The Carlow rising continued in O’Moore Park as the county’s hurlers recorded an impressive and crucial 10-point win over Laois in the Joe McDonagh Cup.
The win puts Carlow within touching distance of a final appearance and ends Laois’s hopes in this year’s competition.
Inspired by brilliant forwards Chris Nolan and John Michael Nolan, Carlow defied their underdog status to claim a fully-deserved win.
The visitors got off to a dream start, with a goal from Edward Byrne after three minutes. With Chris Nolan, Denis Murphy (two frees) and John Michael Nolan adding points, they led 1-4 to 0-1 after 10 minutes.
A handful of Stephen Maher ‘65s got back in the mix and a penalty from Enda Rowland had them back within two by the 25-minute mark.
Carlow responded well to that Laois goal with Chris Nolan adding a couple of points, the pick of them a sideline cut. But Laois hit the last three points of the half to go in level at the break, 1-9 apiece.
That was as good as it got for Laois though. Carlow got the first three points of the second half and a Diarmuid Byrne goal midway through the half put them eight ahead and out of sight.
From there there was no doubting the result and although Ryan Mullaney got a late Laois goal, Carlow added on a string of points - with Paul Coady, the Nolans and Jack Kavanagh all to the fore.
Carlow now play Westmeath in their final group game where a win would guarantee a final place on June 30.
Scorers - Carlow: JM Nolan 0-6 (1 sc), D Murphy 0-5 (5f), C Nolan 0-5, E Byrne 1-2, P Coady 0-3, D Byrne 1-0, J Kavanagh 0-2, J Doyle 0-1, K McDonald 0-1 Laois: S Maher 0-8 (5f, 3 ‘65), R Mullaney 1-3E Rowland 1-0, W Dunphy, C Taylor, M Kavanagh and N Foyle 0-1 each
Carlow: B Tracey; A Corcoran, P Doyle, M Doyle; D Byrne, D English, R Kelly; J Murphy, K McDonald; JM Nolan, P Coady, E Byrne; J Doyle, D Murphy, C Nolan. Subs: R Smithers for D Murphy (53), S Murphy for Nolan (70)
Laois: E Rowland; J Phelan, L Bergin, C Stapleton; P Lawlor, M Whelan, R Mullaney; C Taylor, J Ryan; B Conroy, N Foyle, P Purcell; C Comerford, S Maher, W Dunphy. Sub: P McCane for Comerford (HT), C Dwyer for Taylor (53) , M Kavanagh for Foyle (64), J Kelly for Mullaney (70), A Corby for Purcell (70)
