Pres Bray vs Dunamase (WP

 Leinster PPS 2025-2026 South Leinster Junior Football D1 Section 1K/O Quarter-Final

Pres Bray 7-13

Dunamase College 6-6

Bray Emmetts GAA

Eoin Horkan 

In what was an enthralling quarter final on Friday morning it was the north Wicklow side who eventually came out on top in this thirteen goal thriller.

It was a dream start for Pres in Bray as they ran into a very early lead with goals from Joshua Delaney and Conor Cooney, along with two white flags from Cooney. The early lead was canceled out by quick fire points from Nathan Lenehan before a goal from Cillian McLernon. Leaving a goal between the sides after ten minutes.

Playing with the wing Bray made it count with a fine score from wing back Patrick Coneely before Cooney and Harry Tighe slotted over along with another goal this time from opposite wing back Cameron Dalton just on the quarter hour mark.

A Lenehan  minor along with a second goal from McLernon has the Laois side firmly back in the tie. These were canceled out by Delaney and Tighe quickly down the far end. A third green flag this time from Jack Flanagan had the Midlands side back in the tie. This was until Cooney managed to fire into the net down the far end after his side had been kept out on three occasions by the Dunamase goalie Harry McGree.

The second half began with Cooney finishing his hat trick before tagging another point. Not to be outdone, McLernon completed his down the far end as both attacks were flourishing. A trio of points came for the home side as  Cillian Kerans,Tighe and then Oscar Nolan  managed to fire over against the breeze inside the opening quarter of the half.

Pres started to empty the bench and an injury from the opposition meant it was going to thirteen a side. It was substitute Louis Johnston who rattled the net . The Laois side kept the pressure on with a free from McLernon before Lenehan finished a fine move into the back of the net before Sean Mulhall squeezed an effort over from a narrow angle.

The final ten minutes saw Kearns and Delaney adding to their tally along with another goal from McClernon.

The final score of the game came from substitute Cian McDonald to ensure a semi final berth for the Wicklow side.

Pres Bray:Aaron Mears;Alex Conefrey,Rory Byrne,John Walshe;Patrick Coneely(0-1),Oscar Nolan(0-1),Cameron Dalton(1-0);Harry Tighe(0-3);Joshua Delaney(2-1),Conor Cooney(3-4 2fs),Killian Kearns(0-2);Senan Kelly,Cian Phelan,Joe Gavin.

Subs Used:Jack Campbell for Alex Conefrey,Louis Johnston(1-0) for Senan Kelly,Cian McDonald(0-1) for Oscar Nolan,Matthew Doyle for Patrick Coneely, Noah Denver for Killian Kearns.

Dunamase College:Harry McGree;Ryan Judge, Aaron Twomey,Dean Morrissey;Fiachra Guinan,Aidan Fingleton(0-1),Billy McArdle.Sean Mulhall(0-1);Jamie Mulhall;Killian McLernon(4-1),Jack Flanagan(1-0),Alex Murphy,Nathan Lenehan(1-3),Tom Bailey

Referee:Eddie Leonard

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/sport/gaa/pres-bray-emerge-on-right-side-of-13-goal-thriller-to-reach-leinster-semi-final/a1665642069.html

Abbey CC vs Carnew

 South Leinster Hurling final 

Abbey CC Ferrybank 1-17

Carnew CBS 2-13

Wexford COE

Eoin Horkan 

In what was a thrilling final in Wexford midday Tuesday it was the Kilkenny side that came away with a one point victory.

In what was a high scoring game, it was Carnew’s Ryan Doran who had his side two points up early on. The game was level moments later as Harry Flanagan fired over from long range his captain Rian McDonald leveled the scoring with an free from range. It was the Wicklow side who grabbed the early momentum as Doran managed to raise a green flag very early in this tie. The opposition battled back and had the final level inside ten minutes as Aaron Cass, Conor Haley and Mark Flanagan raised white flags.

The first quarter was turning into the Doran show as the Wexford man managed to send his side into the lead again with a double one from a dead ball before adding another from play.The Kilkenny side managed to wrestle back the momentum led by the Flanagan brothers in the middle. A double from Haley along with a fine long range effort from Conor Walsh had his side up by the minimum with ten to go in the half.

In this enthralling final Doran was firing over at ease adding two more to his tally along with a sublime effort from Colin Lawrence. In between this Abbey hit a mini purple patch as Liam Egan, Haley and Jack Hearney had the side ahead just before the break.

Just on the half time whistle Carnew took the lead as captain Jack Sheridan managed to get his hurl to the ball to grab his sides second goal of the game.

In the opening minutes of the second half both full forwards had a shoot out with Doran beating Jack Doyle as his frees were helping  his side. The scores were coming from different players for Ferrybank; they took control of the game inside ten minutes. This patch started with Hearne adding two to his tally before Doyle spit the posts from range. The game changed when Liam Egan managed to get his hurl on the ball to fire in and giving his side the lead. The middle part of this final was quiet as both teams  found it difficult to trouble the scoreboard . The only scores came from Doran and Haley.

The final eleven minutes belonged to the Wicklow boys as Lawrence and Doran had the gap down to one with four left on the clock.

A final effort from Haley had the Kilkenny  crowd roaring as the two points looked like it would be enough. A Doran free had put the minimum between the sides. In the final play of the game,the ball was played out by an Abbey defender resulting in the final whistle. Then the ref realised that the umpire had awarded a sixty-five. Unfortunately for Carnew Doran missed it which would have sent the game to extra time.

Abbey CC Ferrybank:Jake O’Doherty;Craig McGovern,Daniel Connolly,Conor Walsh(0-1);Rory Foot,Rian McDonald(0-1f),Sean McDonald;Harry Flanagan(0-1),Mark Flanagan(0-1);Jack Hearne(0-3 2fs),Conor Haley(0-6 1f),Aaron Cass;(0-1)Tommy O’Connor,Jack Doyle(0-2),Liam Egan(1-1).

Subs Used:Jacob Richards for Craig McGovern,David Phelan for Tommy O’Connor.

Carnew:Ross Weld;Nicky Cosgrove,Eoin Tomkins,Conor Faulkner;Rory Dee,Daniel Duffy,Bobby Cosgrove;Rian Buttle,Rian Rooney;Pearse Byrne,Jim O’Bien,Colin Lawence(0-2);Jack Sheridan(1-0),Ryan Doran(1-10),Tom Brennan.

Subs Used:Marc O’Shea for Pearse Byrne,Nicky Ryan for Jim O’Brien.

Referee: Jimmy Heavey

Womens AiL Wicklow

Wicklow 22

Ballincollig 21

Terenure College Rfc

Eoin Horkan 

Wicklow and Ballincollig served up an absorbing and high-quality contest in Dublin on Saturday evening, with the Leinster side edging out their Munster opponents by the narrowest of margins in a game that remained in the balance right to the final whistle.

Ballincollig made the brighter start and had the scoreboard ticking early. Inside the opening five minutes, sustained pressure deep inside the Wicklow defensive zone  began to tell. A defensive mix-up, coupled with two penalties conceded close to the try line, handed the Cork side prime attacking territory. From the resulting phases, Ballincollig’s forwards kept the ball tight, eventually powering over for the game’s opening try through Aoife Madigan . The conversion was calmly slotted over to give the visitors a deserved seven point lead.

The opening quarter belonged largely to Ballincollig. They enjoyed long spells of possession, pinned Wicklow back with intelligent kicking and were strong and efficient at the breakdown. Wicklow, however, showed plenty of composure, defending stoutly and biding their time rather than panicking under pressure.

That patience was rewarded just before the twenty minute mark. Following an extended Ballincollig attack, a loose pass spilled to the turf and broke kindly for Wicklow’s Clara Dunne. Collecting the ball just inside her own 10-metre line, Dunne showed superb pace and composure, slicing through the retreating defence and sprinting clear to finish under the posts. Beth Roberts added the straightforward conversion and suddenly the scores were level at 7–7.

Wicklow struck again almost immediately from the restart. Regathering the kick-off, they built momentum through a series of strong, direct phases. The pressure eventually told when Jamie Church drove over from close range. After a brief consultation, the referee awarded the try, though the conversion attempt drifted wide, leaving Wicklow five points  ahead.

Ballincollig responded well and, with half an hour played, edged back in front to lead by two when winger Awatere McClean -Wanoa raced over with the extras added. This set the stage for what was becoming a tightly contested and entertaining encounter in Terenure.

Just before the interval, Wicklow struck a crucial blow. Their set piece, which had steadily improved as the half wore on, provided the platform. From a well-controlled passage of play, Ciara O’Leary forced her way over for Wicklow’s third try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, but the score ensured the south-east side went into the break with a slender three-point advantage and growing belief.

The opening ten minutes of the second half swung the momentum back towards the visitors. Ballincollig camped inside the Wicklow twenty-two for a prolonged period, applying relentless pressure. That pressure eventually resulted in a yellow card for Teni Onigbode, and the numerical advantage quickly proved decisive. Ballincollig burrowed over for a crucial try from Aoife Fleming, leaving just a point between the sides before Emma Connolly added her third conversion of the game to restore the Cork side’s lead.

The next ten minutes were fragmented, with both benches emptied as the physical toll of the contest became evident. The stop-start nature of the play made it difficult for either side to build sustained momentum, and as the lights faded in Terenure, the tension only increased.

With Ballincollig seemingly edging closer to closing out the game, Wicklow found one last surge of energy. With ten minutes remaining, Usha Daly O’Toole showed great control and determination to gather possession and drive over the line for a vital try. The conversion from near the sideline narrowly missed, leaving the home side just ahead and setting up a nervy finale.

Ballincollig threw everything at Wicklow in the closing minutes, piling on the pressure in search of a decisive score. Wicklow, however, defended superbly in open play, refusing to yield ground. Substitute Rebecca Brennan made a huge impact, producing a series of excellent lineout steals, including a crucial one inside the final minute just 15 metres from her own line.

That moment effectively sealed the contest and ensured Wicklow held on for a hard-fought and memorable victory, a result built on resilience, clinical finishing and outstanding late-game defence in a contest that showcased the very best of both sides.

Wicklow:Teni Onigbode; Faye O’Neill, Jamie Church, Clara Dunne, Sophie Murphy; Beth Roberts, Sophie Richardson; Eimear Douglas (co-capt), Lorraine Voorbach, Joanne Smith, Renee Koper, Laura Newsome, Ciara O’Leary, Usha Daly O’Toole, Rachel Griffey (co-capt).

Subs:Dannii Masters, Sarah Fitzpatrick, Róisín Ridge, Rebecca Brennan, Nicola Schmidt, Erin McConnell, Naoise O’Reilly.

BALLINCOLLIG: Kate O’Sullivan; Awatere McLean-Wanoa, Brighid Twohig, Alison Kelly, Niamh Crotty; Emma Connolly, Kelly Griffin; Ciara Fleming, Aoife Fleming, Megan O’Callaghan, Olivia Hay Mulvihill, Sinéad O’Donnell, Alex Good, Clodagh O’Dowd, Aoife Madigan (capt).

Replacements: Charlotte O’Neill, Orlaith Morrissy, Ciara Falvey, Fia Whelan, Rachel Naughton, Vivienne O’Donovan.

Referee Paul Manning

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/sport/gaa/wicklow-hold-out-in-dublin-to-seal-absorbing-victory-over-ballincollig/a1966559162.html

WDFL Arklow United vs Rathnew

Arklow United 2

Rathnew AFC 3

Arklow Credit Union Park

Eoin Horkan 

A double from Adam Byrne proved the difference in this five goal thriller on Friday night in Arklow 

Arklow started on the front foot and could have been out of sight inside the opening quarter. Playing with energy and intent, they carved out three clear chances in quick succession. The first coming to Zach Kilbride who was a danger from the start. A corner minutes later fell to David O’Neill but his header flew wide. A second Kilbride effort was expertly blocked.

That profligacy was punished when Rathnew struck against the run of play midway through the first half. A rare foray forward resulted in a clumsy challenge inside the box and the referee pointed straight to the spot.Bill Moorhouse stepped up to calmly send the keeper the wrong way to put the visitors ahead despite having offered little up to that point.

To their credit, Arklow responded positively and were level soon after. A well-won free kick on the edge of the area gave the home side an opportunity and it was taken with confidence by Shane Connoly who  whipped  the ball beyond the wall and into the corner to restore parity.

Just as it looked like the sides would head in level at the break, Rathnew delivered a sucker punch. Adam Byrne, who was a constant threat all afternoon, got on the end of a long ball just ahead of the home sides goalkeeper to give his side the lead on the half time whistle 

The second half failed to reach the same standard as the first, with the game becoming scrappy and stop-start. Arklow struggled to regain their earlier rhythm, while Rathnew were content to sit in and look to break. On the hour mark, Byrne struck again to put daylight between the sides. He gathered the ball and unleashed a rocket from thirty yards into the top corner sending the village crowd into a frenzy.

That goal appeared to take the sting out of the contest, but Arklow refused to lie down. A double  substitution injected fresh energy and with ten minutes remaining, Aaron Parle made an immediate impact. The substitute reacted quickest inside the box to bundle the ball home, reducing the deficit to one and setting up a tense finale.

Arklow pushed hard in the closing stages, throwing men forward in search of an equaliser, but Rathnew held firm under pressure. Despite a couple of nervy moments in stoppage time, the visitors managed the game well and saw it out to claim a valuable away victory.

Arklow United:Dean Flood Hayes,Shane Connolly,Conor Blaney,Sean Harte,David O’Neill,Matt Dempsey,Zach Kilbride,Oisin Keegan,Mark Nolan,Stephen Kavanagh,Aidan Cox.

Subs Used:Aaron Parle for Matt Dempsey, Graham Watts for Aidan Cox.

Rathnew AFC:Dylan Keogh,Ethan Snell,Jonah Graham,Jamie Snell,John Lester,Jack Healy,Eoin Doyle,Gary Doyle,Toby Curran,Adam Byrne,Bill Moorehouse.

Subs Used;Jordan Graham for Toby Curran,Scott Devlin for Eoin Doyle,Tommy O’Callaghan for Bill Moorehouse 

Referee:Michael Kennedy

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/sport/soccer/adam-byrne-strikes-twice-as-rathnew-continue-march-in-wicklow-top-flight/a1021842750.html

WDFL Arklow U vs Wicklow Town

 Arklow United 1

Wicklow Town 2

Credit Union Park

Eoin Horkan 

A stunning strike from the sideline by Jack Cornaluca proved decisive as Wicklow Town edged out Arklow United under the Friday night lights in an entertaining and hard-fought encounter.

Played in front of a lively crowd, it was the home side who burst out of the blocks and set the early tempo. Inside the opening three minutes Arklow had an early sight of goal when Shane Connolly stepped up to a free-kick on the edge of the area, but his well-struck effort was comfortably gathered by Wicklow goalkeeper Ian Murphy.

United continued to press and their positive start was rewarded on the quarter hour mark.Jay Rowlands split the Wicklow defence with a perfectly weighted through ball, allowing winger Zack Kilbride to race clear before calmly slotting past the advancing Murphy to give the hosts a deserved lead.

That goal finally sparked Wicklow Town into life and the visitors began to grow into the contest. Much of their attacking threat came through Andy Earls, who found himself in promising positions on several occasions. His first opportunity saw him fire over the bar, while further pressure began to test the Arklow back line.

Wicklow’s front three were increasingly influential, with Jack Crowley’s pace down the flank causing persistent problems. Crowley went close to an equaliser midway through the half when he cut inside and unleashed a shot that forced a fine save from United keeper Dean Flood Hayes, who was in outstanding form throughout the contest.

Just as it looked like Arklow might carry their lead into the break, a defensive mix-up proved costly. On the stroke of half-time the ball broke kindly to Earls inside the box and the Wicklow forward made no mistake, slotting home the equaliser his side’s pressure merited. Wicklow almost went in ahead moments later, but failed to capitalise on a half chance, leaving the sides level at the interval.

The second half was a much tighter and more tactical affair, with neither side creating clear openings in the opening ten minutes. However, the deadlock was broken in spectacular fashion when Wicklow winger Jack Cornaluca surged down the flank and delivered a hopeful-looking cross that caught the home defence and goalkeeper off guard, looping all the way into the far corner of the net to the delight of the visiting supporters.

Wicklow nearly doubled their advantage on the hour mark when Earls again found space, but Flood Hayes came to Arklow’s rescue with another superb save to keep his side firmly in contention.

The final quarter of the match saw Arklow throw everything forward in search of an equaliser. A series of substitutions injected fresh energy and swung momentum back in the home side’s favour. Darren Dempsey went closest initially, rising well to meet a corner only to head wide. Minutes later, Dempsey tried his luck from the edge of the area, forcing Murphy into a fingertip save that pushed the ball onto the post before it was scrambled clear.

United continued to pile on the pressure in the closing stages. Aaron Parle-Kinsella fired narrowly wide before centre-back David O’Neill controlled possession on the edge of the box and unleashed a final effort that drifted just past the post as the referee blew for full time.

Despite Arklow’s late onslaught, Wicklow Town held firm to claim a valuable away victory.

Arklow United:Dean Flood Hayes;Shane Connolly,Aidan Cox,Sean Harte,David O’Neill,Darren Dempsey, Zach Kilbride,Oisin Keegan,Jay Rowlands,Mark Nolan,Matt Dempsey

Subs Used: Conor Blaney for Aidan Cox,Aaron Parle for Oisin Matt Dempsey, Stephen Kavanagh for Shane Connolly.

Wicklow Town:Ian Murphy,Luke Messitt,Jack Conaluca ,Rob Keogh,Karl Earls,Ian Brannigan,Ryan Burke,Adam Cox,Andy Earls,Chris French,Jack Crowley

Subs Used:Adam Cuddihy for Ryan Burke, Ryan Corrigan for Ian Brannigan.

Referee Joe Byrne.

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/sport/soccer/wicklow-town-come-from-behind-to-snatch-premier-division-win/a1425031911.html

U16 SE Cup Final Rugby

U16 South East Cup final 

Wicklow 42

Wexford 5

Despite a weekend decimated by frozen pitches across the province, the Wicklow U16s ensured that their fixture would not only go ahead but would also live long in the memory, as they produced a superb performance to overcome Wexford in Tullow on Saturday afternoon.

From the opening whistle, Wicklow set the tone in emphatic fashion. Straight from the kick-off, Olly Quinn  sliced through the Wexford defence with an unbelievable solo effort, racing clear to touch down and give Wicklow the perfect start. The early score visibly rattled Wexford and, moments later, lightning struck twice. Daniel Connolly gathered possession from the restart and produced an equally sensational individual run, evading multiple tackles to cross the line and leave the Wicklow support in full voice.

With early dominance established, Wicklow began to showcase their structure and cohesion. Alex Tyson was next on the scoresheet following a slick passage of hands that highlighted the side’s growing confidence and teamwork. Luke Connolly added another well-worked try soon after when he charged down a kick before getting to the ball before the endline, finishing off sustained pressure that had Wexford pinned deep in their own half.

The fifth try arrived courtesy of Calum Reid, who powered over after a series of strong carries from the Wicklow pack, underlining the team’s physical edge as well as their attacking flair.  The final try was a clever and well worked move duly finished by Finlay White Throughout the contest, Wicklow’s work rate and discipline stood out, particularly impressive given the challenging underfoot conditions.

Alex Healy was composed from the tee, adding valuable points and ensuring Wicklow were fully rewarded for their dominance.

Overall, this was a statement performance from the Wicklow U16s, a blend of individual brilliance and cohesive team play that ensured, despite the frozen weekend, this was one fixture that truly delivered.

Everyone in Tullow would also like to wish a speedy recovery to Wicklow full back Tamati Rangitaawa  who suffered a nasty injury midway through the second half.

Wicklow Team.Joshua Callery,Adam Armstrong,Oisin Tallon;Archie Wakeford,Calum Reid;Finlay White,Louis Chambers,Olly Quinn(C);Alex Birrell,Alex Healy;Alex Tyson,Dougie Bowie,Luke Connolly,Daniel Connolly,Tamati Rangitaawa.

Subs;Rory Wolohan,Patrick Treanor,Eoin Treanor,Cian Dunne,Alexander Mckenna,Charles Cullen,Daragh Mcgowan,Adam Ryan.

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/sport/othersports/magnificent-wicklow-race-to-southeast-rugby-title/a1801547220.html