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A crowd of over 500 people flocked to the Carlisle Grounds in Bray to watch the battle between Glenview and Kilcoole United in the Hills of Arklow Wicklow Cup final in 1993.
Wicklow and Bray People reporter Mark Brophy and photographer Dave O’Connor were on hand to capture the scenes as the Bray side clinched a memorable victory thanks to a Joe Ronan goal after 21 minutes.
As so often happens in big finals across all sports, the pressure of the occasion can sometimes interfere with the quality of the game and this was no different although the standard did rise considerably after the restart we are told.
It was the second successive Wicklow Cup to return to the town of Bray with Glenview following on from Little Bray’s win in 1992 when they toppled Aughrim Rangers thanks to a star-studded display from Kieran ‘Tarzan’ O’Brien who banged in four goals on the day.
‘This was Glenview’s second time to lift the trophy, their only previous triumph coming in 1975, when they beat St. Earnan’s by the odd goal in five. Last year local rivals Little Bray United picked up the trophy so these are good times for the Dargle clubs,’ wrote Mark Brophy in his match report in the Wicklow and Bray People newspapers on Friday, May 28.
‘The final never really fulfilled expectations even if the quality of the football did improve somewhat after the resumption. Both of these teams played a lot better in their semi-finals.
‘Before the start of the match, the teams were introduced to the special guests, Mr. Max Hill of the sponsors, Hills of Arklow, and the Chairman of Wicklow County Council, Mr. John Byrne. The players were introduced to the guests by Mr. Harry Griffith of the Wicklow League.
‘Glenview began brightly, Stephen Harris heading just wide early on, but there were few opportunities in a tight opening 20.
‘Then came the all-important goal, Ronan stabbing the ball home from close range after an almighty scramble in the Kilcoole goalmouth. Although it was very much a scrambled affair, one had to admire the persistence of the Glenview number nine who was chasing his fifth Wicklow Cup medal, having already won with St. Earnan’s, Rathnew and Wicklow Rovers.
‘Kilcoole fought back strongly and were unlucky not to be on level terms just three minutes later, Anto Harvey seeing his header cleared off the line by his opposite number Stephen Harris.
‘The Goosebankers were convinced they had equalised in the 42nd minute when John Young brushed aside the challenges of two defenders before lobbing goalkeeper Karl Clarke from 15 yards. However, Derek Campbell was deemed to be in an offside position and the goal was disallowed.
‘Whether Campbell was interfering with play was open to debate, but referee Frank Mullan had no doubts that he was.
‘There was a lot more action in the second half when both sides played some good football. Ronan should have scored his second goal six minutes after the restart when he pounced on a poorly hit backpass from Pat ‘Boxer’ Doyle before shooting over from a slightly narrow angle.
‘We then had a stoppage of nearly five minutes as Kilcoole’s Martin Merriman needed stitches in a facial wound. Merriman then bravely blocked a goalbound shot from Declan Harris in the 69th minute.
‘Michael Fegan was a whisker away from making it 2-0 in the 73rd minute, his header striking the crossbar after Ronan had created the chance with a splendid cross.
‘Kilcoole’s best chance of an equaliser came in the last minute of normal time when Wayne Moran fired in a shot only for Glenview defender Michael Mohan to rescue his side with a brilliant goal-line clearance.
‘Not surprisingly, Bray Wanderers manager John Holmes named losing skipper John Young as the man of the match. Even in defeat, the Wicklow Oscar Traynor star looked a high-class performer. He picked up a gold watch for his performance. The award was presented by Jim Lawless of the Mayfair Hotel, Bray.
‘David Murphy, Stephen Harris and Ger Byrne were all outstanding in a solid Glenview defence. Michael Fegan and Joe Rogan also looked the part for the winners.
‘Apart from Young, Anto Harvey, Sean Greene and Alan Harris were always prominent for the losers who have sadly ended the year without a trophy despite playing some terrific football.
Karl Clarke, David Murphy, Stephen Harris, Ger Byrne, Thomas O’Brien, Michael Mohan, Declan Harris, Michael Fegan, Joe Ronan, Sean Stephens, Jason Kelly. Subs: Thomas Kelly, David Egan.
GLENVIEW: KILCOOLE UNITED:
Michael Campbell, Sean Greene, Anto Harvey, Alan Harris, Pat ‘Boxer’ Doyle, Ger Wallace, Wayne Moran, Martin Merriman, Derek Campbell, John Young, Freddie Hamilton. Subs: Colin Dowling, John Campbell.
REFEREE:
Frank Mullan