Wicklow face Offaly in semi-final

THE approaching Leinster under 21 semi-final with Offaly was the focus of a preview in the Wicklow People newspaper of April 6, 1990. Major names in Wicklow football were preparing to face the Faithful County in the provincial semi-final.

‘The Wicklow under 21 footballers will face their toughest test to date when they take on Offaly in the semi-final of the Leinster championship in Athy on Sunday at 3.30 p.m.

The Wicklow side has shown marvelous form in the championship this year already by accounting for Carlow by 1-10 to 1-4 in the first round and then beating Wexford by 0-15 to 0-6 in the second round.

On paper at least, Offaly will present a major challenge having won last year’s All-Ireland minor championship. They may still have some players from the under 21 side that took the All-Ireland two years ago.

But, nevertheless, the Wicklow players are confident about Sunday’s game. The side will be backboned by senior players like Fergus Daly, Terry Allen, Hugh Kenny, David Gordon, John Walsh, Conan Daye and Philip McGillycuddy.

Strong newcomers from last year’s minor team like Thomas Tonoghue, Thomas Keogh and Enda McGillycuddy have made an enormous difference to the Wicklow side while other experienced players in the squad such as Conor Doyle, Paul Kenny and Thomas English will be hoping to play their part.

Unfortunately, both Donoghue and Keogh have injury worries at present but will be hopig for full fitness for Sunday’s game.

The side had a useful workout against the senior team, Sunday’s winners will meet either Kildare or Meath on Sunday, April 15, in the Leinster decider.

The Wicklow team to play Offaly in the under 21 semi-final is:

Stephen Kennedy; Dermot Gordon, Hugh Kenny, Thomas Donoghue; Thomas Keogh, David Gordon, William Carey; Fergus Daly, Conor Doyle; Conan Daye, Terry Allen, Philip McGillysuddy; Thomas English, John Walsh, Paul Kenny.

Subs: Tommy Murphy, Paul Allen, Seamus Cullen, Brendan McGarr, Enda McGillycuddy, Colm Molloy, Eddie King, Peter O’Brien, Robert Robinson.

A young player by the name of Ciaran Shannon caught the eye of the Wicklow People reporter during the Hill Open Football League Division 2 game between Annacurra and Kilcoole in Kilcoole.

‘A faster, fitter Annacurra team proved too good for Kilcoole in a division 2 football league tie in Kilcoole on Sunday morning,’ wrote the reporter.

‘Last year the home team reached the county final – they’ll have to improve about two hundred per cent if they are to get in sight of that stage this year.

‘Annacurra had a good looking minor playing at centre half back, Ciaran Shannon, who could be looked at by the minor selectors. Padraig Dalton also had a very good game and Aidan and Rochie Doyle stood out in defence.

‘Kilcoole played in patches, but Wayne Moran at corner back caught the eye all through. Seamus Hatton had good moments at corner forward and Michael Neary had a very good game in goal.

‘Annacurra led 0-5 to 0-2 at half time but looked to be in trouble two minutes from the end when a Martin King goal left only a point between the sides. However, Annacurra responded quickly and Patrick O’Neill had cracked the ball to the net within a minute to give the Derry boys a well deserved victory’.

Division 3 Knockananna 1-9 Blessington 2-3 Knockananna escaped from Blessington with an away win to maintain their presence at the top of the Hill-Opel Division 3 table 30 years ago last weekend.

But they were made to work all

Kiltegan 1-13 Kilmacanogue 2-5

Ned Cremin proved to be the star of the show for Kiltegan 30 years ago when theyt made the long journey to take on Kilmacanogue in the Division 3 of the Hill-Opel League.

‘Kiltegan made the trip to the Sugarloaf on Sunday and survived a second-half goal blitz by Kilmac to collect the points in Division 3.

With Ned Cremin in deadly shooting form Kiltegan went into an early lead but were shocked by goals by Kevin Molloy and Paul Murphy early in the second half. The West men battled on and a goal by Sean Keogh sealed the issue.

Ned Cremin, Sean Gartland, Tony Kelly, Mick O’Toole, Andy Coleman, Ciaran O’Keeffe and Nigel Byrne were best for Kiltegan. Scorers – Sean Keogh 1-0, Ned Cremin 0-8, Nigel Byrne 0-2, Andy Coleman, Michael Byrne and John Kenny 0-1 each.

Andy Molloy, Damien Griffin, Aidan O’Toole and Kevin Doyle were best for Kilmac. Scorers – Kevin Molloy and Paul Murphy 1-0 each, Paddy King 0-2, Joe Molloy, Denis Flynn and Brian Mulligan 0-1 each.