Following a comprehensive defeat by Dublin and narrow defeats against Laois, Meath and Kildare, the Wicklow U14 Ladies played their final league game against Wexford on Saturday 28th April at Roundwood. Wicklow had a rocky start as a high ball sent in from the Wexford half forward line slipped through the hands of keeper Chloe O'Dwyer and found its way into the back of the net in the opening minute. However, it was the only goal O'Dwyer would concede in the sixty minutes as she followed it with many fine saves and deflections.

Katie Boucher opened the scoring for Wicklow with a point in the second minute of play and Chelsea Snell took Wicklow's first goal in the ninth minute. Wexford failed to register a second score until the twenty fourth minute, at which time they added a point. Trojan work in the Wicklow backline from Alana Conroy, Heather Cullen, Annie Conroy, Emma Reid, Lisa Lawler and Aoife Grace thwarted all Wexford attempts in front of the posts. Katie Miley and Chelsea Snell won the battle at centre field for Wicklow and supplied the hard working forwards with ample quality passes to set up attack after attack on a determined and spirited Wexford backline. Scores from Marie Kiely (2-1), Niamh O'Brien (1-0), Clodagh Fox (1-0), Amy Burke (1-1) and Katie Boucher (1-2) left the half time score 7-3 to 1-1 in favour of the Wicklow side. Seona Michel in the No.13 jersey for Wicklow unselfishly set up many of these scores.

Having been in such tight corners at this point in previous games, the girls clearly enjoyed the cushion they had as they commenced the second half. Substitutes Ellen Quinn, Seona O'Connor Aisling McDonald, Laoise Marron, Rhiona McGettigan, Emma O'Brien and Maeve O'Kane joined the fray for Wicklow and contributed to the subsequent victory on a score line of 9-7 to 1-2. This Wicklow team has grown in confidence throughout the league and will know that after a few very close games they are not far off the pace at this level and are moving forward steadily in the right direction to form a solid panel of players at U16 over the next two years. Huge credit is due to Jenny Miley, James Snell, Michael Healy and Damian O'Brien for their dedication to this group of players that they have nurtured and encouraged over the past number of months. Credit also to the girls themselves as skills are improved and friendships forged that will bring much enjoyment and success in their future football careers. The girls will now prepare for their Leinster C Final which takes place in May. Tweet

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