Wicklow Ladies in full bloom

WICKLOW V/s DUBLIN
Wicklow (3-13) Vs. Dublin (0-9)

Dublin visited the Garden County on Sunday last
to find the Wicklow Ladies in full bloom. The
home side dominated in all areas of the field,
up 3-6 to 0-1 at the half, the young Dublin side
had no answer to the host teams experience on
the day. The game finishing 3-13 to 0-9, Wicklow
go into the final to meet West Meath on the 24/4/05.

Wicklow’s forward line of Mikaela Shelly, Elaine
Murphy and Chrissie Shortt all had their shooting
boots on, Murphy notching up a tally of 1-5 for
the match, while goal poacher Edel Kennedy tagged
on 2-1 during the first period. Dublin battled
hard to break down the home sides defence, Wicklow’s
influential captain Aisling O’hAnnaidh marshalling
her ‘Defensive Wall’ to ensure no serious breach
occurred. Dublin’s wing forward Emma Bate did
slot the ball over in the fifth minute of the
half, while Sandra McEvoy had a couple of shots
from frees saved by Emer Miley in the Wicklow
goals. Wicklow continued to press with Jessica
Carroll and Chrissie Shortt tagging on extra points
to finish the half, Wicklow 3-6, Dublin 0-1.

Dublin were reduced to 14 players a couple of
minutes into the third quarter when Aimee Molloy
fouled Mikaela Shelley in the square giving referee
Ciaran Groome no option but to award a penalty
and dispatch Molloy to the sin bin. The spot kick
was struck with plenty of power, however it ended
up in the next field instead of the back of the
net. Despite Wicklow’s substantial lead the visitors
continued to work hard and their efforts were
rewarded when corner forward Catherine Keaney
and Fingallians club mate Natasha Barnwell combining
to tag on 5 points for the visitors. Barnwell
was also unlucky not to put the ball past Miley
in the final quarter, her effort stopped on the
line by the experienced Wicklow keeper. Wicklow
extended their lead by a further four points,
3 courtesy of Elaine Murphy and one from Jessica
Carroll. Monica Lynch and Nadine Murphy replaced
both forwards in the twenty-first minute. Nadine
wasted no time getting on the score sheet with
an excellent point. However that was her only
score. Referee Groome showing Murphy the yellow
card and pointing towards the dreaded sin bin.

Dublin finished the half with consolation points
from Ciara Murphy and Catherine Keaney. Although
losing to a more experienced and stronger side
on the day, Dublin’s performance was a very positive
one, they stuck to their task, worked hard throughout
the game and will have gained a lot of experience
for the future. Wicklow go on to the final to
meet West Meath, who over came Carlow in the second
semi-final. The Suzuki NFL Division 4 final will
be held on Sunday the 24th of April at a venue
to be decided.

WICKLOW PANEL: Emer Miley(Blessington).
Mide Ui Suilleabhain(Eire Og).Orla O’Donoghoe(Kilbride).
Aoife Heffernan(Bray Emmets).Lisa brady(Bray Emmets).Aisling
O hAnnaigh capt,(Bray Emmets).Maura Reid(Blessington).Eithne
Byrne(Kilcoole).Eadaoine Lenihan(Bray Emmets).Jessica
Carroll(Blessington0-3).Edel Kennedy(Carnew 2-1)
Deirdre O Riordan(Kilbride0-1).Mikaela Shelly(Bray
Emmets 0-1).Elaine Murphy(Blessington 1-5). Chrissie
Shortt(An Tochar0-1).
Subs.Nadina Murphy(Blessington0-1) for
Elaine Murphy.Monica Lynch(Newtown) for Jessica
Carroll.Helen Hurley(Arklow Gers/Ballymoney).Caoilfhionn
Deeney(EireOg).Laura Richardson(Bray Emmets).

DUBLIN PANEL:Sarah Campbell(Fingallians).Aine
Deasy(Fingallians).Sandra McEvoy(Parnells).Sinead
Ni Lanagain(Lucan Sarfields).Marie Theres Fields(Naomh
Barrog).Ailish Flynn(Naomh Olaf).Clair Corcoran(Garda).Jennifer
Walsh(Ballyboden St Endas)Colleen Barrett(St Brigids0-1).Emma
Bates(Fingallians0-1).Ciara Murphy(Foxrock-Cabinteely0-1).Grace
O’ Neill(Foxrock-Cabinteely).Ciara Fitzpatrick(Naomh
Olaf).Natasha Barnwell(Fingallians0-2).Catherine
Keaney(Fingallians0-3).
Subs: Grace O Neill for Niamh McLoughlin.
Aimee Molloy for Sinead Ni Lanagain. Sarah Guilfoyle
for Sandra McEvoy. Adrienne Moore for Natasha
Barnwell. Hannah Coen for Claire Corcoran.
Referee. Ciaran Groome (Kildare)

Michael Forde. PRO, Wicklow Ladies football. 10
Lamberton Heights. Arklow. Co. Wicklow. 0402-39457(H).
087-6422658(M) email: wicklowladiesfootball@eircom.net