‘We’re very excited to get another crack at them’

WICKLOW didn’t leave the midlands with their hands on the Leinster Junior trophy on Sunday but they did leave with their aspirations for the crown still intact as they battled back from a four-point half-time deficit to record a 2-7 each draw against the Faithful county.

The girls led by two points at one stage in the second half but manager and Laois native Brendan Phelan said he was relatively satisfied with the girls overall performance but admits there is plenty to work on before the two sides lock horns again.

“To be fair to both sides it was a great contest and with the way we came back and then the lead swapped from one team to the other I’m sure it was a very exciting match for the spectators. Obviously we would have loved to come away with the win but Offaly are a top side and myself and the girls are really excited to get another crack at them in a few weeks’ time.”

Speaking on the second half comeback Phelan says that it was testament to the character of the girls but notes that at no stage was the panic button pressed by anyone.

“Although we were a few points down and Offaly are a quality side there was no sense of panic at half time. We’re lucky to have some great leaders in the team and the girls really took the initiative themselves and pulled together collectively and had a real belief that we could still win. As a manager it’s brilliant to see that the girls have the capacity to motivate themselves and it’s been clear since we got together in February that I’ve taken over a really driven bunch.”

“We battled back really well in the second half and even got the lead with those two goals. I suppose if you were to pick negatives you’d say we only scored two points in the second half other than that and there’s no doubt our shooting let us down somewhat. We certainly have the capability as we showed against Louth (where Wicklow scored 1-18) but it’s something we will work on ahead of the replay and we are happy that we are creating these chances.”

The replay will be another chance to grab some early silverware but is also a dress rehearsal for the championship as Offaly are one of three other teams (Dublin, Waterford and Westmeath) in Wicklow’s championship group. Phelan says he is not looking past the rematch with Offaly but admits that the replay should stand them in good stead leading into the championship.

“Our mantra has been to take each game as it comes but there’s no doubt that testing ourselves regularly against quality teams such as Offaly is a positive. Many of their players recently won a Leinster Minor ‘A’ championship so for the girls to test themselves and compete against that calibre of player is fantastic. We didn’t participate in the league this year and relied on challenge games so to get exposure against top county teams should stand to us come championship but all our focus will be on Offaly the next day.”

Phelan agreed to take over in November and the team have been training since February and the Laois man says it is an experience which he has enjoyed and he feels he has got great support from the clubs, county board and the players themselves.

“Wicklow hadn’t competed in the camogie championship in the last five or six years so I suppose the objective at the start was to get the clubs and the players to buy into the set up. The county board have been great and provided us with a great backroom team and having top class facilities such as Ballinkill to be utilised is a real bonus.”

“We set our stall out from the start that we were going to have a right crack and run things professionally and I think the girls have really bought into that. There is a real understanding between the camogie clubs and the county and that communication has been crucial in that there have been very few, if any clashes in terms of matches or trainings which has allowed both set ups run things smoothly”.

“There is also a number of girls with dual commitments with the county footballers and a few doing the leaving cert as well. To be fair again there has been a real clarity and trust between ourselves and our county football counterparts and the girls themselves seem to take it all in their stride which testament to them.”

“The girls really are a credit to themselves. We’ve trained twice a week since February and their work rate and commitment throughout has been incredible. To win on Sunday would have been just rewards for their efforts but we’re all excited to get another crack and hopefully we’ll get a good turn-out to cheer us on.”

The venue for the replay on June 11 has yet to be decided but one would hope that the Leinster council would have the sense to give Wicklow home advantage considering the Garden women had to make the long trip to Birr for part one of the sequel.

Either way Wicklow seem well set up to mount another serious challenge on their more illustrious opponents.

Phelan admits that reaching finals and playing teams such as Offaly is great for Wicklow in both the short and long term.

“It’s great for us to be in the final and to win some silverware would be great but I think it’s also crucial to grow the interest of the game in Wicklow for the future generation as we are the flagship team essentially.

“Hopefully we’ll give them something to shout about the next day”.