Allianz HL D1B: Carlow produce dynamic second half display
Martin Kavanagh remains a key performer for Carlow. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
Allianz Hurling League Division 1B
Carlow 2-18 Down 1-11
By Kieran Murphy at Netwatch Cullen Park
Carlow got their Division 1B campaign off to the perfect start when they produced a good performance to see off Down's challenge.
Playing in a strong breeze and with the rain making conditions difficult, both sides squared up to each other giving little away.
Pearse Og McCrickard scored four points from placed balls, while Carlow’s Marty Kavanagh and John Michael Nolan knocked over two points in the first period.
Just before the interval, Down centre-back, Liam Savage ran at the defence who never got a tackle on him. He took his opportunity well and shooting to Brian Tracey’s left, he gave the Carlow 'keeper no chance.
At the interval Down led 1-9 to 0-8.
Carlow made two changes at half-time and hit Down with three early points through Donagh Murphy, Kavanagh and Kevin McDonald. Nolan swooped for a 40th minute goal and as the home team upped the ante Donagh Murphy was credited with a second goal which seemed to take a deflection which wrong footed the unfortunate Pearce Smyth.
In that quarter, Down lost defender, Ruairi Og McCrickard following a straight red card.
Carlow were in no mood to let this one slip and kept up the pressure. Fiach O’Toole, Kevin McDonald, Fiachra Fitzpatrick and Paddy Boland all scored points for the home side as the 14 men struggled. The wet and windy conditions never abated as the home side saw out the game with the minimum of fuss.
Scorers for Carlow: Donagh Murphy 1-4, John Michael Nolan 1-2, Marty Kavanagh 0-4 (4fs), Jack Treacy 0-2, Fiach O’Toole, Kevin McDonald, Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Paddy Boland, Ted Joyce, Conor Kehoe 0-1 each.
Scorers for Down: Pearse Og McCrickard 0-4 (4fs), Liam Savage 1-0, Cathal Coleman 0-2 (1f), Donal Hughes, Ben Teggert, Caolan Taggart, Shea Pucci, Eoin Pucci 0-1 each.
Carlow: Brian Tracey; Niall Bolger, Dion Wall, Conaill Fitzpatrick; Fiach O’Toole, Kevin McDonald, Evan Kealy; Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Colm Beck; Jon Nolan, Donagh Murphy, Conor Kehoe; Jack Treacy, John Michael Nolan, Marty Kavanagh.
Subs: Paul Doyle for C Fitzpatrick (h/t), Paddy Boland for Beck (h/t), Ted Joyce for JM Nolan (50), John Doyle for Kehoe (64), Eric English for Treacy (67).
Down: Pearce Smyth; Conor Cassidy, Matt Conlan, Niall McFarland; Caolan Taggart, Liam Savage, Ruairi Og McCrickard, Donal Hughes, Ben Teggart; Barry Trainor, Eoghan Sands, Ronan Beatty; Cathal Coleman, Shea Pucci, Pearse Og McCrickard.
Subs: Daithi Sands for P Og McCrickard (40), Ronan Smyth for Cassidy (48), Michael Dorrian for Pucci (57), Eoin Pucci for Savage (60), Paul Sheehan for E Sands (64).
Referee: Niall Malone (Clare).
