Brian Howard, Dublin, and Dean Healy, Wicklow, in Leinster SFC quarter-final action. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Leinster SFC Quarter-Final
Dublin 2-21 (2-2-17) Wicklow 0-18 (0-4-10)
Dublin have, as expected, advanced to the semi-finals of the Leinster Senior Football Championship, but Wicklow have plenty to be pleased about, providing a far-tougher test than most predicted.
Wicklow played with a strong breeze in the opening half and were, perhaps, slightly unfortunate to go in at the break at four points down. Two Dublin goals made all the difference, the first arriving on 21 minutes when Niall Scully pulled on the ball first time and sent the ball beyond Mark Jackson. Wicklow had actually led by 0-5 to 0-4 at that point, and though they never regained a lead, their performance did not dip massively at any point.
That was especially impressive as they suffered a sucker punch on 25 minutes. Colm Basquel was pulled down, referee Séamus Mulhare called a penalty, and though Mark Jackson initially saved, Con O’Callaghan put his first attempt right by finishing on the follow-up.
That left it at 2-7 to 0-5, but by half-time, Dublin had not extended their lead, going in at the break 2-9 to 0-11. Though they did manage to break through a little too easily for points towards the end of the half, Wicklow had utilised the two pointer brilliantly, four players – Dean Healy, Oisín McGraynor, Kevin Quinn, and Mark Kenny – each kicking a two-pointer. Healy’s on 25 minutes was arguably the score of the game, curled over off the outside of his left boot.
Despite playing with a strong breeze, Dublin could only win the second half by five points, and even with 57 minutes played, only five points still separated the teams.
Dublin did push on in the final quarter, ultimately running out nine-point winners – Con O’Callaghan top-scoring with 1-7 – and it could have been more, but for a magnificent stop from Jackson on 67 minutes, getting low and deflecting the ball away with his right arm. Jackson also stopped Callaghan in the third minute of added time.
Scorers for Dublin: Con O’Callaghan 1-7 (1f, 1tp), Niall Scully 1-1, Tom Lahiff 0-3 (1tp), Ciarán Kilkenny 0-3, Colm Basquel 0-2, Seán Bugler 0-2, Greg McEneaney 0-1, Paddy Small 0-1, Killian McGinnis 0-1.
Scorers for Wicklow: Oisín McGraynor 0-5 (1tp, 1f), Dean Healy 0-4 (1tp), Kevin Quinn 0-3 (1tp), Mark Kenny 0-2 (1tp), Darragh Fee 0-1, Patrick O’Keane 0-1, Joe Prendergast 0-1, Pádraig O’Toole 0-1.
Dublin: Hugh O'Sullivan, David Byrne, Theo Clancy, Conor Tyrell, Brian Howard, Greg McEnaney, Seán McMahon, Peadar Ó Cofaigh-Byrne, Tom Lahiff, Niall Scully, Seán Bugler, Ciarán Kilkenny, Ross McGarry, Conn Ó Ceallacháin, Colm Basquel
Subs: Killian McGinnis for Lahiff 50, Paddy Small for McEneaney 50, Lorcan O’Dell for McGarry 56, James Madden for Scully 61, Nathan Doran for Howard 68.
Wicklow: Mark Jackson, Tom Moran, Craig Maguire, Malachy Stone, Joe Prendergast, Patrick O’Keane, Matt Nolan, Dean Healy, Jack Kirwan, John Paul Nolan, Pádraig O’Toole, Darragh Fee, Oisín McGraynor, Kevin Quinn, Mark Kenny.
Subs: Christopher O’Brien for Kirwan 45, Gavin Fogarty for O’Keane 64, Conor Fee for Kenny 65, Liam O’Neill for Nolan 69, Cathal Baker for Maguire 69.
Referee: Séamus Mulhare (Laois).
