High finish for Wicklow lads
WDSL defeat Roscommon
WDSL 1
ROSCOMMON 0
THE adventure continued for the WDSL with the second game of the day coming against Roscommon, third seeds in the group. The WDSL were chasing their second win of the group which would secure a place in the quarter-final of the Kennedy Cup Bowl competition. Sore legs and tired limbs had to be overcome as the WDSL produced another memorable performance.
Wicklow started on the front foot with an attack down the left from Conor Clinton, outstripping the fullback, and put Ross Quinn in for a chance on goal before getting on the rebound to have a shot on goal himself, resulting in the first corner of the game. The WDSL showed their intent clearly and followed up with a cleverly worked corner routine ending with a Niall Sheahan volley on goal only prevented from scoring by the intercepting defenders.
Wicklow began to smell success as they peppered the Roscommon goal with Niall Sheahan following up with two close efforts. A goal was soon to come as Cody Reid got on the end of a cleverly played through ball from Niall Sheahan. The goalkeeper got a touch but did not prevent the ball travelling towards the goal. This only enabled the lightning fast reactions of Ross Quinn to ensure the ball crossed the line and put the WDSL a goal to the good.
The WDSL continued to press and Niall Sheahan again went close as he saw an effort clip the bottom of0 the upright. Special mention have to go to Sam Bishop who was the engine of the midfield a was the launch pad of the WDSL attacks and the steadfast defensive performance of Stephen Kearns, whose timely interceptions at right back were notable highlights of the game.
The second half saw the introduction of Ben Free at left back and Andrew Waters in the unfamiliar role of striker. Ben Free showed good anticipation in defence and great pace going forward while Andrew Waters pressed high, winning the ball on numerous occasions, causing untold trouble to the Roscommon defence.
With Wicklow defending resolutely throughout the second half, Roscommon were pushing further up the pitch and were caught on the counter-attack with Eoin Doyle hitting another defence splitting diagonal ball, putting Jack Kavanagh on the front foot creating immense pressure on the keeper, forcing him to handle outside the box.
This presented a final opportunity of the game as Eoin Doyle came forward to take the free kick, which was blocked for the wall but the quick reactions of Andrew Waters allowed him a shot on save, forcing the keeper to back peddle and save. Before Roscommon had a chance to kick the ball out, the referee blew the final whistle and Wicklow had secured a victory earning them the highest position in many a year.