Gill provides breathing space for Wicklow

Leinster SFC/ Louth 1-11 Wicklow 0-14:They've been here before. Two years ago Wicklow frightened the life out of Kildare only to be caught inches from the finishing line. Only difference this time is they have a second chance, at Parnell Park next Sunday, to save their summer.

Maybe the late dose of fortune that allowed the Garden County's most potent striker, Tommy Gill, tie matters is down to the legendary presence prowling the line.

Mick O'Dwyer is a winner. Wicklow have been perennial losers. Something has to give. For a week at least an outcome has been stalled.

They may have missed the boat though. Louth manager Eamon McEneaney noted, "There's no way we are going to play that badly again. Okay, we went a point ahead but we weren't really the best team out there today. We played second fiddle for long parts.

"Great credit to Wicklow, they played better football. We certainly got out of jail so we are going to try to improve. We'll do better than that anyway.

"I know they (the players) will be raring to go in the replay."

McEneaney noted he could have pulled up to seven players for underperforming here.

"Having said that, most of the players that did go in made a difference," he added.

In this regard Mark Stanfield can take a bow. His second-minute introduction after John O'Brien tore ankle ligaments made his initial exclusion seem bizarre.

As for Wicklow, most of their players showed up. This really was their chance to end the Croke Park famine. They have never won here.

Their manager was at his self-effacing best, and so you are entitled to take what follows as wink-and-smile Kerry diplomacy.

"A lucky goal changed things for them. We had played so well. I'm delighted with them.

"Five to one on coming into the game and sure we didn't do badly. All those players played great football. They played with their heart, with spirit. They gave it everything today.

"These are players who weren't considered by most people around the country - especially by you the scribes.

"You wrote them off completely. Keep doing that as we go on.

"We're going to have a say in this championship. I tell you we are not far away. We might give one or two teams a fright. It's early days yet."

Lose next Sunday and the gig is up for Wicklow as the Tommy Murphy Cup awaits Division Four teams that don't make provincial finals.

To class Wicklow as the worst in the country, as one journalist recently did, is a gross injustice. There is quality here. Gill has exuded class at club level throughout the decade. There is plenty left in his tank.

Leighton Glynn - the dual player who was equally adept with the small ball in Thurles for the Division Two final last month - is a restless wing back who makes half forwards groan. He contributed 0-3 from play.

James Stafford and Thomas Walsh anchor the midfield with authority. Louth must improve their return from kick-outs to win the replay.

It was Gill who eventually saved Wicklow - as he has saved Rathnew in many Leinster club campaigns down the years - with a pointed free in the fourth minute of injury-time.

This intervention was necessary after a fourth-quarter collapse that must not be repeated if they are to win the replay.

Wicklow were in control from the 20th to the 66th minutes, even leading 0-13 to 0-9 at one stage.

A goal from Ronan Carroll in the last minute of regular time seemed like the match winner for Louth. It was calamity in motion. A shot from JP Rooney, another sub, was deflected skywards by Dara Ó hAnnaidh before Carroll palmed the ball past Billy Norman and in off the post - 1-11 to 0-13.

The curse of Croker seemed destined to persist. At least Gill's late intervention gives them some chance of redemption.

O'Dwyer immediately began a campaign to switch the fixture back down the Malahide Road from Parnell Park to GAA headquarters: "I think they should open up Croke Park for us again next Sunday. We want to break that hoodoo that's there."

O'Dwyer refused to question the most controversial decision of the game. Paddy Keenan's point in the 26th minute looked wide. The press box was the ideal vantage point. The umpires nodded in agreement and raised the white flag. Despite some Wicklow protests, referee Brian Crowe turned on his heels and jogged to halfway.

That made it 0-5 apiece.

"We got some decisions as well. Overall we are not going to complain about the referee. He has to do a job and he did it to the best of his ability," said O'Dwyer.

The Wicklow attack carried on regardless, Gill posting his third and fourth points and captain Paul Earls adding another.

A Hannon '45, sandwiched between Louth scores from Keenan and Aaron Hoey, left it 0-9 to 0-7 at the turn.

Earls and Hannon stretched the deficit to four early in the second half. A brace from Darren Clarke kept it interesting before contributions from Glynn and Gill pushed Wicklow within reach of a historic victory.

Then they stumbled. Louth, reverting to memory, clawed into the lead. It came down to Gill to ensure a reprise. No better man.

Louth: 1 S Reynolds; 2 D Brennan, 3 C Goss, 4 A Page; 5 R Finnegan, 6 P McGinnity (capt), 7 J Carr; 8 P Keenan (0-2), 9 R Carroll (1-0); 10 C Grimes, 11 M Brennan, 12 J O'Brien; 13 A Hoey (0-3, two frees), 14 S Lennon, 15 D Clarke (0-5, three frees). Subs: 19 M Stanfield (0-1)for J O'Brien (2 mins); 24 D Finnegan for D Brennan, 27 J Neary for R Finnegan (both 45 mins); 22 JJ Quigley for C Grimes (57 mins); 29 JP Rooney for M Brennan (62 mins); 28 M Farrelly for P Keenan (temp 72-73 mins).

Wicklow: 1 B Norman; 2 C Hyland, 3 D Power, 4 A Byrne; 5 L Glynn (0-3), 6 D Ó hAnnaidh, 7 B Ó hAnnaidh; 8 J Stafford, 9 T Walsh; 10 T Hannon (0-3, one '45), 11 P Dalton, 12 JP Dalton; 13 T Gill (0-6, three frees), 14 D Jackman, 15 P Earls (0-2, capt). Subs: 27 P Cronin for B Ó hAnnaidh (47 mins); 25 J Slattery for P Earls (64 mins).

Referee: B Crowe(Cavan).