Leitrim...1-10 Carlow...1-8: Leitrim lived on their luck during the closing stages as Carlow mounted a late challenge at Páirc Seán Mhic Díarmada yesterday. Despite missing five first-choice players through injury, Noel Doonan got the home side off to a flying start with a point after 20 seconds.

It took Carlow eight minutes to register their first score, a Simon Rea 45, but for the next 20 minutes it was all Leitrim as they landed four more points through Michael Foley, Chris Carroll and two from Pat Farrell.

Carlow recovered in the final 15 minutes of the half with points from Willie Minchin and Johnny Nevin while Leitrim's Seamus Quinn and Tommy Walsh traded points to leave Leitrim ahead 0-6 to 0-4 at the break.

Leitrim upped their game and in the second minute Michael Foley sent a 35-metre pass to Brendan Brennan who finished to the net. Leitrim went on to score four more points, to one from Carlow, in a 20-minute spell. In the 23rd minute, Carlow substitute Seán Kavanagh revitalised Carlow with a goal. Two further points from Kavanagh and Pat Hickey put the visitors back in the game. However, Leitrim regained the momentum to win.

LEITRIM: G Phelan; D Reynolds, J McKeon, M McGuinness; M Greene, N Gilbane, B Prior; C Carroll (0-1), P Farrell (0-2); B Brennan (1-0), D Lynch, N Doonan (0-1); J McGuinness (0-1), S Quinn (0-2), M Foley (0-3, 2 frees). Subs: D Maxwell for S Quinn; J Goldrick for P Farrell.

CARLOW: J Clarke; P Cashin, S O'Brien, B English; J Hayden, K Walker, J Kavanagh; M Brennan, T Walsh (0-1); P Hickey (1-2, 2 frees ), J Nevin (0-1), D Byrne; S Rea (0-1 '45), W Minchin (0-1), B Carberry. Subs: M Carpenter for B Carbery; P Kelly for J Kavanagh; S Kavanagh (0-2) for D Byrne; W Ryan for P Cashin; R Walker for S Rea.

Referee: S McGonigle (Donegal).