Wicklow Schools reach Leinster semi
Late penalty save sends Wicklow through to last four
WICKLOW SCHOOLS 2-10 MARIST COLLEGE 2-08
WICKLOW SCHOOLS reached the semi-final of the Top Oil Leinster Post Primary Schools Senior football ‘A’ championship with an exciting win over Marist College in Blanchardstown Institute of Technology on Saturday.
In the end the outcome depended on the final minute as Wicklow held onto a slim two-point lead. A dangerous Marist attack resulted in a penalty being awarded and a black card for Wicklow full-back Tom Maher.
Marist full-forward Brian Derwin struck the shot well but Wicklow goalkeeper Mark Jackson anticipated correctly and made a great save. Soon afterwards the full-time whistle sounded and Wicklow were narrow but deserving winners.
As there was a clash of colours it had been decided in advance that Wicklow would wear their alternative yellow jerseys. The game started with Marist attacking strongly and kicking two wides from good positions. In the fourth minute Wicklow went in front when Conor Byrne pointed a free but Brian Derwin soon equalised at the other end.
The hardworking Sean Gregory put Wicklow back in front but in the ninth minute a poor cross field Wicklow free was intercepted leading to a well finished Tom O’Carroll goal for Marist.
Not to be outdone, Wicklow found the net at the other end within a minute. A good move involving Darragh Fitzgerald, Liam Miley and Sean Gregory put Cathal Kelleher through and he shot to the net. Sean Dowd and Conor Byrne exchanged points but in the 24th minute Wicklow scored another goal, this one coming from Conor Byrne after good work by Sean Gregory and Cathal Kelleher.
Marist College rallied at the end of the half adding points by Kieran Colclough and Brian Derwin from frees. Wicklow deserved their half-time lead of 2-4 to 1-4 but must have rued their eight wides, many from good scoring positions.
Marist started the second half in much more determined mood. Within two minutes they had points on the board from a Brian Derwin free and sub Mark Egan.
Things got even better for the Athlone school in the fifth minute when a determined onslaught on the Wicklow goal was repulsed twice but finally James Sheerin found the net to put his team in front. They continued to press but Wicklow gradually came back into the game and opened their second half scoring with a long range point by Ross Coogan in the 10th minute. Wicklow then had two good goal opportunities with Conor Byrne hitting the side netting and Cathal Kelleher the upright.
Scores proved difficult to get in the next 12 minutes but a pointed free by Conor Byrne in the 16th minute brought the sides level. Another point by the same player in the 22nd minute edged Wicklow in front but Marist again rallied and two points from frees by Kieran Colclough put them back in front with 6 minutes remaining. Marist were then reduced to 14 players as full back Shane Furey received a second yellow card.
Wicklow goalkeeper Jackson soon made a fine save and at the other end a quick Conor Byrne free led to a Ross Coogan point to draw level once more.
A Conor Byrne point from a free put Wicklow ahead in the 28th minute and Cathal Kelleher added another soon after.
With time almost up the score was 2-10 to 2-8 for Wicklow and when Marist earned a penalty the semi final must have seemed in their reach but Jackson’s save ensured it was Wicklow schools who advanced to meet St Peter’s College Wexford in January.
Scorers - Wicklow Schools : Conor Byrne 1-5 (0-5f), Cathal Kelleher 1-1, Ross Coogan 0-3, Sean Gregory 0-1. Marist College: Brian Derwin 0-3 (0-2f), Kieran Col- clough 0-3 (0-3f), James Sheerin and Tom O’Carroll 1-0 each, Sean Dowd and Mark Egan 0-1 each.
Wicklow Schools: Mark Jackson (Scoil Chonglais Baltinglass), Cian Lee (Scoil Chonglais Baltinglass), Tom Maher (Gaelcholaiste na Mara Arklow), John Kavanagh (Avondale CC); Darragh Fitzgerald (Gaelcholaiste na Mara Arklow), Thomas Kearns (Coláiste Chraobh Abhann Kilcooole), Jacques McCall (Gaelcholaiste na Mara Arklow); Jack Mockler (Presentation College Bray), Mark Barrett (St Kevin’s CC Dunlavin); Ross Coogan (Scoil Chonglais Baltinglass), Conor Byrne (Avondale CC), Sean Gregory (Coláiste Chraobh Abhann Kilcoole); Liam Miley (St Kevin’s CC Dunlavin), Cathal Kelleher (Gaelcholáiste na Mara Arklow), Luke Evans (Coláiste Chraobh Abhann Kilcoole). Subs: Eoin McTeague (St David’s Greystones) for J Mockler, Cal Connolly (Coláiste Chill Mhantain) for L Miley, Conor Murphy O’Toole (Colaiste Chraobh Abhann) for T Maher (BC). Not Used: James Hedderman (Coláiste Bhride Carnew), Jack Dunne (Coláiste Chill Mhantain), Killian Hannon (Coláiste Chraobh Abhann).
Marist College Athlone: Seamus Smith, Stephen McGonagle, Shane Furey, Rory Dempsey, Kieran Colclough, David Fortune, Eoin Egan, Eddie Nolan, Shane Cunnane, Matthew Nally, J Sheerin, Adam Neary, Sean Dowd, Brian Derwin, Tom O’Carroll. Subs: Mark Egan for A Neary, Paul McGrath for S McGonagle, James Curley for S Dowd, Diarmuid Martin.