No League Hangover For Focused Wicklow Who Set Up Dubs Duel With Cruise Past Carlow

Wicklow made light of their recent League disappointment to book another date with the Dubs after sweeping aside Carlow in the Leinster Championship opener

Wicklow produced a dominant display to sweep aside Carlow by 2–15 to 1–7 in their Leinster championship neighbourly derby, easing to victory in difficult conditions and setting up a high-profile clash with Dublin next weekend.

Despite Carlow arriving with confidence after topping Division 4 and lifting the league title at Croke Park — including a previous win over Wicklow — they were second best throughout as Oisín McConville’s side imposed themselves physically and on the scoreboard at Dr Cullen Park.

The hosts actually made a steady start in the slippery conditions after heavy early rain, with little between the sides in the opening exchanges. But Wicklow gradually took control, led once again by the influence of Mark Jackson, who finished with 0–3 including two two-pointers and dictated much of the attacking play from distance.

The turning point came late in the first half when Jackson’s long-range accuracy and Wicklow’s quick transition play began to stretch the Carlow defence. Wicklow moved into control with well-taken scores from distance and arrived at the break in a commanding position after a strong finish to the half.

After the restart, Wicklow pushed clear decisively. Padraig O’Toole finished a slick team move involving Oisín McGraynor to raise the first goal, before McGraynor added a second late on after breaking through the centre to cap an impressive attacking display.

Carlow’s challenge unravelled further when captain Mikey Bambrick was shown a second yellow card five minutes from time, compounding frustration on a day when they struggled to create clear goal chances despite flashes from Ruarí Dunphy and Liam Walker.

Wicklow, by contrast, managed the game professionally down the stretch, with Dean Healy adding key points and Eoghan Darcy accurate from placed balls as they closed out a comprehensive win.

Carlow (B McCarron; P McDonnell, J Phiri, C Byrne; N Roche, D Curran, P Bolger; E Ruth, M Furey; C Doyle, C Hulton (0–1), M Bambrick (0–1); R Dunphy, L Walker, L Gavin (0–2f). Subs: J Murphy for Roche (42), J Clarke (1–0) for Gavin (45), C Blake (0–2) for Walker (48), K Nolan for Ruth (57), A Amond for Dunphy (66)) kept in touch early through a Colm Hulton point and Liam Gavin frees, but struggled to generate consistent scoring from open play as Wicklow’s defensive structure tightened.

Wicklow (M Jackson (0–3, 2 two-pointers); T Moran, C Ó Gallchobhair, G Fogarty; C Deering, M Nolan (0–1), J Carlin; D Healy (0–2), J Kirwan; C O’Brien (0–1), J Hardy, P O’Toole (1–1); O McGraynor (1–1), M Kenny, E Darcy (0–3f). Subs: E Murtagh for Ó Gallchobhair (53), J Prendergast for Deering (55), S Murphy for Kenny (63), C Baker for Kirwan (70), L O’Neill for Carlin (71)).

Referee: S Lonergan (Tipperary).

After the Garden County's win, East Coast FM's Michael Sargent caught up with Wicklow boss Oisin McConville at Dr Cullen Park.

First of all, well done on getting the team back to this level after that Longford defeat.

'Yeah, I loved it. As I said there, we can’t hide behind what happened in Longford. The game was there, promotion was there, a trip to Croke Park was there, and we shied away from it in the end and didn’t get the job done.

But today we were under a massive amount of pressure coming down here. We dominated the game, let’s face it, and we should have won by a lot more. But that’s the scars of what happened a couple of weeks ago coming home in the last 20 minutes when we had chances we just didn’t take as we would have liked. We’ll improve from that — this will bring us on a lot, it has to.''

When the team was announced, there was disappointment to see Malachy Stone wasn’t playing and Kevin Quinn wasn’t playing — you were down two regulars at the start.

''Well, Malachy broke his thumb on Tuesday night, JP Nolan has been out for the last seven weeks, Kevin Quinn got injured on Tuesday as well, and Dara Fee also missed out. They’re four mainstays, but the lads who came in all stepped up and did a job for us today.''

You were 8–4 up at half-time — reasonably happy?

''I wasn’t sure what was going on with the wind, it disappeared and then came back in the second half. We were happy enough at half-time, but we would have liked to take a few more chances. They also had a really good goal chance and hit the post, so we were disappointed with that.

I thought in the second half we would be better — and we were. That goal rocked us a bit and brought them back into it, but we got it back out to a seven-point game again. We were conscious of what happened in Longford when teams get on a run, and we didn’t want Carlow doing the same.

We finished strong, but we probably should have had more scores. The energy was good at the end, just a bit more composure needed.''

Any injury concerns ahead of next week?

'No further injuries from today, which is good. Hopefully we’ll have JP back next week.''

And looking ahead to Dublin?

''The Dublin game last year in Aughrim was one of the best occasions I’ve been involved in. We lost by nine points but there was a great atmosphere and they got a good reception.

But I think they’ll be coming down angry this time, especially after relegation. People are writing them off, saying they’re not the team they were — I’m sure they’ll relish coming down.

It was a great occasion last year, Dublin came in their numbers, and it was the first time I’d seen Aughrim full since I’ve been there. I think Ger Brennan was in the stand watching that day too — that shows respect, and I’d expect nothing less from him. He did a great job with Louth and I’m sure he’ll do the same with Dublin.''