Seamus Fitzgerald, Waterford, and Jack Treacy, Carlow, in Allianz Hurling League action. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
Allianz Hurling League Division 1B
Carlow 2-21 Waterford 1-19
By Kieran Murphy at Netwatch Cullen Park
Carlow recorded a first ever senior hurling competitive win over Waterford with this National Hurling League 1B second round victory on Sunday at Netwatch Cullen Park.
The victory was a totally deserved success. Carlow won because they started well, absorbing the pressure midway and then finishing strongly. Hero of the day was Chris Nolan who scored 2-3, while his intercounty team mate, Marty Kavanagh nailed 0-10.
The eventual winners led 1-3 to 0-0 after only four minutes. Nolan scored his first goal when plucking a Kavanagh side-line cut from the air. Nolan beat his marker down the left before rifling home. Points from Jack Prendergast and Tom Barron kept the Decies in touch, but Carlow continued to set the pace. At the interval, the home side led 1-10 to 0-9.
Early in the second half Conor Sheahan and Padraig Fitzgerald pointed for the visitors, but they never drove on. Carlow replied and substitute, Paddy Boland, picked off a point from distance.
Waterford took a one-point lead when Jamie Barron fed Sean Walsh and the left-half forward found the top corner of the net. Again, it was the underdogs who reacted best.
With 28 minutes to go, the visitors never kicked on and Carlow kept their shape. While Kavanagh continued to knock over the frees, other players including Jack McCullagh, Ciaran Whelan and Boland all pointed.
In reply, Patrick Fitzgerald, Padraig Fitzgerald and Jamie Barron featured on the scoresheet for Waterford, but they could never get ahead of the home side again. Instead, with just over five minutes to go, Nolan ran down the left. His low shot was partially saved by keeper, Shaun O’Brien but the sliotar crossed the line to seal Carlow’s victory.
Scorers for Carlow: M Kavanagh 0-10 (6fs, 1 65), Chris Nolan 2-3, Paddy Boland, James Doyle 0-2 each, Kevin McDonald, Jack McCullagh, Ciaran Whelan, Jon Nolan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Waterford: Padraig Fitzgerald 0-5 (4fs), Jamie Barron, Patrick Fitzgerald (1f) 0-4 each, Conor Sheahan 0-3, Sean Walsh 1-0, Tom Barron, Jack Prendergast, Patrick Curran 0-1 each.
Carlow: Brian Tracey; Paidi O’Shea, Dion Wall, Tony Lawlor; Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Kevin McDonald, Jack McCullagh; James Doyle, Ciaran Whelan; John Doyle, Marty Kavanagh, Lorcan Doyle; Conor Kehoe, Jack Treacy, Chris Nolan.
Subs: Subs: Paddy Boland for Treacy (HT), Jon Nolan for Kehoe (HT), Ted Joyce for John Doyle (53), Donagh Murphy for Fitzpatrick (62), Evan Kealy for Lawlor (65).
Waterford: Shaun O’Brien; Seamus Fitzgerald, Mark Fitzgerald, Ian Kenny; Michael Kiely, Tom Barron, Michael Mullaney; Conor Sheahan, Jack Prendergast; Padraig Fitzgerald, Jamie Barron, Sean Walsh; Kevin Mahony, Shane Bennett, Patrick Fitzgerald.
Subs: Patrick Curran for Mahony (HT), Conor Keane for S Fitzgerald (h/t), Martin Power for Mullaney (59), Charlie Treen for Bennett (59), Thomas Douglas for Walsh (65).
Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin).
