Laois edge Wicklow in one-point Tailteann Cup victory

Playing with the aid of a strong breeze in the first half, Wicklow took a two-point lead in at the break

After a nervy opening 10 minutes the home side opened the scoring and took control of the tie with Kevin Quinn top scoring with 0-3.

Laois full forward Evan O’Carroll responded with 0-2 from his trusty right boot .

After returning from his NFL trials, Mark Jackson ensured his side would go in two points clear at the interval.

Straight from the throw in Laois used the wind to their advantage with Brian Byrne narrowing the gap to one.

Wicklow found it difficult to score against the breeze as Laois kept them scoreless for fifteen minutes while O’Carroll found his range, finishing the game with 0-4.

With 14 minutes to go Wicklow full forward Kevin Quinn was shown a straight red. This seemed to wake up the home side who were three down at that point. It was Wicklow bench that made a bigger impact with Conor Fee and Mark Kenny raising white flags. A last-minute mark went narrowly wide as Laois managed to come away with the victory.

SCORERS – Laois: E O’Caroll 0-4; K Roche 0-2 (2f); K Swaine, B Byrne, R Murphy, M Barry, P Kingston 0-1 each. Wicklow: K Quinn 0-3 (1f); M Jackson 0-2 (2f); J Carlin, E Darcy, O McGraynor M Kenny, C Fee 0-1 each.

LAOIS: K Roche; J Kelly , E Buggie, M Timmons; S Leacy, B Byrne, S Fingelton; D Larkin, C Heffernan; M Barry, E Lowry, K Swaine; R Murphy, E O’Carroll, P Kingston. Subs: S Fitzgerald for Buggie, N Dunne for Fingelton.

WICKLOW: M Jackson; T Moran, M Stone, P O’Kane; M Nolan E Murtagh, G Fogarty; D Healy, E Darcy; D Fee, O McGraynor, J Kirwan; J Carlin, K Quinn, JP Nolan. Subs: J Prendergast for Fogarty, C Fee for Darcy, C McDonald for Fee M Kenny for McGraynor, P O’Toole for Carlin.

REF: C Dourneen (Cavan).