Ng by ruthless Ryan
Máire Doran.
Leitrim replied with a fine score from Ryan O’Rourke on 15 minutes but three more scores for Wicklow – a Mark Jackson free, Darren Hayden with the fist and Patrick O’Connor after a fine run from Devereux – left Wicklow looking very healthy after 22 minutes at 1-3 to 0-1 ahead.
A dropped ball in the Wicklow defence allowed Domhnaill Flynn a chance and the centre half forward took it with aplomb. More squandered Wicklow possession saw Damien Moran profit when he fired over after 24 and three Wicklow wides were followed by Damien Moran’s second score of the day, this time from a free with 33 on the clock to leave just two between the sides at 1-3 to 0-4.
Mark Jackson pushed Wicklow three ahead with a 45 but Leitrim full-back Paddy Maguire answered with a stunning effort after rampaging up the field as the first half neared an end.
One of Dean Healy’s many trundling runs forward resulted in a fine point from the Pat’s man and Wicklow captin and then a strong finish from Leitrim saw Domhnaill Flynn and Shane Moran raise white flags to leave just one between the teams in what was a reasonably fair reflection on the first half.
The visitors were level within three minutes of the restart through Damien Moran and then they led for the first time 60 seconds later when Evan Sweeney split the posts.
Darren Hayden collected a Jamie Snell ball after eight to fire over for a tasty score, the only problem being it was sandwiched between two Leitrim scores, the first from Jack Heslin after Theo Smyth was denied by McKiernan at the other end, and the second from Ryan O’Rourke after he collected a Shane Moran free and barely escaped the clutches of Oisin Manning.
There were strong calls for a penalty in the immediate aftermath of Smyth’s saved shot after the Rathnew man hit the deck due to the attentions of Micheal McWeeney but Niall McKenna wasn’t interested. It was a major talking point after the game.
Mark Jackson and Pierce Dolan exchanged scores before Mark Doyle and Jackson again (both frees) pulled Wicklow level at 1-9 to 0-12 as the tension and drama rose to new levels in Aughrim.
A magnificent score from Chris O’Brien pushed Wicklow ahead on 55 before Ryan O’Rourke sent over an outrageous free off the outside of his right boot, stand side, Rednagh Hill end, a thing of sheer beuaty.
Ray Mulvery pushed Terry Hyland’s men ahead again and then Jackson and Conor McGraynor left Wicklow sitting pretty on 69 minutes.
The rest as they say is history and Leitrim emerged victorious from Aughrim.
Wicklow were impressive at times. There’s a lack of a Ryan O’Rourke type attacker in John Evans’ side but in terms of work rate, effort, courage and togetherness, I think we are seeing one of the healthiest Wicklow sides for a number of years and one that could be there or thereabouts come the business end of this league if that rogue Lady Luck would get off her high horse and give the Garden County men a break for once.
Scorers – Leitrim: Ryan O’Rourke 1-3, Damien Moran 0-3 (1f), Domhnaill Flynn 0-2, Shane Moran 0-2, Paddy Maguire 0-1, Evan Sweeney 0-1, Jack Heaslin 0-1, Pierce Dolan 0-1, Ray Mulvey 0-1, Gary Plunkett 0-1.
Wicklow: Mark Jackson 0-5 (4f, 1 45), Mark Doyle 1-1 (f), Darren Hayden 0-2, Patrick O’Connor 0-1, Dean Healy 0-1, Chris O’Brien 0-1, Conor McGraynor 0-1.