McGettigan stars as Rovers rejoice

The home side got off to a great start when winger Ciaran McGettigan opened the scoring in the fifth minute. McGettigan was picked out making a run into the penalty area by striker David O' Connor, McGettigan beat two Corduff defenders before slotting the ball into the right bottom corner.

Corduff were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty on the 10th minute when defender Ryan Morley was tripped by Ian Brannigan before getting his shot off, but referee Mick Dulan waved away any appeals for a spot kick from the Dublin defender.

Corduff were getting a lot of chances going forward and Rovers were a bit shaky at the back, striker Leon Nolan was seeing a lot of the ball in attacking areas but often found himself isolated on his own upfront and needed his teammates to run off him to create chances.

Nolan was involved in Corduff's equaliser on the 21st minute when his freekick was saved by shot stopper Rossa Marron but the keeper could only parry it out to midfielder David Fitzgerald who slotted the ball into the net.

A bizarre turn around for the home side as they scored right from the following kick off. A long ball from winger Aidan Small met the head of David O'Connor who found the back of the net. Rovers were back in front a minute after Corduff grabbed their equaliser.

O'Connor grabbed a brace five minutes later when his team mate Ciaran McGettigan was taken down in the penalty area by Corduff keeper Paul Fetherstone, referee Mick Dulan immediately pointed to the penalty spot. 'DOC' stepped up and smashed the peno into the top corner, a great strike from the forward to bring the game to 3-1.

Corduff got a lifeline on the stroke of half-time as Rovers defender Jim Foley put the ball in his own net. Foley was trying to clear a dangerous corner from the opposing side but miscued his clearance and put the ball past his own keeper on the 43rd minute.

McGettigan got his second of the game a few minutes after the restart as Ian Brannigan picked him out from a corner, McGettigan made a run to the front post and went unmarked to nod the ball past Fetherstone in goal. Rovers were back in the driving seat at 4-2.

Corduff grabbed one back against the run of play when a mistake at the back for the Wicklow side gave Steve Morley the opportunity to slot into the corner of the net and bring the game to 4-3.

Wicklow Rovers introduced Dylan Orr and Mick Delaney late on to try and add more of an attacking threat to finish off the game but it was winger Ciaran McGettigan who clinched the title for his side as he grabbed his hat-trick five minutes from time. The winger went past the Corduff defence as if they weren't there and then rounded the keeper to slot into an empty net. A great performance from the Wicklow winger to score a hat-trick on the most vital game of the season.

Rovers were worthy winners on the day and worthy winners in the league overall with their performances throughout the season.

After the game Wicklow manager Anthony Franey praised his side's performance this season: 'The lads have been great this season and even more so since the restart after the lockdown. It's been a difficult task because we were training twice a week and playing games twice a week, but it's been great. We were unlucky not to win the league in the last game when we drew but we're all delighted to lift the title today after that performance.'

Wicklow Rovers: 1. Rossa Marron, 2. Jim Foley, 3. Ian Brannigan, 4. David Rowan, 5. Paul Newsome, 6. Peter Finnagan, 7. Tom Smullen, 8. Alan Power, 9. Aidan Small, 10. David O' Connor, 11. Ciaran McGettigan. Subs: Dylan Orr for Jim Foley (70), Mick Delaney for Aidan Small (70).

Corduff FC: 1. Paul Fetherstone, 2. Ryan Morley, 12. Shane Dodd, 18. Craig Morley, 9. Mo Mubideen, 16. Steve Morley, 19, Danny Bradley, 7. David Fitzgerald, 5. Ryan Mayer, 11. Conan Rooney, 8. Leon Nolan.

Referee: Mick Dulan