JUST A STEP TOO FAR
Powerful Tipperary prove too strong in awful weather
TIPPERARY 5-13 WICKLOW 0-03 TIPPERARY proved a step too far for a Wicklow side that played in Biblical conditions in Mullingar on Sunday. There was an hour break at half-time as the referee inspected the pitch twice before deeming it playable for the second half. He attempted to bounce the ball on one of the wetter patches but failed miserably.
The heavy, relentless rain started in the fifth minute and in the last few minutes of the half the water became visible on the pitch, not just when players ran and caused a splash, but puddles had formed in different places. It did ease at half-time and stopped for a few minutes to let the players begin the second half but returned soon once again. Had it not eased at half-time it’s very likely the match would have been abandoned.
To the match itself, Tipperary are further down the road and as reigning Munster champions are tipped for All-Ireland glory.
This has been Wicklow’s most successful year since the 2011 All-Ireland Junior success with successful championship results over Offaly, Roscommon and Down and a promising league campaign. It’s a young team, manager Paul McLaughlin estimates the average age is 21, that has built a firm foundation and can aim to keep this momentum going in the coming years.
Promotion out of Division 4 is a realistic and necessary ambition for the team as many of the Intermediate teams they’ve played this year are at that level and above. Add in some of the minor stars and the future could be healthy for ladies football in Wicklow.
The score line doesn’t reflect it but Wicklow started this game very well. They conceded a point from the throw in but then went on to dominate possession and play in the Tipperary half of the field. However, they couldn’t take their opportunities or were reluctant to shoot when a chance arose.
It didn’t help that Wicklow had to move the ball forward through the hand rather than playing the ball long into the full-forwards. The Tipperary back line was tough to break past and showed that edge over Wicklow. It was all Wicklow for the first 15 minutes yet they couldn’t score as they kicked three wide and another shot went out for a 45 that was cleared safely.
Tipperary on the other hand took their chances, notching up 2-02 inside that 15 minute period from four attacks. The Wicklow defence had coped admirably in stopping Tipperary but just as the rain really began falling full forward Aisling McCarthy got on the ball and skipped past a couple of tackles to score the first goal in the sixth minute.
It took them another seven minutes to score their second goal as Wicklow continued to dominate the play. This time the goal was severely lucky as Mairéad Morrissey’s shot for a point from 25 metres went in under the crossbar and Wicklow’s Kim Connors couldn’t reach it. Likewise Tipperary’s fourth goal by Edith Carroll was very similar as it also dipped at the last minute into the net. On another day those shots go over the bar. It was 2-05 to a point at half-time, Laura Hogan opened Wicklow’s account in the 19th minute, but having weathered the early Wicklow storm, Tipperary were never in danger. In the final 15 minutes Wicklow never gave up looking for a goal and fashioned three chances but came away with only a point.
Wing backs Lorna Fusciardi and Sarah Miley got forward throughout the match, Miley especially caused some problems with her direct running and won a couple of frees. Laura Hogan converted the first one and went for goal from 14 metres with the second one but couldn’t get past a packed Tipperary goal line.
It’s a disappointing result to a good year for Ladies Football in Wicklow that will hopefully be used as a stepping stone to future success for the county.
Scorers – Tipperary: Aisling McCarthy (3f) 1-06; Mairéad Morrissey, Orla O’Dwyer 1-01; Jennifer Grant, Edith Carroll 1-00; Lorraine O’Shea, Eimear Myles 0-02 each; Cathríona Walsh 0-01. Wicklow: Laura Hogan (2f) 0-03. Tipperary: Patricia Hurley; Laura Morrissey, Samantha Lambert, Bríd Condon; Anne O’Dwyer, Clíona O’Dwyer, Jennifer Grant; Lorraine O’Shea, Sheelagh Carew; Edith Carroll, Mairéad Morrissey, Eimear Myles; Orla O’Dwyer, Aisling McCarthy, Cathríona Walsh. Subs: Emma Buckley for Jennifer Grant (46 mins); Kate Davey for Orla O’Dwyer (48 mins); Sinéad Delahunty for Laura Morrissey, Barbara Ryan for Emiear Myles (both 53 mins); Bernie Ryan for Lorraine O’Shea (57 mins).
Wicklow: Kim Connors; Emily Mulhall, Sarah Jane Winders, Áine Byrne; Lorna Fusciardi, Sarah Hogan, Sarah Miley; Jackie Kinch, Niamh McGettigan; Rose Fagan, Laura Hogan, Molly Cullen; Amy Murphy, Helena Dowling, Laurie Ahern. Subs: Maria Kealy for Laurie Ahern, Katie Miley for Helena Dowling (both HT); Alanna Conroy for Molly Cullen (35 mins); Ella Doran for Rose Fagan (43 mins).
Referee: Jonathan Murphy