Carlow cruise to final

Carlow hurlers reeled off their fourth successive Division 2A win as they put visitors Derry to the sword by a 15-point margin at Dr Cullen Park yesterday to ensure a divisional final and a shot at promotion.

By the 13th minute, they had six players on the scoresheet — it was to extend to 10 marksmen by full time.

Early on, a midfield free from Shane Kavanagh travelled all the way to the Derry net, as Carlow led 1-2 to 0-1.

The visitors had no answers and by half-time, Carlow led 1-11 to 0-2.

Derry had a good period after half-time with three unanswered points from team captain Oisín McCloskey and two Paddy Henry frees. But Carlow quickly reasserted command and three white flags from Shane Kavanagh (free), Jack Kavanagh and Eddie Byrne wiped out those early Derry gains.

The final nail in the Derry coffin arrived late on when Mark Brennan drilled home his side’s second goal.

Scorers for Carlow: S Kavanagh 1-3 (2fs, 1 65), E Byrne 0-4, M Brennan 1-1, P Kehoe 0-3fs, J Kavanagh, J Kane, C Doyle, A Gaul 0-2 each, R Smithers, H P O’Byrne 0-1 each.

Scorers for Derry: P Henry 0-9, (8fs, 1 65), P Kelly, O McCloskey, K Hinphey 0-1 each.

CARLOW: F Foley; A Corcoran, E Nolan, D Shaw; J Corcoran, S Kavanagh, E Coady; J Kavanagh, R Coady; E Byrne, J Kane, M Clowry; D Roberts, C Doyle, P Kehoe.

Subs: A Gaul for R Coady (inj 15), R Smithers for Kane (46), M Brennan for Clowry (46), HP O’Byrne for Doyle (56), J O’Hara for A Corcoran (58).

DERRY: O Doherty; R McCloskey, C Quinn, J McCloskey; J Mulholland, O McCloskey, K Hinphey; L Craig, P Kelly; A Grant, R Convery, P McCloskey; P Henry, B Quigley, S Farren.

Subs: C Gilmore for Farren (35), C Convery for Quigley (42), C McSorley for J McCloskey (58), D McCloskey for Mulholland (64).