Offaly go down to Wicklow after promising first half

OFFALY gave it their very best shot before losing to Wicklow in the Leinster LGFA Intermediate Championship in Aughrim last Sunday.

TG4 Leinster LGFA Intermediate Championship

Wicklow 1-13

Offaly 1-5

Playing against the wind in the first half, Offaly gave a very brave display and were well in the hunt when trailing by just 0-9 to 1-4 at half time.

The goal was scored by the excellent Saorah Doyle early on and Emma Hand, Saorah Doyle (3 frees) and Emma Hand got points to leave Offaly in with a great chance of a great wind at the break.

Wicklow, however, got their act together in the second half and became increasingly dominant as it wore on. Shauna Byrne got a crucial Wicklow goal eight minutes after the restart and were 1-11 to 1-4 ahead when Doyle got Offaly's only second half point from a free.

It has been a hard year for Offaly so far this year with managerial upheaval and full credit to the players who travelled to Wicklow and acquitted themselves well.

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Teams and scorers

Wicklow: Ellen Griffin; Shannagh Goetelen, Eadaoin O’Keane (0-1), Aoife Gorman (0-1); Sinead McGettigan (0-6, 3f), Shauna Byrne (1-2), Sarah Jane Winders; Sarah Evans, Niamh Cullen (0-1); Meabh Corr, Helena Dowling, Lucy Dunne (0-1); Isabel Ledesma, Emily Rose O’Toole, Eimear O’Brien. Subs: Laci Jane Shannon, Ann Marie Keegan, Michele Renaghan, Aobha Harmon, Niamh O’Brien (0-1)

Offaly: Lauren Dunne; Anna Grehan, Niamh Glackin, Nicole Buckley; Kaytlin Flynn,Jane Maher, Dawn Hannon; Michelle Mann, Marie Byrne; Isabelle Liu Lyons, Saorah Doyle (1-4, 4f), Eve Kelly; Aine Phelan, Emma Hand (0-1, 1f), Abbi Stafford. Subs: Lauren Leavy, Saoirse McGuinness, Eabha Enright, Ciara Walsh, Abbi Stafford.

Referee: Angela Gallagher (Ath Cliath)