Late Point Salvages Replay for Wicklow

TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Junior Football Championship Final

New York 0-9

Wicklow 0-9

By Jackie Cahill at Croke Park

SUBSTITUTE Laura Hogan salvaged a replay for Wicklow in this afternoon’s TG4 All-Ireland Ladies junior football championship final with a late equaliser.

The Tinahely player, introduced at half-time, struck the second of her two points with under two minutes of normal time remaining at Croke Park to deny New York a famous win.

But Wicklow could have snatched victory at the death themselves when centre forward Caoilfhionn Deeney stoood over a free with 15 seconds remaining on the clock.

But Deeney pulled her effort wide of goal and the sides ended deadlocked at the end of a riveting encounter.

On the balance of play, a draw was fully-merited for New York as the Exiles came from behind twice in the second half before eding ahead late on.

And they had an eight-point haul from corner forward Emma Clarke, who stunned Wexford in the semi-final with seven points.

But Clarke was off-target with four frees in the opening half as the sides were deadlocked at 0-5 apiece at the break.

For Wicklow, Lucy Mulhall was the star turn at full-forward with five points from play but the Garden County, appearing in a first All-Ireland final since 1990, were left to rue a tally of five second half wides.

Clarke scored all of New York’s first half points, including two frees before half-time to tie the scores for the fourth time.

Hogan and Mulhall kicked early second half points for Wicklow as they regained the initiative but New York, appearing in their first All-Ireland final since 1999, came roaring back with points from Mary O’Rourke and Clarke.

New York were defending doggedly and corner back Imelda Mullarkey put her body on the line in the 40th minute, blocking Niamh Carroll’s goalbound effort with her face.

Mulhall fired Wicklow ahead again but Clarke replied to tie the scores with another free, before converting a 50th minute free after Wicklow wing back Lorna Fusciardi was harshly penalised.

That score sent New York clear with ten minutes remaining but there was a late twist in the tale as Hogan, who also registered two second half wides, held her nerve to slot over the leveller from 20 metres out.

Deeney could have secured the West County Hotel Cup for Wicklow but was off-target with that late effort.

Latest indications are that the replay will take place on Saturday, October 8, at a venue to be confirmed.

Scorers for New York: E Clarke 0-8 (6f), M O’Rourke 0-1.

Scorers for Wicklow: L Mulhall 0-5, L Hogan 0-2, L Gilbert & L Ahern 0-1 each.

NEW YORK: A Leyden; L Lilly, T.A. McCullagh, I Mullarkey; J.K. Garcia, C Brady, J Monaghan; L McKeon, A O’Dwyer; M O’Rourke, K Roche, C Traynor; E Clarke, C McBrien, M De Búrca.

Subs: M.T. O’Rourke for Roche (33), K Lynch for McBrien (52), M Brennan for McKeon (55).

WICKLOW: E Miley; J Miley, C Byrne, A Heffernan; L Fusciardi, C McKeon, N Kelly; J Kinch, L Gilbert; A.M. Doran, C Deeney, L Ahern; E Lenihan, L Mulhall, N Carroll.

Subs: L Hogan for Lenihan (h.t.), S Miley for Kelly (h.t.), M Lynch for Ahern (40), M Deeney for Doran (52), A Ní hAnnaidh for J Miley (52).

Referee: Y Duffy (Cavan).

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