Eoin Lowry, 11, and Conor Heffernan of Laois celebrate after their side's victory in the Tailteann Cup Round 2 match between Wicklow and Laois at Echelon Park in Aughrim, Wicklow. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile.
Tailteann Cup
LAOIS 0-11 WICKLOW 0-10
Laois just about held on for a one-point victory over Wicklow in a tight and tense Tailteann Cup tussle at Aughrim.
They had to overcome a slow start to do so, because it was the home team who set the pace in the early running.
Three points from Kevin Quinn helped Wicklow into an early lead, and Laois only belatedly sprung to life with a brace from Evan O’Carroll.
Wicklow continued to keep their noses in front thanks to some sure free-taking from Mark Jackson, and led at the break by two points.
Laois had the wind at their backs for the second half and immediately reduced the deficit to the minimum with a Brian Byrne point.
Another couple of points from O’Carroll pushed the midlanders ahead, and then Wicklow were reduced to 14-men when their best player, Quinn, was red-carded.
This seemed to inspire them rather than discourage them, though, and points from Conor Fee and Mark Kenny reduced the deficit to the minimum.
The Garden County ran out of time, though, and Laois held on for the win.
Scorers for Wicklow: K Quinn 0-3 1f, M Jackson 0-2fs J Carlin, E Darcy, O McGraynor M Kenny, C Fee 0-1.
Scorers for Laois: E O'Caroll 0-4, K Roche 0-2fs K Swaine B Byrne R Murphy, M Barry P Kingston 0-1.
Wicklow: M Jackson, T Moran, M Stone, P O'Kane, M Nolan E Murtagh, G Fogarty,D Healy, E Darcy, D Fee, O McGraynor, J Kirwan,J Carlin,K Quinn, JP Nolan. Subs: J Prendergast for G Fogarty, C Fee for E Darcy, C McDonald for D Fee M Kenny for O McGraynor, P O' Toole for J Carlin.
Laois: K Roche, J Kelly , E Buggie, M Timmons, S Leacy, B Bryne, S Fingelton, D Larkin, C Heffernan, M Barry, E Lowry, K Swaine, R Murphy, E O'Caroll, P Kingston. Subs: S Fitzgerald for E Buggie, N Dunne for S Fingelton.
Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)
