Leinster u21 FC, Newbridge, 2009
Kildare    4-13
Carlow    0-6
CARLOW confidently headed to Newbridge to face the all-Ireland finalists of the previous year but within 59 seconds they were two goals down.
11 minutes later it was 3-1 to 0-0 and by half time trailed 4-3 to 0-4. In the second half Carlow added two points to their total and had two players sent off as they eventually lost by 19 points.
There was a mitigating circumstance. They were distracted having watched their captain, Sean Gannon, taken away in an ambulance complaining of chest pains just before the throw in. He eventually received the all clear.
It was uplifting to see that nine of that team returned this year to run eventual all-Ireland champions, Dublin, to a single point in Carlow in March.

Leinster MFC final, Croke Park, 2007
Laois    3-8
Carlow    1-12
When Carlow were beaten by Longford in the first round of the Leinster championship hopes the minor squad would achieve their potential appeared to have been dashed.
In the qualifiers they served notice that their previous game was only a blip with wins over Meath, Wexford and Westmeath. In a close semi-final in Croke Park they beat Louth by 1-9 to 0-8.
In the final Carlow never came out of the blocks in the first quarter and conceded three goals. They came roaring back in the second half and many believed that if the game had gone on for another five minutes Carlow would have won.
The final whistle rescued Laois and Carlow were left to rue their poor start.

Christy Ring final, Croke Park, 2006
Carlow    5-13
Antrim    1-7
They say you have to lose one before you win one and with two Christy Ring cups safely under lock and key Carlow hurlers will say Amen to that. They headed to Croke Park for a Ring showdown with Antrim in 2006. It was probably a mixture of Croke Park nerves and the class of Antrim which undid them but by the 17th minute they were 3-5 to 0-0 in arrears. Damien Roberts scored their first point in the 27th minute and by half time they trailed 3-7 to 0-2.
The misery continued in the second half but keeper, Frank Foley, created his own memorable moment when he converted a penalty after Dessie Murphy was fouled. In hindsight it created a platform for the success the county has since enjoyed.

U21 HC final, DCP, 2009
MLR    4-18
St Mullins    1-5

It will forever be known as Denis Murphy’s final. In a comprehensive demolition of a helpless St. Mullins side he scored a grand total of 4-8. He did most of the damage within a minute of the throw in when he pounced for two goals. With 59 minutes still left for play St. Mullins were doomed. Murphy completed his hat trick just before the break as Rangers led 3-7 to 0-2. Rangers didn’t let up in the second half scoring a further 1-11 to their opponents 1-3. Apart from Murphy the busiest man on the pitch that day was the loser’s net minder, Jim Murphy, who brought off a string of fine saves all through.


Carow SHC, DCP, 2008
Naomh Bríd 1-23
Carlow Town 0-4

Carlow Town struggled to field a team on this occasion. As we know now Naomh Bríd challenge for overall championship honours was gathering impetus. At the designated throw in time the town side were unable to field but the game did start albeit 25minutes late. By the 16th minute the future champions led 1-11 to 0-0 with Jason Reamsbottom in the Carlow Town goal performing heroics but was unable to keep out Michael Cowman’s close range effort. Ruairi Dunbar hit his side’s solitary point as they trailed 1-16 to 0-1 at the interval. Naomh Bríd eased up in the second half only scoring seven points to run out the easiest of winners. It was rock bottom for the losers but they bounced back last year to qualify for the semis.