All too easy for Leitrim as Wicklow no match for Green & Gold in TG4 LGFA IFC first round
TG4 LGFA IFC FIRST ROUND: LEITRIM 2-16 WICKLOW 1-5
Leitrim had it all too easy in their opening game in the TG4 LGFA All-Ireland Intermediate Championship series on Sunday in Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada as the 2024 champions cruised to a win over Wicklow in Pairc Sean on Sunday last.
The visitors made life a little uncomfortable for Leitrim in the first half, but from there on, it was plain sailing for the home side. Tougher tests undoubtedly await for Leitrim, but it was a business-like display.
Muireann Devaney tormented the visitors, finishing with 1-8 (5f). The dual star did little wrong on one of those days every forward dreams of.
Leitrim were expected to put up a big score in this fixture and duly obliged. Leitrim led by 1-10 to 1-1 at half-time. Jonny Garrity's side were in cruise control in the second half and could even afford a late Wicklow resurgence.
Next up is Fermanagh, which will be a much stiffer test of Leitrim's All-Ireland credentials. Leitrim possess enough talent and structure to trouble many teams and leadership is also not in short supply.
The only concerns from a Leitrim viewpoint would be that Wicklow midfielder Elizabeth Bourke got on top at spells in midfield and a goal was conceded rather in a rather sloppy fashion. Bourke worked very hard for her side but the supporting cast around her was not sufficiently strong, although Laura Butler did frequently ask questions of the Leitrim defence.
However, as the game went on, Leitrim were more fluid in possession and the likes of Charlene Tyrrell and Niamh Tighe were instrumental in that.
Hard work backed up the good spells of possession Leitrim enjoyed. The ability to move the ball quickly into scoring positions greatly unsettled Wicklow. Leitrim are direct in their approach and it's not hard to see why, given the quality of forwards looking for the ball.
Wicklow engineered a number of attacks in the first half, usually characterised by a slow build up. However, usually this ended in the Leitrim defence turning over the ball. The ageless Charlene Tyrrell was key to that, always being alert to breaking ball and then moving the ball on with pace. Sarah Reynolds had a busy hour, getting on the ball from deep positions and linking up well with the attack.
The attack moved with intent, with piercing runs from Vivienne Egan and Laura O'Dowd. Leah Fox was always an option and Wicklow couldn't cope with her class. Jasmine Maye was ruled out from starting due to injury, with her place being taken by Donegal woman Roisin McGloin.
Wicklow opened the scoring, with Niamh Caffrey sending over a close range free. Leah Fox opened Leitrim's account, which was quickly followed by a Vivienne Egan point. Further points followed by Muireann Devaney and Kate Gormley, making it 0-4 to 0-1 after 11 minutes. Muireann added two pointed frees.
Wicklow started brightly with Elizabeth Bourke stamping her authority at midfield but had little to show for their efforts, as they were frustrated by Leitrim defending. Leah Fox showed composure to fire home Leitrim's first goal in the 16th minute, following smart build up play. Muireann Devaney added a point in the 18th minute. However, Leitrim were caught napping at the other end when Niamh Caffrey broke through to fire home her side's only goal in the 19th minute.
With just six points between the sides now (1-7 to 1-1) Leitrim need to plug the leaks, as Wicklow enjoyed periods of possession and Laura Butler probed. Leitrim finished the first half strongly with points from Muireann Devaney and Vivienne Egan. Both scores featured good build up play. Devaney added a free to complete the scoring for the half. The same player started the second half with a bang, finishing to the net in the early stages.
Leah Fox had seen her shot go off the post just before that and it was only a matter of time before Leitrim would score another three pointer. The Devaney goal was surely the platform for Leitrim to see out the game and they could afford the luxury of only adding six more points in almost a half hour of football.
Leah Fox and Muireann Devaney (free) added points. Wicklow were no longer having the foothold in possession that they had in the first half and there was really no way back into the game for them.
Leah Fox added another point from play and a point from Kate Gormley left it 2-14 to 0-1 with 39 minutes gone. Rose Donohue got a point back for Wicklow in the 45th minute. The visitors didn't stop trying, mainly through the efforts of Elizabeth Bourke.
Shaylyn Ward made an impact as a Leitrim substitute with a point in the 46th minute. As both sides introduced a raft of substitutes, Muireann Devaney added a pointed free for Leitrim in the 49th minute, which was to be the home sides last score.
Wicklow hit three unanswered points, from Niamh Caffrey, Laura Butler and Lucy Dunne in the final 10 minutes. But it was all academic at this stage as Leitrim could afford to take off the likes of Niamh Tighe and Charlene Tyrrell in the second half. Dearbhaile Beirne also came on as a substitute in the second half and she could yet have a bigger role to play this summer.
All in all, a satisfactory start to the All-Ireland campaign for Leitrim.
LEITRIM
Scorers: Muireann Devaney 1-8, 5f; Leah Fox 1-3; Vivienne Egan & Kate Gormley 0-2 each; Shaylyn Ward 0-1
Team: Michelle Guckian (St. Mary's); Roisin McGloin (Aodh Ruadh, Donegal), Charlene Tyrrell (Mohill), Niamh Morahan (Allen Gaels); Rachel McIntyre (St. Joseph's), Lauren Devaney (Glencar Manorhamilton), Sarah Reynolds (St. Mary's); Niamh Tighe (Kiltubrid), Chloe Dolan (Annaduff); Vivenne Egan (Annaduff), Leah Fox (Glencar Manorhamilton), Aoife Gilmartin (Glencar Manorhamilton); Laura O'Dowd (Sean O'Heslins), Muireann Devaney (Glencar Manorhamilton), Kate Gormley (St. Joseph's). Subs: Dearbhaile Beirne (Mohill) for McGloin (39), Shaylyn Ward (Keeldra Gaels) for Gormley (41), Anna Devaney (Glencar Manorhamilton) for Tighe (46), Lucy Murphy (Sean O'Heslins) for M. Devaney (51), Rebecca Rooney (Glencar Manorhamilton) for Tyrrell (55)
WICKLOW
Scorers: Niamh Caffrey 1-2, 1f; Lucy Dunne, Rose Donohue & Laura Butler 0-1 each
Team: Emma Kirwan; Sarah O'Toole, Orla O'Keeffe, Emma Doyle; Michelle Renaghan, Sarah Evans, Neasa McGillycuddy; Elizabeth Bourke, Amy Lalor; Megan Healy, Eva Doyle, Millie Phelan; Niamh Caffrey, Lucy Dunne, Laura Butler. Subs: Yasmin Bishop & Catriona Renaghan for Phelan & Lalor (37), Rose Donohue for Eva Doyle (41), Catherine Bourke for McGillycuddy (51), Anna Doyle for Butler (55)
Referee: Gerard Canny (Mayo)