Joe McDonagh Cup: Carlow finish strongly

Joe McDonagh Cup

Carlow 3-17 Down 2-17

By Elaine Ingram at Ballycran

Carlow survived a second half comeback by Down in the third round of the Joe McDonagh Cup to secure a crucial three-point win in Ballycran.

Carlow had the advantage of a strong breeze in the first half in McKenna Park and they made it count with a 1-9 to 0-5 lead at the break.

Down turned that lead on its head in the second period, with a couple of maximums after they looked in trouble following a second Carlow goal. A tight finish ensued but a third goal and three converted frees from Martin Kavanagh saw Carlow thorough to win 3-17 to 2-17 in the end.

The visitors got off to a promising start with the strong wind at their back leading 0-3 to 0-1 after eight minutes - a brace from Kavanagh and the other a good score from Donagh Murphy, set up well by Jack Treacy.

Cahal Coleman sent the first over the bar for Down in the second minute, but they were back in the game 15 minutes later when Daithi Sands pointed and Tim Prenter levelled with a beauty from distance. Down were also denied a goal in the ninth minute when a Sands shot was well saved by Carlow keeper Brian Tracey.

Traded scores kept things even, but Carlow pulled away in the last 10 minutes of the half with four in a row before Tom McGrattan reduced Down’s arrears to four 0-5 to 0-9 as half-time approached.

On 36 minutes however, Carlow hit the net with when Treacy passed to Kavanagh, who fired home.

They continued where they left off at the start of the second half, with Donagh Murphy pointing and when James Doyle netted for a 2-10 to 0-6 lead, Down looked to be in big trouble.

But 10 minutes in Donal Hughes scored a super goal to restore hope to the Mournemen and they continued to take their points until Pearse Og McCrickard netted to give Ronan Sheehan’s men a 2-16 to 2-13 lead.

Carlow sub Paddy Boland, had other ideas about how this was going to turn out though when he raised their third green flag set up by another sub John Michael Nolan and suddenly the visitors had the advantage again - one they didn’t let slip this time.

Down squared proceedings again 2-17 to 3-14 with a McCrickard point, but discipline cost the home side in the end with three Kavanagh frees sealing the win for Carlow.

Scorers for Carlow: Martin Kavanagh 1-10 (8fs), James Doyle 1-1, Paddy Boland 1-0, Donagh Murphy 0-4, Chris Nolan and Jack Treacy 0-1 each.

Scorers for Down: Pearse Og McCrickard 1-5 (3fs, 1'65), Donal Hughes 1-2, Tom McGrattan 0-4, Daithi Sands 0-2, Tim Prenter 0-3, Ben Taggart 0-1.

Carlow: Brian Tracey; Paul Doyle, Dion Wall, Jack McCullagh; Fiach O Toole, Kevin McDonald, Fiachra Fitzpatrick; Jon Nolan, Ciaran Whelan; Jack Treacy, Martin Kavanagh, James Doyle; Donagh Murphy, Conor Kehoe, Chris Nolan.

Subs: Evan Kealy for Fiach O’Toole (44), Paddy Boland for Donagh Murphy (52), Jake Nolan for Jack Treacy (60).

Down: Pearce Smyth; Tom Murray, Ruairi McCrickard, Ben Taggart; Barry Trainor, Caolan Taggart, Niall McParland; Donal Hughes, Liam Savage; Daithi Sands, Pearse Og McCrickard, Finn Turpin; Tom McGrattan, Tim Prenter, Cahal Coleman.

Subs: Marc Fisher for Liam Savage (39), Ronan Beatty for Tim Prenter (55), Nolan Smyth for Tom Murray (60), Paul Sheehan for Ben Teggart (64), Shea Pucci for Cahal Coleman (67).

Referee: Eamonn Furlong.