Massive win for Wicklow ladies against Derry
Wicklow ladies thump Derry at home in league opener
WICKLOW 2-20 DERRY 0-05 THE Wicklow ladies powered to victory in their Lidl NFL Division 4 opener against Derry in Roundwood last Sunday afternoon. Before a healthy crowd at the An Tochar GAA Club, Mick O’Rourke’s charges recovered after Derry took an early 0-02 lead to go in at the break leading by 1-13 to 0-03 after a dominating performance with Amy Murphy bagging Wicklow’s goal after 20 minutes.
Murphy’s full-forward line colleagues Katie Miley and Laura Hogan bagged nine points between them, five for Miley, four for Hogan, during a first half where the game was ultimately decided with the margin of victory all that was left to be confirmed after the second half.
Wicklow were somewhat wasteful in front of the posts in the second half but on a positive note they were by and large camped out in the Derry half for much of the second period.
Amy Murphy opened the scoring in the second half after seven minutes and this was followed by a point from the always impressive Jackie Kinch who dominated from her centre half-forward position.
A converted Derry free was replied to by Katie Miley who swung over a lovely score and the visitor’s fate was most decisively sealed when Laura Hogan rose highest close to goal to gather a Clodagh Fox ball and wallop it home to the back of the net. 2-16 to 0-04 with 16 gone in the second half.
Mick O’Rourke took the opportunity to empty his subs bench, springing Baltinglass attacker Marie Kealy and Éire Óg’s Meadhbh Deeny into action in place of Katie Miley and Laura Hogan.
Amy Murphy added a point before Laurie Ahern drove hard from deep to fire over a beauty.
Into the fray came Sarah Fennelly and Rose Fagan in place of the impressive Aoife Gillan and Georgina Canavan and derry’s last score came moments later while Wicklow finished with points from Shona O’Connor and Meadhbh Deeney.
Derry did threaten Kim Connors’ goal late on but the Blessington netminder got down neatly to save.
This was an impressive showing from Wicklow albeit against a disappointing Derry side. There were good performances from the vast majority of players on the day with Sarah Jane Winder looking strong in defence with capable liutenants either side in Emily Mulhall and Aoife Gillan.
A strong half-back line dominated this game with Foxrock/ Cabinteely duo Laurie Ahern and Lorna Fusciardi shining alongside Alanna Conroy.
Helena Dowling and Naoise Baker provided plenty of go-forward momentum from midfield while Jackie Kinch looked fit and able on the 45 with Georgina Canavan and Shona O’Connor catching the eye either side.
But a full-forward line that returns 2-12 from their shift has to get the credit they deserve and Amy Murphy, Katie Miley and Laura Hogan tormented the Derry attack in this game.
It’s back to Roundwood this Sunday for the Wicklow ladies as Kilkenny come calling.
Another competent performance against the Cats would leave Mick O’Rourke’s women in a very healthy state after two games played.
Scorers – Wicklow: Katie Miley 0-06, Laura Hogan 1-04, Amy
Murphy 1-02, Jackie Kinch 0-02; Laurie Ahern 0-01, Shona O’Connor 0-01, Meadhbh Deeney 0-01, Georgina Canavan 0-01, Helena Dowling 0-01, Naoise Baker 0-01.
Wicklow: Kim Connors; Emily Mulhall, Sarah Jane Winder, Aoife Gillan; Laurie Ahern, Alanna Conroy, Lorna Fusciardi; Helena Dowling, Maoise Baker; Georgina Canavan, Jackie Kinch, Shona O’Connor; Amy Murphy, Katie Miley, Laura Hogan. Subs: Shauna Bermingham, Sarah Fennelly, Sarah Hogan, Rose Fagan, Sarah Miley, Aoife Gorman, Niamh McGettigan, Saoirse O’Reilly, Meadhbh Deeney, Clodagh Fox, Marie Kealy.
Derry: Cheree Mackey; Aimee Glasgow, Dania Donnelly, Catherine Fletcher; Anna Morrison, Grace Conway, Danielle Kivlehan; Emma Doherty, Aoife McGough; Enya Doherty, Sinead Comer, Megan Devine; Thomasina Cassidy, Rhianna Curran, Ciara Moore.
Referee: Jason Corcoran (Kildare)