Win lifts Carlow off the bottom

County Carlow 32 Blackrock College 27

League veteran Richie Murphy was again on song for County Carlow as his haul of 22 points helped the midlanders off the bottom of the AIB League Division One table.

The ex-Greystones and Clontarf fly-half kicked five penalties, a drop goal and converted both Tom Bonnefoy and Russell Armstrong's tries as Ray Ward's men moved two points ahead of Lansdowne - with clashes against strugglers Dublin University and mid-table UCD to come.

Murphy needed to be rapier-like with his right boot as 'Rock plundered four tries - three of those in the second half - at Oak Park.

Two Murphy penalties and a drop goal saw Carlow 9-8 in front at the break.

Ireland Under-21 John Hearty had notched the Dubliners' first half try and although further efforts fell to Colm Treston, Ross McCormack and hooker Geoff McEvoy, Carlow held on thanks to Murphy.