Wicklow enjoy a feast of football in Portlaoise
WICKLOW U-15S
WICKLOW’S under-15 footballers travelled to Portlaoise to play three games against Kilkenny, Louth and Laois last Saturday.
The morning started off early at first pick up point in Kilmacanogue at 7.15am then on to Wicklow Town, Rathnew, Aughrim, Baltinglass, Donard and Hollywood to collect 23 players to represent the county. Numerous players were missing due to family holidays and Gaeltacht trips.
Wicklow’s first game in Portlaoise was against Kilkenny who were managed by former All Star hurler DJ Carey.
Kilkenny came prepared and full of confidence as DJ said before the match and he was looking forward to see how Kilkenny would perform.
However, Wicklow, managed by a former All Star of our own, Kevin O’Brien, approached this game with confidence and determination backed upped by practical coaching sessions in Ballinakill.
Wicklow stormed into the game early on and had Kilkenny under mighty pressure to lead 8-09 to 1-01 at half-time.
During the break Kevin O’Brien reorganised his team and gave eight new players the opportunity for the second half. The pressure continued and Wicklow ran out easy winners on a score line of 13-13 to 1-03.
When Wicklow were playing Kilkenny, on another pitch Laois beat Louth’s second team very convincingly.
After a quick turnaround of 10 minutes, Wicklow got organised again to play Louth’s first team who were resting and ready to play Wicklow.
The week prior to the exam break, Louth comprehensively defeated Laois in the last Leinster round of games. Wicklow would have to be at their very best to make this game competitive.
Wicklow started off brightly and scored the first two points by Matthew Ging and Jack Hanlon to settle the team.
Sean Coffey punched home a goal midway through the half and Louth quickly replayed with a goal of their own.
Possession was crucial now as both teams were feeling the effects of the scorching heat.
Further points followed by Jack Hanlon and Dylan Lynch put Wicklow into the lead again. Louth a big physical team started to get on top again and replied with two points, this was quickly followed by a Jason Kenny Goal to give Wicklow the advantage again but on the stroke of half time Louth scored the equalising goal to leave the half-time score reading 2-04 each.
Wicklow started the second half with a bang with Matthew Ging finding the net. This was followed up with two more Mathew Ging points and Wicklow were playing some fantastic football.
But Louth never gave up and reduced the deficit with three points in quick succession.
Wicklow broke up the field once more and Jack Grace scored a well taken goal. Louth replied with a goal of their own. Wicklow responded with another Jason Kenny goal to put Wicklow ahead by six points with eight minutes left to play.
Louth attacked at speed but the Wicklow defence held firm and restricted Louth only the opportunity to kick a further three points leaving the final score Wicklow 5-08 to Louth’s 3-10.
With a break of 10 minutes Wicklow got ready to play Laois. Laois could afford to rest a lot of players as they played Kilkenny at the same time as Wicklow played Louth.
Wicklow introduced a lot of subs for the remaining game against Laois as players were exhausted from their efforts against Louth.
This game started off with both teams making a lot of mistakes and was evenly matched right up to half-time when Wicklow, through a lack of concentration, let Laois in for a late goal and this was the difference between the teams at half-time: 0-02 to 1-02.
Wicklow were finding the efforts of the last match against Louth catching up on them at this stage and were forced to make more changes as players tired. Try as they might and adding a couple of more points Laois put on the pressure in the last 10n minutes to run out winners on the score line of Wicklow 0-04 to Laois’ 2-06.
Team: Caoimhin Rawson (Carnew Emmets), Oisin Brogan (Blessington), Keith Burke (St Kevins), Daniel Hedderman (Tinahely), Tom Moran (St Nicholas), Adan Hadden (Tinahely), Bradley Hickey (Tinahely), Sean Coffey (Rathnew), Jack Hanlon (Baltinglass), Dylan Lynch (Derry Gaels), Jason Kenny (Baltinglass), Fionn O’Sullivan (Rathnew), Joseph O’Shea (Barndarrig), Matthew Ging (Tinahely), Jake O’Kelly (Blessington). Subs: Thomas O’Shea (Barndarrig), Hugh O’Brien (AGB), Cian Kelly (St Patricks), Robbie Doyle (Derry Gaels), Benjamin Lambert (Kilmacanogue), Stephen Maguire (Kilmacanogue), Darren Walsh (Baltinglass), Jack Grace (St Nicholas).
Management - Manager: Kevin O Brien; Coach: Hugh Kenny; Coach: Gerry Browne; Coach: Kevin Healy; Coach: Tom Fee; Coach: Micky Daly.