A superb goal from Colm Hulton deep into injury-time blew the National Football League Division 4 wide open as Carlow struck late to win this fourth-round game in Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday.
It had been one of the better games in the ground for quite some time but, if the home team go on and secure a place in the top two,the manner of the victory will surely be remembered by all Carlow supporters for quite some time.
It had been a dour enough first half. The home side led 0-06 to 0-04 with captain Darragh Foley knocking over three frees. Paddy McDonnell, Josh Moore and Hulton also raised white flags while Darragh Rooney landed three frees and Ryan O'Rourke was also on target.
Points from Rooney,O'Rourke and Barry McNulty gave Leitrim momentum early in the second half and from a Carlow point of view, Conor Crowley’s point was vital.
The game hummed and with 25 minutes to go the sides were level. Crowley was denied by a brilliant save from Leitrim keeper, Nevin O’Donnell, who got down low to his right to turn the ball around the post.
While the resultant 45 drifted wide, Ross Dunphy added a neat point to the Carlow total. They looked to be taking a firm grip on proceedings when the home side turned over a short kick-out. Jamie Clarke was in quickly and nudging the ball forward he found an empty net with the entire Leitrim defence out of position.
Yet the visitors hit straight back and showing a huge degree of energy,they put pressure on the Carlow defence. He still had it all to do but O’Rourke wrong-footed the Carlow keeper when shooting low and hard to the bottom left-hand corner of the net. Further points from Keaney and Rooney put Leitrim one clear.
The stage was set for a grand finale. Twice the sides were level in the closing quarter while, on three occasions, the visitors went two up.
Both sides missed a free each as the game remained on a knife-edge. Jack Gilheany’s late point looked to be the insurance score for a 14-man Connacht side who had lost Conor Reynolds to a second yellow.
Carlow probed one last time. With several players taking on responsibility, the ball went through the hands. In a game which had been tight, Hulton found himself in the clear about 20 metres out.
He quickly assessed the situation and let go. The ball flew up into the top left-hand corner of the net for what turned out to be a worthy winning goal.
Leitrim had one last chance but a stunned side were turned over by an eager defence and Carlow emerged victorious.
Scorers
Carlow: Darragh Foley 0-06 (1f), Colm Hulton 1-01, Jamie Clarke 1-01, Mark Furey, Niall Hickey, Ross Dunphy, Conor Crowley, Paddy McDonnell, Josh Moore 0-01 each
Leitrim: Darragh Rooney 0-07 (6fs), Ryan O'Rourke 1-02, Barry McNulty 0-03, Paul Keaney 0-02, Niall Walsh 0-01, Jack Gilheany 0-01 each
Carlow: Johnny Furey; Colin Byrne, Mark Furey, Shane Clarke; Mikey Bambrick, Conor Doyle, Jamie Clarke; Jordan Morrissey, Paddy McDonnell; Colm Hulton, Josh Moore, Conor Crowley; Ross Dunphy, Darragh Foley, Aaron Amond.
Subs: Niall Hickey for S Clarke (60), Cormac Lomax for Amond (65), Eric Molloy for J Clarke (70).
Leitrim: Nevin O’Donnell; Conor Reynolds, Donal Casey, Aidan Flynn; Jamie McGreal, Mark Diffley, Jack Foley; Jack Gilheany, Donal Wrynn; Shane Quinn, Barry McNulty, Ryan O’Rourke; Riordan O’Rourke, Darragh Rooney, Evan Sweeney.
Subs: Adam Reynolds for McGreal (27), Tom Prior for Sweeney (h/t), Paul Keaney for Quinn (51), Niall Walsh for Wrynn (54).
Referee: Christopher Ryan (Galway).
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