and Jason Giffney.