Clash of exciting forwards against strong defences
Preview
WICKLOW’S ladies team will head to Netwatch Cullen Park for next Sunday’s Intermediate Championship final in ebullient mood following their fine wins over first Meath and then Longford.
However, awaiting them is their biggest challenge as their opponents, Laois, have also been in fantastic form during their victories over Offaly and Wexford. Indeed Laois’ victory over Wexford showed a fighting spirit which will stand them well next Sunday.
The same can also be said about the Wicklow girls as they themselves showed true grit when defeating a fancied Meath side.
Certainly the strength within midfield will be important to both sides as Jane Moore and Anna Healy for Laois will go up against our own Niamh McGettigan and Sarah Miley.
The match will likely be decided by both defences as the attack of both sides have been to the fore in recent matches.
Both sides have fantastic goalkeepers – Wicklow’s Kim Connors and Laois’ Fiona Kelly have both had great years to date and have kept both their sides in their matches with remarkable saves.
In defence, Wicklow can look to Allana Conroy, Lorna Fusciardi and captain Sarah Hogan to bring the fight to Laois while in Laura Nerney, Ciara Hughes and captain Mags McEvoy the midlanders will not want for defensive effort.
Then in attack both sides have proven match winners throughout the forwards with the Garden County having the likes of Jackie Kinch, Laura Hogan, Marie Kealy and Amy Murphy to the fore when looking for scores while the likes of minor stars Erone Fitzpatrick, Emma Lawlor together with Eva Galvin and Ciara Burke (if recovered from her recent shoulder injury) will ensure that the scores will tick over should Wicklow’s defence fail to get a grip upon them.
All in all the match on Sunday will see a clash of exciting forwards against strong defences. In truth which ever defence gets on top of their opposing forward division will go a long way to ensuring victory for their side.
The managers too will have to be on their toes to deal with the issues this match may throw up during the 60 minutes plus – Mick O’Rourke and his team on one side and Kevin Doogue and his Laois team on the other.
The match will have a throw in of 2pm and everyone should ensure they get there to show our support to our girls in the quest for Leinster championship glory.