CARLOW SFC FINAL Rathvilly 2-8 Old Leighlin 0-7: RATHVILLY CLAIMED a seventh Carlow SFC title with a double scores victory at Dr Cullen Park yesterday – a victory which had its foundation in a scoring burst of 1-2 late in the opening half.

The teams were level at 0-3 apiece when, in the 28th minute, Rathvilly full forward JJ Smith set up the inrushing Danny Molloy who crashed home a superb goal.

Returned Sydney Swans AFL man Brendan Murphy then kicked a superb point from play, which was supplemented by a tremendous point from a sideline kick by Alan Kelly as the winners raced into a five-point interval lead.

Old Leighlin tried very hard to impose themselves in the second half, but Rathvilly struck for a second goal in the 59th minute when Alan Kelly volleyed home.

RATHVILLY: D Keogh; BJ Molloy, T Bolger, K. Byrne; J O'Donoghue, S Kavanagh, A. Bolger; . K Doyle, Brendan Murphy (0-1), Brian Murphy (0-1), A Kelly 1-1, 0-1 sideline), E Finnegan, D Molloy (1-0), JJ Smith (0-4, three frees), G Dempsey (0-1). Subs: D O'Brien for Finnegan (28 mins), J Kehoe for Kavanagh (52 mins), D Nolan for Dempsey (52), P Curran for A Bolger (52), L Farrell for Molloy (59).

OLD LEIGHLIN: J Clarke; R Burke, G Hickey, S Daly; C Brennan, J Hayden, S Kinsella; P Hickey (0-1), A Nolan (0-1); D Dowling (0-1), C Coughlan (0-1), W Minchin; S Kinsella (0-2 two frees), D Bambrick (0-1), M Brennan. Subs: D Kelly for C Brennan (38 mins), H. Gahan for Nolan (43 mins), J Nevin for Dowling (49 mins).

Referee: Pat Ahern(O'Hanrahans).