O’Briens’ goals crucial for Garden

WICKLOW 3-15 DERRY 2-13

GOALS from George and Andy O’Brien were the difference between Wicklow and Derry yesterday, as the Oak Leaf men go into a relegation play-off while the Garden County finish third in a disappointing season.

Derry led by 0-5 to 0-2 on 11 minutes but wouldn’t score for another 20 minutes, during which time Wicklow added 1-4 – George O’Brien with the goal – to take control.

Derry responded well, but Andy O’Brien’s goal gave them a six point lead at half-time, 2-8 to 0-8.

Meehaul McGrath scored a goal to reduce the deficit after the break, before Andy O’Brien found the net again.

Padraig Doyle’s dismissal gave Derry a lifeline, but Wicklow stepped it up again.

SCORERS – Wicklow: A O’Brien 2-4 (1 65, 1f), G O’Brien 1-3, J Connors 0-5 (2f), D Staunton 0-2, R Keddy 0-1.

Derry: A Grant (3f) 0-5, M McGrath 1-1, A O’Donnell 1-0, C O’Doherty 0-2, L Murphy, M McGuigan, C Murphy, B Quigley, N Waldron 0-1 each. WICKLOW – R Fitzgerald 7; E Byrne 7, S Kelly 8, M O’Brien 7; G Byrne 7, W Kavanagh 8, E Kearns 7; R Keddy 7, D Staunton 8; J Connors 8, J Henderson 7, S Germaine 7; P Doyle 6, A O’Brien 7, G O’Brien 8. Subs: J Doyle 6 for S Germaine (56), P Keane 7 for Garry Byrne (61), B Cuddihy 7 for Martin O’Brien (64), E McCormack (not on long enough) for Andy O’Brien (69).

DERRY – M Kirkpatrick 6; N Farran 7, P Turner 6, D McCloskey 7; N Waldron 6, C Steele 7, J Phelan 6; T Magee 6, M McGuigan 7; A Grant 7, M McGrath 7, Colm Murphy 8; L Murphy 6, C O’Doherty 7, D Cartin 6. Subs: J Mullan 6 for P Turner (23), N Smyth 6 for L Murphy (HT), A O’Donnell 7 for D Cartin (38), B Quigley 7 for T Magee (45), T Rankin 6 for A Grant (58, inj.).

Ref – P Burke (Kilkenny)