Wicklow Begin Well in O’Dwyer Debut

A last-gasp goal from Lacken newcomer Paul Phibbs was the crucial score for Wicklow after team-mate Tommy Gill had earlier levelled matters with a brace of points.

In fairness the result was somewhat rough justice for the Carlow men and new boss Andy Shortall.

Carlow’s Derek Hayden hardly deserved to finish on the losing side after notching 2-3 on the day, with his second goal four minutes from time putting his side on the cusp of victory.

However earlier missed chances were to prove costly for Carlow.

The visitors were only on level terms at 0-4 apiece at half-time before falling 0-4 to 0-7 in arrears before Hayden netted in the 40th minute.

However Gill and Phibbs helped inspire the host side and a great comeback was capped by the latter’s deadly finish.

Wicklow - J Bolger; C Hyland, J Cush, A Byrne; L Glynn (0-2), D O’hAnnaidh, S Cush (0-1); J Stafford, B Sheehan; J Slattery (0-1), T Gill (0-5), JP Dalton; JP Kelly, P Earls (0-2), J Daniels. Subs - D Jackman (0-1) for Sheehan, C Davis for J Cush, P Phibbs (1-0) for Kelly

Carlow - J Clarke; J Ryan, B Leonard, M Nolan; P Cashin, B English, A Murphy; W Minchin, G Morrissey; D Hayden (2-3), P Hickey, JJ Smith; N Barrett, M Carpenter (0-1), J Kavanagh (0-2). Subs - R McGrath for Minchin, S Mernagh for Murphy, B Kelly for Kavanagh, J Hickey for P Hickey.

Referee - Tom Quigley (Wexford)