Wonderful Kennedy Cup win on day 2 for Wicklow
Talented side see off South Tipperary in second game
WICKLOW 2 SOUTH TIPPERARY 1
DAY 2 of the Kennedy Cup saw WDSL take on South Tipperary, second seeds in the group.
After a heartbreaking defeat to first seeds North Dublin, it was time for the WDSL to regroup and establish a foothold in this competition. South Tipperary were coming into the game on the back of a victory over Roscommon and they were hoping to continue their winning streak for the final game of the group against the NDSL.
However, it was Wicklow who started on the front foot, as Conor Clinton was in great form attacking on numerous from the left side. Eoin Doyle managed to squeeze off a couple of long range efforts in the opening half which missed the target narrowly.
As Wicklow were beginning to establish a dominance in the game, South Tipperary capitalised on a mistake from Wicklow and took the lead, which they accepted with glee.
Wicklow built up play through midfielders Ross Quinn and Sam Bishop, with the latter clipping in a shot that the opposition goalkeeper only just got his hands on. South Tipperary did threaten but Wicklow remained resilient as the backline of Stephen Kearns, Adam Farrell, Conor Leonard, Ryan Delamere-Hanlon stood firm.
Half-time saw Wicklow still playing good football but remain behind by the single goal. Josh Odlum was introduced just after the break and he would be instrumental in Wicklow getting back into the game. Ben Free won a free kick on the right side and Josh delivered ball across the box where Niall Sheehan met the ball with a glancing header and put Wicklow level.
The goal added a new found energy to Wicklow’s play, which proved to be the difference as Wicklow pressed the South Tipperary goal more and more. It was on one such occasion when Eoin Doyle was breaking into the box and was adjudged to have been fouled by the South Tipperary centrehalf. The fouled captain took charge and powered home the penalty to give Wicklow the lead.
Wicklow remained calm and focused on defending, though they were still a threat up front through the willing-runner Cody Reid, who took on the entire backline to give Wicklow an outlet. It was a testament to the defence that no major chances were conceded though Andrew Nolan was alert in the goal to extinguish any hope of a chance for South Tipperary.
The final whistle was greeted with great joy as Wicklow claimed their first win of the competition.