Carlow show spirit to see off Waterford challenge

Carlow 0-17 Waterford 1-13 Thirteen days after suffering a humiliating 28-point mauling at the hands of Meath in the Leinster SFC quarter-final, a resurgent Carlow saw off favourites Waterford in this first round All-Ireland SFC Qualifier at Dr Cullen Park on Saturday.

Carlow showed an admirable level of spirit, commitment and plenty of football ability, deservedly progress.

They hit the woodwork three four times in the first half, their only reward from these close calls coming when Séamus Kinsella’s injury-time free hit the post and went over the bar. It appeared as if the football Gods were at odds with Anthony Rainbow’s men.

Danger man

It was danger man Liam O’Lionáin, the Waterford centre forward, who pounced on over-indulgent passing in the Carlow defence to race clear inside the home defence and crash home the game’s only goal on 34 minutes as the visitors led 1-6 to 0-6 at half-time.

Carlow had enjoyed most of the possession but a lack of belief close to goal led to a meagre scoring return. The Leinster side hit the front for the first time when full forward Séamus Kinsella converted a close free 52 minutes.

Waterford levelled with a brace of points fromPaul Whyte before home substitute Jack Kennedy, only minutes on the pitch pointed his side in front, before centre back Daniel St Ledger landed a magnificent 50 metre free – Waterford could only muster a point in reply from Whyte from a free.

Carlow finished with 14 men when the industrious Willie Minchin received a black card, having previously been yellow carded.

Ciarán Moran and Darragh Foley also fell victim to late black card offences.

CARLOW: A O'Brien; R Mahon, C Lawlor, B J Molloy; K Nolan (0-1), D St Ledger (0-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 45) B Kavanagh (0-2); E Ruth (0-1), H Gahan; M Meaney (0-1), C Moran, D Bambrick; D Foley (0-1), S Kinsella (0-3, 0-2 frees), C Coughlan (0-3, 0-1 free). Subs: W Minchin for Gahan (28 mins); G Power for Mahon (43 mins); J Kennedy (0-1) for Moran (black card 65 mins); J Lowry for Kavanagh (68 mins); M Ware for Foley (black card 70 mins). WATERFORD: S Enright; D Crowley, T O'Gorman, M O'Gorman; W Hutchinson, S Briggs (0-2), O Keevers; S Aherne, T Prendergast (0-1); D Grey, L Ó Lionáin (1-2), T O Huallacháin; B Wall, P Whyte (0-8, five frees), J J Hutchinson. Subs: M Curry for Grey (43 mins); D Allen for Wall (45 mins); C O'Keeffe for W Hutchinson (53 mins); N Walsh for Briggs (68 mins). Referees: C Reilly (Meath, replaced at half time by P O'Sullivan, Kerry).