17-05-2025
Wicklow prove too strong for Laois in Aughrim
Wicklow are up and running in the Tailteann Cup following a five point victory over Laois in Aughrim.
The Garden County were five point winners but it really should have been more as they missed a glut of goal chances over the course of the 70 plus minutes.
A combination of some great saves by Laois keeper Killian Roche, some poor misses and incredible goal-line clearances by Trevor Collins, Kevin Swayne and Paddy O'Sullivan kept the visitors in it at different stages.
Both sides were dealt a blow prior to throw in with key forwards ruled out on either team. Mark Barry went off at half time in the Laois opening round victory over Waterford and was unable to play despite being named to start.
While Kevin Quinn was unable to play for Wicklow but his loss didn't seem to impact his side as much as Barry's did to Laois.
Despite the glorious sunshine, there was a stiff breeze blowing down the pitch in Aughrim and Laois had in the first half but failed to make great use of it.
They did take a two point lead by half time but that was never going to be enough and once Wicklow hit the front after 50 minutes, they were never in danger of being pegged back.
With Dean Healy cutting Laois open and the lively Joe Prendergast causing all sorts of problems, Wicklow led 0-7 to 0-3 after 20 minutes.
Cathal Lee had got Laois scoring underway Damon Larkin kicked 0-6 in the first half, including two two-pointers. Another effort from outside the arc was only tipped over by Wicklow keeper Mark Furlong.
But after being four points down at one stage, Laois were on top in the second quarter with Larkin, Niall Corbet, Shaun Fitzpatrick and Ronan Coffey all pointing. At the break Laois led 0-10 to 0-8.
Wicklow had it level early in the second half, first with a point from Oisin McGraynor and then from the very lively Joe Prendergast.
The hosts then went ahead again when goalkeeper Mark Jackson kicked a two-point free, but Laois were back level after fine scores from Conor Heffernan and Paddy O'Sullivan.
But Wicklow remained on top as Dean Healy's fourth and another two-point free from Jackson had Wicklow 0-17 to 0-12 ahead with 55 minutes on the clock.
A couple of Ronan Coffey frees and a two-point free from Killian Roche helped Laois close the gap but Wicklow substitute Liam O'Neill, midfielder Padraig O'Toole, Mark Kenny and another Eoin Darcy free made sure of it for the home side.
Wicklow face Waterford next where any result will ensure progression. Laois will take on Offaly and need a result to guarantee the same.
Wicklow: Mark Jackson 0-05 (2 2tpf, 1 '45) ; Tom Moran, Matt Nolan, Malachy Stone; Cian Deering, Patrick O'Keane, Darragh Fee; Cathal Baker, Padraig O'Toole 0-01; Dean Healy, Christopher O'Brien, Joe Prendergast 0-01; Oisin McGraynor 0-04 (2f), Eoin Darcy Eoin 0-04 (3f), Mark Kenny 0-01.
Subs: Jacque McCall for Deering (45), Liam O'Neill 0-01 for O'Brien (56), Conor Fee for McGraynor (61), Brian Bohan for Kenny (65), Paidi Kavanagh for Baker (72)
Laois: Killian Roche 0-02 (1 tpf); Ben Dempsey, Trevor Collins, Liam Knowles; Paddy O'Sullivan 0-01, Seamus Lacey, Aaron McEvoy; Conor Heffernan 0-01, Damon Larkin 0-06 (2 2tpf); Kevin Swayne, Ronan Coffey 0-03 (2f), Shaun Fitzpatrick 0-01; Brian Byrne, Cathal Lee 0-01, Niall Corbet 0-01
