Kavanagh and Shaw inspire Carlow

Carlow finished in style to overcome their Westmeath hosts in Saturday’s entertaining Leinster Minor Hurling Championship game at Cusack Park, Mullingar.

Carlow led 0-10 to 0-5 at the end of the first-half with the majority of scores arriving courtesy of Carlow freetaker Marty Kavanagh and his Westmeath counterpart Niall O’Brien.

Westmeath battled back to come within a point of the visitors but Dion Wall’s 39th minute goal again put Carlow four points clear.

But within two minutes a Ciarán Doyle goal, along with a converted O’Brien free, had Westmeath level.

However, four unanswered points for Carlow – two each from Kavanagh and Pete Shaw — saw the Barrowsiders surge ahead once more and with Kavanagh and Shaw impressive throughout the entire game, Carlow held on to win by two points.

Scorers for Carlow: M. Kavanagh (0-8 all from frees), P. Shaw (0-5), M. Walsh (0-1), D. Wall (1-0).

Scorers for Westmeath: N. O’Brien (0-7, 0-4 from frees, 0-1 from a ’65), Ciaran Doyle (1-1), L. Varley (0-1), D. Clinton (0-1), L. Loughlin (0-1), Killian Doyle (0-1).

CARLOW: J. Barron; P. Doran, J. Cox, M. Malone; B. Nolan, D. Byrne, M. O’Grady; C. Fenlon, D. Wall; J. Doyle, J. Kavanagh, M. Kavanagh; M. Walsh, A. Gleeson, P. Shaw.

Subs: J. Murphy for J. Kavanagh (38), J. Shinnors for M. Walsh (57).

WESTMEATH: L. Gavin; P. Reilly, L. Varley, T. Egan; S. Farrelly, T. Gallagher, J. McGrath; R. Greville, E. Quinn; L. Loughlin, S. Clavin, L. McGrath; Killian Doyle, N. O’Brien, Ciaran Doyle.

Subs: C. Glennon for L. McGrath (18), D. Clinton for E. Quinn (half time), D. Sheridan for S. Farrelly (37), J. Egan for S. Clavin (50).

Referee: Eamon Mac Suibhne (Dublin).