Donegal have no answer to Wicklow's firepower in Division 2B

Wicklow had far too much power and panache for a badly outgunned Donegal side in O’Donnell Park in Letterkenny in Divisons 2B of the NHL.

Donegal 0-11 Wicklow 2-24

The winners were superior in all departments, won all the 50/50 balls and were never really troubled by their much lighter opponents. Donegal were minus Stephen Gillespie, Danny Cullen and Declan Coulter and their experience and ability was a huge loss on the day.
But such was Wicklow’s utter dominance, it would be doubtful if they could have halted the inexorable blue wave.

For right from the off, Wiclow’s razor sharp forwards struck superb scores from distance. And their exceptional upper body strength meant that they easily won all the individual battles.

But the home side looked heavy-legged-with only their full backline, midfielder Jack O’Loughlin and corner forward Ruair1 1Campbell showing any sort of form. The winners were well worth their half-time lead of 0-14 to 0-5 and it did not flatter them in the slightest.

They also hit two goals in the second half from Sam O’Dowd and sub Gavin Weir to garnish a most impressive display. Luke Maloney and Diarmuid Masterson set the tone in the opening minutes with rapid- fire long range points.

Wicklow were totally dominant, and Eoin McCormack and marksman Christy Moorehouse moved them into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead with Liam McKinney replying with a Donegal point. But the pattern was set, and the home side could only manage a paltry four more points-from McKinney and sub Oisin Marley.

In contrast Wicklow were playing exhibition stuff with giant centre forward Padraig Doyle hitting 0-3, Eoin McCormack 0-3, Daniel Staunton 0-2 and David Maloney 0-2.

And to add to Donegal’s woes they missed a penalty when Ritchie Ryan was pulled down in the square-but his penalty was saved by Wicklow keeper Conor McNally. The rebound fell to Gerry Gilmore, but he first timed the sliotar past the post in the 20th minute.

But that was a brief respite from Wicklow’s total dominance as they brushed the tepid challenge of Donegal aside and spread some intelligent passes into their accurate forwards and won all the physical battles easily.

This game was well over by the break as both sides ran their bench. But the gap in class in both benches was all too apparent as the skilled Andy O’Brien really added to the Wicklow attack.

Donegal put on Oisin Marley just before half time and he responded with 0-2. But his colleagues continued to struggle against a very well-organised Wicklow in the second half.

The towering Doyle got the first point of the half as Wicklow took up where they had left off.
And the points flowed from McCormack Daniel Staunton and wing back Sam O’Dowd.

But the scorers were in loads of space for these points as Donegal struggled to stay with the Garden County. Christy Moorhouse and O’Brien were also on target for the winners before they got a lucky goal in the 47th minute.

O’Dowd’s hopeful lob bounced past impressive Donegal keeper Luke White although he seemed to be blind-sided by a Wicklow player running across his path.

McKinney and Brian McIntyre had points for the home side before Gavin Weir pounced for Wicklow’s second goal in the 65th minute hitting the sliotar one handed to the net after he had stumbled on the edge of the square.

The game ended most tamely with more points for Wicklow from O’Brien and Mark Murphy with Donegal sub, Ciaran Bradley getting the final score. A thoroughly deserved win for Wicklow.

Donegal scorers: Liam McKinney 0-7.3f; Oisin Marley 0-2; Brian MacIntyre and Ciaran Bradley 0-1.

Wicklow scorers: Christy Moorehouse 0-4,3f; Sam O’Dowd 1-1; Eoin McCormack 0-4; Padraig Doyle and Daniel Staunton 0-4; David Weir 1-0; Andy O’Brien and Diarmuid Masterson 0-2; Mark Murphy, Luke Maloney and David Maloney 0-1.

Donegal: Luke White, Stephen McBride, Michael Donaghue, Padraig Doherty; Brian McIntyre, Bernard Lafferty, Gavin Browne; Conor Gartland Jack O’Loughlin; Liam McKinney, Ronan McDermott, Daire O’ Maoileidigh; Ritchie Ryan, Gerry Gilmore, Ruairi Campbell Subs; Paul Nelson for Gavin Browne (11), Oisin Marley, for Conor Hartland (30), Sean Ward for Daire O’Maoileidigh (47), Ciaran Bradley for Christopher McDermott (56), Kevin Curran for Ruairi Campbell (60)

Wicklow: Conor McNally; Ben Kearney, Andrew Kavanagh, Martin O’Brien; Padraig Doran, John Henderson, Sean O’Dowd: Luke Maloney, Diarmuid Masterson; Daniel Staunton, Padraig Doyle, Eoin McCormack; Seanie Geramine, Christy Moorehouse, David Maloney. Subs; Andy O’Brien for Padraig Doyle (43), Gavin Weir for John Henderson (51), Mark Murphy for Luke Maloney (55), Mikey Lee for David Maloney (57), Dylan Byrne for Martin O’Brien (56)

Referee: Kevin Brady (Louth)