Royals too strong for brave Wicklow

MEATH WICKLOW 4-9 1-7

THE Wicklow ladies football team bowed out of the Leinster Senior championship this week in 1996 when they were defeated by Meath in Baltinglass.

A superb start for the Royals saw them bag two majors in the first few minutes but points from Michelle Fee and Nicky Dunne settled the home side after the disastrous beginning.

‘The visitors still held the upper hand and added two further points to a lone reply from Anne McGillycuddy,’ read the match report.

‘The last five minutes of the half saw some dramatic action with 3-1 being scored during that period of play. Unfortunately, 2-1 was added to the Meath tally, with Nicky Dunne netting for Wicklow to leave the Meath ladies in a strong position at half-time, leading 4-3 to 1-3.

‘Wicklow’s hopes of an early recovery with the wind at their backs were dashed as Meath took control of midfield and added four points in the first 12 minutes of the half.

‘All Styar centre forward Christine O’Brien gave the Wicklow defence a torrid time with her strong running and accurate free-taking. Fiona White scored Wicklow’s fourth point but their opponents stormed up field and immediately recorded a similar score.

‘Points from Nicky Dunne and Anne McGillycuddy (2) came too late and, fittingly, Meath’s last score three minutes from time came from the boot of O’Brien.

‘On the day Meath were the more balanced team but the concession of two early goals and an inability to play consistently for more than a period of five minutes at a time cost the Wicklow women dear.

Wicklow: Valerie Halligan; Caroline Murphy, Rosie Brady, Mary Gaskin; Louise Allen, Anne Gaskin, Brenda Halligan; Sorcha Fitzpatrick, Elaine Murphy; Jill Heatley, Fiona White (0-1), Michelle Fee (0-1); Nicky Dunne (1-2), Patricia Flood, Anne McGillycuddy (0-3). Subs: Bridget Brady, Margaret Brady, Bernie Byrne, Valerie Hughes, Helen Coleman.