Wicklow 1-10 Laois 1-9:A GOAL from a penalty converted by centre forward Tony Hannon sent Wicklow through to the next round of the O'Byrne cup at Portlaoise yesterday.
Former Laois manager Mick O’Dwyer began his 54th year in the GAA with a hard-earned victory over his former charges. Wicklow should have been more comfortable because when they were awarded the penalty they went six points clear having led 0-6 to 0-4 at the interval.
Both teams fielded experimental lineouts. Laois struggled until the introduction of Cahir Healy, Mark Timmons, Ross Munnelly and Barry Fitzgerald and, after great points by Barry Fitzgerald, Michael Finlay and Munnelly, the home team put together a great move that saw Colm Parkinson set up a fine goal for Daithi Carroll. It took two late frees from Hannon to seal Wicklow’s win.
WICKLOW: J Flynn; Ciaran Hyland, A Nolan, A Byrne; P Cunningham, S Kelly, A McLoughlin; R Finn, N Gaffney; D Hayden, T Hannon (1-2), P Dalton (0-1); D Odlum (0-4), P Earls, D Siney (0-2); Subs: C McGraynor (0-1) for A McLoughlin, M O’Loughlin for P Cunningham, P Higgins for A Byrne.
LAOIS: D Maher; S Julian, D Booth, R Kehoe; P Begley, D Strong, C Boyle; P Clancy (0-1), C Óg Greene; C Rogers (0-1), C Parkinson (0-1), G Kavanagh; M Finlay (0-3), D Carroll (1-1), J Enright; Subs: C Healy for S Julian, M Timmons for C Og Greene, R Munnelly (0-1) for G Kavanagh, B Fitzgerald (0-1) for J Enright.
Referee: Joe Curley (Meath)
