Doing the county proud
Wicklow perform well in the Kennedy Cup in Limerick
Kennedy Cup
THE Wicklow Kennedy Cup squad returned from Limerick to a tremendous reception from parents and family at the Ashford House on Friday evening last.
After a long week, with six games in four days at the Kennedy Cup, team manager Brian Kavanagh thanked all his players for doing themselves, their clubs and the county proud.
He went on to thank his backroom staff of Fergal Gregory, assistant, Trevor Gilligan, kit man, and Ferdia Fallon Verbruggen, physio, Paul Lennon, committee, and Jim Barnes, head of delegation (HOD). Brian told all his players to learn from the experience, and as a squad of players he was proud of what they achieved winning three of the six games.
“When we look back on the tournament and see where the other three teams in our group finished you have to accept that this is an elite tournament and you have to take your chances when they appear, each game needs to be played at high tempo from start to finish,” said Brian Kavanagh.
“Limerick Desmond, who beat Wicklow 3-0 on the opening day, were beaten by the NDSL in the Shield final, finishing them in 18th place. Wexford, who beat us 4-0 on day two, our second game, went all the way to the Plate final and were beaten by Cork, putting them in sixth place, and Clare, who we beat 4–1 in our third game on day two went on to the Bowl semi-final, beaten by the Midlands, putting them in 11th place,” he added.
“On day three, Wicklow took on Roscommon in the Trophy quarter-final but were beaten by a score line of 4–1, the squad and team gathered their thoughts after this and targeted the Thursday, day four, to be their day”.
“First game on the Thursday morning saw us up against WWEC where we went 1-0 down, the fight and passion from the Wicklow boys was something to be seen going right to the last minute when we got the equalizer bringing on a penalty shoot-out, Wicklow won 4–1, giving us West Cork in our final game to finish in 29th or 30th place. Wicklow went 2-0 up on Thursday evening giving us the opportunity to use all 20 players in this game, we won it 2–1 in the end, Wicklow finishing in 29th place, with goals from Jack Gregory, Ben Gilligan, Adam Mullervy, Scott Devlin, Conor Fee, Callum Paterson, Ryan O’Toole and William Moorehouse.
“Thanks to all the players, individual sponsors, Macron, the WDSL Committee and all the coaches involved, Sharon Gregory and the fundraising committee, also Peter Porter and the under-13 squad who travelled down on Tuesday to give their support,” he added.