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Ring Cup Senior Hurling Round 5 Late Wicklow Surge Denies Mayo Wicklow………..…………….3-16 |
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late surge that saw Wicklow record 2-3 without reply in the closing
ten minutes of this Christy Ring Cup Round 5 tie was the turning point
of the game as Mayo threw away a five-point lead to concede defeat.
Even though both sides were destined to the relegation play-offs prior
to the game, a fabulous seventy minutes of hurling was witnessed by
the small number of supporters present at Pearse Park in Arklow.
With six regulars missing due to injury, the Mayo management team had no choice but to be in experimental mood with team selection, with only five players retaining the same jersey from the team which were defeated by Kerry in the penultimate round. However, a hamstring injury picked up by Derek McConn, as well as a straight red card for Mayo makeshift full forward John Duffy, will pose further problems for the upcoming relegation battle against either Roscommon or Derry. The match itself which was played at a ferocious pace in blistering hot conditions, served up a total of 34 scores, as both sides went at it hammer and togs in the opening half. Don Hyland (0-3), Jonathon O'Neill (0-3) and David Moran (1-0) were Wicklow's chief attackers in the opening half as they raced into a 1-8 to 1-6 half-time lead. Mayo, who played some crisp hurling at stages in the opening half were kept intact by points from Adrian Freeman (0-4) and Stephen Broderick (0-2), with Mayo's opening half goal coming from Derek McConn before he was forced to retire injured. The second period saw a Mayo surge, helped by a 2-2 contribution by makeshift full forward John Duffy, as Mayo raced into a five point lead. Duffy, who recorded majors in the 37th and 49th minutes, sent Mayo into a 3-11 to 1-12 lead going into the final quarter of the game. Duffy's contribution was marred however as he received his marching order's late on for an alleged off the ball incident. Other notable Mayo contributions came from Stephen Broderick at midfield as he accounted for five points, four from play, as he lorded proceedings around the middle for Mayo. The Mayo half back line of Con Ryan, Shane Morley and Paul Lynch were also contributing handsomely to Mayo's dominance, especially Ryan who consistently cleared his lines throughout. The turning point of the game came in the 61st minute when a high dropping ball in around the Mayo square was doubled on and netted by sharp shooting corner forward Don Hyland. This coupled with a goal from a penalty by Wicklow midfielder Jonathon O'Neill minutes later brought Wicklow back into contention, and late points from Alan Tiernan, Hyland again and substitute Pat Lee pulled Wicklow clear for a four point win. Even though the outcome of this tie was irrelevant, the Mayo management learnt much during this encounter. However, with key men Keith Higgins (Elbow), Paddy Barrett (Broken Thumb), Ger Whyte (Ankle), James Hogan (Foot), Pierse Higgins (Back), Paul Broderick (Knee) and now Derek McConn (Hamstring) all out of action, the odds are very much stacked against Mayo's survival in the Tier Two Championship for 2006.
Wicklow:
T. Finn; MJ O'Neill, G. Kehoe, D. Moran (1-0); G. Murray, L. Kennedy,
D. Doran (0-1,1f); J. Bermingham, J. O'Neill (1-6,1-5f); A. Tiernan
(0-1), J. Murphy, B. Rickerby (0-1); D. Hyland (1-5), E. Kennedy,
TJ Byrne Sub: T. Collins (0-1), P. Lee (0-1) |
