Carlow Town better Burren Rangers in battle of unbeaten top two
Alex Delaney scored 0-4 for Carlow Town in their win over Burren Rangers.
At their Oak Park Road pitch on Sunday, Carlow Town maintained their 100% record in the group stages of the Intermediate Hurling Championship. They now march into the semi-finals after this workmanlike display against a Burren Rangers side who had also won their opening five games.
Much of the groundwork was laid in the opening half when playing against a stiffish breeze which was blowing down the field and away from the dressing rooms.
For the winners, Karol English led the way with an opening free and Dylan Townsend cancelled that out with a point from play. James Ingram, was a measure of Carlow Town’s attitude as he had to work hard to gain possession and under pressure raised a white flag.
Alex Delaney was also on the mark and by the 11th minute, the eventual winners led 0-5 to 0-2.
Burren Rangers were always going to have a period of dominance and the Carlow Town keeper, Sean Buggy, made an excellent stop from Townsend who had shot low and hard at the inside of the left-hand post.
In the second quarter, Burren’s Aaron Gordon dodged a bullet when he went in high on Ingram but to the relief of the player, referee, Brian Deering, brandished a yellow card. It was probably a right decision as the tackle was more clumsy than anything else.
Burren built on their moment of good fortune with Cathal Healy flighting over two points and Daniel Bolger levelling matters at 0-7 each at the interval.
A minute into the second half, Delaney took a pass from John Phiri to push Carlow Town back in front. The lead didn’t last and Healy found Townsend who scored Burren’s second goal.
The home response was impressive. Joe Waters, the Rangers keeper, did well to save from Phiri but he could do nothing about the string of scores which Carlow Town registered in the third quarter. English, Phiri and Cathal Kenny led the way as the home side began to push clear.
It could have been even better, but Burren keeper, Joe Waters, saved from Alex Delaney when the right-half forward found a gap in the visitors defence.
Eventually Carlow Town got the goal they were looking for when they drew a penalty. For once English didn’t get a full strike on the ball and Waters made the save.
Out of nowhere, Phiri appeared and flashed the loose ball to the net. Now the home side were 1-17 to 1-10 ahead with time running out.
True to their tradition, the fledgling club kept Carlow honest to the end. When Eoin Doyle off-loaded to Townsend, the corner forward made no mistake when finding the net.
When the same player converted a free there was only three in it. With good reason, Carlow Town supporters looked on anxiously.
There was to be no reprieve for Rangers this time when they conceded a late free. For his part Gordon picked up a second yellow and departed the action. He only missed a few seconds as English raised a white flag and with that came the final whistle.
K English 0-9 (6f, 1'65), J Phiri 1-2, A Delaney 0-4, A Nolan, J Ingram 0-2 each, C Ryan 0-1.
D Townsend 2-6 (2f, 1'65, 1s), D Bolger 0-3, C Healy, E Doyle 0-2 each.
Sean Buggy; Conaill McGuire, Dylan Bourke, Stephen Lacey; Moling English Hayden, Kyle Nolan, Shane McCarthy; Adam Nolan, Lazzy Meaney; Alex Delaney, Karol English, Diarmuid Murphy; John Phiri, Cathal Ryan, James Ingram.
Brandon Cassidy for McCarthy (37), Dylan McGrath for Meaney (54), Ruairi Dunbar for Murphy (54).
Joe Waters; Aaron Gordon, Cormac McElligott, Kieran Donald; Padraig Waters, Conor Bolger, Billy Molloy; Eoin Doyle, Martin Carroll; Cathal Healy, Jimmie Carroll, Stephen Metcalfe; Dylan Townsend, Billy Shanahan, Daniel Bolger.
Chris Buckley for Shanahan (40), Lochlann McGagh for Molloy (51).
Brian Deering (Rathvilly).
