Joe McDonagh Cup third round

CARLOW 1-22 MEATH 1-21

By Kieran Murphy at Netwatch Cullen Park

Carlow maintained their quest for their second Joe McDonagh Cup title in three years when they edged last year’s Christy Ring Cup winners in Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday.

With the home side drawing against Antrim last week and Meath losing their opening game to Kerry this was a must win for both sides. Carlow started best and went into a 6th minute 0-4 to 0-2 lead with Jon Nolan, Marty Kavanagh converting two frees and his brother, Jack, landing a wonderful point from half-way.

In reply Paddy Conneely and Keith Keoghan found the posts with two long range efforts.

At the end of the first quarter the sides were tied at 0-6 each. When Kevin McDonald was tripped in the big square, Marty Kavanagh converted the resultant penalty which clearly knocked their opponents. Carlow enjoyed the better of the exchanges from there to half-time and deservedly led 1-13 to 0-10. In that half they could have added to their goal tally but the Meath defence did really well to block efforts from Kavanagh and the brothers, Chris and Jon Nolan.

After the break Carlow seemed to be in control when the two Nolans extending the home lead. Meath hit back with scores from Pauric O’Hanrahan and Jack Regan. From there it became a battle of wills. Carlow were let off the hook with Meath shooting a series of wides in the third quarter.  In the end, their total wide count of 17 would come back to haunt them.

While Carlow added to their total they could never put the Royals away. John Michael Nolan saw his effort fly just wide of the left hand post at the O’Hanrahan’s side of the ground while, at the other end, Carlow full-back, Paul Doyle, and Meath’s, Jack Walsh were having their own personal battle. It was one the home defender edged but at any stage all Meath needed was a break and a goal which could have turned the game on its head.

With the game going into four minutes injury time Carlow looked to have done enough to earn victory but Meath persisted. A Regan strike reduced the margin but they visitors paid dearly when a free awarded to them was overturned. Still there was time and they were rewarded when Damien Healy deflected the ball over the Carlow line for a goal. It was all down to the referee at this stage and there was huge relief in the Carlow camp when the final whistle blew which ensured a narrow and hard-earned victory.

Scorers for Carlow: Marty Kavanagh 1-13 (1-0 pen, 10f 1’65), Chris Nolan 0-4, Jack Kavanagh 0-2, Jon Nolan 0-2, Eddie Byrne 0-1.

Scorers for Meath: Jack Regan 0-6 (1’65, 5f), Pauric O’Hanrahan 0-4 (3f), Darragh Kelly 0-3, Damien Healy 1-0, Keith Keoghan 0-2, Jack Walsh 0-2, Alan Douglas 0-1, Daithi McGowan 0-1, Adam Gannon 0-1, Paddy Conneely 0-1

CARLOW: Brian Tracey; Michael Doyle, Paul Doyle, Gary Bennett; Ger Coady, David English, Diarmuid Byrne; Jack Kavanagh, Paul Coady; John Michael Nolan, Jon Nolan, Eddie Byrne; Marty Kavanagh, Kevin McDonald, Chris Nolan. Subs: Aaron Amond for McDonald (blood 20), Amond for J.M. Nolan (52), Cathal Tracey for Coady (57), Richard Coady for J. Kavanagh (63), Eoin Hosey for J. Nolan (74).

MEATH: Mark McCormack; Michael Burke, Shane Brennan, Sean Geraghty; Shane Whitty, Darragh Kelly, Keith Keoghan; Pauric O Hanrahan, Paddy Conneely; Jack Walsh, Stephen Morris, Alan Douglas; Adam Gannon, Jack Regan, Eamonn O Donnchadha. Subs: Daithi McGowan for O Donnchadha (22), James Kelly for O Hanrahan (43), Cathal McCabe for Morris (46), Damien Healy for Walsh (55), Jack McGowan for Conneely (55).

Referee: Rory McGann (Clare)