CARLOW...4-15 LONGFORD...1-16: Carlow launched their Leinster senior football championship campaign in the best possible fashion by producing the first upset of the summer in a thrilling game in Tullamore yesterday.
If only every match could be like this.
Recently-appointed 'adviser' Luke Dempsey appears to have worked his magic in the most unlikely of places. The challenge for him now is how best to juggle being manager of Leixlip with his role with Carlow. It will be difficult not to prioritise the May 30th quarter-final meeting at Dr Cullen Park with Laois.
Make no mistake, Carlow are a decent football team. All six forwards got on the scoresheet, while John Hayden was a constant menace when he attacked from centre back.
They also had the luxury of keeping a player of Brian Kelly's ability in reserve. He had an immediate effect when introduced in the second half.
Right from the off, the two sides set about each other with intent, with the scores coming thick and fast.
By half-time it was 0-7 each and finally everybody in attendance could catch their breaths.
Carlow were expected to fall away thereafter but the mental aspect of their play was spot on. In fact, they hit their best form right after the restart when they knocked over 1-4 without reply. Captain Mark Carpenter palmed the goal past Gavin Tonra after Patrick Hickey's high ball in.
Although Longford's defence was a disaster area their attack was a well-oiled machine. Pádraic Davis and Paul Barden combined well, and shared 1-10 between them, but it was old warhorse Niall Sheridan who was the game's outstanding player.
Time and again in the second half the physically dominant Sheridan plucked a lofted ball into the danger zone from the air. It was a duel full back Stephen O'Brien will not care to remember.
As the sides entered the final quarter Carlow led 1-11 to 0-8 and appeared to have broken the back of their opponents. Not so. After another Sheridan lay-off Davis finished well to the bottom corner of the net.
Two more points in quick succession from Davis and Barden narrowed the gap further.
At this point Carlow dug deep. Both forward lines were wreaking havoc and several scores were swapped but Johnny Nevin's second point of the day, on the hour mark, kept Carlow clear.
Then on 65 minutes Carpenter and Simon Rea combined in a flowing move that was finished to the net by Hickey.
It proved to be the killer blow. Barden came back with another point but two goals from Rea in injury time, one a penalty, put an unfair gloss on the final score line.
This late surge from Rea was even more remarkable considering he had been laid out moments earlier after an altercation with Shane Carroll.
Laois manager Mick O'Dwyer, who was in attendance yesterday, will have certainly have noted that Carlow are not the pushovers of previous years.
CARLOW: 1. J Clarke; 2. B Farrell, 3. S O'Brien, 4. C McCarthy; 5. K Walker, 6. J Hayden (0-1), 7. J Byrne (0-1); 8. M Brennan, 9. T Walsh (0-1); 10. P Hickey (1-1, 1f), 11. J Nevin (0-2), 12. M Carpenter, capt (1-1, one free), capt; 13. S Rea (2-3, three frees, one pen), 14. S Cavanaugh (0-3), 15. B Carberry (0-1). Subs: 18. B English for Walker (33 mins); 20. B Kelly (0-1) for Carberry (53); 25. W Power for Brennan (54).
LONGFORD: 1. G Tonra; 2. D Ledwith, 3. C Conefrey, 4. S Carroll; 5. E Ledwith, 6. D Hannify, 7. A O'Connor; 8. L Kennan (0-1), 9. T Smullen (0-1); 10. P O'Hara, 11. J Kenny, 12. P Barden, capt (0-3), 13. J Martin (0-1, free), 20. N Sheridan (0-3), 15. P Davis (1-7, four frees). Subs: 22. S Lynch for Kenny (45 mins); 19. M Lennon for Martin (51), 21. M Kelly for Lynch (61).
Referee: T Quigley (Wexford).
