Three late frees by Marty Kavanagh clinched a win over Down in Ballycran and leaves Carlow needing just one more win from their final two games to secure a place in the McDonagh Cup Final at Croke Park

A Laois goal well past the allotted injury time period denied Carlow a place in the Croke Park final

Tom Mullally's team had made a blistering start to the competition in the opening two rounds but that winning streak was ended at the hands of Kildare 

The footballers begin their Tailteann Cup campaign while the hurlers bid to continue their winning run in the McDonagh Cup