Carlow 0-17
Waterford 1-13
CARLOW PRODUCED A second half fightback in their All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifiers Round 1B clash with Waterford in Dr. Cullen Park this afternoon to record their first win in the qualifiers since 2005.
Anthony Rainbow’s men trailed by as many as five points in the second half as they looked to bounce back from their 28-point hammering at the hands of Meath in the Leinster quarter-final.
Despite kicking three wides in the first six minutes, it was Waterford who made the better start to the game, Liam Ó Lonáin and Paul Whyte (2) giving their side a 0-3 to 0-1 lead in the opening exchanges; Seamus Kinsella with the lone reply for Carlow.
With the wind playing its part in a low-scoring affair, Kinsella hit the same post with two frees in succession before Tommy Prendergast stretched the visitors’ lead to three points after 23 minutes.
As Anthony Rainbow’s men fought back to within a point, Ó Lonáin struck what looked to be a crucial goal; the An Rinn man first to react to a mistake in the Carlow defence to fire home and send his side into the break with a 1-6 to 0-6 lead.
Their lead was five shortly after half-time – during which the referee, Cormac Reilly was replaced by Padraig O’Sullivan – thanks to two Whyte frees before the Carlow fightback clicked into gear.
Daniel St. Ledger pointed before Michael Meaney levelled things up for the home side. Minutes later they were in front for the first time thanks to a close range Kinsella free.
There were nervy moments in the closing moments as Whyte made no mistake with a 20m free to equalise but scores from Jack Kennedy and St. Ledger were enough to seal a one point win for home side.
Scorers for Carlow: Daniel St. Ledger 0-4 (0-3f, 0-145), Séamus Kinsella 0-3 (0-2f), Cathal Coughlan 0-3 (0-1f), Benny Kavanagh 0-2, Darragh Foley, Eoghan Ruth, Michael Meaney, Kieran Nolan and Jack Kennedy 0-1 each.
Scorers for Waterford: Paul Whyte 0-8 (0-5f), Liam Ó Lonáin 1-2, Shane Briggs 0-2, Tommy Prendergast 0-1.
CARLOW
1. Andy O’Brien – Naomh Eoin
2. Richard Mahon – Éire Óg
3. Conor Lawlor – Palatine
4. Barry-John Molly – Rahtvilly
5. Kieran Nolan – Fighting Cocks
6. Daniel St. Ledger – Kildavin/Clonegal
7. Benny Kavanagh – Éire Óg
8. Eoghan Ruth - Éire Óg
9. Hugh Gahan – Old Leighlin
10. Michael Meaney – Old Leighlin
11. Ciaran Moran – Palatine
12. David Bambrick – Old Leighlin
13. Darragh Foley – Kilbride
14. Séamus Kinsella – Old Leighlin
15. Cathal Coughlan – Old Leighlin
WATERFORD
1. Stephen Enright – Ballinacourty
2. Dean Crowley – St. Saviours
3. Thomas O’Gorman – Nire
4. Maurice O’Gorman – Nire
5. Wayne Hutchinson – Gaultier
6. Shane Briggs – Ballinacourty
7. Oran Keevers – De La Salle
8. Shane Aherne – Stradbally
9. Tommy Prendergast – Kilrossanty
10. David Grey – Stradbally
11. Liam Ó Lonáin – An Rinn
12. Tadhg Ó hUallacháin – An Rinn
13. Brian Wall – Nire
14. Paul Whyte – Kilrossanty
15. JJ. Hutchinson – Gaultier
Referees: Cormac Reilly (Meath) and Padraig O’Sullivan (Kerry).
