Walsh Shield final abandoned in extra time

The hurlers of Carlow and Offaly will have to meet again to decide the Walsh Shield title after today's game at Dr Cullen park was abandoned due to a serious injury to David Kenny in extra-time.

Offaly's Kenny was taken to hospital in Kilkenny as a precautionary measure 30 minutes after his injury. Team manager Joe Dooley said it was an unfortunate end to the game.

"It's unfortunate that David has got injured and hopefully he will be okay," he said.

The game itself was on a knife edge throughout, with Carlow launching a firm challenge for honours.

The hosts led by 0-7 to 1-2 after 23 minutes, with Paudie Kehoe leading the charge, while Brian Carroll netted a 10th minute goal for the visitors.

A Shane Dooley point tied the game at 1-4 to 0-7 at the break, but Carlow continued to dig deep on the restart.

Carlow claimed a 0-13 to 1-7 lead with 12 minutes remaining but late scores from Joe Bergin (2) and Carroll forced extra-time at 0-13 to 1-10.

Carlow were reduced to 14 men in extra-time following a second yellow card for Edward Coady before Kenny's injury forced a premature halt.

Scorers - Carlow: P Kehoe (0-3f), D Kavanagh (0-3f) 0-4 each, E Byrne 0-2, M Brennan, HP O'Byrne, C Doyle, R Dunbar (0-1f) 0-1 each.

Offaly: B Carroll 1-4 (0-2f), J Bergin 0-3 (0-1f), C Parlon, S Dooley, D Currams 0-1 each

CARLOW: K Kehoe; J O'Hara, J Rogers, E Coady; B Doyle, E Nolan, R Coady; M Brennan, J Kavanagh; HP O'Byrne, E Byrne, C Doyle; R Dunbar, D Kavanagh, P Kehoe.

Subs used: A McDonald for Dunbar (50 mins), A Gaule for O'Byrne (54), K McCabe for P Kehoe (65), D English for D Kavanagh (extra-time).

OFFALY: J Dempsey; B Mulrooney, J Rigney, S Egan; M Verney, R Hanniffy, D Morkam; M Cordial, C Parlon; B Carroll, J Bergin, S Wynne; S Dooley, D Currams, D Kenny.

Subs used: T Carroll for Wynne (54 mins), P Bermingham for Morkam (65)

Referee: Sean Whelan (Wexford)