Carlow shock Meath in preliminary round

Carlow 0-17, Meath 2-10

Carlow pulled off a shock one-point win over Meath in a thrilling Leinster Senior Hurling preliminary round match in Navan.

Despite conceding an early Nicky Horan goal, Carlow scored freely in the first half and led by a point at the break - 0-9 to 1-5.

Four early points after the restart gave Carlow a five-point cushion before Meath woke up. A goal and point by substitute Keith O'Callaghan got them within striking distance before Nicky Horan equalised with a free seven minutes from the end.

Gary Doyle restored Carlow's lead and they kept Meath scoreless for the last five minutes to clinch a memorable win and a meeting with Laois or Wicklow next week.

Meath: M Gannon; S Wallace, P Roche, P Gannon; J Watters, C Sheridan (0-1), M Horan; B Perry, D Fagan; M Cole (0-1), D Dorran, C Keena (0-2); E Lynam (1-2), R Dorran, N Horan (1-3).

Subs: S Corrigan for Perry (22 mins); K O'Callaghan (0-1) for Dan Dorran (43 mins); David Dorran for Fagan (53 mins); P Coone for M Horan (60 mins).

Yellow cards: S Wallace (34 mins), K O'Callaghan (59 mins).

Carlow: E Spruhan; S Sheils, S Kavanagh, D Shaw; K Nolan, L Kenny, Paddy Coady; Pat Coady (0-7, 5f), K English (0-1); S Smithers (0-2), R Foley (0-2), G Doyle (0-1); P Keogh (0-2), D Murphy (0-1), B Murphy (0-1).

Subs: W Hickey for Paddy Coady (39 mins); S Ml. Murphy for B Murphy (44 mins); J Hickey for Sheils (55 mins).

Yellow: R Foley (57 mins)

Referee: T McIntyre (Antrim)

Man of the match: Pat Coady (Carlow).