NHL DIVISION TWO: Carlow 2-17 Kerry 1-12:CARLOW HURLERS made light of adversity when, having two men sent off in the second half, they turned a one-point half-time deficit into an eight-point win at Dr Cullen Park yesterday.

The visitors looked sharper in the opening half and a Ronan Kenny goal saw them lead 1-8 to 1-7 at the break – Carlow’s goal came from Mark Brennan on 21 minutes. However, the home side rattled over unanswered points from Andrew Gaule, Brennan and Eddie Byrne before Eddie Byrne goaled to open up a 2-10 to 1-8 lead. Byrne (two yellow cards) and his team-mate Craig Doyle (a straight red) were both sent to the line but Carlow remained in charge. Kerry were reduced to 14 men late on when Andre Keane was also given a straight red card.

CARLOW:K Kehoe; A Corcoran, S Kavanagh, J O'Hara; E Coady, D Kavanagh (0-1, free), R Coady; E Nolan, J Kavanagh (0-1); P Kehoe (0-6, four frees), M Brennan (1-2), C Doyle (0-1); A Gaule (0-3), E Byrne (1-2), A McDonald. Subs:D English for McDonald (41 mins); H O'Byrne for Gaule (67 mins); K McCabe (0-1) for English (70 mins); A Brennan for Kehoe (70 mins).

KERRY:B Rochford; A Keane, J Godley, C Harris; A Royle (0-1), T Murnane, P O'Grady; M Conway (0-2, one free, one 65), D Dineen; D O'Connell (0-3, all frees), M Boyle (0-3), L Boyle (0-2); J Egan (0-1), A Boyle, J Griffin. Subs:R Kenny (1-0) for Griffin (8 mins, inj); E Corridan for Godley (48 mins, inj); J Flaherty for O'Connell (48 mins); G O'Brien for Egan (55 mins).

Referee:S Whelan (Wexford).