Late, late goal robs Wicklow
‘B’ side held in Kilcoole
WICKLOW DCU ST PAT’S 1-18 2-15
WHEN Wicklow led this Keogh Cup encounter by three points as the second half entered time added by the referee, it looked like the Garden County were about to rescue one game from the three played over the weekend.
However, when the defence failed to clear a 65 decisively with the sliotar remaining near the Wicklow goalmouth for far too long, the visitors rescued the game with a goal from close in just before the call of time.
This game, played at Kilcoole on Sunday last December 31st was contested on firm enough sod for this time of year. An old undisturbed surface can be such an asset during wet periods.
The first half developed into a free taking shoot out between Wicklow’s Enda Donoghue and James Cranley on one side and the very accurate Dean Whelan for DCU who converted eight points from frees and a further one from play in a fine first half display.
Shane Wilde and Diarmuid Fenlon both had a point apiece to complete the St. Pats total of 0-11 for the first period.
Enda Donoghue had two points from distance frees and James Cranley converted three frees from nearer to goal for Wicklow. Jack Doyle and Cranley again also had points from play.
The visiting side had crept into a four point lead as the half time whistle approached.
However, newcomer and local clubman, Luke Evans reduced that gap to a point when he goaled off an upright just before the call of time. Goalkeeper, Conor McNally kept a clean sheet in that first half and there were prominent t displays from Shane Doyle, Jack Doyle and James Cranley.
The first half was played in dry firm conditions but steady rain for almost the entire second half made things more difficult for players and spectators alike.
Wicklow started the second half strongly and had points from play by George O’Brien, Luke Evans and Gerry Connors to open up a two point lead by nine minutes. However DCU hit back with a goal from Diarmuid Fenlon.
Another Enda Donoghue free levelled matters again.
At the midway stage in the half Conor McNally saved Wicklow’s bacon when he turned a Dean Whelan penalty round the post to concede a 65 which yielded nothing.
Shane Wilde pointed the visitors ahead again from play and another Dean Whelan free put them two ahead. Wicklow put in a strong last ten minutes and points from George O’Brien, another from sub Paul O’Brien, two from Luke Evans and one from sub Jamie Byrne had the home side ahead by three as the game entered its final minutes.
Shane Wilde from play and Dean Whelan from another 65 had DCU points but these were balanced by scores Donoghue and Gerry Connors. Wicklow were looking likely winners as the final whistle approached but DCU rescued the game with that final goal just at the end.
Scorers: Wicklow: Luke Evans 1-3, Enda Donoghue 0-4, James Cranley 0-4, George O’Brien 0-2, Gerry Connors 0-2, Paul O’Brien 0-1, Jamie Byrne 0-1 and Jack Doyle 0-1.
DCU/St. Pats: Declan Whelan 0-10, Shane Wilde 1-3 and Diarmuid Fenlon 1-2
Conor McNally; Darragh Maloney, John Connors, Emmet Byrne; Enda Donoghue, Billy Cuddihy, Shane Doyle; Christy Moorehouse, Jack Doyle; James Cranley, Drew Brennan, Eoin Keddy; Jonathan Tallon, Tiernan Mellon, Luke Evans. Subs: Gerry Connors, Jamie Byrne, Garry Hughes, Paul O’Brien and Mike Connors.
Killian Dunphy; Sean Baxter, Darragh O’Shea, Patrick Murphy; Sean Barden, Ciaran Brady, Bryan Coady; Shane Wilde, Aodhan Foley; Matt Doyle, Dean Whelan, Diarmuid Fenlon; Cian O’Flaherty, Billy Ryan, Caelan O’Mara.
Pat Murphy (Carlow)