Wicklow make history

THE Wicklow ladies football team scored a historic victory over Carlow in the first round of the Leinster Junior Championship by 3-8 to 3-5, after extra-time this week in 1988.

A disastrous first half saw the Garden County side trailing the home team by 1-3 to 0-0 but shortly after the restart the visitors started to claw their way back into the game.

‘Kathleen O’Neill got the first score and then scores from Teresa Mannering, Kathleen Gahan, Sandra Hayes and Brigid Coleman left Wicklow four points down with three minutes to go.

‘Then midfielder Audrey Carroll, who had been switched from fullback, scored a great goal and in the dying seconds a free taken by Teresa Mannering and picked up by Mary Doran was sent over the bar for the equaliser.

‘Extra-time was played and Wicklow had the wind in the first half and after 15 minutes led by 3-7 to 2-4. In the second half of extra-time Carlow fought back but great work by the Wicklow backs held Carlow.

‘In a nail-biting finish Carlow were awarded a penalty with Wicklow leading by three points, and goalkeeper Collette Doyle was left to save the day for Wicklow, but the shot from the penalty spot was sent wide and gallant Wicklow were the worthy winners.

Wicklow: Collette Doyle; Ann Whelan, Audrey Carroll (1-0), Helen Coleman; Caroline Gregan, Mary Doran (0-1), Nuala Dagg; Brigid Coleman (0-1), Mary Murray; Kathleen O’Neill (1-2), Teresa Mannering (1-1), Ann Fitzpatrick; Sandra Hayes (0-1), Kathleen Gahan (0-2), Ann Donohoe. Subs: Patricia Ovington (for Dagg), Ann Gartland (For Donohoe), Claire Dillon (for Fitzpatrick).