Report by John Shirley
Wicklow 61 Carlow 12
Carlow suffer nine try rout.
Hopes that Carlow’s season had turned a corner after last week’s good outing against league leaders Gorey crashed on Sunday with a nine to two try mauling in Wicklow.
The fact that most of the Wicklow tries were breakaway efforts scored under the posts meant that 8 of them were converted. This pushed the scoreline out even further.
Wicklow are fortified this season by senior players returning to their colours and it showed. Carlow actually held their own in scrums and lineouts but when the ball went wide Wicklow ran amok. Then when they got on top Wicklow’s confidence seemed to soar and they ran balls from everywhere. Instead of trying to steady things down Carlow too flung the ball around giving away several intercept tries.
By the 15th minute Wicklow were already 21 points up from three converted tries run from their own 22. Carlow scored next when Mark Elmes, playing on the wing scored an opportunist try from a quick throw in on the half way line. But the next score went Wicklow’s way to leave the home side 28 – 5 ahead at the interval.
The second half followed the pattern of the first with territory shared equally but Wicklow ran in five more tries to Carlow’s one. Carlow’s game was not helped when Captain James Nolan came off with a hand injury.
Carlow’s second try was scored by fullback Ritchie White and converted by Harry Hennessey.
Next Sunday Carlow host Longford in the Leinster League. Their previous meeting in Longford was a close run affair. Carlow supporters will be hoping that their team will have the beating of the Midlands side when they get them to Oakpark.
Carlow J1 team…..
Ritchie Whyte, Niall Bermingham, Ross Elmes, Jeff McDermott, Mark Elmes, Harry Hennessey, John Whyte, Ross Byrne, Alan Byrne, Larry McGrath, Wes Shirley, John Lyons, Chris Challe, Ed Keating, James Nolan Capt.
Subs Ed Barron, Ronan Farrell, Brian Diskin, Hugh Frasier, David Keppel,
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J2 game
The earlier Carlow Junior 2 game against Wicklow was also a high scoring affair with Wicklow winning 45 -24. Carlow had tries from man of the match Mark Landen 2, Brian Diskin, Hugh Frasier and Keelan Power.
Carlow J2 team…..
Paul Byrne, Niall O Malley, Eoin Rea, Mark Landen, Shane Mullins, Tom Bolger, Conor Murphy, Brian Diskin, Tiernan Reagan, Timmy Donohoe, Willy Whitford, Dave Keppel, Kenny Maguire, Keelan Power Hugh Frasier.
