Defeat to the Dubs confirms Carlow's relegation
Carlow's James Doyle, who made a welcome return to action after injury, shakes hands with Dublin's Paddy Smyth after the final whistle Photo: Pat Ahern
After a two year gap Carlow returned to Division 2 of the National Hurling League when they only played in spells against a strong Dublin side in this NHL1B game at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday.
It was always going to be a difficult day and so it proved as Dublin forged into an early lead with Fergal Whitely scoring five points in the first half. All the Dublin starting forwards raised a flag before the half-time whistle but the visitors got a fright when Marty Kavanagh and Chris Nolan swooped for two quality goals late in the opening half. At the interval, Dublin led 0-18 to 2-9.
Many felt that Dublin had scored nineteen points but the match officials reported otherwise.
Dublin were in no mood to let Carlow any closer to them and led by substitute, Diarmaid O’Dulaing, who converted three early frees, they put daylight between the two sides.
Carlow struggled from there to the finish and it could have been worse as the youthful Carlow keeper, Kyle Foley, made two brilliant stops to deny John Hetherton and Cian O’Sullivan at the scoreboard end of the ground.
There was one bright moment for the home side when Jake Nolan made his senior hurling national league debut for Carlow and with his first touch guided the sliotar over the bar.
Fergal Whitely 0-5, John Hetherton, Diarmaid O’Dulaing 0-4 (3fs) each, Darragh Power, Cian O’Sullivan (2fs) 0-3 each, Conor Burke, Paddy Doyle, Chris Crummey, Conor Donohoe, Davy Keogh, Dara Purcell 0-2 each, Conor Groarke, Paddy Smyth, Donal Burke (f) 0-1 each.
Marty Kavanagh 1-3 (1f), Chris Nolan 1-2, Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Donagh Murphy, Ciaran Whelan 0-2 each, Fiach O’Toole, Jake Nolan, Ted Joyce 0-1 each.
Sean Brennan; Conor McHugh, Paddy Smyth, Eoghan O’Donnell; P Doyle, Chris Crummey, Andy Dunphy; Conor Burke, Brian Hayes; Fergal Whitely, Donal Burke, Darragh Power; Dara Purcell, John Hetherton, Cian O’Sullivan.
Subs: Diarmaid O’Dulaing for D Burke (h/t), Conor Groarke for Dunphy (h/t), Sean Gallagher for Burke (41 blood), Conor Donohoe for Purcell (52), Davy Kehoe for Hayes (60), Gallagher for Crummey (65).
Kyle Foley; Conaill Fitzpatrick, Dion Wall, Paul Doyle; Evan Kealy, Kevin McDonald, Fiach O’Toole; Ciaran Whelan, Fiachra Fitzpatrick; Jack Treacy, Donagh Murphy, Marty Kavanagh; Richie Coady, John Doyle, Chris Nolan.
Subs: Ted Joyce for J Doyle (h/t), Conor Kehoe for Murphy (49), James Doyle for Kavanagh (49), Colm Beck for Kealy (53), Jake Nolan for Whelan (55).
Shane Hynes (Galway)
