O'Dwyer off to winning start in Wicklow job

Wicklow 1-12 Carlow 2-6, Aughrim

Paul Phibbs ensured Mick O’Dwyer’s reign as Wicklow manager got off to a winning start as he slotted home an injury-time goal at Aughrim.

The Lacken clubman side-footed past James Clarke after 71 minutes to book his side an O'Byrne Cup quarter-final date with Wexford.

In what was O’Dwyer’s 106th game as a senior inter-county manager, Carlow started well with Johnny Kavanagh landing two frees. The sides were locked at 0-4 apiece at half-time.

Second half goals from newcomer Derek Hayden on 46 and 66 minutes edged the visitors in front but Tommy Gill (0-5) and Phibbs helped Wicklow squeeze ahead.

WICKLOW: J Bolger; C Hyland, J Cush, A Byrne; L Glynn (0-2), D O’hAnnaidh, S Cush (0-1); J Stafford, B Sheehan; J Slattery (0-1), T Gill (0-5, 3f), JP Dalton; JP Kelly, P Earls (0-2, 2f), J Daniels.

Subs used: D Jackman (0-1) for Sheehan (31 mins), C Davis for J Cush (half-time), P Phibbs (1-0) for Kelly (55)

CARLOW: J Clarke; J Ryan, B Leonard, M Nolan; P Cashin, B English, A Murphy; W Minchin, G Morrissey; D Hayden (2-3, 1f), P Hickey, JJ Smith; N Barrett, M Carpenter (0-1), J Kavanagh (0-2, 2f).

Subs used: R McGrath for Minchin (47 mins), S Mernagh for Murphy (55), B Kelly for Kavanagh, J Hickey for P Hickey (both 64)

Yellow cards: J Cush (Wicklow) (9 mins), Smith (Carlow) (30), Hayden (Carlow) (33), Morrisey (Carlow) (35+1), Dalton (Wicklow) (48), Glynn (Wicklow) (62), Kavanagh (Carlow) (62), J Hickey (Carlow) (69)

Referee: Tom Quigley (Wexford)