Wicklow too good for Dublin in O'Byrne Cup clash

Dublin 0-06 Wicklow 0-09, Parnell Park

The O'Byrne Cup will have a new home this year after Dublin's young guns fell to a determined Wicklow side at Parnell Park this afternoon.

With their senior players and management away at a training camp in La Manga, the Leinster competition's defending champions again fielded a team mainly composed of Under-21 players.

But the Dubs could only muster two points in a first period that failed to ignite. John Sheanon and John O'Brien were the home side's only scorers as they trailed by 0-05 to 0-02 at the break.

Although they lost the services of Dean Odlum after an early yellow card, Wicklow were able to carve out opening half points for Tony Hannon (0-02), Paul Earls, Jonathan Kinch and Darren Hayden.

Leighton Glynn was an influential presence at both ends of the pitch for Mick O'Dwyer's side, but there might have been a different outcome had Dublin substitute Bernard Brogan found the net.

Brogan blazed wide when presented with a goal-scoring chance, after a mistake by Wicklow goalkeeper Mervyn Travers.

And the same player hit the butt of the post in the 58th minute as the Dubs looked to get back on terms.

As it was, further points from Hannon, who was yellow carded late on, and Kinch steered Wicklow home.

Playing at full-forward, Dean Rock, son of Dublin legend Barney Rock, put his name to three second half points.

Rock was one of the best players on the day for the Metropolitans, who also had James O'Connor yellow carded.