LADIES MARCH ON!
Seven wins from seven for O’Rourke’s charges
THE Wicklow ladies football team made it a magnificent seven wins from seven games when they toppled Louth in the Lidl National Football League Division 4 clash in Stabannon last Sunday afternoon.
The victory has lined up another shot with Antrim in the league semi-final with Mick O’Rourke’s charges entering the game having already disposed of the Saffrons by 3-16 to 1-3 in Roundwood on February 25. However, the Wicklow boss will not be allowing any complacency creep into preparations for the last four deciders on the weekend of April 21/22.
Despite the defeat to Wicklow, Louth have also qualified for the semi-finals where they will do battle with Limerick. The final will be down for decision on May 7.
Played in a cold and windy Stabannon, Louth got off to a good start with Susan Byrne on target twice early on.
Wicklow found their rhythm and points from Laura Hogan had the teams level before a Louth defender was penalised for charging while in possession, with Jackie Kinch sending over the resultant free to put Wicklow into a 0-3 to 0-2 lead after ten minutes.
Louth were unlucky just two minutes later as a Kate Flood free came back off the post and was cleared while Susan Byrne went wide with her effort.
Taking advantage of their opponents missed chances, Wicklow added points of their own from Katie Miley and Kinch from a free.
Louth hit back with well taken scores from Byrne and Flood after good approach play by Paula Murray and Aoife Russell.
A Laura Hogan point left it 0-6 to 0-4 before Louth were dealt a blow in the 25th minute as Emma Singleton was sent to the sin bin in what appeared a harsh decision as the Dowdallshill player cleared her lines and came into contact with an opponent.
Kate Flood and Amy Murphy, with a fine effort off her left foot, exchanged points leaving Wicklow leading by 0-8 to 0-5 at the break.
Louth again started with an early score, this time with a Kate Flood effort hitting the target, but Wicklow replied instantly with a similar score from Marie Kealy.
Just as Louth got back to their full complement of 15 players as Emma Singleton returned to the fray, they were soon back to 14 as centre back Derbhile Osborne was shown a yellow card for persistent fouling.
Wicklow made good use of the extra space with defender Rose Fagan racing forward to extend their lead to 0-10 to 0-06.
Louth, with Paula Murray just returning to the team after a spell out with a leg injury and with rising star Lauren Boyle unavailable, were struggling to create goal scoring chances against a very well organised Wicklow backline, but Flood did create one in evading a couple of defenders before forcing keeper Kim Connors into a superb save at the expense of a 45.
Sensing they needed a goal, the Reds went in search of a three-pointer when maybe going for points might have been the better option.
A resolute Wicklow held firm and made sure of the win with late points from Amy Murphy and Marie Kealy while Flood hit a late consolation for Louth in added on time.
Wicklow star Jackie Kinch felt both sides would have learned much from the game.
“It was very competitive out there, coming up here we expected a strong challenge and we got that from what is a very good Louth team who I expect to see in the final
“I think losing two players to yellow cards may have upset their plans.
“Our lead at half-time (0-8 to 0-5) wasn’t great, but it was important that we stuck to our game plan and we got the win. We have played on this ground quite often, indeed we played Fermanagh here in the League semi-final last year and it helps,” she added.
Louth have shown considerable improvement since Miceal McKeown took charge back in October with five victories from seven outings securing second place in the group and made an impressive Wicklow side work hard for their win.
The Louth boss while disapointed with the result was far from downbeat and believes his side will gave a good account of themselves in the semi-final.
“We were playing really well until Emma was sent to the sin bin, then we lost another player to a yellow card during a crucial stage of the game and it upset the balance of our team. We were also without a number of regulars, but it gives others a chance to showcase their talent, while it was great to see Michelle McMahon back playing after a long-term injury. We have achieved our objective of making the semi-finals and while there are areas we can improve on and the players will be playing league football with their clubs over the next two weeks, we will be ready for the semi-final,” concluded the Louth manager.
Wicklow: Kim Connors; Sarah Hogan, Sarah Jane Winder, Aoife Gillen; Rose Fagan (0-01), Sarah Miley, Alanna Conroy; Niamh McGettigan, Aoife Gorman; Georgina Canavan (0-01), Jackie Kinch (0-01), Laura Hogan (0-03), Amy Murphy (0-02), Katie Miley (0-01), Marie Kealy (0-03). Subs used: Naoise Baker, Shona O’Connor, Clodagh Fox.
Louth: Una Pearson; Eilis Hand, Rachel Kane, Eimear Murphy; Ceire Nolan, Deirbhile Osborne, Emma Singleton; Sinead Woods, Rebecca Carr; Aoife Russell, Susan Byrne (003), Paula Murray; Bronagh McGrane, Kate Flood (0-04), Ruth Hanna. Subs used: Coirin Rice, Emma McArdle, Roisin Kavanagh, Shauna Markey, Orla McGeeney.
Referee: Jason Corcoran (Kildare)