Carlow SHC final/Naomh Brid 2-13 Ballinkillen 1-7: Underdogs Naomh Brid claimed their second senior title at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, yesterday.
Naomh Brid, winners in 1996, shot 11 wides in the first half when aided by the wind but still led 0-7 to 0-3 at the break.
There was an explosive start to the second half with an exchange of goals between Ballinkillen's Patrick Walsh and Naomh Brid's Hughie Kelly in the 33rd and 34th minutes.
Man-of-the-match Johnnie Kavanagh and Alan Brennan controlled midfield and David O'Leary's 53rd-minute goal was the icing on the cake for Naomh Brid.
NAOMH BRID: S Bambrick; S Dunne, N Bambrick, P Kelly; M Keating, J Nevin, D Shaw; J Kavanagh (0-5, 3 frees, 1 65), A Brennan (0-1); P Hickey, M Brennan (0-2), B Nolan; H Kelly (1-0), D O'Leary (1-1), B Lawler (0-3, 2 frees). Subs: J Sheehan for Nolan; J Carey for Dunne; B Nolan for P Kelly; S Watchorn for Shaw; B Daly (0-1) for H Kelly.
BALLINKILLEN: Patrick Minchin; S Minchin, M Farrell, J Hickey; A Gaul, S O'Brien, D Murphy; P Walsh (0-1), P Foley; P Murphy, C Hughes (0-2, frees), P Maher; G Foley (0-1), T Walsh (1-3), Peter Minchin. Subs: B Cox for Peter Minchin; D Wall for Maher; P O'Grady for D Murphy; D O'Neill for Hughes.
Referee: P Ahern (Carlow Town).
