Super display by Wicklow against Offaly
O’Rourke’s side await result
at Clane
2-09. This was a signal for Wicklow to take over and in the final 8 minutes points by Laurie Ahern, Anna McGrath with a beautiful finish and finally Claire Walsh completed the scoring and when the long whistle came Wicklow were victorious on a score line of 3-15 to 2-11.
Wicklow manager Mick O’Rourke and his management team will be delighted with their win. They started far better in this match, and thus settled earlier. Whilst they were understandably nervous at different stages given the previous weeks game against Tyrone they were, in truth, the better team for long periods of the game. Offaly too can be happy with their game as they dominated for the first quarter after half time and but the concession of the two goals in rapid succession would have been closer to Wicklow.
Wicklow now have to await the result of next week’s match between Offaly and Tyrone but they have done all that could be expected of them in defeating Offaly and will hope that their win will be sufficient to qualify them for an All-Ireland quarter-final where they would meet the winners of Laois and Sligo who play next Sunday.
On Sunday last, Kim Comnnors was again immense while the defence was well marshalled by Aoife Gillen and Lorna Fusciardi, Sarah Miley had one of her finest games at midfield while the attach was served best by Meadhbh Deeney, Claire Walsh, Laura Hogan and Laurie Ahern while the Faithful County had their stars in Dawn Hannon and Emma Maher in defence, their midfielders Amy Gavin Mangan and Orlagh Heavey too had their moments while Roisin Ennis, Aoife Norris and Sarah Kehoe were their pick of their forwards. Wicklow: Kim Connors (Blessington), Emily Mulhall (Tinahely), Sarah-Jane Winder (Baltinglass), Aoife Gillen (Bray Emmets) 0-01, Alanna Conroy (Bray Emmets), Sarah Hogan (Tinahely), Lorna Fusciardi (Foxrock Cabinteely), Niamh McGettigan (St. Patrick’s), Sarah Miley (Clara) 1-0, Meadhbh Deeney (Eire Og, Greystones) 1-3, Jackie Kinch (Tinahely) 0-01, Laurie Ahern (Foxrock Cabinteely) 0-01, Rose Fagan (St. Patrick’s), Claire Walsh (Kilbride) 0-2, Laura Hogan (Tinahely) 0-6. Subs: Amy Murphy (An Tochar) 1-0, Anna McGrath (Baltinglass) 0-1, Aoife Gorman (Tinahely), Sarah Fennelly (Baltinglass), Shauna Bermingham (Tinahely)
Offaly: Sarah Cummins, Emer Nally, Katie Kehoe, Dawn Hannon, Annie Kehoe, Emma Maher, Aoife Carey, Amy Gavin Mangan, Orlagh Heavey, Roisin Ennis, Ellie McEvoy, Aoife Norris, Marie Byrne, Mairead Daly, Sarah Kehoe.
Referee: Shane Curley (Galway)