SENIOR A TEAM POWER INTO WICKLOW CUP FINAL

The big game today was the senior A team’s Wicklow cup semi-final on the all weather pitch at Travers Insurance Park. Rovers were at it from the first kick of the ball and had a dream start. Two minutes in Davy O'Sullivan beat the offside trap, rounded the keeper and coolly slotted home to put Rovers one up. Rovers were on the front foot and were getting behind the Avonmore defence. It was no surprise when they went two up after thirteen minutes. Oussama Kemouche put Davy O'Sullivan through on goal and he made no mistake as he fired home. A minute later Lorcan Sinnott was denied by a fine save from the keeper. It was all Rovers in the first half, on twenty five minutes Lorcan Sinnott played a crossfield ball to Oussama Kemouche who raced clear but the keeper saved well again. Ten minutes before the break Davy completed his hat-trick with a thunderous shot to the roof of the net. Two minutes later it could have been 4-0, Davy set up Oussama but his goal bound effort was cleared off the line. Just before half time Rovers made it 4-0 to kill off the game. Oussama's run down the left saw him pick out Lorcan Sinnott whose deft touch saw the ball nestle in the net. Five minutes into the second half Jim Foley was called on to make his first save getting his body behind a fierce drive. Avonmore were coming more into the game and on the hour mark they rattled the woodwork. Two minutes later they pulled one back but any hopes of a comeback were extinguished  straight away. Bryan Doyle played a neat pass out to the left to pick out Oussama, his cross was tucked away by Gareth Murphy. Avonmore nicked a second goal three minutes from time. The last piece of action came from Rovers, a free kick from Tommy Smullen forced the keeper to tip the ball onto the crossbar and away to safety. Rovers impressed from the kick off and the midfield trio of Tommy Smullen, Bryan Doyle and Peter Finnegan controlled the middle of the park in impressive fashion. Ben Algera showed his maturity at the centre of the Rovers rearguard  with a towering display. Up front the three of Oussama Kemouche, Davy O'Sullivan and Lorcan Sinnott were a handful throughout. Every player played their part in a great victory. It was a close call for man of the match with several players in contention for it, but l don't think anyone would argue with Davy O'Sullivan shading it. A clinical hat-trick and his all round play were exceptional. He had the Avonmore rearguard on their toes and ran the line effectively. Well done lads.