Carlow cause Tailteann Cup upset after brilliant Brewster Park display
Mikey Bambrick turned in a captain's performance today, scoring 2-4 in Carlow's brilliant Tailteann Cup win ove Fermanagh Photo: ©INPHO/Tom Maher
Carlow recorded a first win under new manager Joe Murphy after a sensational display against Fermanagh in Brewster Park today in the opening round of the Tailteann Cup.
Up against a side who went within a point of promotion from Division 3 and who were very close to an Ulster Championship win over Down, Carlow were full value for their win after an inspired performance.
There were three superb goals, each one better than the last, but the real difference maker was Carlow’s ability to kick two pointers.
There were five in total with two from Conor Doyle in the last quarter absolutely crucial in getting Carlow over the line.
It was the kind of performance where it seems unfair to single out individuals but even on day where every single player walked off the field with their head held high, there were a few who stood out.
Mikey Bambrick was a revelation when released into a wing forward role and finished the game with 2-4, including Carlow’s first 1-2 of the game, while Ross Dunphy was involved in everything good that the team did. Sean Murphy was outstanding for 45 minutes before tiring in the sweltering heat but all over the field Carlow had heroes.
They made a blistering start to the game with Bambrick’s first goal coming after eight minutes and John Murphy followed that with a second four minutes later to make it 2-2 to 0-3.
The first of what felt like a couple of harsh decisions against Carlow brought Fermanagh into the game when Mark Furey was penalised for a foot block and Conor Love converted the penalty in the 13th minute.
Carlow had huge appeals for a penalty themselves three minutes later when Kevin Murphy was in on goal before being challenged from behind by Lee Cullen. The referee said it was a fair challenge on the ball, the Carlow sideline disagreed.
A two point free by Garvan Jones and then a Ryan Lyons effort had Fermanagh level with 15 minutes to play in the first half but Carlow kicked on again.
A long spell of possession in the 27th minute ended with a clever cut in from the wing by Bambrick, taking the ball at pace from the returning Darragh Foley and firing over from outside the two point arc.
Kevin Murphy then added a two pointer of his own and Carlow led 2-9 to 1-7 at half time.
Fermanagh got right back into game in the second minute after the restart when Darragh McGurn got through and beat Ben McCarron with a low shot.
As the tiring Murphy’s influence on the game began to wane, Fermanagh began to get more joy around the middle third and with 15 minutes to go the sides were level at 2-12.
Carlow got fresh impetus off the bench and crucially, another two pointer. After seeing Fermangh get back level perhaps the most important score of the game came next when Doyle hit the first of his two pointers in the 56th minute.
Four minutes later, Carlow had the ball in the net but Kevin Murphy’s effort was ruled out due to a marginal square ball call.
McGurn fisted over to get Fermanagh back to within a point but Dunphy set up Moran for a point in response.
Bambrick’s electrifying pace led to his second, and Carlow’s third, goal of the game in the 64th minute to put Carlow six points ahead but still the home side kept plugging away.
McGurn pointed and then goalkeeper Sean McNally converted a two point free. That was followed in the last minute of normal time by Josh Largo Ellis’ third point of the game to leave just two points in it.
The home support urged their team on as they began to believe that they could get an unlikely result after playing second fiddle for most of the game but it was to be Carlow’s day and as the game ticked into injury time, Doyle arrived on to an attack with perfect timing and sent a shot soaring over the crossbar.
Shane McGullion scored the last point of the game to leave three in it and Carlow had to defend the last attack of the match with 14 men after Dunphy picked up a black but they cleared the ball to Paddy McDonnell and as he raced down the left wing with three defenders in chase the referee blew the final whistle to spark great celebrations among the travelling Carlow contingent.
M Bambrick 2-4 (1tp), C Doyle 0-4 (2tp), K Murphy 0-3 (1tp), J Murphy 1-0, N Hickey 0-2 (1pt), R Dunphy 0-1, J Phiri 0-1, D Foley 0-1f, C Moran 0-1, C Crowley 0-1.
D McGurn 1-1, C Love 1-0pen, S McNally 0-3 (1tpf), G Jones 0-3 (1tpf, 1f), J Largo Ellis 0-3, C McGee 0-2, J McDade 0-2, S McGullion 0-2, R Lyons 0-1, F O’Brien 0-1f.
Ben McCarron; John Phiri, Colin Byrne, Paddy McDonnell, Niall Hickey, Mark Furey, John Murphy; Kyle Nolan, Conor Doyle; Ross Dunphy, Darragh Foley, Mikey Bambrick, Conor Crowley, Kevin Murphy, Sean Murphy. Subs: Adam Burgess for Nolan, 45; Ciaran Moran for Foley, 48; Liam Gavin for S Murphy, 58; Mark Mullen for J Murphy, 63.
Sean McNally; Ché Cullen, Lee Cullen, Oisin Smyth, Shane McGullion, Declan McCusker, Fionan O’Brien; Joe McDade, Darragh McGurn; Conor McGee, Ryan Lyons, Ronan McCaffrey, Josh Largo Ellis, Garvan Jones, Conor Love. Subs: Aogan Kelm for Jones, 56; Jack Largo Ellis for McGee, 68.
Barry Cassidy (Derry)
