Dublin 4-9 Wicklow 2-11

By Cóilín Duffy

A trio of third quarter goals proved key, as Dublin withstood a late Wicklow rally, to take Leinster Minor B Championship honours in Bray Emmets GAA Club on Wednesday.

Two goals from 'Player of the Match' Katie Murphy and one from Kate O’Toole in a nine-minute spell helped Dublin to a 10-point lead in the 44th minute.

Although Fintan O’Curry’s charges only managed one further point, and came under strong pressure from Wicklow right until the end they held out for silverware.

Dublin began the game strongly with St. Oliver Plunkett’s Eoghan Ruadh player Amber McCloskey grabbing the opening score after 30 seconds.

A further score from play followed from Nia Hannon, before Wicklow went in search of their opener, but it was to no avail as strong Dublin pressure forced a wide.

The first of three pointed frees from Hannon in the opening half ensured a 0-3 to 0-0 score-line after five minutes.

Pressure from McCloskey and Hannon failed to yield a goal a minute later, before Wicklow opened their account, with the first of seven pointed frees over the hour from Sadhbh Fisher.

The Blessington player registered 1-9 in total, including a 15th minute penalty goal, with a further goal from Laci-Jane Shannon moving Wicklow 2-3 to 0-5 ahead in the 27th minute.

Prior to Shannon’s goal, Elsa Kearney ended almost a 15-minute spell without a Dublin score; with a fine point from play. Although that was her lone score of this tie, the O’Dwyers player displayed huge work-rate throughout and set up many of Dublin’s scores.

Dublin finished the half strongly to turn the tide by the interval.

A pointed free by Hannon, and a McCloskey point from play, came at the end of moves which saw the visitors winning two successive kick-outs.

As Dublin trailed by two points, they continued to press hard, and regained the lead after Elsa Kearney turned the ball over, following a quick Wicklow free.

Kearney fed Hannah McGinnis as Dublin worked the ball in from the wing; with McCloskey and Kate O’Toole also involved; before Skerries Harps player McGinnis finished the ball to the net for Dublin’s opening goal.

Wicklow had a chance to grab the lead, but Dublin took control at the break thanks to a Hannon effort ensuring a 1-8 to 2-3 interval score-line.

Both sides were eager to make their mark on the restart, but it was Dublin who had the bulk of the scoring opportunities in the third quarter.

Murphy palmed the ball to the net four minutes after the restart, after Kearney helped turn over the ball.

Although Dublin had some missed opportunities, O’Toole netted after the ball came off the crossbar to stretch the lead to eight points in the 37th minute.

Wicklow opted for a change of goalkeeper with Holly Wright replacing Anna Carlyon.

Fisher grabbed a point for Wicklow from a free, and could have had another soon after, but Dublin keeper Kadie Martin was equal to the high ball.

A missed opportunity followed for Dublin in the 40th minute, after Hannon was denied by both the crossbar and the post, with her penalty effort.

A fourth goal arrived three minutes later – again Kearney was the provider, with Murphy finishing to the net for her second goal.

Wicklow tagged five points unanswered – Sinéad Flood on target, before four-in-a-row from Fisher.

A Hannon point was Dublin’s first score in 11 minutes and ensured a 4-9 to 2-9 lead in the 55th minute.

Wicklow kept chipping away, mainly through efforts from Fisher, but Dublin held out for a well-earned victory.

After the game Leinster LGFA Vice President Arthur Corrigan presented the Cup to Dublin captain Saoirse Loughlin.

In her speech the Foxrock-Cabinteely player firstly had a word for Wicklow whom she said, ‘fought until the end and never gave up and should all be proud of yourselves’ and had ‘no doubt that we will meet again in future’.

Saoirse also thanked Dublin and Leinster LGFA for their massive work and support.

There was also a ‘massive thank-you to all of the parents, siblings, friends, grandparents and supporters who have backed us since the beginning of the campaign.’

The ‘amazing, hard working and dedicated management’ were also praised with Saoirse adding that ‘we honestly can’t thank you enough’.

While to end her speech Saoirse turned to the players stating, ‘To the amazing group of girls standing right beside me – wow we did it girls!

‘I’m beyond proud of every single one of you for your constant fight, determination, and commitment. Your amazing energy will bring you so far – on and off the pitch.

‘You never fail to make me smile and laugh, so I guess you really are the best! I look forward to training with you throughout the Summer and seeing where the future brings us!’

Scorers for Dublin: Nia Hannon (4f) 0-6; Katie Murphy 2-0; Hannah McGinnis, Kate O’Toole 1-0 each; Amber McCloskey 0-2, Elsa Kearney

DUBLIN: Kadie Martin (Erins Isle); Saoirse Loughlin (Foxrock Cabinteely), Ashling Nyhan (St Brigids), Iseult Costello (St Brigids); Clodagh Fox (St Sylvesters), Líadan Murphy (Kilmacud Crokes), Hannah McGinnis (Skerries Harps); Heather Bolger (Ballyboden St Endas), Siobhan Birnie (Lucan Sarsfields); Elsa Kearney (O’Dwyers), Doireann Egan (Kilmacud Crokes), Kate O’Toole (St Sylvesters); Nia Hannon (Whitehall Colmcille), Katie Murphy (Garda Westmanstown Gaels), Amber McCloskey (St Oliver Plunketts Eoghan

WICKLOW: Anna Carlyon; Elaine O’Dwyer, Orlaith Ni Ghallchobhair, Ciara Wafer; Grace Murphy, Emma Kinnear, Isabel Ledesma; Emily Rose O’Toole, Leila Shannon; Laci-Jane Shannon, Aibhe King, Charlotte Nagle; Elizabeth Bourke, Sadhbh Fisher, Aoife Cullen. Subs used: Sinéad Flood for O’Dwyer (HT); Holly Wright for Carlyon (37); Éadoin O’Keane for Bourke (45); Orla Fee for Murphy

Image credit Maurice Grehan