Carlow 2-9 Wicklow 0-12It took extra time to separate these neighbouring counties after a thrilling O'Byrne Cup first-round tie at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, yesterday.

Wicklow looked to have the game won when leading 0-10 to 0-7 two minutes into injury time, but a goal from Carlow full forward Patrick Hickey sent the game into extra time.

Hickey again found the net after three minutes of the first period of extra time. It was unfortunate for Wicklow, who could find no way back.

At half-time of extra time Carlow led 2-8 to 0-11 and each side added a point in the second period to leave Carlow three-point winners and set up a second-round home meeting with Dublin next Sunday.

The home team led by 0-5 to 0-4 following an unremarkable first half highlighted by three fine points from play by Carlow half-forward Mark Carpenter.

The sides were level six times in normal time, but Wicklow seemed to have given new manager Hugh Kenny victory in his first match when they went 0-10 to 0-7 in front with a brace of points from Tom Harney and a splendid long-range free from substitute Conor Flannery.

But Hickey's late goal spoiled the Wicklow party and enabled Carlow to push on for victory in extra time.

CARLOW: J Clarke; P Cashin, B Farrell, B English; J Byrne, J Hayden, J Kavanagh; J McGrath, P Nolan; B Carbery, J Nevin (0-1), M Carpenter (0-3); S Rea, P Hickey (2-0), B Kelly (0-4, frees). Subs: G Walker for Carbery; S Kavanagh (0-1) for Rea; T Walsh for McGrath; S O'Brien for Hayden (inj); Rea for Walker; Carbery for Kelly, J Doyle for S Kavanagh.

WICKLOW: I Burke; C Hyland, C Foley, T Burke; N Butler, G Doran, D Ó Hannaidh; B Ó Hannaidh (0-1), C Clancy; A Foley (0-1), A Furlong (0-2, one free), T Harney (0-3); T Gill, S Byrne, S Hurley (0-1). Subs: C Davis for Doran (inj); P Dalton for Gill; R Stapleton for Furlong; C Flannery (0-4) for A Foley; B Sheehan for Hurley; Hurley for Byrne.

Referee: S Farrell (Dublin).