Carlow are back in the Joe McDonagh Cup final. Inaugural winners in 2018 and again in 2023 they have turned a poor league season around and are back in Croke Park with a game to spare.
They made sure of their place in the decider on 6 June when a superior second half performance at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday, with the aid of the strong wind, saw them prevail against a London side, who, despite what the final scoreline might suggest, did not go down without a fight.
The eventual winners struggled in the opening period making a series of errors when playing into the strong breeze. Passes went astray and there was an air of nervousness around their effort.
Only some last ditch defending saw them manage not to concede a three-pointer but as the half progressed, Carlow created two goal chances themselves.
London keeper, Mark Kilgannon denied Chris Nolan and Donagh Murphy who both ran out of space as the defence channelled back. Yet London were unable to capitalise at the other end. They themselves needed to ask Carlow some questions but eight wides in the first half damaged their challenge.
In that opening 35 minutes for Carlow, Marty Kavanagh converted a hat-trick of 65s and four frees as his side led 0-11 to 0-08 at the interval. In reply, Ronan McGrady landed three frees for London and Jack Loughnane was on target with a side-line cut. At full-forward, Paul Kennedy also scored two good points under pressure.
The home side got off to a great start in the second half when, only a minute in, Donagh Murphy drew the penalty and Kavanagh made no mistake shooting low to the keeper's left. London lost Rory Lodge to a black card for his role in the penalty concession.
As Carlow relaxed and played more freely, Kavanagh added two further points and Murphy also raised a white flag as they started to make full use of their wind advantage. Full-back, Dion Wall, also pointed from deep which was a good illustration of the strength of the elements.
Jack Treacy scored the second Carlow goal on 51 minutes with the London keeper, Mark Kilgannon was unlucky as he had brought off two point blank saves before the ball fell nicely for the attacker who couldn’t miss from close range.
The home side then assumed full control. Conor Kehoe scored two goals and Kavanagh also found the net. London created a number of half goal chances late on with Sean Glynn somewhat unlucky to see his 20m effort fly just over the Carlow crossbar.
The Barrowsiders saw out the game without mishap and can now look forward to their final game in Antrim with the knowledge of no matter what happens, their place in the decider is assured.
Carlow: Brian Tracey; Paul Doyle, Dion Wall (0-01), Jack McCullagh; Evan Kealy (0-01), Kevin McDonald, Fiachra Fitzpatrick; Jon Nolan, Ciaran Whelan; Jack Treacy (1-00), Marty Kavanagh (2-11 3-65s 5fs), James Doyle (0-03); Donagh Murphy (0-02), Conor Kehoe (2-00), Chris Nolan (0-04).
Subs: Fiach O'Toole (0-01) for J Nolan (53), Lorcan Doyle (0-01) for Whelan (55), Jake Nolan for Murphy (57), John Michael Nolan (0-02) for C Nolan (59), Richard Coady (0-01) for Kealy (62).
London: Mark Kilgannon; Barry Morrissey, Adam Cunney, Niall Fitzgerald; Jack Loughnane (0-1sl), Jack Morrissey, Stephen Whelan; Rory Lodge, Sean Glynn (0-01); Noah Quinlan, Ronan McGrady (0-5fs), Conor Byrne; Dylan Dawson (0-01), Paul Kennedy (0-03), Tom Hanifin.
Subs: Eoin McGrath for Whelan (h/t), Fionn Whelan for Quinlan (53), Cillian Davoren for Dawson (57), Donnacha Leahy for Byrne (57), Tom O’Regan for Lodge (57).
Referee: Peter Owens (Down).
