Wicklow Rovers 15A booked their place in the Trophy Final with an emphatic 8–1 victory over Arklow United 15B on Sunday, with Cian Foley grabbing a superb hat-trick in a dominant team performance.
Rovers got off to the perfect start in the fifth minute when Foley's corner found Michael Carroll, who rose highest to power a header into the net and give Rovers an early 1–0 lead.
Casey Brennan doubled the advantage in the 16th minute, reacting quickest to poke the ball home and put Rovers firmly in control. Mikey O'Neill then made it 3–0 in the 31st minute, calmly converting from the penalty spot after Foley had been brought down in the box. Rovers went into the break with a commanding three-goal advantage.
Rovers continued where they left off after the restart, with O'Neill grabbing his second of the afternoon just five minutes into the second half to extend the lead to 4–0.
Arklow United 15B showed great determination and were rewarded in the 49th minute when a ball over the top caught the Rovers defence out, allowing their forward to lob the advancing goalkeeper and pull one back.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished, however, as Cian Foley restored Rovers' four-goal cushion moments later, finishing from inside the box to make it 5–1.
Foley was far from finished. He struck again from distance before completing his hat-trick in the 58th minute, producing some superb footwork inside the box to turn his defender inside and out before firing an emphatic left-footed finish into the net.
Rovers added further gloss to the scoreline in the 62nd minute with another well-worked set-piece. A quick short corner created the opening, and Daniel Clarke delivered the ball for Carroll to rise and head home his second goal of the afternoon, bringing the scoring to a close at 8–1.
It was a fitting end to an outstanding team performance, with Foley's hat-trick, Carroll's brace and O'Neill's two goals helping Rovers secure their place in the Trophy Final.
The reward is a Trophy final against Arklow United 15A on 25 October, giving the squad the opportunity to finish their campaign in style.
A big well done to Arklow United 15B, who battled to the final whistle and showed great spirit throughout.
A big thank you to our team kit sponsor China Chef.
Rovers got off to the perfect start in the fifth minute when Foley's corner found Michael Carroll, who rose highest to power a header into the net and give Rovers an early 1–0 lead.
Casey Brennan doubled the advantage in the 16th minute, reacting quickest to poke the ball home and put Rovers firmly in control. Mikey O'Neill then made it 3–0 in the 31st minute, calmly converting from the penalty spot after Foley had been brought down in the box. Rovers went into the break with a commanding three-goal advantage.
Rovers continued where they left off after the restart, with O'Neill grabbing his second of the afternoon just five minutes into the second half to extend the lead to 4–0.
Arklow United 15B showed great determination and were rewarded in the 49th minute when a ball over the top caught the Rovers defence out, allowing their forward to lob the advancing goalkeeper and pull one back.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished, however, as Cian Foley restored Rovers' four-goal cushion moments later, finishing from inside the box to make it 5–1.
Foley was far from finished. He struck again from distance before completing his hat-trick in the 58th minute, producing some superb footwork inside the box to turn his defender inside and out before firing an emphatic left-footed finish into the net.
Rovers added further gloss to the scoreline in the 62nd minute with another well-worked set-piece. A quick short corner created the opening, and Daniel Clarke delivered the ball for Carroll to rise and head home his second goal of the afternoon, bringing the scoring to a close at 8–1.
It was a fitting end to an outstanding team performance, with Foley's hat-trick, Carroll's brace and O'Neill's two goals helping Rovers secure their place in the Trophy Final.
The reward is a Trophy final against Arklow United 15A on 25 October, giving the squad the opportunity to finish their campaign in style.
A big well done to Arklow United 15B, who battled to the final whistle and showed great spirit throughout.
A big thank you to our team kit sponsor China Chef.
