Wicklow Rovers AFC

Founded 1975

Co. Wicklow

ROVERS HOLD NERVE IN SHOOTOUT

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Last night our Leinster Senior team travelled to take on Tallaght United in the David and Paddy Lanigan cup quarter final. Tallaght were flying high in their league with only one defeat all season. Cup matches can mostly be cagey affairs with teams concentrating on safety first. Well this didn't fall into that category. It was Tallaght who made the early running but without troubling Arthur Delahunt in the Rovers goal. It was Rovers who drew first blood though when Davy O'Sullivan fired them in front. Two minutes later Ciaran McGettigan set up O'Sullivan but the home keeper saved. The first twenty five minutes saw the home team control possession but Rovers against the run of play made it 2-0 with Ciaran McGettigan setting Davy O'Sullivan away to score his second and Rovers second of the game. On the half hour mark Tallaght were awarded a penalty which was saved by Arthur Delahunt but they duly dispatched the rebound to half the deficit. In the dying minutes of the first half the home team drew level and just when it seemed they would go in at the break level Rovers got their noses in front again when O'Sullivan fired home to complete his hat-trick to leave Rovers leading 3-2 at the break. Fifteen minutes into the second half the home team equalised with a fortunate strike but probably a deserved one. This seem to wake Rovers up and they upped their game, both Ciaran and Davy had chances but the keeper saved. It was onto extra time and both sides were pressing forward seeking a winner. Tallaght grabbed a fourth and this seemed to be the winner. With a minute left on the clock it looked all over Tallaght were booking their spot in the semi final but Rovers had other ideas. A ball into the area found Ciaran who rounded the keeper to square the game at 4-4 and we were heading for penalties for the second successive game in the competition. Rovers held their nerve in the shootout and once again it was an unlikely hero in the shootout with keeper Arthur Delahunt saving a spotkick and then stepping up to coolly slot home the deciding spot kick to send the lads into the semi final 5-4 on penalties. On the night there were impressive performances from Arthur Delahunt, Ian Brannigan, Jim Foley, Ben Algera, Ciaran McGettigan and Davy O'Sullivan. Well done to the whole team on a very good win against an excellent Tallaght side. We would like to wish Tallaght the very best of luck for the remainder of the season.

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