Carlow 1-7 Longford 0-9:CARLOW JUST about held out for a one-point win in this tie at Dr Cullen Park yesterday.

The pivotal moments arrived in the minutes just before half-time. Carlow were awarded a 29th-minute penalty which Danny Molloy blazed over the bar.

But within a minute Molloy ran on to a David Reid centre and shot to the Longford net under pressure, as Carlow led 1-2 to 0-3 at half-time.

It was pretty much score for score throughout the second half but Carlow held their advantage.

Late in the game Mark Smith's shot for a levelling Longford point from a free fell just short. The home side survived and will host Offaly in the next round.

CARLOW: M Hennessy, P Doran, S Mernagh, B Rooney, A Murphy, D St Ledger, S Redmond, K Jackson, S Gannon, David Reid, J Kinsella (0-2, frees), E Doyle, D Molloy (1-3, 0-1 pen), G Doyle (0-2), J Amond. Subs: P Farrell for Doyle (21 mins), B Rooney for Amond (48 mins), C Mullins for Reid (58 mins).

LONGFORD: S Waters, F Brady, T Gallagher, S Hannon, P Foy (0-1), M Kenny, S Dowd, P Kelly (0-1), M Brady, P Berry (0-2), S Doyle, E Clarke, K Burke, M Smith (0-4, 0-1 free), C Mimnagh (0-1). Subs: D McElliott for Clarke (33 mins), M Duffy for Brady (41 mins), D Hynes for Burke (59 mins).

Referee: G McCormack (Dublin).