Goalkeeper, Mark Jackson, scored three two-pointers as Wicklow made up for a disappointing league campaign when they had an emphatic Leinster Senior Football Championship first round win over Carlow at Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday.
The home team started well as Colm Hulton knocked over a two-pointer from play. 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.
When Oisin McGraynor scored a Wicklow point, Eoin Darcy then converted a free on 13 minutes. From there, the visitors looked to be the better side against the National Football League Division 4 champions.
Jackson scored a fabulous two-pointer from play into a stiff breeze to give his side a morale boosting three-point lead.
In reply, Liam Gavin converted two frees for Carlow but right on the half time whistle, Jackson landed a free from outside the Dee to leave the visitors 0-08 to 0-04 in front at the interval.
Carlow’s John Phiri tackled by Dean Healy
When the game resumed, Darcy added another point from a placed ball. Jackson scored another two-point free. Padraig O’Toole gave a stronger indication that this was definitely going to be Wicklow’s day when he found the net after taking a pass from Oisin McGraynor.
Carlow hit back and Jamie Clarke’s looping shot at the scoreboard end dipped under the crossbar into the net. Mikey Bambrick added a Carlow point but Wicklow did not relent.
Any doubts that arose at that stage were answered as Darcy, Healy and Padraig O’Toole all scored points. Chris Blake replied for Carlow when raising two white flags but it was never going to be enough. They also had captain, Mikey Bambrick sent off when picking up a second yellow in the final quarter.
McGraynor’s scored another Wicklow goal late on to finish the scoring and confirm their place in the next round where they will have a home tie against Dublin.
Wicklow: Mark Jackson (0-06, 1-02p 2-02pfs); Tom Moran, Conall Ó Gallchobhair, Gavin Fogarty; Cian Deering, Matt Nolan (0-01), Jonathan Carlin; Dean Healy (0-02), Jack Hardy; Jack Kirwan, Padraig O’Toole (1-01), Christopher O’Brien (0-01); Oisin McGraynor (1-01 0-1f), Mark Kenny, Eoin Darcy (0-03fs). 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).
Carlow: Ben McCarron; Colin Byrne, Niall Roche, Paddy McDonnell; John Phiri, Dara Curran, Padhraig Bolger; Mark Furey, Conor Doyle; Lee Walker, Colm Hulton, Mikey Bambrick (0-01); Liam Gavin (0-02fs), Eoghan Ruth, Ross Dunphy. Subs: John Murphy for Roche (41), Jamie Clarke (1-00) for Gavin (44), Chris Blake (0-02) for Walker (47), Kyle Nolan for Ruth (55), Aaron Amond for Dunphy (66).
Referee: Sean Lonergan (Tipperary).