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Bray Wanderers Legends 1 Wolfe Tone Legends 3
2010-06-21
Two late goals by former Wicklow League player of the year Thomas ‘Tucker’ Tobin helped Wolfe Tone lift the inaugural Clash of the Titans Cup. But they had to come from behind to conquer a Bray side full of League of Ireland legends last Sunday. With children allowed to enjoy the contest free of charge, the 1,000 people in attendance were treated to a great spectacle as many on show defied their aging years with sublime skill.
Most notably, the game will be remembered for the heroics of the five goalkeepers on show who pulled off a series of wonderful saves that would not have been out of place had they been made in South Africa at the World Cup.
Decked out in glorious sunshine to greet Father’s Day, the pitch at the Carlisle Grounds was in glorious condition as it lived up to the tag as the best playing surface in County Wicklow. However, the Bray squad were dealt a double blow as they lost the influential duo of Stephen Fox and Jody Lynch to injury in the build-up to the game. But with Pat Devlin back in the dug-out for the occasion, Wanderers started brightly with three-time FAI Cup winner Philip ‘Pip’ Keogh firing a stunning 25-yard shot just over the cross-bar. Wolfe Tome’s first opening arrived in the 16th minute. Dean Jordan challenged Colin Kelly for the ball. It fell to the waiting Tobin whose curled shot was palmed out for a corner by the keeper. The Seagulls responded with Ciaran Ryan’s goal-bound low drive that
was marvellously turned round the up-right by Wicklow’s 1986 Oscar Traynor Trophy custodian Shaun Temple. And in the 25th minute, the unlucky Robbie Coyle was unlucky to see his back-post header hit the side-netting was ghosting in to meet a deep flag-kick. From then until the break, the ‘Youth Club took control. Inspired by a piece of individual brilliance when Jordan when took the ball from the sky to thwart a Wanderers attack, ex-Seasider Justin
Dutton beat the offside. But he could find no way past the inspired Kelly who diverted the ball past the upright.
Then just before the break, Shay Brien was released along the left channel only for Alan Young - current Enniskerry Youth Club boss - to make a brilliant stop to see the side’s in level at the break.
Wolfe Tone drafted in the three O’Connor brothers - James, Danny and Gary - for the second period, with the Sheffield Wednesday ace James and former Shamrock Rovers and Bray player Danny pulling the strings in the middle of the park.
In the 48th minute, Tony Harris was sent through one on one with Kelly. But the net-minder made another finger-tip save. Soon after, James O’Connor’s cross was deflected to the back stick were the in-rushing Paul Dowling sliced wide of the target. Then Dutton again was set free. This time, Young proved up to task saving superbly with his feet. At the other end, they were made to pay for those misses as Wanderers. It took a fantastic point blank parry by Darren Brien to stop Kieran ‘Tarzan’ O’Brien breaking the dead-lock. The keeper was called into action again to keep out a Coyle attempt from close in soon after. Then Bray broke the dead-lock just after the hour. O’Brien jinked to create space and send in a cross from the left. It fell to Shay Brien - who switched teams at half time - and he guided a precise header from six-yards past his younger brother. Wolfe Tone though were back on level terms within five minutes. Mark Mahon’s quick throw saw Harris get to the end-line. And his cut-back was fired to the net at the front post by Dutton. With Ian ‘Trainer’ Fowler proving a safe pair of hands between the posts at this stage for Blue’s, the Temple Sportsfield based outfit
were deprived of the lead by a controversial offside flag as Ben McNulty slide the ball to the net. Undeterred, the ’Youth Club did take the lead with eight minutes remaining. James O’Connor’s defence splitting pass released Tobin who audaciously lobbed Young from 25-yards.
The victory was sealed four minutes later. McNulty evaded a tackle along the right flank and strode into the box before setting up Tobin who side-footed in from close range.
Bray Wanderers Legends: Colin Kelly; Matt Britton, Anthony ‘Bo’ McKeever, Mick Doohan, Maurice Farrell; Colm Tresson, Philip Keogh, Ciaran Ryan, Robbie Coyle; Kieran ‘Tarzan’ O’Brien, Barry O’Connor. Subs: Richie Parsons, Alan Dodd, Keith Long, Alan Young, John Finnegan, Alan King.
Wolfe Tone Youth Club Legends: Shaun Temple; James Treacy, Gary Purdy, Dean Jordan, Darren Temple; Stuart Purcell,
Thomas Tobin, John Joe Scanlon, Keith Moloney; Shay Brien, Ben McNulty. Subs: Justin Dutton, Mick Mohan, Darren Brien, Tony Harris, Paul Dowling, Jamie Quiney, Tony Salmon, James O’Connor, Danny O’Connor, Gary O’Connor, Ian ‘Trainer’ Fowler, Mark Mahon, Justin Kelly.
Referee: Sid McDonnell. Assistants: Thomas Dowling, Sean Cleary (all Wicklow ISRS).
