Wicklow may have begun this Tailteann Cup tie knowing they would play no further part in this competition after today, but their fight and spirit certainly shone through as the Leinster outfit picked up a surprise seven-point win over Limerick in Laois Hire O'Moore Park this afternoon – their second Championship win of the season.
Oisin McConville’s side will rue their one-point loss against Carlow earlier in Group 3, as Wicklow narrowly miss out on third place despite this 2-14 to 1-10 win in a sun-drenched Portlaoise.
Mark Fitzgerald’s Limerick men notched 1-10, adding to their tally of 3-35 that they scored against Longford and Carlow previously, but it wasn’t enough for a win for the Treaty men who were already guaranteed top spot in Group 3, regardless of today’s results.
John Paul Nolan top-scored for Wicklow, who had led by four points at half time, boosted by Nolan’s goal just three minutes shy of the half hour mark, before a second half goal from Jack Kirwan ensured the Garden County outscored Limerick by three points in the final 35 minutes.
Limerick, who made five changes from their eight-point win over Carlow two weeks ago, got off to the better start and were two points up inside seven minutes after two quick-fire scores – a James Naughton free in the sixth minute and Peter Nash with the game’s first point from play less than a minute later.
Wicklow were however level by the 19th minute as goalkeeper Mark Jackson kicked a long-range free before a Conor Free free and a well-worked John Paul Nolan point, either side of a James Naughton free, made it 0-03 apiece.
Just seconds after Jackson had slotted over, the impressive Wicklow 'keeper got back in time to superbly save what looked like a certain Limerick goal. Adare full forward Hugh Bourke did well to split the Wicklow defence with a timely through ball, but the lively Peter Nash could only watch on as his low effort on goal was blocked by Jackson.
A Nolan mark in the 21st minute put Oisin McConville’s side ahead for the first time, with the momentum completely in favour of a much-improved Wicklow at this stage.
From here, Jackson put Wicklow two ahead, doubling his tally with his second free of the afternoon as plenty of space started to appear in a stretched Limerick midfield.
Eight minutes before the half-time break, Wicklow were duly rewarded for their efforts with a well-taken goal as McConville’s charges took full advantage of plenty of space in front of the Limerick half-back line to raise the games’ first green flag.
It was John Paul Nolan who finished, but it was Eoin Darcy who was the creator. The Tinahely man played a lovely ball over the top, Brian Fanning misjudged the bounce, leaving Nolan in a one-on-one situation with Limerick goalkeeper Aaron O’Sullivan. The An Tóchar corner forward showed great composure to coolly slotted into the back of the net.
Mark Kenny pointed to give Wicklow a six-point lead by the half hour mark, before two late Limerick points – a well-worked Hugh Bourke point from play, and Naughton’s third free of the afternoon – narrowed the deficit to four points by half-time.
Straight after the restart, Jackson again superbly saved a certain Limerick goal. Naughton met a squared pass from Donovan but the Wicklow 'keeper somehow managed to get in a block to deflect Naughton’s shot onto the post.
Conor Fee, Dean Healy, and Cian Sheehan exchanged points, but it was Wicklow who again opened by a six-point lead midway through the second half.
Downes and Donovan pointed for Limerick to bring it back to four-point game at 1-09 to 0-08 in favour of Wicklow before Jack Kirwan slotted over in front of the posts for McConville’s charges.
Ten minutes from time, Limerick got their goal – a superb Naughton sideline ball into the box was caught by substitute Robbie Bourke, and the Adare forward was fouled from behind by Jackson.
Limerick captain Iain Corbett slotted home the resulting penalty into the top right-hand corner of the net, giving Jackson no chance in the Wicklow goal.
Two minutes later, Wicklow got their second goal to all but secure the win for McConville's lively charges. A Jack Kirwan shot deflected into the back of the net to make it 2-11 to 1-09 in favour of Wicklow, who scored three of the next four points to run out comfortable seven-point winners.
Limerick top the group with two wins from three, and now await a home quarter-final tie, while Wicklow’s championship season comes to an end.
Limerick: Aaron O’Sullivan; Cormac Woulfe, Seán O’Dea, Brian Fanning; Barry Coleman, Iain Corbett (capt.) (1-00, 1 penalty), Tony McCarthy; Colm McSweeney, Cillian Fahy; Cian Sheehan (0-01), Brian Donovan (0-02), Adrian Enright; James Naughton (0-03, 0-03f), Hugh Bourke (0-01), Peter Nash (0-01)
Subs: Cathal Downes (0-01) for Enright (half-time), Jim Liston for Coleman (45 minutes), Killian Ryan (0-01) for Naughton, Robbie Bourke for Nash (both 53 minutes), David Connolly for Woulfe (60 minutes)
Wicklow: Mark Jackson (0-03, 0-03f); Eoin Murtagh, Paul McLoughlin, Malachy Stone; Matt Nolan, Patrick O’Keane, Mark Kenny (0-01); Dean Healy (0-03), John Keogh; Conor Fee (0-03, 0-01f), Tom Moran, Jack Kirwan (1-01); John Paul Nolan (1-03, 0-01f, 0-01m), Joe Prendergast, Eoin Darcy.
Subs: Tom Maher for McLoughlin, Karl Furlong for Moran (both half-time), Fintan O’Shea for Keogh (61 minutes), Cian O’Sullivan for Darcy (68 minutes), Jaques McCall for Prendergast (72 minutes)
Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry)
