ALL-IRELAND SFC QUALIFIER ROUND FOUR Kildare 1-16 Wicklow 2-9: APPLICATION AND attitude can take a team so far but, in the white heat of championship fare when victory is decided by small margins, composure and good decision-making are vital components that generally underpin success. Wicklow discovered this truism is a pulsating encounter at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise on Saturday.
They competed superbly, showing tremendous character in refusing to buckle when trailing by six points early in the second half to draw level by the 53rd minute, but ultimately couldn’t quite hang on to Kildare coat-tails in a frenetic final quarter.
That Wicklow managed this without making a single substitution for the fourth successive match speaks volumes for the work ethic and durability. On the flip side it also suggests a lack of strength in depth. Kildare, in contrast, were able to dip into their resources on the bench to tweak their patterns.
Eamonn Callaghan kicked his team’s final two scores while another substitute Robert Kelly tagged on a point. Wicklow will reflect on a couple of excellent goal opportunities in the second half – Kildare goalkeeper Tom Corley did brilliantly to deny Dean Odlum and Paul Earls in the one incident – and a couple of relatively straight forward chances that went a begging late on in a contest played out in front of 17,700 supporters.
Mick O’Dwyer bemoaned his team’s missed chances. “We had the chances there coming near the end. We got a free and there was another chance about 30 yards out, and we missed both of them.
“They were the chances that changed the game but you know there was nothing much in it. It could have gone any way.
“The one thing I must say about this Wicklow side is they played marvellous football there today, they gave it there all, and no more you can ask from any team.
“Maybe they should have taken points because points win games. But the goals were on at the time and it’s hard to blame them for going for them. If they had taken their points more than likely we would have won it but overall we’re quite happy. We put up a great performance, they’re a young side.”
There were some standout performers for Wicklow notably Darren Hayden, Thomas Walsh, captain Leighton Glynn and the perpetual dynamo Dean Odlum but full forward Seanie Furlong capped the lot. He not alone chipped in with 1-4 – only two of which were frees – but was a focal point for the attack to the extent that Kildare fullback Michael Foley was relieved of his duties shortly before the interval.
Kildare assigned the excellent Hugh McGrillen to curb the full forward’s influence, a task he largely managed. The winners couldn’t quite maintain a rhythm to their game and instead relied on several outstanding individual performances and staccato bursts of heavy scoring.
Seven unanswered points either side of the interval that pushed them out to a 0-13 to 1-4 lead should have provided the cue to push on but instead Wicklow wrested control through Tony Hannon’s fine goal and a three further points in four minutes.
Wicklow’s Achilles heel though was to be discipline, conceding twice as many frees during that second half – several of which were harsh – at a time when Kildare were looking distinctly skittish. It provided a valve to release the pressure.
Kildare manager Kieran McGeeney will know that his team are capable of more. Johnny Doyle kicked five wides in the second half alone. But McGrillen was imperious in the fullback line, Morgan O’Flaherty tireless and intelligent while Dermot Earley was magisterial in midfield and kicked three sumptuous long range points.
“In the first half we made a lot of mistakes. You have to give credit to Wicklow for their work-rate and their tenacity,” said McGeeney. “At the beginning of the second half we probably missed in the region of 1-6 or 1-7 we would normally be scoring.
“But to do that and score 1-16 in the game is reassuring, and it showed that we have a strong panel. It was a great game, but I think the four games on the trot told on Wicklow’s legs.”
On the downside for Kildare,Mickey Conway sustained a knee injury that will be further assessed today.
KILDARE: T Corley; H McGrillen, M Foley, E Bolton; M O'Flaherty (0-1), B Flanagan (0-1), M Conway; D Flynn, D Earley (0-3); J Kavanagh (0-1), P O'Neill (0-1), R Sweeney; A Smith (1-2), K Donnelly, J Doyle, capt (0-4, two frees, one 45). Subs: R Kelly (0-1)for K Donnelly (30 mins), A McLoughlin for Flanagan (32-34 mins, blood); G White for Conway (ht), E Callaghan (0-2)for Sweeney (52 mins), McLoughlin for Foley (65 mins), A Rainbow for O'Neill (70 mins). Yellow cards: M Conway (30 mins), E Callaghan (63 mins).
WICKLOW: M Travers; C Hyland, D O'hAnnaidh, S Kelly; P McWalter, B McGrath, D Hayden (0-1); J Stafford (0-1), T Walsh; L Glynn (capt), T Hannon (1-0), JP Dalton; D Odlum (0-2), S Furlong (1-4, two frees), P Earls (0-1). Yellow cards: P McWalter (13 mins), JP Dalton (40 mins), D O'hAnnaidh (42 mins), J Stafford (62 mins).
Referee: M Duffy(Sligo).
