ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR RESULTS
Wexford 1-9 London 1-9
Carlow 2-10 Wicklow 2-10
Matthew Walsh was Londons hero as his goal in the 76th minute salvaged a draw for the Exiles in their league opener against Wexford at Chadwicks Wexford Park tonight.
A good crowd of almost 3,500 people turned out for the second big game under the new lights at the Model County venue, and they saw the home side get out to a strong start when man of the match Sen Nolan helped them into an 0-5 to 0-2 lead.
Michael Mahers London side regrouped after half-time and cut the gap through points from Liam Gavaghan, Chris Frawley and Matthew Walsh, but they were rocked back when Nolan intercepted a ball and then drove through to find the net via a defender in the 46th minute.
Nolan and Cian Hughes scored to push the lead out to six points, but Kevin OGradys black card on the hour mark reduced Wexford to 14 men and London quickly took advantage, cutting the gap to three points thanks to scores from Gavaghan and Frawley.
Despite getting back up to 15 men for stoppage time, London now had momentum and they continued to press for an equaliser, getting their reward at the death through Walsh.
Meanwhile, in a nip-and-tuck contest at Netwatch Cullen Park, Shane ONeill came off the bench for Carlow to shoot two late frees and salvage a share of the spoils for the home side in their local derby clash with Wicklow.
A first minute goal from Padraig O'Toole was reinforced by a quick point from Kevin Quinn as Wicklow burst out of the blocks in their first competitive contest under Oisn McConville, but Carlow themselves settled when Ross Dunphy flicked a goal in response.
A remarkable volleyed goal from Jordan Morrissey pushed Carlow into the lead in response, but that didnt last long either as Wicklow full-back Eoin Murtagh made his foray forward count with a goal to make it 2-6 to 2-5 at half-time.
A second yellow card for Conor Doyle early in the second half should have been the catalyst for Wicklow to kick on and they did move three points clear through Andy Maher and Eoin Darcy, but Carlow found another burst of energy and they shot three scores in a row to draw level, then squared up the contest one last time through ONeill, in response to what looked like a winning score from Wicklows Conor Crowley.
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