Laois will be hoping to build on their good record against Wicklow
Michael Lawlor scored Laois's opening goal in the defeat of Wicklow in 2002 Photo: ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan
Laois 3-6
Wicklow 0-8
TODAY Laois senior footballers make the journey to Aughrim, for round two of the Tailteann Cup and This is not their first trip to Aughrim in this competition.
Today we reflect on a championship encounter 23 years ago. Laois scored three goals that day and denied their opponents any three pointers.
Darragh McEvoy of Stradbally scored Wicklow’s opening point. He had just transferred his allegiance to St Patrick’s in Wicklow town where he was stationed at the time.
Not for the first time Mick Lawlor took a pass and beat the Wicklow netminder and at half time Laois led 2-2 to 0-5, a second goal finished by the recently inducted into Leinster Council Hall of Fame, Brian ‘Beano’ McDonald. Pat Dalton was causing big problems for the Laois defence, scoring four good points.
Wicklow had a man sent off early in the new half and later in the second half Wicklow lost another player on a straight red card after he had got entangled with Timahoe man Padraig Clancy.
Laois added a third goal, well finished by Arles Kilcruise player Chris Conway.
After winning in Aughrim, Laois lost to Offaly but went on to beat Carlow in the qualifiers before going down to Meath.
The next Laois/Wicklow championship clash was on 18 May 2014 when again the venue was Aughrim and Laois won 0-21 to 1-11. Next up was championship in 2016 the Portlaoise, Laois again winning 3-16 to 0-18. In June the following year Laois recorded a 2-16 to 3-10 win back in Aughrim in the All-Ireland qualifiers.
Having drawn against Carlow in Portlaoise in 2014, Laois headed to Aughrim, a road much travelled in championship football, under Tomas O’Flaharta. Laois won convincingly on a score line of Laois 0-21 Wicklow 1-11, Ross Munnelly scoring nine points that day.
Two years ago, Laois suffered humiliation against Down in the semi-final in Croke Park and last year, after being crowned National League champions, they suffered a narrow defeat to the Mourne men in a thrilling final.
Today they will be eager to record a win ensuring their progress in this year’s Tailteann Cup.
: Fergal Byron (Courtwood); Damien Ryan (Portarlington), Tom Kelly (St Joseph’s), Paul McDonald (Arles Killeen); Derek Conroy (The Rock), Kevin Fitzpatrick (Portlaoise), David Brennan (St Mary’s); Noel Garvan (St Joseph’s), Padraig Clancy (Timahoe); Ian Fitzgerald (Portlaoise 0-2), Darragh McEvoy (Stradbally 0-1), Michael Lawlor (Emo 1-0); Brian McDonald (Arles Killeen 1-1), Greg Ramsbottom (Stradbally 0-1), Chris Conway (Arles Kilcruise 1-1).
Subs: Gary Kavanagh (Stradbally) for Lawlor, Stephen Kelly (St Joseph’s) for Clancy.
Robert Hollingsworth; Stephen Cushe, Garry Jameson, Tom Burke; Brendan O’hAnnaidh, Colm Toomey, Brendan Daly; Fergus Daly; Barry O’Donovan; Adrian Foley Shane O’Neill (0-1), Barry Mernagh; Anthony Nolan, Paddy Dalton (0-4), Jonathan Behan (0-1).
Subs: Alan Mooney for Jameson, Gary Doran for O’Neill.
Referee: Gerry Kinneavey (Roscommon)
