Wicklow SFC Final

Blessington 1-9 Rathnew 1-9

By Brendan Lawrence at Echelon Park

A late James Stafford point sent the Wicklow SFC decider between Rathnew and Blessington to a replay following a thoroughly entertaining decider in Aughrim.

Darren Coffey’s side were seeking their first Miley Cup since 2017 and they came within inches of achieving that dream when Stafford’s late effort sizzled over Rob Gilligan’s crossbar instead of under it, leaving the sides tied at 1-9 apiece on a stunning day in the Garden County and in front of a wonderfully loud and colourful crowd from both clubs.

This was as tense and as thrilling a county final as there has been in Wicklow for many years, with Blessington opening up two relatively heathy leads in the first and third quarters before Rathnew battled and blazed their way back to within reach on both occasions.

An early Kevin Quinn goal got Brian Cardiff’s side off to a flying start with just four minutes on the clock and it was 1-4 to 0-1 for the Blues after 13, Eddie Doyle swinging over a free for the Village before Mikey O’Connor (three) and Anto McLoughlin brought an impressive spell for Blessington to a finish.

Sam Healy fired over a great effort for Rathnew before Anto McLoughlin struck back for what would be Blessington’s last score of the half after 16 minutes.

Rathnew began to dominate around the middle third with Sean Coffey and Theo Smyth in fine form and Eddie Doyle (two), Smyth and James Stafford with the fist leaving it 1-5 to 0-6 at the break while Rob Gilligan saved superbly from a deflected Eddie Doyle free after 22.

Blessington started the second half like a train, pulling clear by 1-8 to 0-6 by the sixth minute through Mikey O’Connor (free), Dan Silke and Anto McLoughlin (free), but then Rathnew began to assert themselves yet again, firing four sides on the trot before James Stafford was found all alone in front of the Blessington goal and with his usual class he had the Rathnew crowd hopping and the ball in the back of the net, 1-8 to 1-6, 16 gone.

An Anto McLoughlin free pushed Blessington three ahead but back came Darren Coffey’s side through Eddie Doyle (free), Eoin Doyle and Stafford with that late rocket over the crossbar leaving it all square.

Blessington: Rob Gilligan; Steven Bohan, Conall Gallagher, Aaron Curran; Kevin Hanlon, Jack Gilligan, Paul McLoughlin; Craig Maguire, Dan Cooney; Eoin Keogh, Anto McLoughlin (0-4, f), Jordan McGarr; Dan Silke (0-1), Kevin Quinn (1-0), Mikey O’Connor (0-4, 1m, 1f).

Subs: Martin Shannon for D Cooney (42), Jack Cotter for J Hanlon (55), Curtis Geraghty for D Silke (57).

Rathnew: Ronan Doyle; Conor Lenahan, Jamie Snell, Gary Byrne; Fionn O’Sullivan, JT Hayden, Adam Byrne; Sean Coffey, Theo Smyth (0-1); Sam Healy (0-1), Sam O’Dowd, Callum Clarke; Eoin Doyle (0-1), James Stafford (1-2), Eddie Doyle (0-4, 4f).

Subs: Toby Curran for C Clarke (H/T), William Moorehouse for F O’Sullivan (39), Jonah Graham for S Healy (49), Ciaran Coffey for S Coffey (58)

Referee: Kieron Kenny (Tinahely).