Impressive win for Under-20 footballers
Promising performance from the Under-20 footballers
KEVIN O’BRIEN’S under-20 footballers turned in a fine performance to topple Limerick in their second game in the Liam O’Connor Under-20 Football League competition, this one played under lights in Stradbally last Friday night.
Welcoming back the likes of Paddy O’Keane, Zach Cullen, Eoin Darcy and Andy Maher, this Wicklow side took to the field in the blustery Laois venue not knowing exactly what to expect against the Treaty County but fully expecting an improved showing than the one produced at Walsh Island against Offaly the previous Saturday.
And while making a mental note of how limited Limerick seemed apart from a promising start and a strong second quarter, the Wicklow under-20 management team and the small huddles of Wicklow supporters scattered around the ground had to be filled with a definite optimism and a warm glow given the exciting and productive performance this young Wicklow side produced.
All over the field this Wicklow side looked stronger. William Rogers looked capable and steady in the goals. The full-back line, cut open for four goals against Offaly, were strong and unforgiving with Tom Moran, Paddy O’Keane and Blessington’s Conall O Gallchobhair looking very useful in the first half. O Gallchobair wouldn’t return for the second half but his tight marking and athletes combined with O’Keane’s talent and solidity in the number three jersey and Moran’s toughness makes for a formidable last line of defence. Add in Andy Maher who was regularly found clearing ball from in front of the full-back line and you the makings of a quality line.
Zach Cullen’s return after Senior duty against Longford brought a touch of quality to the half-back line and Oisin Cullen and Gavin Fogarty looked full of energy and purpose either side.
Wicklow had more about them in the middle with Eoghan Byrne (replaced shortly after half-time due to a leg injury) and Kevin Quinn proving mobile and creative.
In Cillian McDonald and Andy Maher Wicklow have two workhorses while Oisin McGraynor, who might not have captured the headlines in this game, certainly has the potential to wreak havoc in defences if he gets the right ball.
But the damage on the scoreboard was inflicted by the Tinahely duo of Eoin Darcy and Matthew
Ging, with Johnny Keogh from Baltinglass working hard throughout.
Darcy and Ging’s natural attacking flair make them very hard to handle for any defence and the 3-7 harvested by both men is a fair reflection on their performances on the night and if they were to cast a critical eye they might admit that they left a few scores behind them as well.
The inside line had to be supplied with ball, obviously, and Wicklow were very eager and competent when it came to launching ball from the middle third with Eoghan Byrne and Andy Maher being particularly proficient early on.
Ging opened the scoring after four minutes. Eoghan Byrne’s ball from the middle finding Eoin Darcy who slipped it on to Ging inside and he lashed over from close range.
Limerick were looking relatively useful at this early stage but the crossfield wind was favouring Wicklow and making the Treaty side carry up the hill so to speak where they met a full-back line in ruddy health.
Ging had a goal chance after six before making an advanced mark (the first of three by Wicklow in the first half) and slotting sweetly off the wrong side for a left-footed kicker. Just prior to that, Conall O Gallchobhair had defended excellently and won a free out after forcing his opponent to overcarry.
Eoin Darcy was starting to come into the game more and his incisive run against three defenders earned him a penalty and he stuck it in the bottom corner as the unfortunate goalkeeper headed in the opposite direction.
Oisin McGraynor will wonder how he didn’t raise a green flag when he found himself through on goal, but his shot shaved the crossbar and sailed over for a point.
Eoin Darcy called an advanced mark after a sweet ball and he swung over beautifully before his colleague Matthew Ging did likewise to make it 1-5 to 0-1 with 17 gone. The advanced mark is definitely an area where Wicklow could cause Dublin problems if the delivery can be guaranteed.
Limerick enjoyed plenty of possession in the last 10 minutes but couldn’t do damage on the scoreboard. Eoin Darcy bagged Wicklow’s last point of the half after a quality delivery from Andy Maher before Paddy O’Keane would pick up a very harsh yellow card late on. In fairness to the Pat’s man, he was impeccable for the remainder of the game.
O’Callchobhair didn’t return for the second half with Lee Turner taking his place and the second half wasn’t long on when Eoghan Byrne was forced to depart with James Hedderman replacing his Tinahely colleague.
Limerick were first off the mark in the second half but when Matthew Ging and Eoin Darcy goaled within minutes of each other this game was well and truly over by the end of the third quarter. Ging’s major was a sweet strike after he stepped back inside but what made it more impressive was that himself and Eoin Darcy had let on slip just moments before when they really should have done better but they recovered very well and sliced open the Limerick defence at their ease.
Eoin Darcy rifled home to the top corner of Jeffrey Alfred’s net moments later as Limerick struggled to get past the halfway line.
Kevin O’Brien made four substitutions in rapid succession, bringing in Craig Maguire, Ciaran Coffey, Darragh Rochford and Shane Daly. He had already introduced Pauri Murray for Oisin Cullen with Cillian McDonald retreating to half-back. Jack Dunne would soon see action as well, replacing Eoin Darcy with 20 on the clock, while Arun Daly Danne and Jordan Brady would enter the fray moments later.
So many changes can disrupt a game. Matthew Ging recorded Wicklow’s last score of the game; a beautiful score off that trusty left. Limerick were starting to make an impact, but their shot selection and decision making was poor for the most part.
Compared to the Offaly performance, which had many positive points as well to be fair, this was a massive improvement and shows the importance of the under-20 squad having all players available to them.
Clare are next up in Baltinglass on Sunday afternoon, January 19 at 1pm ahead of the big one against the Dubs in the Leinster under-20 football championship on February 8 in Aughrim.
Scorers – Wicklow: Eoin Darcy 2-3, Matthew Ging 1-4, Oisin McGraynor 0-1.
WICKLOW: William Rogers; Tom Moran, Paddy O’Keane, Conall O Gallchobhair; Oisin Cullen, Zach Cullen, Gavin Fogarty; Eoghan Byrne, Kevin Quinn; Cillian McDonald, Oisin McGraynor, Andy Maher; Matthew Ging, Eoin Darcy, Johnny Keogh. Subs: Lee Turner for C O Gallchobhair, James Hedderman for E Byrne, Pauric Murray for O Cullen, Craig Maguire for G Fogarty, Ciaran Coffey for K Quinn, Darragh Rochford for A Maher, Shane Daly for J Keogh, Jack Dunne for E Darcy, Arun Daly Danne for T Moran, Jordan Brady for Z Cullen.
LIMERICK: Jeffrey Alfred; Sean Kilbridge, Craig Carew, James Garvey; James Pomeroy, Alan Shanaghar, Barry Coleman; Cathal McCarthy, Rory O’Brien; Brian Foley, James Molyneaux, James Cummins; Brian Nix, Eoin O’Mahony, John Hayes. Subs: Dylan O’Sullivan, DJ Stack, Eoghan McNamara, Jamie Baynham, Rory O’Connor, Ruadhan O’Connor, Shane Barry, Shane Bradshaw.