Leitrim 1-16 Carlow 0-12:Leitrim brought Carlow footballers winning start to their Division Four campaign to an abrupt halt at Dr Cullen Park yesterday as they had a fully-merited seven-point win.
Carlow went into this game hoping to build on league wins over Tipperary and London but they came up against a superior force. Leitrim took the initiative once full forward James Clancy fisted home the game’s only goal in the eighth minute.
With captain Mulligan pulling the strings Leitrim went on to lead 1-6 to 0-6 at half-time, by which stage both sides were down to 14 men.
Leitrim right-half back Colm Clarke was given a straight red for a striking offence to be followed just on half-time by Carlow’s influential centre back Derek Hayden, also sidelined on a straight red after referee Neil Ward had consulted an umpire.
Leitrim’s overall dominance continued in the second half as Anthony Rainbow’s side continued to struggle for a decent foothold in the game. It was Leitrim’s first league win after defeats to Limerick and Clare.
LEITRIM:B Flynn; D Beck, C Egan, P Maguire; C Clarke, P Brennan (0-1), E Williams; W McKeon, B Brennan (0-1); K Conlon, E Mulligan (0-8, 0-3 frees), G Hickey (0-2); C Reynolds (0-1), J Clancy (1-2), B McDonald. Subs: R Cox (0-1) for Reynolds (55 mins); C Beirne for Conlon (68 mins). CARLOW:T O'Reilly; S Murphy; S Mernagh, B Kavanagh; K Nolan (0-1), D Hayden, T Bolger; D Foley (0-2, frees), Brendan Murphy (0-1); S Redmond (0-1), P Reid, E Ruth (0-2); Brian Murphy (0-5, 0-3 frees) R Walker, W Minchin. Subs: A Kelly for Minchin (half-time); M Doyle for S Murphy; C Moran for Reid (63 mins); J Murphy for Foley (68 mins). Referee: N Ward (Westmeath).
