Kealy hat-trick inspires Wicklow

A HAT-TRICK of goals from Marie Kealy and a dominant performance across the middle third of the pitch powered Wicklow to a comfortable victory in the Lidl Ladies National League Division 4 final.

Louth were left chasing shadows as Wicklow, beaten finalists last year, produced a devastating display, firing 2-6 without reply at one stage in the third quarter.

The real hammer blow came with the last play of the first half, when Laura Hogan opened up the Louth defence with a driving run to set up Meadhbh Deeney, who found the net with a great finish.

The impressive Kate Flood scored a goal at the start of the second half to give Louth hope of launching a comeback, but Wicklow rallied in spectacular fashion and two goals from player of the match Kealy, and a brace of fine points from Jackie Kinch, pushed their lead out to 18 points.

A late consolation goal from Lauren Boyle trimmed the gap somewhat but Wicklow continued to look sharp going forward, firmly establishing their credentials as potential dark horses for the upcoming Leinster Intermediate Championship.

SCORERS – Wicklow: M Kealy 3-3, M Deeney 1-3 (0-1f), J Kinch 0-5, A Murphy 0-2, L Hogan, C Fox, L Fusciardi, N Baker 0-1 each. Louth: K Flood 1-3 (0-1f), L Boyle 1-2 (0-1f), M McArdle, S Byrne and C McGlew 0-1 each.

WICKLOW – K Connors; E Mulhall, SJ Winder, L Fusciardi; L Ahern, S Hogan, A Conroy; N McGettigan, S Miley; A Murphy, J Kinch, M Deeney; C Fox, M Kealy, L Hogan. Subs: A Gorman for Fox (47), A Gillen for Fusciardi (52), S O’Connor for Deeney (54), N Baker for Miley (58), R Fagan for Mulhall (60+1). LOUTH – U Pearson; E Singleton, R Kane, S McLoughlin; C Nolan, D Osborne, B McGrane; S Woods, R Carr; P Murray, S Byrne, A Russell; L Boyle, K Flood, M McArdle. Subs: M McMahon for Russell (25), Á Breen for Woods (36), E Hand for Singleton (41), C McGlew for McArdle (41), S Englishby for Osborne (49).

REF – G Carmody (Mayo).