Blessington and Rathnew will do it again after Wicklow final stalemate

TIGHT AFFAIR: Jack Gilligan of Blessington in action against James Stafford of Rathnew during the Wicklow County Senior Club Football Championship final between Blessington and Rathnew at Echelon Park in Aughrim, Wicklow. Pic: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Wicklow Senior Football Final: Blessington 1-9 Rathnew 1-9 

Blessington and Rathnew will have to do it all again after there was nothing to separate the sides in an entertaining Wicklow football final which ended in a draw — and confusion. 

Blessington led courtesy of Kevin Quinn’s fourth-minute goal until the 57th minute when James Stafford levelled proceedings with an inspirational score. A pinball few minutes followed in which only Anthony McLoughlin would get a shot off at the posts for Blessington from a free on the 45 which he couldn’t convert. 

Confusion followed the final whistle among players and supporters alike as the PA system announced extra time. Both sets of players then entered the dressing rooms, only for it to be announced again minutes later that the game was to be replayed this coming Saturday.

Blessington shot out of the blocks early leading Rathnew by 1-3 to 0-2 with 13 minutes gone. The major came from county player Kevin Quinn who had an open goal to aim at following a mistake in the Rathnew defence which allowed him to round Jamie Snell and roll home. 

Points from Mikey O’Connor with two and Anthony Mcloughlin followed in a period of dominance for the men on the Kildare border. Rathnew rallied toward the end of the half with two Edward Doyle frees and points from Theo Smyth and James Stafford to keep them in touching distance at the break.

A litany of wides cost Rathnew at the start of the second half as Blessington tacked on three points before Rathnew got the scoreboard ticking. However, that first decisive move of the half came from Rathnew stalwart James Stafford who was found with a peach of a pass from Toby Curran, which he collected turned and drilled to the net. A two-point game at that point, with excitement mounting rapidly. 

Anthony McLoughlin instantly hit back from a free to put three points between the sides. However, that would be the last score of the contest for the West Wicklow men as Rathnew piled the pressure on. Edward Doyle knocked over a free before 

Toby Curran from the resulting kick-out took a mark and hit Eoin Doyle inside who spun and raised a white flag. With just three minutes left of normal time James Stafford pounced, landing the leveller when a goal was on offer. 

The two teams will be back next Saturday to do battle once more for the Miley Cup with lessons learned.

Scorers for Rathnew: James Stafford (1-2), Edward Doyle 0-4 (4 frees), Eoin Doyle, Sam Healy and Theo Smyth (0-1 each).

Scorers for Blessington: Mikey O’Connor 0-4 (1 mark), Anthony McLoughlin 0-4 (3f)., Kevin Quinn (1-0), Dan Silk Fetherson (0-1).

Rathnew: R Doyle; A Byrne, J Snell, G Byrne; F O’Sullivan, J Hayden, S O’Dowd; C Lenahan, T Smyth; S Healy, J Stafford, C Clarke; E Doyle, Sean Coffey, E Doyle. Subs: T Curran for C Clarke (h - t); W Moorehouse for F O’Sullivan (39); J Graham for S Healy (49); C Coffey for S Coffey (58).

Blessington: R Gilligan; Steven Bohan, C Gallagher, A Curran; K Hanlon, J Gilligan, P McLoughlin; C McGuire, D Cooney; Eoin Keogh, A McLoughlin, J McGarr; D Fetherson, K Quinn, M O’Connor. Subs: M Shannon for D Cooney (42); Jack Cotter for K Hanlon (55); C Geraghty for D Fetherson (57).

Ref: Kieron Kenny (Tinahely)