GAEL FORCE!
North Wicklow storm to win
at Ballinakill NORTH WICK GAELS 4-14 GLENEALY 4-06
THIS game could have been described as a game of two halves.
Certainly from the off, the pace-setters were Glenealy, who set down a real marker, which saw them build up an early lead of 3-2 to 0-4 lead, with goals from Michael Og O’Neill, Fionn Luddy and James French.
North Wicklow Gaels were finding it difficult to get a foothold in the game, but for the point taking from play and frees by wing-forward Luke Dorgan.
The sharp-shooter hammered over four points in the opening nineteen minutes.
In between, Glenealy’s talented midfielder Fionn Luddy was very accurate from placed balls.
A goal from midfielder Daniel Keane in the 12th minute off a long ball from midfield allowed North Wicklow Gaels regain some parity.
Still Glenealy went in search of more ‘green flags’ and were rewarded with another three-pointer from Michael Og ONeill in the 22nd minute.
A fifth point from a free by Joe Prendergast completed North Wicklow Gaels first half total.
At the same time Neil Browne, Joe Prendergast, T.J. Kehoe, along with Oisin Shanahan were all doing a fine job for the combined North Wicklow outfit.
Glenealy with Fionn Luddy, Cian O’Neill, Charlie Cruise and Michael Og O’Neill were all playing very masterful hurling and getting on a lot of ball.
An excellent point from Michael Og O’Neill at the end of the first half, completed the scoring to send the Reds in at half-time ahead on a scoreline of 4-04 to North Wicklow Gael’s 1-05.
However, a different North Wicklow side appeared in the second half which saw them out score their opponents by 3-09 to 0-02.
Joe Prendergast, Daniel Keane and Oisin Shanahan all pointed in the opening ten minutes.
At this stage one could see that the running and physical power from North Wicklow Gaels would be a serious factor at the end of this game.
Goals from Luke Dorgan (two) and Joe Prendergast and points from Oisin Shanahan, Neil Browne and Cian Furlong consolidated their dominance in the game.
Late points by Cian O’Neill for Glenealy and Oisin Shannon for North Wicklow Gaels kept the scoreboard ticking over.
In the end it was a comprehensive victory by the North Wicklow Gaels, which saw them crowned Under-15 B champions for 2017.
The Wicklow People man of the match awared went to Joe Prendergast of North Wicklow Gaels.
P. Wedgeworth-Byrne, G. Gurrin, T. Shanhan, Sean McCormack, Neil Browne (0-1), T.J. Kehoe, Ciaran Ovenden, J. Prendergast (2-4), D. Healy (1-1), Luke Dorgan (1-4), Bill O’Brien (0-2), Fionn Mansfield, Colm Shortt, Eoin Byrne, Oisin Shanhan (0-2). Subs: Shane Collins for Eoin Gurrin, Fintan Potts for Colm Short.
NORTH WICKLOW GAELS: GLENEALY:
Vinny Caffrey, Darren O’Brien, Paddy Dunne, Jack Browne, Cian O’Neill (0-1), Jack Manley, Killian Clarke, Tom O’Neill, Fionn Luddy (1-4), Tom O’Brien (0-1), Cian Furlong, Cormac Byrne, James Ffrench (1-0), Charlie Cruise, M. Og O’Neill (2-1). Subs: Andrew Lynch for K. Clarke, D. Browne for J. Browne.
REFEREE:
Eddie Leonard (St. Patrick’s).