Mulhall will go head to head with Kerry legends Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper and Darran O’Sullivan as well as a host of other top Inter County stars. Lucy is the only lady nominated for the award.

The dynamic forward has already added the golden boot and players player of the year to her All Ireland winning medal. See TG4 (Click here) for a video of Lucy’s goal and to cast your vote .

There is no doubt about it that our girl deserves the award for the most stunning goal Croke Park has seen for many a year. So follow vote HERE NOW!!!

Mulhall who also won the golden boot en route to Wicklow’s historic All Ireland Replay success against New York was up against team mate and Wicklow captain Caitriona McKeown and New Yorks Emma Clarke.

Congratulations to all girls nominated and of course Lucy on her latest success.

County PRO Pat Mitchell introduced the team one by one in front of an appreciative crowd as gaels got to show their gratitude to a team that is riding high in the hearts of gaels all around the County.

Lucy Mulhall was confirmed as the golden boot winner in the All Ireland Junior Championship with the goal in Croke Park as good as any score throughout any Championship played at headquarters.

All Ireland winning captain Caitriona McKeown confirmed plans to retire following the replay win over New York but there is a long winter ahead for everybody to convince Caitriona to stay around for a crack at the Intermediate title next year.

TG4 All Ireland Junior Championship  Final Replay

Report by Michael Forde/apspics.com

To quote the words of the President of the LGFA Pat Quill “ I would like to present the trophy to the great leader of the Wicklow team, Caitriona McKeon” McKeon accepted the trophy on behalf of her  ‘football family’. The Kilbride native had considered calling it a day after Wicklow lost to Louth in last years semi final, but after a little coaxing she thankfully decide to lace up the boots for another year.

Over all, this was a great squad effort and just reward for the Wicklow players who put in a tremendous effort from the start of the year, they have written themselves into the history books once again winning the Leinster and all junior Ireland title for 2011.

Wicklow were well served by Aoife Heffernan, Janet Miley, Caitriona Byrne who all gave one hundred percent in the heart of the Wicklow back line.

Lorna Fusciardi, Caitriona McKeon and Niamh Kelly gave excellent support to Jackie Kinch and Loretta Gilbert, the Tinahely duo winning the battle with Linda McKeon and Aine O’Dwyer in the centre of the park.

Up front Wicklow’s management team of Dominic Leech, Martin Fitzgerald, and Orla Donohoe started with Meadhbh Deeney who was voted player of the match, the Eire Og club player slotted in to the twelve spot beside sister Caoilfhionn with Ann Marie Doran keeping a sharp eye on New Yorks Courtney Traynor, with Laura Hogan who pointed late to level the first game pulled on the number thirteen shirt.

Sunday’s replay had every thing, two very competitive teams, two penalties and a sin binning thrown in to keep the large contingent of Wicklow supporters engrossed till the final hooter. Wicklow were in arrears only once in the game when Mary O’Rourke opened New Yorks account with a point in the sixth minute, and while forwards will always claim all the praise, it was  Wicklow’s back line led by captain Caitriona McKeon that shone, through out the game.

The New Yorkers only managed to add four points to the score board, three coming from frees to bring their total at the break to four points. New York defender Imelda Mullarkey was switched to the number fourteen shirt for the replay, a move that allowed Wicklow’s pacy forward line more opportunities to make probing runs at the big apples defensive wall through out the match.

 Wicklow’s top scorer and player of the match in the drawn game Lucy Mulhall tested New York net minder Alison Leyden in the twelfth minute, with her second effort deflecting off the upright and wide. Seconds later Niamh Carroll watched her goal attempt skim past the outside of  Leyden’s post. However with the practice shots out of the way, Wicklow turned the screw with Mulhall and Meadhbh Deeney adding a brace apiece to open a four point gap as the clock ticked in to the second quarter.

  New York second score of the half came in the twentieth minute, Emma Clarke tapping over to pare Wicklow’s lead back to three, but the Garden county were quick to reply when Niamh Carroll fired over her second point and Wicklow’s final score of the half. New York’s Emma Clarke converted two free’s to leave two points between the sides at the break 0-6 to 0-4.      

Wicklow called Sarah Miley off the bench for the restart, the An Tochar club player replaced wing back Niamh Kelly. Miley who likes to venture forward was quick into the action linking up with Mulhall and the Deeney Sisters to exert extra pressure on  New Yorks back line.

However New York’s Captain Mary O’Rourke tagged on her second point  to close the gap to the narrowest of margins. Wicklow had a number of chances to increase their lead before Louise Lilly fouled Ann Marie Doran in the square leaving referee Mags Doherty no option but to award a penalty to Wicklow. Meadhbh Deeney stepped up to the mark dispatching the ball low to the right hand corner of Leyden’s net. But before Wicklow had finished celebrating, their number three Caitriona Byrne was shown the yellow card after she collided with New York corner back Jessica Garcia, the Arklow Gers / Ballymoney club player had to be carried from the field after sustaining an injury in the collision. After the ten minute break Byrne was unable to continue and was replaced by the experienced Aisling Nί hAnnaidh.

 In fairness to the Garden County most other teams would have circled the wagons during that time but Wicklow took the battle to New York with Niamh Carroll pointing after she latched on to the end of a great pass by Caoilfhionn Deeney to open a six point gap (1-8 to 0-5).

New York were threw a life line in the thirty eight minute when the ref pointed to the spot after Janet Miley and Caitriona McKeon fouled Linda McKeon. Emma Clarke placed the ball on the spot but Wicklow’s number one Emer Miley was equal to the shot, Miley was back in action a minute later to deny Linda McKeon her first goal of the championship.

Mary O’Rourke fired over two points to reel  Wicklow’s  lead back to four points (1-8 to 0-7), however Wicklow gave the knife a final twist with the score of the day that involved three players. Sarah Miley collected the ball in the back line and found Laurie Ahern out on the right wing, Ahern launch an accurate 50metre pass to Mulhall, Mulhall who was already up to full speed collected the ball in her stride before unleashing a rocket like shot to the roof of Leydens net. Wicklow’s Caoilfhionn Deeney and Sarah Miley added a point apiece before Michelle Brennan tagged on New York’s final score before the final hooter sounded, to signal the start of the celebrations across the Garden County.

Wicklow scorers; Lucy Mulhall 1-3, Meadhbh Deeney 1-2, Niamh Carroll 0-3, Caoilfhionn Deeney 0-1, Sarah Miley 0-1.

New York: Mary O’Rourke 0-3, Emma Clarke 0-3f, Meabh De Burca 0-1, Michelle Brennan 0-1.

Wicklow: Emer Miley, Janet miley, Caitriona Byrne, Aoife Heffernan, Lorna Fusciardi, Caitriona McKeon (capt), Niamh Kelly, Jackie Kinch , Loretta Gilbert, Ann-Marie Doran, Caoilfhionn Deeney, Meadhbh Deeney, Laura Hogan, Lucy Mulhall, Niamh Carroll. Subs; Sarah Miley for Niamh Kelly, Aisling Nί hAnnaidh for Caitriona Byrne, Laurie Ahern for Laura Hogan, Claire Walsh for Janet Miley, Geraldine Norton for Ann marie Doran.

New York; Alison Leyden, Louise Lilly, Tracey Anne McCullagh, Jessica Garica, Caroline McBride, Cathriona Brady, Joanne Monaghan, Mary O’Rourke (capt), Kelly Roche, Courtney Traynor, Linda McKeon, Aine O’Dwyer, Emma Clarke, Imelda Mullarkey, Méabh De Búrca. Subs: Michelle Brennan for Kelly Roche, Claire McElroy for Louise Lilly, Rosie O’Reilly for Courtney Traynor, Michelle McVann for Caroline McBrien, Mary T. O’Rourke for Imelda Mullarkey.

Referee Mags Doherty (Wexford)

Editor’s Note: Well, what a day! It must have been some night too though. Michael got us through this match report at 2:54am. That’s A & M people. The middle of the night. Once again, thanks to Michael Forde for the excellent coverage he provides us on a fantastic team.

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Both teams would have felt they could have won this title the first day out but it was Wicklow who looked like they were intent on finishing the job today despite falling behind to Mary O’Rourkes opening point. Niamh Carroll opened the Garden Counties account with a peach of a score before a combination of Lucy Mulhall, Laura Hogan and Carroll almost raised a green flag only to see the final effort fly wide of the target.

Wicklow piled constant pressure on the New York backline and hit the front with a Lucy Mulhall score. The Tinahely woman then turned provider for Meadhbh Deeney with an exquisite pass for Wicklow’s third point of the day. New York were struggling to clear their lines and further points from Meadhbh Deeney and Niamh Carroll pushed Wicklow 0-6 to 0-1 up with the clock ticking down. However the exiles rallied and further scores from Clarke and O’Rourke reduced the arrears to just two points at half time.

Sarah Miley was sent on for Niamh Kelly at half time and the An Tochar woman was immense in the half back line from the restart. New York reduced the deficit to the minimum with a quick fire point but missed opportunities to level. As with the first half Wicklow soon settled and a fine move seen Mulhall pulled down in the large rectangle with Meadhbh Deeney calmly placing the penalty past Alison Leyden in the visitors goal.

New York regrouped and forged forward with Caitriona Byrne bringing an abrupt end to the move with a “tackle for the team” that seen the Arklow Gerladines Ballymoney clubwoman sin binned and injured. Niamh Carroll fired Wicklow into a 1-8 to 0-5 lead with another White flag before Philip Sheridans New York were awarded a penalty and a lifeline.

Emma Clarke assumed responsibility but her weak spot kick was saved by Emer Miley with the Valleymount teacher following that save with an excellent stop just moments later from a fierce shot. With New York reeling from missing the spot kick Lucy Mulhall collected a high ball over her shoulder and expertly fired an angled shot with the outside of her boot past the veteran New York keeper. As the flags went up those inside Croker sensed the end was near for the exiles challenge. Space opened up all over the park and Coilfhionn Deeney had goal on her mind again moments later but settled for a point.

The sides traded one more white flag each but it was New York who surrendered to joyous seems from the Garden County players, mentors and followers in the stands. Wicklow were All Ireland Champions again on a scoreline of 2-10 to 0-8.

New York: Mary O’Rourke 0-3, E Clarke 0-3f, M De Búrca & M Brennan 0-1 each.

Wicklow: L Mulhall 1-3 (0-1f), M Deeney 1-2 (1-0 pen), N Carroll 0-3, C Deeney & S Miley 0-1 each.

NEW YORK: A Leyden; L Lilly. TA McCullagh, J Garcia; C McBrien, C Brady, J Monaghan; L McKeon, Á O’Dwyer; Mary O’Rourke, K Roche, C Traynor; E Clarke, I Mullarkey, M De Búrca.

Subs: M Brennan for Roche (39), R O’Reilly for Traynor (44), C McElroy for Lilly (55), M McVann for McBrien (57), Mary T. O’Rourke for Mullarkey (58).

WICKLOW: E Miley; J Miley, C Byrne, A Heffernan; L Fusciardi, C McKeon, N Kelly; J Kinch, L Gilbert; A.M. Doran, C Deeney, M Deeney; L Hogan, L Mulhall, N Carroll.

Subs: S Miley for Kelly (h.t.), A Ní hAnnaidh for Byrne (47), L Ahern for Hogan (50), C Walsh for J Miley (57), G Norton for Doran (57).

Referee: M Doherty (Wexford).

Further match report to follow from our man on the pitch Michael Forde.

Photos of the celebrations courtesy of Michael Kelly from Wicklow Sport:

Photos from the match to follow also!

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The Wicklow Ladies produced a devastating second half performance to clinch a first All Ireland in 21 Years.

Match Report and photos to follow…

You can follow the match on our twitter: @wicklowgaa

You can also follow updates in our Match Centre by going to the link at the top of the page!

Best of luck to the Ladies!!!