Sport

DLSP grab late penalty for victory

For the second night in a row the Smithwicks Old Belvedere floodlit cup produced a very closely contested affair with division…

By KIERAN GARRY
Thu Oct 02 1997 - 01:00

For the second night in a row the Smithwicks Old Belvedere floodlit cup produced a very closely contested affair with division four newcomers Carlow pushing division two side DLSP all the way before the Dublin side emerged winners. Carlow's key player was number eight, Andy Melville and it was fitting that the versatile Kiwi was the one to barge over from the back of a scrum in the 26th minute, Carlow's first try, converted by full back Barry Dillon.

DLSP's only score of the first half came one minute before half time courtesy of a penalty by out-half Tommy James.

When Carlow's James Waddock touched down under the posts two minutes into the second half, following an excellent move involving Barry Gordon and substitute winger Richie Larkin, Carlow looked to have made the decisive move. Although Dillon's conversion gave them a 14-3 lead, DLSP came right back at them, captain Ronan Garvey leading from the front.

A minute after Waddock's score left wing Garvey took full advantage of some sloppy Carlow passing to storm over for his side's first try. Six minutes later a great break through the middle by Garvey brought play up to Carlow's line and right wing John Corr managed to get over in the corner.

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A second penalty from Tommy James put DLSP 16-14 in front but Carlow snatched back the lead with a Dillon penalty ten minutes from time.

However, that was their last score. They faded somewhat in the closing stages and could find no way back after James landed his third penalty from wide on the right eight minutes from time.

Carlow: B Dillon, J Waddock, R Byrne, J Shirley, S Collier, B Gordon, L Peavoy (capt), P Brennan, J Hannon, L Hannon, J Oliver, L O'Byrne, N Campion, M Fenlon and A Melville. Replacements: R Larkin for S Collier half time, D O'Brien for B Gordon 45 mins, R Kidd for R Byrne 55 mins and P Hennessy for L Hannon 70 mins.

DLSP: E Davitt, J Corr, K Lillis, S Gormley, R Garvey (capt), T James, B Hogan, K O'Molloy, S Hayes, N Condron, P McDonnell, D Dunne, P Sheridan, P Werahiko, K Wheelock. Replace- ments: K Killeen for K O'Molloy 24 mins, N O'Riordan and N Byrne for E Davitt and B Hogan 75 mins.

Referee: D Keane (ARLB).