Neighbouring counties shared the first round Allianz Football League Division 4 points at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday when 14-man Carlow produced a late rally to force the draw.Wicklow scored a goal in the opening minute when Padraig O'Toole shot home from just inside the big square.
When Kevin Quinn added a point the home side looked to be in real trouble but they hit back straight away. In reply, Ross Dunphy flicked to the net after the Wicklow defence had been prised open.An opportunist goal from Jordan Morrissey who volleyed home from 30 metres when the Wicklow keeper, Mark Jackson, spilled a high ball turned the game on its head.
The Carlow lead didn’t last for long and Wicklow full-back, Eoin Murtagh, joined the attack to shoot home from close range. At the break, Wicklow led 2-06 to 2-05.Carlow found themselves in real trouble when Conor Doyle picked up his second yellow card on 38 minutes.
Yet their rivals failed to capitalise and while they did eke out a three-point advantage with scores from Andy Maher and Eoin Darcy they couldn’t put Carlow away.The home side nearly grabbed a third goal when Darragh Foley took a pass from Morrissey.