Carlow make disappointingly limp exit from Leinster Championship
Carlow's Paddy McDonnell and Colm Hulton leave the pitch after the defeat to Wicklow Photo: ©INPHO/Grace Halton
Carlow made their exit from the Leinster senior football championship when they were well beaten by Wicklow at Netwatch Cullen Park today.
The home team started well with Colm Hulton rifling over a two-pointer from play. The experienced Dean Healy got Wicklow off the mark with a point. With the aid of the breeze Carlow created the better chances but couldn’t turn superior possession into scores.
Instead, Eoin Darcy converted a free on 13 minutes and from there, Wicklow looked to be the better side. Liam Gavin may have scored two frees for the home side but Wicklow keeper, came forward to register a two-pointer from play. With the last kick of the half, Jackson converted a free from outside the Dee to leave the visitors 0-8 to 0-4 at the interval.
On the restart Darcy added a free and Jackson chalked up another two-point free. This was followed by a goal from Padraig O’Toole when put through by Oisin McGraynor. Now seven minutes into the second half, Wicklow had built themselves a ten point lead.
Carlow rallied and Jamie Clarke saw his looping shot from the left at the scoreboard end dip under the crossbar into the net. Mikey Bambrick added a point to test Wicklow resolve.
They answered the question in a positive manner landing a series of points and Oisin McGraynor’s late goal emphasised the dominance of the visitors as they looked forward to a second round game at home to Dublin next Sunday.
M Jackson 0-6 (1-2p 2-2pfs), P O’Toole 1-1, O McGraynor 1-1 (f), , E Darcy 0-3 (fs), D Healy 0-2, C O’Brien 0-1, M Nolan 0-1 Carlow: J Clarke 1-0, C Hulton (1-2pf), L Gavin (2fs), C Blake 0-2 each M Bambrick 0-1.
Mark Jackson; Tom Moran, Conall Ó Gallchobhair, Gavin Fogarty; Cian Deering, Matt Nolan, Jonathan Carlin; Dean Healy, Jack Hardy; Jack Kirwan, Padraig O’Toole, Christopher O’Brien; Oisin McGraynor, Mark Kenny, Eoin Darcy. Subs: Eoin Murtagh for O Gallochobhair (52), Joe Prendergast for Deering (54), Sean Murphy for Kenny (61), Cathal Baker for Kirwan (69), Liam O’Neill for Carlin (69).
Ben McCarron; Colin Byrne, Niall Roche, Paddy McDonnell; John Phiri, Dara Curran, Padhraig Bolger; Mark Furey, Conor Doyle; Lee Walker, Colm Hulton, Mikey Bambrick; Liam Gavin, Eoghan Ruth, Ross Dunphy. Subs: John Murphy for Roche (41), Jamie Clarke for Gavin (44), Chris Blake for Walker (47), Kyle Nolan for Ruth (55), Aaron Amond for Dunphy (66).
Sean Lonergan (Tipperary).
