2024 Allianz Football League Division 3 – Wicklow 0-9 Limerick 0-8

Wicklow defeated Limerick by 0-9 to 0-8 in Round 6 of the Allianz Football League Division 3 on Saturday March 16th at Echelon Park, Aughrim.

Wicklow hold off Limerick to keep survival hopes alive

Report By Brendan Lawrence for RTE.ie

The win that Wicklow were desperately seeking since the start of this Division 3 campaign arrived amid savage drama when they toppled Limerick by 0-09 to 0-08 at Echelon Park Aughrim on Saturday afternoon.

The tension at the death when Jimmy Lee’s charges came hunting for at least a levelling score, if not a match-winning goal, will be remembered by those who braved the heavy drizzle to watch Oisin McConville’s side give themselves every chance of preserving their league status.

The win and Antrim’s defeat in Clare means that the Garden County travel to Corrigan Park next weekend knowing that victory over the Saffrons will see them remain in Division 3, a prospect that has looked unlikely at various stages of this campaign.

Wicklow headed to the dressing room at the break with a 0-06 to 0-02 lead having played against the breeze, Limerick’s scores coming from the boot of impressive netminder Josh Ryan (two frees), the Treaty men coming up against a capable defence marshalled by Malachy Stone, Tom Moran and Eoin Murtagh.

At the other end, Kevin Quinn enjoyed a very positive day, while Gavin Fogarty and Darragh Fee were constantly sniping and capable of damage.

Quinn opened the scoring from a free after three, but it would be 15 minutes later before Dean Healy bagged their second with the home side registering two wides and having a stunning JP Nolan point chalked off due to a player stepping onto the field when taking a sideline in the lead up to the score.

The lofty Josh Ryan also plucked a fine Kevin Quinn effort out of the sky at least two feet above his own crossbar, while Jimmy Lee’s men would prove wasteful in front of the posts themselves, clocking five wides in the opening 35.

Fogarty scored what might be Wicklow’s score of the league after 18 minutes, getting on the end of a flying move started by Paddy O’Keane. Numerous Limerick frees were moved in for backchat and petulance, and Josh Ryan converted one of these for the Treaty’s opener.

Wicklow replied through Matt Nolan and a Quinn free before Dean Healy drifted over a beautiful effort off the outside of his right boot.

With 27 gone, Healy was shown a black card by Cavan official Pat Clarke, but Limerick could only add to their lead through another Ryan free to leave it 0-06 to 0-02 at the break with Wicklow having the benefit of the elements in the second half.

Limerick were far superior in the second half, the introduction of Bryan Nix playing a big part in that, the Newcastlewest man bringing a serious energy and ambition to proceedings.

The visitors popped over two points from the boots of Cillian Fahy and Robbie Childs (mark) while Wicklow would drop two efforts short and kick two wides in the opening 19 minutes of the second half.

The drought was ended when Kevin Quinn blasted over after being picked out by a dreamy Chris O’Brien ball following a Wicklow theft of possession with Josh Ryan way up the field. The Blessington man will know he should have had a goal.

O’Brien swung over a wicked score from distance, but Limerick hit back through Ryan (free), but Wicklow came within inches of a major when Healy’s missile from deep towards an open goal crashed back off the crossbar as Ryan scampered back to his line.

Substitute Oisin McGraynor made it 0-09 to 0-06 for the home side after 70 minutes but Limerick came powering back into the game with points from James Naughton (free) and Bryan Nix to leave just a point between the sides deep into the four minutes of time added on.

Back came Limerick, their pressure on Shane Doyle’s kick-outs relentless, but a foul on the ball deep in Wicklow territory led to a free out and the final whistle sounded soon after much to the joy of McConville and his players.

The Armaghman has said that one win could turn their season around. He’ll be hoping that’s the case when he takes them to Corrigan Park next weekend.

Wicklow: Shane Doyle; Tom Moran, Malachy Stone, Eoin Murtagh; Matt Nolan (0-01), Paddy O’Keane, Gavin Fogarty (0-01); Dean Healy (0-02), Craig Maguire; Darragh Fee, Chris O’Brien (0-01), Cathal Baker; Johnny Carlin, Kevin Quinn (0-03, 2f), JP Nolan.
Subs: Oisin McGraynor (0-01) for J Carlin (61), Gearoid Murphy for JP Nolan (66), Jack Kirwan for C Maguire (68), Cillian McDonald for G Fogarty (69), Conor Fee for C O’Brien (70+1)

Limerick: Josh Ryan (0-4f); Darren O’Doherty, Sean O’Dea, Colm McSweeney; Barry Coleman, Cillian Fahy (0-01), Iain Corbett; Tommy Childs, Cathal Downes; Robbie Childs (0-01m), Tadgh Siochru, Paul Maher; Jamie Baynham, James Naughton (0-01f), Peter Nash.
Subs: Brian O’Sullivan for C McSweeney (temp, H/T), Danny Neville for T Siochru (H/T), Bryan Mix (0-01) for J Baynham, Eoin Hurley for P Nash (57), Shane Costelloe for P Maher (70)

Referee: Pat Clarke (Cavan)