AIL: Carlow set for next season

Carlow 17 Ballymena 16

Carlow secured their Div One status for the 2202 / 2003 season with a last-minute victory in Oak Park.

It was a close, tough game all the way through with neither side getting more than one score ahead.

Billy Murphy struck an early penalty for the home side and then Carlow skipper Padraig Brennan crossed over for a converted try, making it 10-06 at half-time. Peter McIntosh scored two Ballymena penalties.

The Northerners came back strong in the second half with tries from Paul Rogers and Scott Young.

But a late, late Liam O'Byrne try (with Murphy converting) sealed victory and survival for Carlow.