Clare comeback condemns Carlow to defeat

Carlow 0-11 Clare 1-9

There was no second giant-killing act for Carlow as Allianz NHL Division 2 leaders Clare came from behind to beat the Barrowsiders at Dr. Cullen Park.

Colin Ryan scored a goal and three points, helping Clare recover from an early 0-7 to 0-3 deficit and pick up their fourth win in five league games.

Ger O'Loughlin's men took the lead when Cormac O'Donovan pointed a free after just 30 seconds, but Carlow, the conquerors of Wexford last week, hit back strongly.

Shane Kavanagh hit two frees and Clare goalkeeper Donal Tuohy had to be on his toes to deny Andrew Gaule as Carlow cut through the visitors' defence in impressive fashion.

Further points from Paudie Kehoe, Gaule, Kavanagh and Craig Doyle stretched Carlow into a four-point lead, with Ryan replying for the Munster men.

But Carlow were left ruing five wides by the end of the opening half, as Ryan closed the gap to 0-7 to 0-5 by the half-time whistle.

Kevin Ryan's charges missed out on a goal, early in the second half, when Kehoe shot narrowly wide after being played in by Mark Brennan.

Kehoe swapped points with Jonathan Clancy before Clare took the lead for only the second time in the match, Ryan blasting a close range free to the net.

Points from Kavanagh, Damien Roberts and Denis Murphy saw Carlow move back in front, with Clancy replying for Clare.

However, in the closing stages, Carlow stuttered as they took their wides tally to 12 and late points from John Conlon and O'Donovan were enough to seal a narrow in for O'Loughlin's side.

Kavanagh, who slotted five frees in all, had a last-gasp chance to draw Carlow level but his effort drifted wide of the posts.