Ow to claim Manning Cup
that would be Wicklow’s last score of opening half, after a bright start to the game.
Sligo gradually settled into the match, Conor Finn missed a goal chance, and Jordan Brady blocked and cleared off the line. Wicklow had chances to add to their tally but Conor Fulham and Sean Coffey were off target with their attempts.
Sligo’s Eoghan Smith dropped a free short, goalie Sean Campbell palmed the ball away, Jim Davis was in to finish to the net, however the referee’s whistle sounded for a square ball infringement, another let off for Wicklow, as the first quarter concluded.
Sligo got their goal in the next attack after a great move was finished off by the lively Oisin Gorman. Sligo hit a purple patch going into the closing stages adding three unanswered points in a row. Hugh Kenny lost the services of Adam Hadden through injury, which upset the defensive unit somewhat, Jack Grace entered the fray.
Again Wicklow missed two chances to add points with some rushed shot selection’s. Eoghan Smith closed out the half with two pointed frees with the scoreboard reading 1-07 to 1-02 in favour of the Connaught outfit.
Joe Keaney and Smith each pointed to further Sligo’s lead on the restart.
The dynamic Matthew Ging, responded with a brace of pointed frees for Wicklow after good build up play by Shane Daly and Jordan Brady.
Both Eoghan Smith and Matthew Ging traded points as we went into the final quarter with the score reading 1-11 to 1-06. Cillian Keane with a pivotal run,cut the gap to four with a massive point for Wicklow.
However back came Sligo with some great interlinking play, stretching the lead out with another brace of points.
The Wicklow management of Hugh Kenny, Mikey Daly, Kevin Healy and Gerry Browne introduced a couple of fresh legs at this point.
Conor Fulham pointed with 57 on the clock to reduce the deficit to 5 again. Wicklow got a great chance to net a goal, you’d put your house on Matthew Ging, however this time, his shot cleared the crossbar for a point,a huge let of for Sligo at this crucial stage as Wicklow were staging a comeback.
Sligo pointed in the second minute of injury time and a minute later, goaled from man of the match, Oisin Gorman,to send the Cup back to Sligo. SCORER’S
Wicklow : Matthew Ging 0-06, Sean Coffey 1-00, Conor Fulham 0-02, Cillian Keane 0- 01.
Sligo: Oisin Gorman 2-03, Eoghan Smith 0-06, Gavin Duffy 0-02, Jim Davis 0-02, Joe Keaney 0-01.
Wicklow : Sean Campbell; Adam Hadden, Tom Moran, Daniel Healy; Jordan Brady, Neil Browne, Bradley Hickey; Sam Kearney, Cilllian McDonald; Conor Fulham, Keith Burke, Shane Daly, Matthew Ging, Sean Coffey, Jason Kenny.
SUBS : Eoin O’Neill, Robbie Miley, Jack Grace, Shane Browne, Cian Hynes, Arun Daly Danne, Tom O Shea, Thade Shanahan, Caoimhin Rawson, Fionn O Sullivan, Cillian Keane, Daniel Hedderman.
Sligo: Jack Doyle; Mark Connolly McGowan, Jack Lavin, Shane Muldowney; Oisin Hynes, Ciaran Mc Keon, Keith Feely; Oran McDonagh, Joseph Keaney; Conor Finn, Eoghan Smith, Jack Davitt; Jim Davis, Oisin Gorman, Gavin Duffy.