Underdogs Carlow were full value for their Tailteann Cup Round 1 victory over Fermanagh.
Tailteann Cup Round 1
Carlow 3-18 Fermanagh 2-18
By Gareth Cauldwell at Brewster Park
Carlow caused an upset at Brewster Park as they secured the victory in this Tailteann Cup Round One encounter.
The visitors were excellent value for the win with captain Mikey Bambrick superb for Joe Murphy’s side, the half forward registering 2-4 from play and was a real threat throughout the contest.
Bambrick was heavily involved from the outset as he fired over the opening point and he quickly followed up with the first goal of the contest, powering through before finishing low. Indeed, the same player added a further point as Carlow claimed a 1-2 to 0-1 lead by the eighth minute.
Fermanagh responded with points from goalkeeper Sean McNally and Joe McDade but Carlow then swooped for their second goal in the 11th minute as John Murphy shrugged off a couple of challenges before planting to the net.
The home side hit back instantly as Conor Love converted from the penalty spot after Carlow’s Mark Furey was adjudged to have made a foot block on Darragh McGurn.
With Garvan Jones rattling over a two point free and Ryan Lyons also among the points, Fermanagh found themselves back on level terms, 1-6 to 2-3, by the 20th minute but back came Carlow and John Phiri edged them in front once more before Bambrick and Kevin Murphy fired over two pointers to stretch their lead out to five.
Josh Largo Elis did knock over a point for Fermanagh but Carlow had the last say of the half as Ross Dunphy pointed to leave them five points to the good at the interval, 2-9 to 1-7.
Fermanagh made the perfect start to the second half when Joe McDade took advantage of good work by McGurn to find the net after only two minutes.
Darragh Foley and Conor McGee then traded points before a Niall Hickey two pointer put Carlow four ahead.
The home side though appeared to be gaining the upper hand when Jones, O’Brien, McGee and Largo Elis tagged on scores to level matters at 2-12 apiece with 15 minutes remaining.
However, Carlow regained the initiative as Conor Doyle landed a two point effort before Ciaran Moran and Conor Crowley lofted over scores.
And when Bambrick raced in to bag his second goal it gave the away side a six point advantage with 63 minutes played.
Fermanagh did reply with a McNally two point free and points from McGurn and Largo Elis to cut the deficit to two but Carlow again found an answer as Doyle drove over his second two point score.
Shane McGullion slotted over a late point for Fermanagh but this was only a consolation score as Carlow deservedly finished up 3-18 to 2-18 victors.
Scorers for Carlow: M Bambrick 2-4 (2p), C Doyle 0-4 ( 2 2p), J Murphy 1-0, K Murphy 0-3 (2p), N Hickey 0-2 (2p), J Phiri 0-1, R Dunphy 0-1, D Foley 0-1 (f), C Moran 0-1, C Crowley 0-1
Scorers for Fermanagh: J McDade 1-2, G Jones 0-3 (2pf, f), J Largo Elis 0-3, S McNally 0-3 (2pf), C Love 1-0 (p), C McGee 0-2, S McGullion 0-2, R Lyons 0-1, F O’Brien 0-1 (f), D McGurn 0-1
CARLOW: Ben McCarron; Paddy McDonnell, Mark Furey, Colin Byrne; John Phiri, Niall Hickey, John Murphy; Kyle Nolan, Conor Doyle; Ross Dunphy, Darragh Foley, Mikey Bambrick; Conor Crowley, Kevin Murphy, Sean Murphy. Subs: Adam Burgess for Nolan (44), Ciaran Moran for Foley (48), Liam Gavin for S Murphy (57), P Regan for J Murphy (63)
FERMANAGH: Sean McNally; Che Cullen, Lee Cullen, Oisin Smyth; Shane McGullion, Declan McCusker, Fionan O’Brien; Joe McDade, Darragh McGurn; Conor McGee, Ryan Lyons, Ronan McCaffrey; Josh Largo Elis, Garvan Jones, Conor Love. Subs: Aogan Kelm for Jones (56), Diarmuid Owens for Love (66), Jack Largo Elis for McGee (67)
Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry)
