Wicklow vs Wexford Preview ( Darren Hayden)

 

Darren Hayden: 'Wicklow's win against Cavan will stand to them'

By Eoin Horkan

Wicklow had mixed league campaign where they lost all three of their Division 3 South league games against Offaly, Tipperary and Limerick. Davy Burke has instilled a huge belief into this Wicklow where they stunned reigning Ulster champions Cavan in the Division 3 relegation play-off. Eoin Darcy and Seanie Furlong have been two players catching the headlines for Davy Burke's side.

Recently retired from the Wicklow senior footballers Darren Hayden told The Backdoor GAA ''Although Wicklow were defeated in all three of their group games in the National league. All of the performances were positives''. Hayden was huge servant for the Wicklow footballers where he lined out for the garden county for 13 years.

" Last year we played Wexford twice on the bounce and won both games by narrow margins. " Hayden explains ''after two massive battles against Wexford I expect this game to be the very same''.

The former Wicklow defender believes that "The game will be won around the middle third, whichever half back line can get the ball into the forwards quicker in the conditions will come out on top ."

As a final word he believes" Wicklow's win against Ulster champions Cavan will give them the belief to get over the line on Sunday."


https://www.thebackdoorgaa.com/post/darren-hayden-wicklow-s-win-against-cavan-will-stand-to-them

Wexford vs Wicklow Preview ( Mattie Forde )

 

Matty Forde: 'Wexford will need to keep Seanie Furlong quite'

Former Wexford footballer Matty Forde feels that Wexford young team won’t have enough to get over there near neighbours Wicklow in Aughrim on Sunday.

In terms of the League campaign “They didn’t play too badly, what frustrated him was they put themselves in a position to win but just couldn’t get over the line.” Wexford lost both of their groups game by a point at the hands of Waterford and Carlow. The Slaneysiders met Sligo in the Division 4 shield final where Shane Roche's side came out on top by 12 point which should give them huge confidence heading into championship.

The home advantage that Wicklow have would have been a bigger advantage if it weren’t for Covid.

“Wexford have a number of championship debutants on Sunday. It would have been much tougher for these players if there was a crowd packed into Aughrim at the weekend.”

In terms of the opposition, he believes “If Wexford’s young defence can hold Seanie Furlong down it would go a long way to them winning the game.”

Matty Forde adds '‘I’d say it's probably just a lack of experience or not having enough experience around the field to be able to see that game out that's definitely a bit of a worry. “

As a final word the star forward just doesn’t believe that Wexford win have enough to win especially after Wicklow's win over Cavan, Davy Burke's side will be on a high.

''At the end of the day it's knockout championship and anything can happen''.
https://www.thebackdoorgaa.com/post/matty-forde-wexford-will-need-to-keep-seanie-furlong-quite

Avoca vs Barndarrig U13 D Plate Final

 U13D Plate Final

Avoca 5-7

Barndarrig 1-9

Eoin Horkan

Ballymoney

 

Avoca come out on top in a high scoring u13 final played in glorious conditions in Ballymoney on Sunday afternoon.

With both teams a year older for this final due to postponement of the game last season. It was well worth wating for with some fine scores from both sides.

Avoca flew out of the blocks from the opening whistle with midfielder Jack Murphy slotting between the posts for the opening score of the game. The side in black and amber kept the pressure on this resulted in a well taken goal from Conor Daly who managed to break down the opposition defence to slot into the net.

This scoring kicked Barndarrig into gear scoring 1-2 before the first water break. Hugh Keaney fired over a point in anger as a response. The blues then levelled the game with a goal from Jack Nolan whose free managed to make it into the corner of the net. Daniel Jones managed to make is way up the field to give the blues an early lead.

After the whistle Avoca put the foot down again getting a long range free which was put over off the ground by Murphy again. Lucas Reid grabbed the 2^nd goal as he burst through the defence before hitting the back of the net. The 3^rd goal came moments later with no one really sure who got the final touch.

The blues response came with 2 quick fire points from Hugh Keaney who was keeping his side in touch. Murphy who came with his shooting boots notched another long-range point to extend the lead. Daniel Jones added another score to his name to narrow the gap just before half time.

After the whistle both sides started to bring players off the bench. This made the game slightly more stop start. One of the blues subs Brian Jones got his name on the score sheet before midfielder Coakley Byrne burst from the middle of the field and firing over from distance.

Avoca were mad for the goals and their 4^th came from Liam Kinsella who finished to the net after some fine teamwork from midfield. With the gap closing ever so slightly the ref blew for the final water break.

From the water break Avoca took control of this final, Murphy added another point to his name before Jack Power dove the ball into the net. Aidan Fleming added a solitary reply. Avoca last 3 scores came from Reid and Murphy who added a free before both got scores from play to finish the game as a contest.

The consolation point came from the boot of James Russell as Barndarrig pushed for a goal.

 

Man of the Match: Lucas Reid 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Avoca; Donnacha Murphy: Conor Healy, Ruairí Fleming, Dylan Fitzpatrick; Liam Kinsella (1-0), Luke Purcer, Lucas Reid (1-1)), Jack Murphy (0-6 2fs); Conor Daly (1-0), James O Keefe; Aidan Fleming, Jack Power (1-0), Kyle Fluskey,

Subs used: Ryan Doyle, Sean O’ Neil, Sean Óg O’ Neil, Prince Poku, Darragh Harper, Thomas Nolan, Jayden Doyle, Harry Connell

 

Barndarrig; Evan Doyle: John Byrne, John Murray; Daniel Jones (0-2), D.J Williams, Ronan O’ Shea; Coakley Byrne (0-1), James Russell, Hugh Keaney (0-3), Jack Nolan (1-0) Sacha Shearer, Daniel Delahunt, Ronan Wynne

Subs Used: Benny Williams, Fionnan Doyle, Inna Kelly, Nathan Nolan Doyle, Toby Salley, Brian Jones (0-1)

AGB vs St Pats Junior C

 

AGB 0-8

St Pats 2-6

Eoin Horkan

Pearse Park.

 

The saying goals win games was clearly evident in the Division 5 league game played on Thursday night in Arklow.

 

The opening stages of this encounter were very cagy as defences were coming out on top in the opening few attacks. The away side landed the first score of the game through wing forward Mikey Griffin whose effort flew between the posts.

The home side then started to kick into gear hitting three unanswered points. The first of these coming from Niall Higgins before corner forward Garrett Kenny slotted over from a narrow angle. Mark Fitzgerald fired over a dead ball to extend the home sides lead and to leave the home side two scores up at the water break.

The water break didn’t stop the momentum that the home side had. Full forward and ex Ballyboden senior footballer Tom Connors opened his scoring in the Wicklow club scene with a close range free.

Both sides then went onto miss great goal chances with the home sides keeper and defenders managing  to keep the ball out of the net. In comparison AGB goal chance was fired just passed the post.

With the game edging towards the half time whistle AGB wing forward Alan Merrigan managed to notch a score from long range to extend the gap to 4 points at the break.

 

The opening attacks of the 2^nd half were very similar to that of the first with most spectators getting to witness some fine defending from both sides.

The next score of the game came from Merrigan again who slotted a ball over with a cultured effort that would have graced any field in the country. Mark Hurley added another dead ball.

The away side kicked into gear then as it looked like the game was slipping away from them. As Pats started to break through the defence Gers sub-Jimmy Farrell received a black card for a pull down. George O’ Brien added the resulting free to narrow the gap.

That man O’ Brien added 3 more frees as the home side were down to 14 men.  The full forward then opened his scoring from play slotting over from close range.

St Pats then took the lead with the first major of the game through Patrick Murphy who managed to get his boot to the ball in around the box to give Pats an unexpected lead.

After the water break both sides started to empty their benches with defences still getting the upper hand on their counterparts. Gers corner forward Gary Fennell narrowed the gap with another great long-range score.

With the fresh legs and minds on the pitch St Pats hit the 2^nd major and final score of the game through Conor Daly who was jogging at the back post after another goal mouth scramble to slide the ball into the net to end the game as a contest

 

 

 

AGB: Stephen Doyle: Luke Cummins, Tom Hurley, Brian Fennell; Cian McBride, Brandon O’ Hanlon, Dylan Cloke: Mark Hurley (0-1f) Richie Neary: Niall Higgins (0-1), Mark Fitzgerald (0-1), Alan Merrigan (0-2): Garrett Kenny (0-1), Tom Connors(0-1f), Gary Fennell(0-1).

Subs Used: Shane Donohoe for Brandon O’ Hanlon, Jimmy Farrell for Cian McBride, Sean O’ Donavan for Cian McBride

 

St Pats: Pat Sammon: Andy O’ Brien, James O’ Brien, Thomas Keogh; John O ‘Brien, Mark Evans, Fionn O’ Brien; Bill O’ Brien, George O’ Brien; Christy Moorehouse, Patrick Murphy (1-0), Mikey Griffin (0-1); John O’ Brien, George Bee O’ Brien(0-5,4fs), Tom O’ Brien

Subs used: Aaron Lynch for Andy O’ Brien, John Dee O’ Brien for Tom O’ Brien, Conor Daly (1-0) for Tom O’ Brien