Carlow overcame the setback of conceding two goals in the space of 30 seconds in the second half to eventually win by five points to secure promotion to next year's Division 1B at Netwatch Cullen Park.
Last year’s McDonagh Cup winners led by nine points at one stage during the first half but were pushed all the way by a dogged Down outfit before Jake Doyle’s 61st minute goal eventually helped to get over the line.
The win assures Carlow of top spot in Division 2A with a game still to play and they will now play in a league final at the end of the month.
Tom Mullally’s team made a flying start with Marty Kavanagh blasting a penalty to the net after seven minutes after Chris Nolan had been fouled. By the time James Doyle scored their second goal in the 27th minute they were nine points ahead, 2-7 to 0-4, but Down served notice that they weren’t about to roll over by cutting the gap back to six by the half time break, 2-10 to 0-10.
Carlow were then stunned 15 minutes into the second half when Daithi Sands scored two goals in the space of 30 seconds to sensationally level the game.
However, when asked the questions, Carlow came up with the answers. The excellent Jon Nolan finished the game with five points while his brother Chris scored three from play in the second half. Chris was involved in the crucial third Carlow goal, his shot was saved but Stephen Keith could divert the ball towards Jake Doyle and the substitute managed to steer the ball into the net with nine minutes to go.
From there, Carlow were able to see the game out but it wasn’t all positives on the day for them after the were forced to withdraw John Michael Nolan, Conor Lawlor and James Doyle through injury and that trio are now in a race against time to be fit for the league final.
Carlow: Brian Tracey; Paul Doyle, Conor Lawlor, Jack McCullagh (0-01), Tony Lawlor, Kevin McDonald, Niall Bolger; Fiach O’Toole, James Doyle (1-01); Conor Kehoe, Fiachra Fitzpatrick (0-01), Marty Kavanagh (1-07, 1 pen, 6f), John Nolan (0-01), Chris Nolan (0-03), John Michael Nolan (0-05).
Subs: Jake Doyle (1-00) for JM Nolan, h/t; Sean Joyce for Lawlor, 51; Jack Kavanagh for James Doyle, 56; Richard Coady for O’Toole, 70+4
Down: Stephen Keith; Matt Conlan, John McManus, Cormac McAllister, Tony Murray, Ruairi McCrickard, Conor Cassidy; Donal Hughes (0-01), Tim Prenter (0-04); Chris Egan, Liam Savage (0-03), Pearse Og McCrickard (0-05 4f), Daniel Toner, Eoghan Sands, Daithi Sands (2-01).
Subs: Marc Fisher for McManus, 47; Paul Sheehan (0-03) for McCrickard, 56; Phelim Savage (0-01) for Toner, 56; Aodhan Furlong for Egan, 64; McCrickard for Hughes, 70+1
Referee: Sean Stack (Dublin).
