Big scalp for minors
Hyland shines as Wicklow see off fancied Laois
WICKLOW LAOIS 1-10 0-9
Hurling in Wicklow was looking very positive in early April of 1990 following the performance of the county minors in a Leinster Division 2 league clash with Laois in Pearse’s Park in Arklow.
The manner of the Garden County side’s victory over the O’Moore County team gave reporter Eoin Quinn plenty of cause for enthusiasm with the defence putting on a superb display while Don Hyland’s 1-5 and substitiute Trevor Doyle’s point immediately after stepping on to the field for MJ O’Neill were scores that certainly caught the eye.
Mentors of the talented young team came from three of the strong hurling clubs at the time in Wicklow: Edmund Hyland from Carnew Emmets, Sean O’Brien from St. Patrick’s and Glenealy’s John Byrne were on the sideline at Pearse’s Park and were very positive about how far hurling had progressed in the county.
Many of these young players would go on to shine for club and county over the next 25 years at least.
‘Wicklow booked its place in the minor hurling Division 2 play-offs with an impressive four-point win over highly rated Laois team at Pearse’s Park, Arklow, on Saturday, 1-10 to 0-9.
‘It was a confident and solid display by the home side and demonstrated just why Wicklow has been able to carve out such a comfortable niche at the top of the division 2 in its first season.
‘Laois were leading by 9 points to 1-5 at half-time, having had the benefit of the wind. The Wicklow team came out to dominate the second half, however, and the Laois side were left struggling to keep within sight of the home side.
‘The only weakness which could be found in the side was in the forward line, and if they had been in top form the winning margin could have been much larger.
‘Wicklow’s defence was outstanding. Gary Quinn (Carnew) never put a foot wrong, and made three wonderful saves. All six backs were first class, particularly Colm Byrne, John Manley, Aidan Delaney and Brian Gleeson.
‘At midfield Liam Mellon was outstanding, while the best of the forwards were Don Hyland (who scored 1-5), Colin Furlong, Colm Murphy, Alan Lawlor, and second-half substitute Trevor Doyle, who put his name on the scoresheet as soon as he set foot on the field.
‘All in all, it was a confident and well-rounded performance. According to team mentors, Sean O’Brien (St. Pat’s), Edmund Hyland (Carnew), and John Byrne (Glenealy) the team’s display was an indicator of how far hurling has progressed in Wicklow in a relatively short period of time.
‘Both teams were loud in their praise of the ground conditions in Arklow. The pitch was in beautiful condition, and both Laois and Wicklow remarked that it was a pleasure to play on.
‘Wicklow: Gary Quinn; Ciaran O’Connor, Colm Byrne, John Manley; Aidan Delaney, Brian Gleeson, Padraic Connolly; Dermot Brown, Liam Mullan; Alan Lawlor, John Casey, Colin Furlong; Michael John O’Neill, Mick Murphy, Don Hyland. Sub: Trevor Doyle for M O’Neill’.