National Hurling League Division 2A
Down 2-11
Wicklow 0-17
Newry – 11/3/2012
Wicklow and Down provided a hugely entertaining game in their National League encounter in Newry this afternoon with an injury time free from Bosco O’Neill giving Wicklow a share of the spoils writes Alan O’Brien.
Both teams will have been well aware of the importance of getting points in the bag in a very competitive Division 2A and the game was keenly contested from the first ball. Down were first to raise a white flag but Wicklow quickly responded with both teams going on to trade another point each. Wicklow edged in front for the first time with Bosco sending over a free but again Down struck back.
With the scores tied at 0-4 a piece it was the Garden County that stepped on the gas and fired over an unanswered 0-3 to move into a valuable lead. The game was end to end and Joe Murphy in the Wicklow goal produced a number of top drawer saves. Graham Keogh was under pressure to keep the very impressive Paul Braniff under wraps with the strong full forward causing panic in the Wicklow defence with strong fielding and off the ball running. At half time Wicklow held a two point lead as both teams headed for the dressing room with the match in the melting pot.
James Kelly was sent on in the second half for Wayne O’Gorman with Wicklow returning to the field early, no doubt with the message from Casey to continue doing what they were. Down were straight to work from the throw in and rattled off 0-4 to Wicklow’s 0-1 to take the lead. Enan Glynn and John Connors rallied Wicklow with a score a piece before Bosco added another point as both teams gave 120%. With Wicklow on top disaster struck for Garden County as a long ball into the square beat Joe Murphy who will feel he could have done more after a solid performance up to then.
Wicklow dug in and notched two points to once again lead in a nail biting match. With time ticking away Down worked a brilliant second goal. A side line ball on the stand side was worked the width of the pitch before being lashed to the top corner giving the home side a two point lead with just 10 minutes to go.
Again Wicklow produced a performance full of heart, built on pride and fuelled by a burning desire to never give up. Andy O’Brien held off the close attention of Michael Hughes and headed towards Stephen Keith’s goal. The Christy Ring All Star shortened the grip, fired on goal only for the Down keeper to save brilliantly onto the crossbar.
Christy Moorehouse was sent on to bolster the attack as the blue and gold army attacked in waves. The arrears were cut to one before Wicklow won a free right in the corner of the pitch. Bosco stood over the ball from the tightest of angles. The small Wicklow support drew breath as the Glenealy legend lifted the ball and struck. The shot was low, almost too low. Stephen Keith in the Down goal got his hurl to it but could stop the destination. The ball crept over the black spot and Wicklow were level.
The battle was done and referee Liam McAuley blew the whistle to signal an end to a match that both teams will feel they could have won.
Wicklow Team:
Joe Murphy, Jim Connors, Graham Keogh, Eugene Dunne, Tommy Doyle, Billy Cuddihy, Geoffrey Birmingham, Eamon Kearns, Ronan Keddy, John Connors, Patrick Farrell, Wayne O’Gorman (Subbed for James Kelly(Subbed for Christy Moorehouse)), Enan Glynn (C), Bosco O’Neill, Andy O’Brien.
