Dean Healy starred for Wicklow against Laois. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Tailteann Cup Group Two
Wicklow 0-21 Laois 0-16
By Alan Hartnett at Echelon Park
Wicklow are up and running in the Tailteann Cup following a five point victory over Laois in Aughrim this evening.
The Garden County were beaten narrowly by the same opponents at the same stage last year but they turned the tables.
Wicklow were five point winners, but it really should have been more as they missed a glut of goal chances over the course of the 70 plus minutes.
A combination of some great saves by Laois keeper Killian Roche, some poor misses and incredible goal-line clearances by Trevor Collins, Kevin Swayne and Paddy O'Sullivan kept the visitors in it at different stages.
Both sides were dealt a blow prior to throw in with key forwards ruled out on either team. Mark Barry went off at half time in Laois's Round One victory over Waterford and was unable to play despite being named to start. Kevin Quinn was unable to play for Wicklow.
Despite the glorious sunshine, there was a stiff breeze blowing down the pitch in Aughrim and Laois had in the first half but failed to make great use of it.
They did take a two point lead by half time but that was never going to be enough and once Wicklow hit the front after 50 minutes, they were never in danger of being pegged back.
With Dean Healy cutting Laois open and the lively Joe Prendergast causing all sorts of problems, Wicklow led 0-7 to 0-3 after 20 minutes.
Cathal Lee had got Laois’s scoring underway Damon Larkin kicked 0-6 in the first half, including two two-pointers. Another effort from outside the arc was only tipped over by Wicklow keeper Mark Furlong.
But after being four points down at one stage, Laois were on top in the second quarter with Larkin, Niall Corbet, Shaun Fitzpatrick and Ronan Coffey all pointing. At the break Laois led 0-10 to 0-8.
Wicklow had it level early in the second half, first with a point from Oisin McGraynor and then from the very lively Joe Prendergast.
Wicklow then went ahead again when goalkeeper Mark Jackson kicked a two-point free, but Laois were back level after fine scores from Conor Heffernan and Paddy O’Sullivan.
But Wicklow remained on top as Dean Healy’s fourth and another two-point free from Jackson had Wicklow 0-17 to 0-12 ahead with 55 minutes on the clock.
A couple of Ronan Coffey frees and a two-point free from Killian Roche helped Laois close the gap, but Wicklow sub Liam O’Neill, midfielder Padraig O’Toole, Mark Kenny and another Eoin Darcy free made sure of it for the home side.
Wicklow face Waterford next where any result will ensure progression. Laois will take on Offaly and need a result to guarantee the same.
Scorers for Wicklow: Mark Jackson 0-5 (2 2ptf, one ’45) Dean Healy, Oisin McGraynor (2fs) and Eoin Darcy (3fs) 0-4 each, Joe Prendergast, Padraig O’Toole, Mark Kenny and Liam O’Neill 0-1 each.
Scorers for Laois: Damon Larkin 0-6 (2 2pt), Ronan Coffey 0-3 (2fs), Killian Roche 0-2 (2ptf), Niall Corbet, Shaun Fitzpatrick, Cathal Lee, Paddy O’Sullivan and Conor Heffernan 0-1 each.
Wicklow: Mark Jackson; Tom Moran, Matt Nolan, Malachy Stone; Cian Deering, Patrick O’Keane, Darragh Fee; Cathal Baker, Padraig O’Toole; Dean Healy, Christopher O’Brien, Joe Prendergast; Oisin McGraynor, Eoin Darcy, Mark Kenny.
Subs: Jacque McCall for Deering (45), Liam O’Neill for O’Brien (56), Conor Fee for McGraynor (61), Brian Bohan for Kenny (65), Paidi Kavanagh for Baker (72).
Laois: Killian Roche; Ben Dempsey, Trevor Collins, Liam Knowles; Paddy O’Sullivan, Seamus Lacey, Aaron McEvoy; Conor Heffernan, Damon Larkin; Kevin Swayne, Ronan Coffey, Shaun Fitzpatrick; Brian Byrne, Cathal Lee, Niall Corbet.
Subs: Michael Doran for Fitzpatrick (HT), Padraig Kirwan for McEvoy (45), Jonah Kelly for Lee (55), Sean O’Neill for Corbet (65)
Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford).
