Dominant first-half display proves decisive for Wicklow over Derry minors

The Derry minor hurlers were beaten by a strong Wicklow side in their opening game of the Ulster Minor Hurling Cup on Sunday afternoon, losing 1-21 to 1-12 in wet and windy conditions in Darver.

Elsewhere in the competition, Antrim defeated Down 3-13 to 3-6 in Belfast.

Wicklow brought an immediate physical edge that the young Oak Leafers struggled to match in the early stages. Derry were further disrupted before throw-in when vice-captain Pearse Murphy failed a late fitness test, leaving Danny McGrellis’s side without a key figure in defence.

The Garden County raced into a 0-6 to 0-2 lead by the eighth minute, their dominance in the physical exchanges allowing them to dictate the tempo. Wicklow continued to build momentum and by the 25th minute had stretched their advantage to 0-12 to 0-6, with Derry finding it difficult to gain a foothold.

The decisive blow of the half arrived three minutes before the break when Arklow man Bill Conors fired to the roof of the net in stunning fashion, pushing Wicklow further clear.

Although Derry responded almost immediately through a well-taken goal from St Finbarr’s forward Máirtín Óg Bradley, Wicklow added late points to take a commanding 1-15 to 1-7 lead into the interval.

The Foylesiders relied heavily on the accuracy and individual brilliance of Kevin Lynch’s rising starlet Dylan Irwin, who finished with nine points over the hour. However, hopes of a comeback were dented when the sharpshooter was forced off with an ankle injury in the second half. Pearse Murphy also departed after suffering an eye injury on what proved a gruelling afternoon for the young Derrymen.

To their credit, Derry competed far better after the restart and came to terms with Wicklow’s physicality, but the damage done in the opening half left too much ground to make up. With five minutes remaining, the Garden County still held a comfortable 1-19 to 1-11 cushion and saw the game out professionally.

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Wicklow’s inclusion in this year’s restructured Ulster underage competition, alongside Derry, Down and Antrim’s second team, with their first team playing in the Leinster minor championship. 

The addition of Wicklow adds a new dimension to the tournament, and they signalled their intent with a polished opening display. After the round robin, the top two will play in the provincial final, with second place entering the newly formed Leinster B championship.

Derry now turn their attention to a home fixture against Antrim in Owenbeg next Sunday in round two, while Wicklow travel to Newry to face Down. Danny McGrellis' side will finish out their campaign in Ballycran to take on Down in two weeks' time.

Derry: Ciaran Crawford, Anton Farren, Ben Douglas, Pearse Murphy, Cathal Duggan, Killian Doyle Kennedy, Odhran Clarke, Conan Gillen, Cormac O’Kane, Conor McCloskey, Dylan Irwin, Eoghan Murray, Mairtin Og Bradley, David Hasson, Karl Friel.

Substitutes: Eoghan Smith for Hasson, Ruairi Haran for Duggan, Dara Cassidy for Friel, Ryan McKenna for Killian Doyle Kennedy.

Scorers: Dylan Irwin 0-9, Mairtin Og Bradley 1-1, Cormac O’Kane 0-1, Eoghan Murray 0-1.

Wicklow: Ross Weld, Kevin Murphy, John Lynch, Niall Eglington, Oisin Fanning, Sean Byrne, Taylor Ryan, Nicky Ryan, Conor O’Toole, Callum Jordan Dempsey, Jim O’Brien, Aodhan Heney, Ryan Kennedy, Bill Connors, Colm Lawrence

Referee: Derek Maguire (Monaghan)