Tailteann Cup Group Three

Carlow 0-17 Wicklow 1-13

By Brendan Lawrence at Echelon Park

A late fisted point from substitute Jonah Dunne sealed a sweet victory for Carlow over Wicklow at Echelon Park, Aughrim on Sunday afternoon.

Niall Carew’s men produced a very strong finish in beautiful conditions, winning four of the last five Wicklow kick-outs and kicking six unanswered points.

It was a remarkable recovery after they had fallen 1-12 to 0-10 behind after 23 minutes of the second half when Wicklow’s Eoin D’Arcy palmed home to the back of Johnny Furey’s net for the only goal of the game.

Wicklow’s last score of the game, from the boot of Eoin D’Arcy, was landed after 29 minutes of the second half to make it 1-13 to 0-11 and from here on in the game belonged to Carlow with points from Darragh Foley (three frees), Shane Clarke, Aaron Amond and the late winner from Jonah Dunne sending the visiting supporters wild with delight and gaining sweet revenge for the Leinster championship defeat suffered at the same venue only a few short weeks ago.

Wicklow manager Oisin McConville made a number of changes to their starting 15 for this game, bringing in three Under-20 players – Jack Kirwan, JP Nolan and Conor Fee – with Kevin Quinn, Fintan O’Shea and Arran Murphy losing out, Quinn picking up an injury in the warm-up.

Niall Carew sent Carlow out to battle with a number of changes as well, the biggest being the return of Conor Crowley, with the attacker looking dangerous throughout the opening half.

While Wicklow opened the scoring through Eoin D’Arcy after four minutes, it was Carlow who looked the more dynamic over the opening 35 and they will wonder how they retired to the dressing rooms with the scores tied at 0-6 apiece given that they had eight wides to Wicklow’s four.

Carlow full-forward Darragh Foley grabbed their opening three scores of the game (two frees) while Mark Jackson (free) and Eoin D’Arcy kept Wicklow in touch in the beautiful sunshine at Echelon Park Aughrim.

The visitors were conceding the kick-outs to Wicklow, Mark Jackson going short every time in that opening half, but when the Garden County men reached the opposite 45 the pressure was intense, and Carlow overturned the home side on numerous occasions and looked to attack at speed.

The first goal chance of the game arrived after 20 minutes, Carlow full-back Mikey Bambrick rampaging up the field and sliding a shot painfully across the face of the goal and out for a 45 that was lofted over by Rathvilly’s Conor Doyle to make it 0-4 to 0-3 with 20 gone.

Wicklow would have a good chance of a major of their own on the stroke of half-time when full-back Paul McLoughlin charged forward only to see his effort turned out for a 45 by Johnny Furey with Jackson’s subsequent kick levelling the game at 0-6 apiece.

Wicklow’s Conor Fee dazzled with three points and when D’Arcy palmed home that major after 23 of the second half few would bet against the home side from marching on to victory.

But Carlow were far from done yet. Niall Carew’s men dominated midfield, collecting four out of five of Mark Jackson’s booming restarts and clawing their way back point by point.

Wicklow had a chance to win it late on with Craig Maguire losing his footing and the ball rolling agonisingly wide, but from Carlow’s short restart, full-back Mikey Bambrick survived several challenges along the sideline before setting Jonah Dunne away into space and his fisted effort was met with cheers and the three shrill blasts of the final whistle.

Scorers for Carlow: Darragh Foley 0-7 (6fs), Ross Dunphy 0-4, Shane Clarke, Colm Hulton, Conor Crowley, Jonah Dunne, Aaron Amond, and Conor Doyle (45) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wicklow: Eoin D'Arcy 1-4 (1m), Conor Fee 0-4, Mark Jackson 0-3 (2fs, 145), Cillian McDonald and Joe Prendergast 0-1 each.

Carlow: Johnny Furey; Shane Buggy, Mikey Bambrick, Niall Hickey; Shane Clarke, Mark Furey, Colm Hulton; Conor Doyle, Jordan Morrissey; Seánie Bambrick, Ciarán Moran, Ross Dunphy; Conor Crowley, Darragh Foley, Jamie Clarke.

Subs: Jonah Dunne for N Hickey (55), Dara Curran for S Buggy (63), Eric Molloy for J Clarke (65), Aaron Amond for C Hulton (65), Finbar Kavanagh for C Doyle (70).

Wicklow: Mark Jackson; Eoin Murtagh, Paul McLoughlin, Malachy Stone; Cillian McDonald, Paddy O’Keane, Joe Prendergast; Dean Healy, Podge O’Toole; JP Nolan, JP Hurley, Jack Kirwan; Mark Kenny, Conor Fee, Eoin D’Arcy.

Subs: Johnny Keogh for JP Nolan (50), Matt Nolan for C McDonald (inj, 55), Fintan O’Shea for M Kenny (62), Cian O’Sullivan for J Prendergast (62), Craig Maguire for J Kirwan (69).

Referee: Séamus Mulhare (Offaly).