FOR THE second week in a row Harry Murphy got exactly what he needed out of the O'byrne competition. Last week it was a good competitive match that mattered most where he could give a real test to a number of his newcomers.

While he still needed a competitive match this week, a win became of much more importance as it would extend his run in the Shield end of the competition and guarantee him at least one more good opportunity to look at the newcomers on what is a fairly strong panel.

As things panned out, Wicklow advanced to the semi-final of the O'byrne Shield with a good win over Athlone IT at Baltinglass on Sunday. However extra time was needed before the Garden County got on top in this game but once in the driving seat they gave an impressive performance that carried them to what, on paper at least, looked like a very easy victory.

That extra time was definitely an added bonus because it gave the management team a chance to gauge the fitness level of their squad and it must be said that in that aspect at least, the players came up trumps.

While the above scoreline could indicate an easy passage, this was in fact a hard fought and keenly contested match for the first 70 minutes with seldom more than a point or two separating the sides.

The students set the pace for most of the first half. Anton Sullivan gave them the lead with an early point but Daragh O'sullivan pointed a free for a foul on Leighton Glynn to bring the sides level.

Defences on both sides were on top at that stage and ten minutes had passed before a Rathnew movement started by James Stafford and carried on by Leighton Glynn saw Nicky Mernagh put Wicklow in front for the first time.

The students levelled the game again from a free before Paul Cronin edged Wicklow in front with a mighty kick from almost 50m. Then came the first goal of the match. Danny Mcgovern raced down the right wing to send an unstoppable shot passed the helpless John Flynn.

That score gave the students a great boost and while James Stafford pulled back a point for Wicklow, the visitors tacked on two more points to leave a goal between the sides.

Just before that Harry had made an important switch that was to have a major bearing on the match.

The new manager is desperately trying to find somebody to fill the number 3 jersey and this time he handed the task to Rory Finn. While the Kiltegan man was doing well enough he was clearly unhappy with his 'stay at home' role and when the management changed him with Niall Gaffney it brought an immediate improvement.

Just before half time, Finn celebrated his new found freedom by sending over a mighty left-footed point from 40m to leave two between the sides at half time - 1-4 to 0-5.

Wicklow were turning around to play against what was mostly a cross field wind but they were level inside of five minutes with points by Paddy Dalton and Nicky Mernagh.

Joey Kelly pointed a free in the 7th minute of the half to give Wicklow a narrow lead but then they found difficulty in staying ahead.

In fact it was the students that took over again and were two points up as the game entered the last quarter. Wicklow showed the greater determination at that stage and came back with points by Rory Finn, Nicky Mernagh, sub Conor Mcgraynor and Mernagh again to go one point up.

The referee, who had blown up two minutes short in the first half, added on an extra four minutes and the students took full advantage of his leniency to kick over the equalising point in the 74th minute.

Extra time was a different ball game. Wicklow got the start they needed when sub Tony Hannon was brought down in front of goal and stroked the penalty to the net himself. Five minutes later a movement started by Rory Finn saw Conor Mcgraynor break down a high ball to the incoming Paul Cronin who blasted it to the net.

Just before that the students were reduced to 14 men when an added time sub Paul Mcgee was sent to the line on a straight red. Hannon added another point and Wicklow went in leading 2-13 to 1-10, the point for the students, scored by Danny Mcgovern, came just before the break and was no more than a token score.

It was really all over at that stage as Wicklow took complete control with points by Paul Cronin, Rory Finn and Seanie Furlong who had just come on the field with a little over two minutes to go.

Once again Harry Murphy and his selectors were in experimental mood, he made six changes in personnel from the starting line up of last week, added in his full quota of five subs during the first 70 minutes and then brought in three more, the full quota allowed, in extra time.

So it goes without saying that Harry was a happy manager at the end of it all and so I would venture to say was the nice crowd of supporters that turned up at this compact West Wicklow venue on a cold but otherwise pleasant enough evening. The win gives Wicklow a semi-final match away to Wexford on Sunday next.

Again Niall Gaffney staked a claim for a permanent place on the panel if not the starting 15. Adam Merriman also improved his rating while Paul Cronin finished up top scorer and obviously did his cause no harm.

Three complete newcomers in the defence, Robert Lambert and Stephen Mann from Aughrim and Barry Murphy from Blessington all had their moments.

However, this team still revolves around their main powerhouse James Stafford at midfield and he was again as effective as ever on Sunday. While bringing on Tony Hannon and Joey Kelly may have been prompted by the need to sharpen up the forward line, the introduction of the other six subs was purely in order to give them another chance to stake their claim for permanent places.

Scorers: Wicklow: Paul Cronin 1-2; Tony Hannon 1-1; Nicky Mernagh 0-4; Rory Finn 0-3; James Stafford, Paddy Dalton, Conor Mcgraynor, Darragh O'sullivan, Seanie Furlong and Joey Kelly 0-1 each.

Athlone IT: Danny Mcgovern 1-1; Eugene Clarke 0-3; Tomas Rahill and Levi Murphy 0-2 each; Anton Sullivan and Frank Burke 0-1 each.

- PETER KEOGH At Baltinglass