A brave show from Wicklow
Garden County close out Christy Ring Cup campaign
WICKLOW came into this game off the back of a win over Sligo which secured their safety from Christy Ring relegation. Likewise, Tyrone had also achieved safety so in theory this was a dead rubber.
That theory was soon dispelled as both teams tore into the game as if the win would define their season. Playing with the aid of a stiff breeze, Tyrone registered the first score of the game directly from the throw-in. Wicklow replied through Seanie Germaine in the fourth minute.
The Garden County side were working really hard but despite some really gritty performances from Warren Kavanagh, Luke Maloney and Pádraig Doran they could not break down a stubborn Tyrone defence.
The real damage was done between the fifth and 21st minute when Tyrone knocked over 11 points with Wicklow’s sole score in that time coming from Ronan McMahon in the 14th minute.
It seemed at times as if nothing was going right but the message was loud and clear from the sideline: “Stick to the plan”.
Seanie Germaine added another Wicklow point in the 22nd minute but incredibly both sides cancelled each other out and there was no score registered at either end until after the 32nd minute.
Davy Maloney was always a constant torment to the Tyrone defence as he applied a mountain of pressure. In the back line Ben and Bryan Kearney were instrumental in clearing the lines and getting the ball to the hard-running Tommy Collins who proved very hard to stop as the out ball came his way.
It once again fell to Seanie Germaine in terms of scoring as the Kiltegan man led the way, popping over two quickfire points. Tyrone would go on to register a further three points.
As the game entered additional time, Seanie Germaine registered Wicklow’s final point of the half, but Tyrone had the last laugh, scoring at the death to send the teams back to the dressing rooms with Tyrone in a commanding 0-16 to 0-6 lead.
When Wicklow came back for the second half, they immediately looked like a team intent on biting into the ten-point deficit. A wellworked point from Gary Hughes opened the scoring.
In the middle of the field Eoin McCormack was full of skill and trickery but it was not until the sixth minute that Wicklow pressure began to show.
Brandon Ryan, who had been introduced for Dylan Byrne, combined well with Davy Maloney and when the latter was fouled, Seanie Germaine stepped up to take the long-range free. His shot sailed all the way to the back of the Tyrone net. Game on.
Brandon Ryan landed a point shortly after to reduce the deficit to five points. Tyrone then hit another purple patch with three unanswered points before they were awarded and converted a penalty on the 17th minute.
Wicklow’s chances were not helped with the loss through injury of the influential Pádraig Doran who was replaced by his Carnew colleague James McGing.
The visitors stuck to their gameplan and once again chipped away at the Tyrone lead with Germaine, Cian Lohan and Ronan McMahon all grabbing points.
Again, Tyrone managed to cancel out these scores to maintain their lead. Wicklow introduced Rian Waters, Dan Redmond and Sam O’Dowd, who was back on the field of play for the first time after a long injury lay off.
As the clock ticked into the 26th minute, Davy Maloney fired home a very impressive goal which was just reward for his tireless play throughout the game.
Seanie Germaine added two pointed frees either side of two well worked points from the very impressive Dan Redmond.
Three late scores for Tyrone ensured that the Wicklow comeback would fall short, and they maintained a six-point advantage as the referee blew the final whistle bringing the game and Wicklow’s season to a close on a scoreline of Tyrone 1-24, Wicklow 2-16.
Following the game County Chairperson Damien Byrne thanked the management, players and backroom staff for their dedication and hard work throughout the year.
He pointed out that despite disruption and adversity at the start of the year the team had knuckled down and given their all and for this they should be justifiably proud.
WICKLOW: Conor Mc Nally (0-1); Bryan Kearney, Ben Kearney, Dylan Byrne; Tommy Collins, Pádraig Doran, Cian Lohan (0-1); Luke Maloney, Warren Kavanagh; Davy Maloney (1-0), Eoin McCormack, Ronan Mc Mahon (0-2); Seanie Germaine (1-8), Gary Hughes (0-1), Luke Evans. Subs: Brandon Ryan (0-1) for Dylan Byrne, Dan Redmond (0-2) for Gary Hughes, James McGing for Padraig Doran, Rian Waters for Luke Evans, Sam O’Dowd for Luke Maloney.
OTHER PANELISTS: Billy Molloy, Ruairi O’Brien, Ian Clancy, Shane Browne, Cormac Byrne, Torna Mulconry, Rory Martin, Jack O’Toole.
MANAGER: Jonathan (Bosco) O’Neill, Selectors: Eoin Dunne and Paddy Lee, Strength and Conditioning Coach: John Barrie, Team administrator: Mick Hagan, and backroom team Dave Murray, PJ Morrissey, Shauna Kelly, Emer McCole, John Coyle, Eugene Canna.
TYRONE: Conall Molloy; Dean Rafferty, Ruairi Devlin, Mark McClean; Fionn Devlin, Cormac Munroe, Lorcan Devlin; James McCann, Ben Gormley; Aidy Kelly, Sean Duffin, Bryan McGurk; Tiernan Morgan, Sean Óg Grogan, Joe McToal. Subs: Conor McElhatton, Anthony Crossan, Rory Weir, Turlough Mullin, Conall McKee, Mickey Little, Cormac Taggart, Ronan Maguire, Cian McGuigan, Mark Corry, Mark McCann, Fionn Corry, Seamus Sweeney, Eoghan Winters, Cain Ferguson, Conn Sweeney, Oran McKee.
REFEREE: James Judge