Wicklow set for Down test
Quarter-final clash awaits
KILDARE WICKLOW 7-19 2-8
AFTER their Celtic Challenge Group D adventures that saw the Wicklow Minors secure three top notch victories to top their group before falling to an inconsequential but heavy defeat to Kildare last Wednesday evening in Hawkfield, Owen Doyle’s side have been drawn against Down in the Corn William Robinson quarter-finals which will be played on Saturday, June 16.
Wins over Carlow, Meath and Westmeath put Wicklow on top of their Group D table while their Lilywhite conquerors finished one place lower.
Down, playing in Group H, topped their group with five wins from five over the likes of Derry, Antrim, Armagh, Fermanagh and Tyrone and will no dobt present a stiff challenge to the Garden County side.
The other quarter-finals in Corn William Robinson will be contested between Limerick Sarsfields and Galway Tribesmen, Clare Saffrons will take on Limerick Treaty while Derry will face Meath. Venues and times to be confirmed at this stage.
Wednesday night’s defeat to Kildare in Hawkfield should rightfully be disregarded by the players and supporters for the most part.
It would be important for the skeletal panel that travelled up for the game to learn some useful lessons from the encounter that was over as a contest by half-time when the home side led by 5-12 to 2-5 against a Wicklow side that were missing at least 10 starters.
An extremely frustrating second half followed for Wicklow with the officiating leaving a frightful amount to be desired.
Regardless of the result, there were some decent performances and some fine scores for the Wicklow side who had to give second best to what was a very useful Kildare side who had midfielder Neil Ryan shining brightest for the home side.
Wicklow captain David Maloney put in a big shift for his side, scoring a wonder goal in the opening half, while John Doyle, Brandon Ryan, Torna Mulconroy and Liam Somers tried hard to name but a few.
Wicklow scorers - David Maloney 1-2 (2f), Liam Somers 1-2, John Doyle 0-2, Zach Cullen 0-1, Conor Hardiman 0-1.
Conor Connolly; Kevin Kinsella (Avondale), Tim Byrne (Arklow Rocks), Jack Murray (Tinahely); Brandon Ryan (Kiltegan), Dara Owens (Aughrim), Adam Bushe (Bray Emmets); Torna Mulconroy (Ballinacor), John Doyle (Carnew Emmets); Conor Hardiman (Bray Emmets), Zach Cullen (Avondale), Liam Somers (Arklow Rocks); Michael Timmons (Bray Emmets), Oisin O’Neill (Glenealy), David Maloney (Bray Emmets). Sub: Des Byrne (Balinacor)
Tadhg Halpin; Rossa O’Brien, Kevin Carroll, Cian Doyle; Josh Morgan, Colm Nolan, Peter O’Donoghue; Eoin Wilson, Neil Ryan; Aaron Browne, Ben Travers, Cathal Cribbin; Daniel O’Gorman, Aaron Kearney, Eoin Reilly.