Wicklow set for Leinster showdown with Laois
ALL the talking is done, all the training is more or less complete, all the remains is for the Wicklow ladies footballers to take to the field in Netwatch Cullen Park for their Leinster Intermediate final clash with Laois and back themselves to claim provincial honours and continue a marvellous unbeaten run in 2018.
With 11 wins from 11 games, Mick O’Rourke’s footballers are still riding the crest of a wave and will be savagely hungry to continue the run of form with a victory over Laois.
Their opponents will present a challenge that will differ from that of Longford and that of Meath in that they are recently fallen from Senior football and are playing their league football, albeit at the bottom end in 2018, in Division 2 of the Lidl National Football League. That higher standard must surely place Laois in the favourites box but as Wicklow captain Sarah Hogan and midfielder Sarah Miley toldthe Wicklow/Bray People last Sunday morning at the team training in Roundwood, the Wicklow team love nothing more than to be underdogs and to turn the formbook well and truly on its head.
Believing in themselves is utterly vital come Sunday. They’ve done it all year and they are hardly about to veer from that course now. Kim Connors will provide that stability at the back. the Blessington woman will be sucure under the high balls, alert to shots and accurate from kick-outs.
Emily Mulhall, Sarah Jane Winder and Aoife Gillen will need to be tight and merciless and a few forays up the field from the Baltinglass full-back would be most welcome for players and supporters alike.
The half-back line will remain unchanged all going well. Alanna Conroy and Lorna Fusciardi have been immense at half-back while captain Sarah Hogan is as tough and uncompromising at six as you will find anywhere.
Midfield is huge. Niamh McGettigan and Sarah Miley have been so impressive to day with McGettigan outstanding in Longford and both shining in Roundwood against the Roylals. If Wicklow can break even here and launch attacks up north, then the attack can cause its own unique form of chaos.
Jackie Kinch loves big days and they don’t come much bigger than this. Expect the Tinahely woman to break free of any chackles and enjoy a powerful performance from centre half-forward.
Meadhbh Deeney will be needed from frees and her work rate in open play is so important. Laurie Ahern will look to track back and feed her full-forward line as much as possible.
Wicklow will need a decent score tally to win this game and should the dynamic trio of Marie Kealy, Laura Hogan and Amy Murphy start then they will need to be hitting the target when the chances inevitably present themselves, especially the majors.
The use of Claire Walsh by Mick O’Rouke and his management team will be critical. Do they use her as an impact sub like they have in the last two games or do they cut loose and unleash the Kilbride woman from the start? It’s a big call and given this management team’s style and performance so far, whatever decision they make, it will be done after exhaustive discussion and determination.
Other options from the bench are the speedy Saoirse O’Reilly, Rose Fagan, Shauna Bermingham, Shona O’Connor, Sarah Fennelly and Aoife Gorman.
Given the challenge the Laois will bring, fresh legs will be needed no doubt.