Wicklow await Laois after Wexford draw
WICKLOW and Wexford served up an exciting draw in this Gerry O’Reilly Leinster U-16 Football Tournament game played at Joule Park, Aughrim on Wednesday night last, July 18.
This competition, named to commemorate the legendary Donard and Wicklow footballer, is organised on a round robin basis, with Laois, Carlow and Wexford also in Wicklow’s group. In their first outing the Garden County had drawn with Carlow away in a game where they lined out minus six of their panel who were also involved in that epic Leinster U-17 semi-final encounter with Kildare.
With the exception of Tom Moran, all of these players were available for the Wexford clash. For long periods in this game, particularly in the first half, it looked likely that Wicklow would run out winners.
However, overelaboration in some of their forward play, an obsession with trying to work their way in for goals when points were for the taking plus a couple of sucker punch goals from Wexford helped to keep the visitors within striking distance on the scoreboard.
A very good second half display and a strong finishing ten minutes brought the Model County right back into the game leaving Wicklow in the end obliged to accept a share of the spoils in a game they should have won.
Wexford once again proved the merits of keeping going and waiting for the tide to turn. In addition they made good use of their chances as they arose, got the couple of breaks with their first two goals and went home happy to have rescued a point on the night.
Wicklow began the game comfortably and attacked from the start. When the attack broke down the ball was moved quickly down field to Wexford full forward Brian Culleton who shot for a point.
However, the shot was deceptive, and the ball dipped under the crossbar at the angle of bar and post for the opening goal of the game.
The home side responded with a Shane Daly point and settled into a period of territorial dominance with their half backs, ably marshalled by Cillian McDonald and midfielders moving the ball well, supporting each other and giving a lively forward line a plentiful supply of ball.
Full-forward Keith Burke scored two points (the second probably should have been a goal) and Shane Daly scored another point and then netted Wicklow’s only goal.
Wicklow led by 1-5 to 1-0 after 20 minutes. They were then caught for a sucker punch of a second goal from Wexford mid fielder Ciaran Regan whose high ball into the Wicklow goal mouth was misjudged and allowed to bounce over the head of advancing goalie Caoimhin Rawson and ended up in the corner of the net.
Wicklow came back with points from Jack Hanlon, Sean Kearney and Hanlon again. Ciaran Regan then knocked over the only point of the half for Wexford. The home side finished the half with two further points from Jack Hanlon and Eoin O’Neill. They were unfortunate to have a goal disallowed for a square infringement.
At half-time Wicklow were ahead by 1-9 to 2-1 and looked to be in a comfortable position.
Wexford began the second period in determined fashion and had points from Cian Kinlock and Jack O’Leary in the opening five minutes. Shane Daly responded with a point but Ciaran Regan, Jack O’Leary and substitute Kevin Vadina added three more for Wexford, who were now back in the game big time.
Wicklow now began to take points and Jack Hanlon, Shane Daly and Matthew Ging scored three points in as many minutes to give their side a little breathing space, but Wexford now had the momentum.
Substitute Joe O’Sullivan pointed, and Cian Cinnlock added another. Sam Kearney pointed again for Wicklow but Wexford went back on the attack and when Joe O’Sullivan banged home goal number three with six minutes left, Wicklow were fighting to save the game.
Cian Cinnlock levelled with five minutes left to play but Jack Hanlon put Wicklow ahead again from a free. Wexford fought back, and Jack O’Leary saved a point for his side when he put over the final point as the game entered the final minute.
“We had enough chances to win two game,” was the after-match comment of Hugh Kenny. Probably true but he also has a panel of fine young footballers together who will learn from experiences like this They should form the basis of the panel for the 2019 minor side and look to be a team of promise.
Scorers - Wicklow: Shane Daly 1-6, Jack Hanlon 0-5, Keith Burke 0-2, Eoin O’Neill, Sam Kearney, Matthew Ging 0-1 each.
Wexford: Ciaran Regan 1-2, Joe O’Sullivan 1-1, Brian Culleton 1-0, Cian Kinnlock 0-3 Kevin Vadina 0-1.
Wicklow: Caoimhin Rawson; Adam Hadden, Jack Grace, Neil Browne; Arun Daly Danne, Cillian McDonald, Bradley Hickey; Sam Kearney, Sean Coffey; Eoin O’Neill, Jack Hanlon, Shane Daly; Matthew Ging, Keith Burke, Jason Kenny. Subs: Conor Fulham, Dylan Lynch, Jake O’Kelly, Oisin Dunne, Darragh Fee, Cillian Keane, Rob Miley.
Wexford: Cian Browne; John Waldron, Eddie Kelly, Jason Bolger; Paudie Barron, Eamon Doyle, Tommie Barron; Tom Kavanagh, Ciaran Regan; Rory Lynch, Cian Kinnlock, Liam Crowley; Jack O’Leary, Brian Culleton, Matthew Healy. Subs. Kevin Vadina, Mick McGrath, Joe O’Sullivan and Lee Whelan
Referee: Darragh Byrne (Wicklow).