Laois battle past 14-man Wicklow to secure first victory of Tailteann Cup campaign

Laois have gotten their first championship win of 2024 after they defeated 14-man Wicklow in the Tailteann Cup in Echelon Park Aughrim this afternoon.

Justin McNulty’s side came good in the second-half to take the two points on offer to add to their point against Carlow last weekend.

Laois 0-11

Wicklow 0-10

Laois began the game with plenty of possession but couldn’t break through the Wicklow defence. Laois also had to contend with a stiff cross-field breeze for the first period. They also had two early chances to raise a white flag but Mark Barry’s free went to the left and wide as did Conor Heffernan’s right-footed effort. Another Laois effort dropped into the hands of the Wicklow goalkeeper Mark Jackson from Damon Larkin.

Nine minutes had passed before the first score came as Jonathan Carlin split the posts for Wicklow. Laois replied almost instantly as Kevin Swayne opened Laois’ account in the game. Wicklow hit the next three points without reply as Kevin Quinn pointed a free after a foul on Oisin McGraynor. Brian Byrne was turned over  for the next Wicklow score as Quinn got his second point in two minutes after a pacy counter-attack. Eoin Darcy left the score at Wicklow four points to one after a superb effort that landed over Killian Roche’s crossbar.

Evan O’Carroll got Laois’ second point after 20 minutes from a free. Laois squandered possession on many occasions with many of their passes finding the hands of their Wicklow counterparts. Mark Jackson came forward from the Wicklow goal to kick a free having returned home from America in his quest to become an NFL player. Simon Fingleton was fouled for the next Laois score as Evan O’Carroll pointed his second free. Wicklow’s next score came from a mark as Darcy played the ball to Quinn who split the posts. Killian Roche pointed a free to end the first-half’s scoring with Wicklow leading six points to four.

Laois came out and scored the opening point of the second period as Brian Byrne’s effort hit the top of the net to put a point between the sides. Oisin McGraynor tacked on a free for the home side before Laois levelled the game with two scores on the trot. Paul Kingston pointed off his left while Mark Barry raised a white flag from a placed ball.

Mark Jackson got his second point on his third attempt after he had kicked two frees wide one either side of the post. Laois went ahead for the first time in the 55th minute as Rioghan Murphy scored a splendid point off his left with O’Carroll kicking a free to push Laois ahead. O’Carroll kicked a second score on the trot as Laois led by two points with 13 minutes to go. Wicklow were then reduced to 14 men after Kevin Quinn was sent off for an elbow on Kevin Swayne which left referee Conor Dourneen with no choice but to send him off.

Roche pointed the resulting free to give Laois a three-point advantage going into the final 10 minutes in Aughrim. Wicklow to their credit kept plugging away as Conor Fee pointed a free in the 68th minute to break a 15-minute period without score for Oisin McConville’s team. Mark Kenny cut the deficit to just one point in the 73rd minute with a score from play. Wicklow were given a late chance to rescue a draw but John Paul Nolan’s mark clipped the post and wide before referee Conor Dourneen blew the full-time whistle.

Laois end their Tailteann Cup campaign with a game against Fermanagh in a neutral venue to be played on the weekend of June 1/2.