Win over Leitrim secures first promotion for Carlow since 2018
Carlow's John Phiri celebrates scoring a fine second half goal Photo: Pat Ahern
Carlow produced a superb second half performance to take their place in the National Football League Division 4 final against Longford next Saturday in Croke Park. They also won promotion to Division 3 for 2027.
Mikey Bambrick opened the scoring with a Carlow point but Leitrim hit back with a Barry McNulty goal. From the kick-out Colm Hulton ran down the left into the scoreboard end of the ground. Even though Leitrim keeper, Killian Gaffney, saved the shot, the ball came back off a Leitrim defender and into the net.
The visitors hit back with another goal from Michael McKiernan who found the net with a bullet of a shot. Carlow shrugged off the concession and went on to dominate the second quarter.
Helped by Ross Dunphy’s four points from play and two white flags from Liam Gavin, Carlow led 1-11 to 2-3 at the break.
The second half was a completely one sided affair as the home side took a firm grip on their destiny. Ryan O’Rourke converted an early free for Leitrim but this was cancelled out by Conor Doyle. The same player passed to John Murphy who found the net. Leigh Walker added three more points to his solitary effort in the first half as Carlow were able to look forward to a visit to Croke Park next weekend.
The home lead went out to nine points and when Doyle landed a two-pointer the game was over. Carlow turned the screw scoring two more goals through John Phiri and Jamie Clarke to confirm their victory that secures promotion and sets up a league final in Croke Park against Longford next weekend.
R Dunphy 0-5, C Doyle 0-5 (1-2p), C Hulton 1-1, L Walker 0-4, J Phiri 1-0, J Clarke 1-0, J Murphy 1-0, L Gavin 0-2, M Bambrick 0-2, C Blake 0-2 (2pf), P Bolger 0-1.
M McKiernan 1-0, F McLoughlin 1-0, B McNulty 0-1, J Kelly 0-1, R O’Rourke 0-3 (2fs).
Ben McCarron; Colin Byrne, Dara Curran, John Phiri; John Murphy, Mark Furey, Padhraig Bolger; Eoghan Ruth, Conor Doyle; Paddy McDonnell, Colm Hulton, Mikey Bambrick; Ross Dunphy, Liam Gavin, Lee Walker.
Subs: Adam Burgess for Ruth (56), Niall Roche for Murphy (60), Aaron Amond for Doyle (60), Jamie Clarke for Gavin (60), Chris Blake for Dunphy (64).
Killian Gaffney; Michael McKiernan, Conor Reynolds, Sean Harkin; Eoin McLoughlin, Mark Diffley, Eanna McNamara; Cillian McGloin, Barry McNulty; Fergal McLoughlin, Keith Keegan, Riordan O’Rourke; Jack Kelly, Ryan O’Rourke, Gavin Reynolds.
Subs: Ruairi O’Rourke for McLoughlin, Paul Honeyman for McGloin (h/t), Kieran Clancy for McNamara (all ht), Oisin McLoughlin for Kelly (57), Peter Drior for Ryan O’Rourke (57).
Chris Maguire (Clare).
