UNDER-21 FOOTBALL LEINSTER CHAMPIONSHIP: Carlow 2-14 Wicklow 0-12WORKING OFF a shock first-minute goal from left full forward Eddie Byrne, 14-man Carlow went on to score a comfortable eight-point win at Carlow IT's grounds last night.

Carlow midfielder Hughie Gahan completed a run by firing against the woodwork and Byrne hammered the rebound to the Wicklow net. Luke Dempsey’s side led from start to finish with midfielder Darragh Foley putting in a man-of-the-match performance.

Wicklow were in deeper trouble on nine minutes when Byrne fielded a Darragh Foley pass to fire a second goal. Although Carlow lost wing forward Murtagh Ware to a straight red card on 14 minutes, the sending off failed to alter the game’s trend.

With David Keogh landing some superb points from play, he finished with 0-6, Carlow led by a comfortable 2-7 to 0-5 at half time.

The visitors depended greatly on full forward Dean Siney for scores – he notched 0-7, 0-5 from frees. Notably four of the starting Wicklow forwards failed to score.

CARLOW: B Doyle; R Mahon, C Lawlor, J Kenny; J Byrne, B Lambe, J Kane; H Gahan (0-1), D Foley (0-3, 0-2 frees); M Ware, C Walshe (0-1), E Ruth (0-2); D Keogh (0-6), R Power, E Byrne (2-0). Subs: P McElligott (0-1) for Walshe (42 mins); K McCabe for Byrne (52 mins); D Roberts for Power (55 mins); J Ryan for Foley (56 mins).

WICKLOW: W H Philips; E McHugh, M Staines, J Tanner (0-1); C Foley, M Mangan, D Healy; M Kenny (0-1), P McLoughlin (0-1); E Doyle, P Cunningham (0-2), A Murphy; I McDonald, D Siney 0-7, 0-5 frees), T Kelly. Subs: C McGraynor for Staines (12 mins); D Faulkner for Doyle (23 mins); S O'Keeffe for McDonald (51); C Tyrrell for Healy (57 mins).

Referee: D Gough (Wicklow).