Carlow crowned National League Division 4 champions after epic Croke Park clash
Chris Blake leads the celebrations with the Division 4 trophy Photo: ©INPHO/Nick Elliott
Carlow ended decades of hurt with their first Croke Park victory since 1971 - only the fifth in their history. It proved a landmark night as they lifted the National League Division 4 title and their first ever trophy at the famous venue.
It took extra time before they could finally shake off a dogged Longford outfit but although their Leinster rivals certainly had their patches through the game, Carlow were always in an element of control and were never behind for the full duration of the 90 minutes.
Despite it being a huge occasion for the team, there were few signs of nerves in the early stages and they raced into a 0-5 to 0-2 lead by the 16th minute.
On what was to become a theme throughout the game, just as Carlow seemed like they would pull away Longford got right back in the game when Ben McCarron couldn’t quite deal with an awkward ball and Oisin O’Toole was able to fire home.
Carlow responded well to that setback and went ahead again through Liam Gavin and Ross Dunphy before Eoghan Ruth, who was signalled out by his manager after the game for his tireless display, landed a superb two pointer.
There was still four points between the teams heading into the last five minutes of the half but with Dessie Reynolds becoming an increasingly influential figure in the game, they scored the last four points of the half and the sides went to the dressing room tied at 0-12 to 1-9.
A 47th minute goal by Ross Dunphy helped Carlow into a five point lead towards the end of the third quarter but Longford were right back in it again when Oran Kenny scored their second goal in the 52nd minute.
Conor Doyle converted a 57th minute free to put Carlow 1-17 to 2-11 ahead but that proved their final score of normal time.
They had long spells of possession in the final stages but they didn’t lead to scores and Matthew Carey tied the game with 90 seconds to go with their third of the game.
Carlow had the last possession of the game but could not work a shooting opportunity and with the full time score at 1-17 to 2-14 the game went to extra time.
Doyle (2), Jamie Clarke and Chris Blake all scored in extra time as Carlow moved into a three point lead but Longford just would not go away and the game was level once more at half time in extra time, 1-21 to 2-18.
Perhaps decisively, Longford were reduced to 14 men just ten seconds into the second half of extra time when Ronan Bleakley was dismissed for a challenge on Eoghan Ruth.
Blake and the rampaging Padhraig Bolger scored to push Carlow ahead and this time they would not be denied.
Doyle won a late free which was converted by Blake and although there was one late scare when Longford lobbed a ball into the square, Carlow were able to clear and seconds later the final hooter blew.
That sparked wonderful scenes of celebration between the management, the players and supporters.
Almost 12 months to the day since Joe Murphy and his management team took over a team at a low ebb they have led the team to a historical victory that will be remembered in Carlow GAA folklore for generations to come.
There was a special moment in the Hogan Stand as GAA President Jarlath Burns happily passed on presentation duties to proud Carlovian, and GAA Ard Stiúrthóir, Tom Ryan who passed on the Division 4 trophy to Carlow captain Mikey Bambrick. In front of a sea of red, yellow and green clad supporters, Bambrick lifted up the cup as the chant of “Carlow, Carlow, Carlow” rang out on a famous night.
R Dunphy 1-3, L Gavin 0-4 (0-3f), C Doyle 0-4 (0-2f), C Blake 0-4 (0-1f), P Bolger 0-3, E Ruth 0-2 (tp), L Walker 0-2, C Hulton 0-1, J Clarke 0-1.
O Kenny 1-2, Dessie Reynolds 0-5 (1 tp), D Farrell 0-4 (0-3f), O O'Toole 1-0, M Carey 0-3 (0-2f), Daniel Reynolds 0-2, J Hagan 0-1, L Glennon 0-1
Ben McCarron; Paddy McDonnell, John Phiri, Colin Byrne; Niall Roche, Dara Curran, Pádhraig Bolger; Mark Furey, Eoghan Ruth; Conor Doyle, Colm Hulton, Mikey Bambrick; Ross Dunphy, Liam Gavin, Lee Walker. Subs: Chris Blake for Walker 49, Jamie Clarke for Gavin 63, Seán Murphy for Roche 69. Adam Burgess for Ruth 82, Aaron Amond for Dunphy 84, Lee Moore for Byrne 85.
Eoin McGuinness; Patrick Fox, Ryan Moffett, Bryan Masterson; Peter Lynn, Oisín O'Toole, Dessie Reynolds; Liam Glennon, Ronan Sweeney; James Moran, Matthew Carey, Daniel Reynolds; Dylan Farrell, Joseph Hagan, Oran Kenny. Subs: Paddy Moran for James Moran 47, Cian Brady for Moffett 63, Niall Farrelly for O'Toole 63. Ronan Bleakley for Lynn 78, Matthew Flynn for Glennon 85, Gavin Farrelly for Hagan 86.
Referee: Kevin Faloon (Armagh).
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