Carlow push Dublin all the way but fall just short

MARKSMAN: Fergal Whitely of Dublin scored the decisive goal. Pic: James Lawlor, Inpho

Leinster SHC: Carlow 0-22 Dublin 1-24

An opportunistic goal was the difference between these two sides as last year’s Joe McDonagh Cup winners pushed Dublin all the way in this Leinster senior hurling championship second-round game at Netwatch Cullen Park.

The home side had led by four points at half-time and while Dublin got their noses in front in the final quarter, it was a tame 59th minute shot from Fergal Whiteley that finally broke the Carlow resistance.

When the Dublin substitute took possession out on the left he was certainly attempting a pointed effort, but with backs and forwards tussling for control, the sliotar eluded everyone and ended up in the back of the net.

As Carlow cursed their misfortune, rival half-backs Eoghan O’Donnell and Chris Crummey subsequently raised white flags to kill off any thoughts of the home side getting back into the game.

It was all so different from what had transpired in the opening period. 

From the start, Carlow had harried and harassed their more celebrated rivals. So much so that Dublin hit nine wides in the opening half. 

Marty Kavanagh led the Carlow attack and scored six points from placed balls and play. Jon Nolan also nailed two fine points for Carlow while Conor Kehoe, Fiachra Fitzpatrick and Paddy Boland were also on target.

As the Metropolitans tried to raise their game, they made a series of errors. Carlow’s interval lead of 0-13 to 0-9 was fully deserved.

In the early stages of the second half, Dublin 'keeper Sean Brennan pulled off a brilliant diving save from Conor Kehoe which went a long way to stopping Carlow build up any momentum.

It was probably the home side’s best chance and from there, Dublin slowly but surely gained the upper hand. 

The goal was the killer blow but Conor Burke’s three second half points were crucial too.

Dublin march on but they know there are bigger tests ahead with Galway and Kilkenny on the horizon.

Scorers for Dublin: Donal Burke 0-9 (8fs), Fergal Whiteley 1-1, Conor Burke 0-3, Danny Sutcliffe, Eoghan O’Donnell, Daire Gray 0-2 each, Chris Crummey, Cian O’Sullivan, Sean Currie, Paul Doyle, Dara Purcell 0-1 each.

Scorers for Carlow: Marty Kavanagh 0-13 (65 10fs), Jon Nolan 0-3, Chris Kehoe 0-2, Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Ciaran Whelan, Chris Nolan, Paddy Boland 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: Sean Brennan; John Bellew, Paddy Smyth, Paddy Doyle; Chris Crummey, Conor Donohoe, Eoghan O’Donnell; Mark Grogan, Conor Burke; Ronan Hayes, Donal Burke, Daire Gray; Danny Sutcliffe, Cian O’Sullivan, Sean Currie. 

Subs: Darragh Power for Grogan (h/t), Fergal Whitley for Hayes (42), Paul Crummey for Currie (58), Dara Purcell for Sutcliffe (63), James Madden for O’Donnell (63).

CARLOW: Ciaran Abbey; Paul Doyle, Dion Wall, Niall Bolger; Jack Kavanagh, Kevin McDonald, Fiachra Fitzpatrick; Ciaran Whelan, Jack McCullagh; Jon Nolan, Tony Lawlor, Marty Kavanagh; Conor Kehoe, Chris Nolan, Paddy Boland. 

Subs: John Michael Nolan for Whelan (48), Richard Coady for J Kavanagh (60), Fiach O’Toole for Fitzpatrick (65), Scott Treacy for C Nolan (65).

Referee: Caymon Flynn (Westmeath).