Ladies looking to get back on track against Limerick
WICKLOW will make the trip to Crettyard in Laois on Sunday at 2 p.m. to play Limerick in the All-Ireland series preliminary round.
The venue will hold mixed emotions for the Garden County side as they lost a tight battle there a couple of years ago to this same Limerick side.
Wicklow have shown vast improvement since then and will certainly have no fear this year. The match is vital to both counties as the loser will find themselves in a possible relegation play-off while the victor will journey on to take on Clare the following Sunday.
Wicklow have a settled look about them and despite a dismal Leinster campaign will have done their homework in an effort to ensure the much sought-after victory.
Midfield as usual will hold the key and if Jackie Kinch (or Catherine Dempsey) along with the youthful Aoife O’Gorman can gain parity then a plentiful supply of ball should ensure that the forwards keep the scoreboard ticking over.
However, the key may be in defence and while missing both Niamh McGettigan and Sarah Jane Winder, Wicklow can still look to the defensive qualities of Sarah Hogan and Jessie Byrne to provide adequate cover against a team in Limerick who will be missing the wonderful Dympna O’Brien – although Wicklow will only believe that when they see her absence.
She has been the talisman for Limerick for so long and in her absence a massive vote of confidence is given to Wicklow to advance to play Clare.
It will be great to again see a huge support for our girls in this most vital match and hopefully we can celebrate a victory cone Sunday evening.