LGFA TG4 LEINSTER INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL FINAL

in Roundwood in the Meath game? Only time would tell.

Both women brought a fresh energy to the side and O’Reilly was key for Jackie Kinch’s second point immediately after a Meadhbh Deeney score from play to leave Wicklow trailing by 2-10 to 0-9.

From here on in it was tit for tat with Wicklow really bringing the game to Laois, but each time Wicklow expened huge energy into engineering a score Laois could rampage down the field and fire over with what looked like consummate ease.

Credit to Mick O’Rourke and the management team, they tried various things including sending sarah Miley into the edge of the square to try and create and score those goals Wiklow eeded to salvage something from the game but the Laois defence was outstanding and they refused to budge.

Wicklow bagged nine points to Laois’ 1-5 in the second half but they will not find any comfort in such a stat.

In the white heat of battle in the opening half, when the destiny of the Leinster title was being forged, they were found wanting against a superior foe on the day.

That is the standard to which they must aim, and beyond. And given the progress made and the ability and talent within the group, that is a standard that is very reachable for this tight-knit group of footballers.

Wicklow face the daunting task of travelling to meet Tyrone in the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Round 1, Group 2 on the weekend of July 14/15.

A final word for Blessington’s Kim Connors, what a game the Wicklow netminder had. Outstanding!

– Laois: Emma Lawlor 1-3, Meaghan Dunne 1-0 Erone Fitzpatrick 0-2, Clare Conlon 0-5 (0-1 frees), Ciara Burke 0-2.

Wicklow: Amy Murphy 0-1, Meadhbh Deeney 0-3 (3f), Marie Kealy 0-1, Laura Hogan 0-3 (0-2), Jackie Kinch 0-1, Laurie Ahern 0-1, Rose Fagan 0-1

Fiona Kelly; Ciara Hughes, Jenny McEvoy, Alison McEvoy; Amy Potts; Mags McEvoy; Anna Healy; Jane Moore, Laura Nerney; Erone Fitzpatrick, Clare Conlon, Caoimhe Simms; Emma Lawlor, Ciara Burke (Sarsfields), Meaghan Dunne. Subs: Eva Galvin for A McEvoy (10 mins, injury. A McEvoy returned second-half) , Eva Galvin for J Moore (43 minutes), Mary Cotter for Ciara Hughes (53 minutes), Conlon for Maggie Murphy (54th minute)

Scorers Laois:

Kim Connors; Emily Mulhall, Sarah-Jane Winder, Aoife Gillen; Alanna Conroy, Sarah Hogan, Lorna Fusciardi; Niamh McGettigan, Sarah Miley; Meadhbh Deeney, Jackie Kinch, Laurie Ahern; Marie Kealy, Laura Hogan, Amy Murphy. Subs: Claire Walsh for Aoife Gillen (41 minutes), Saoirse O’Reilly for S Miley (41 minutes), Niamh McGettigan for Marie Kealy (56th minute)

Des McEnery (West-

Wicklow: Referee: