Questions still to be answered, but hard to fault Wicklow's second-half turnaround

Wicklow led by six points deep into injury time against a significantly depleted Limerick team, yet tension remained in Aughrim. Supporters urged Wicklow to keep possession and run down the clock. Malachy Stone scored a last-minute goal, Wicklow’s fourth, which finally eased the crowd’s nerves. The result carried emotional weight because Limerick had previously denied Wicklow promotion with injury-time points and had overturned a seven-point deficit to block a Tailteann Cup final place. Despite the victory, questions remain since only nine Limerick starters from the 2025 semi-final appeared again, and Wicklow’s away form and consistency have not been fully tested. Wicklow trailed by four at halftime, then delivered an excellent second half to win by nine.

"Deep into injury time, Wicklow were six points up to a Limerick team significantly depleted from their excellent 2025 season, yet there was still tension in Aughrim. Supporters made plenty calls to keep the ball and run down the clock. Malachy Stone's last-minute goal, Wicklow's fourth, was hardly required, but it was only then that a modest crowd in blue and gold seemed entirely relaxed."

"It's a sign of how deep Limerick cut into the county's psyche last year. They denied Wicklow promotion with two injury-time points in Aughrim. They came from seven points down in 20 minutes to rob a Tailteann Cup final place from the Garden. Cliché or not, Wicklow supporters were not going to believe this one was done and dusted until the final whistle went, and so it was on Saturday."

"But it wasn't a bad day's work as Wicklow had to quell a spirited Limerick challenge. They were four points down at the break, indeed. But an excellent second-half display turned that into a nine-point win, so no complaints today; let's deal with tomorrow when it comes."

"It was a strange first half; both sides swapped commanding leads, and more than once. It was also filled with big scores, two of which arrived inside the first three minutes and set the topsy-turvy first-half tone. Barry Coleman got far too much space to stroke over a two-pointer for Limerick within seconds of throw-in, but that lead was gone within two minutes."

Read at Irish Independent