WICKLOW SFC:VETERAN Tommy Gill's early second half goal helped champions Rathnew to a 1-12 to 0-10 win over Blessington as the club booked their place in the county final for the 14th time in 17 years at Aughrim yesterday.
Blessington trailed by 0-7 to 0-3 at the interval but a minute after the break Gill drilled a shot to the Blessington net and minutes later he floated over two super points.
All of a sudden Rathnew led 1-9 to 0-3 and, though David Behan and Dean Siney responded for Blessington, the game was by that stage out of reach of the blues.
Meanwhile, former county player John McGrath starred for Baltinglass as the Slaneysiders set up a SFC semi-final clash with St Patrick’s following a 2-8 to 0-8 victory over Bray Emmets in the quarter-final replay at Aughrim yesterday.
Second-half goals by Peadar Burke and Henry Sinnott sealed victory for the victors.
SCORERS – Rathnew1-12: Tommy Gill (1-4), Leighton Glynn (0-5), James Stafford (0-1), Barry Mernagh (0-1), Nicky Mernagh (0-1). Blessington 0-10: Dean Siney (0-6), David Behan (0-2), Anthony McLoughlin (0-1), Mick McLoughlin (0-1).
Baltinglass2-8: Henry Sinnott (1-1), Peadar Burke (1-0), Joey Kelly (0-4), John McGrath (0-3). Bray Emmets 0-8: John Kinch (0-4), Conor Flannery (0-2), Ray Lambe (0-1), Niall Gaffney (0-1).