Jonny Carlin and Wicklow push Dublin all the way in Aughrim in Leinster thriller

Dublin survived a major scare in Aughrim before eventually seeing off Jonny Carlin’s Wicklow 2-16 to 2-14 to book their place in the Leinster SFC semi-final against Louth.

It was far from the comfortable outing many expected, with the Division 4 hosts pushing the 2023 All-Ireland champions to the limit and will be left wondering how they didn’t force a famous upset.

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Wicklow - with former Donegal panellist and Red Hughs clubman Carlin lining out at wing half-back - struck early when Páidí White conceded a penalty inside two minutes, which Eoin Darcy calmly converted. 

Darcy was in electric form throughout, finishing with 2-2, while captain Dean Healy also impressed with 0-5, including two two-pointers.

Despite Dublin’s early struggles, Seán Bugler and Paddy Small kept them in touch, while Charlie McMorrow’s first-half goal on the stroke of half-time gave Dublin a 1-11 to 1-7 lead that flattered them at the break.

Wicklow, though, refused to go away. Healy added a two-pointer after the restart before Darcy’s second goal. finishing at the back post, levelled matters at 2-11 to 1-14 as a major upset seemed on.

Bugler continued to carry the visitors with a strong second-half display, but Wicklow’s wastefulness proved costly as a series of wides blunted their momentum.

The decisive moment arrived in the 58th minute when Paddy Small finished a flowing move to the net, edging Dublin into a 2-16 to 2-11 lead.

From there, Dublin just about held firm despite further Wicklow pressure, with the home side left to rue missed chances in a game they could have turned on its head.

Dean Rock, in charge in the absence of Ger Brennan, will take plenty from a testing Championship opener as Dublin scraped through.