Carlow SFC Final: Old Leighlin edge out Rathvilly

Carlow SFC Final

Old Leighlin 1-11 Rathvilly 0-13

By Kieran Murphy at Netwatch Cullen Park

Old Leighlin are the Carlow County Senior Football Champions. At Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday, they won a dramatic contest when Cathal Coughlan took on the responsibility when coming in on a passing movement to slot the winner from 30 metres out on the left.

There was little between the sides in the first half. Brandon Kelly and Liam Gavin scored two points each for the reigning champions but Old Leighlin replied with Sean Bambrick slotting a two-pointer from play. Mikey Bambrick, Ian Atkinson, Coughlan and Seamus Kinsella were also on the mark as the sides finished level at 0-6 each at the change of ends.

Old Leighlin enjoyed a great start to the second half with Mikey Bambrick raising a white flag. The same player then ran into the heart of the Rathvilly defence and off-loaded to James Dowling, who found the net. Aaron Amond’s two point free stretched the lead out to six points with a quarter of the game to go.

Rathvilly came in waves in that final 15 minutes. Adam Burgess notched a point and Brynn Nolan and Dara Curran both scored two points each from play. The champions had lost Conor Doyle to a black card.

Right on the blow, Kevin Murphy, slotted a free to level the game and it looked as if they were heading back to the same venue next weekend. With Old Leighlin down to 14 due to the loss of Tadhg O’Neill to a black card, they made one last effort to secure their place in Carlow GAA history.

Working the ball from right to left, Cathal Coughlan was perfectly placed to take his chance. The corner forward has been through thick and thin, with club and county. All his experience came to the fore as he put himself into position.

When he took control, there was only one place the ball was going and that was over the crossbar. There was time for no more. After the kickout, the final whistle blew to crown Old Leighlin champions for the fifth time in their history.

Scorers for Old Leighlin: James Dowling 1-0, Aaron Amond (1-2ptf), Sean Bambrick (1-2pt), Cathal Coughlan (1f), Seamus Kinsella (1f), Mikey Bambrick 0-2 each, Ian Atkinson 0-1.

Scorers for Rathvilly: Liam Gavin 0-3, Dara Curran, Kevin Murphy (1f), Brynn Nolan, Brandon Kelly 0-2 each, Ed Finnegan, Adam Burgess 0-1 each.

Old Leighlin: Steven Scallan; Jordan Kelly, Niall Roche, Tadhg O’Neill; Tadhg Roche, Sean Bambrick, Jamie Doyle; Ian Atkinson, David Bambrick; Aaron Amond, Mikey Bambrick, James Dowling; Cathal Coughlan, Seamus Kinsella, Darragh Fitzgerald.

Subs: Sean Taylor for Dowling (53), Ruarc O’Neill for Doyle (57), Mark Brennan for D Bambrick (59).

Rathvilly: Harry Clarke; Robbie Ryan, Dara Curran, Paraic Deering; Padhraig Bolger, Josh Moore, Brian Smith; Adam Burgess, Conor Doyle; Peter Burgess, Brandon Kelly, Ed Finnegan; Liam Gavin, Kevin Murphy, Jake Elliott.

Subs: Brendan Murphy for Elliott (42), Brynn Nolan for Finnegan (42).

Referee: Jonathan Murphy (St Mullins).