Carlow footballers played poorly yet managed to record a one-point win over Munster finalists Tipperary in this close encounter at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, yesterday.

Tipperary will feel they should have at least earned a draw from a match in which they dominated for long periods. They certainly were in no way flattered to lead 0-3 to 0-1 after 26 minutes. But then Carlow struck for two goals in the space of three minutes - the first a superb Johnny Nevin effort, the second a penalty by Garvan Ware.

Carlow led 2-2 to 0-3 at half-time, but a deserved Tipperary goal from substitute Dessie Lyons five minutes after the break had the visitors right back in contention.

Tipperary levelled twice during the second half but despite some outstanding football from dual player Brendan Cummins, they could not record a score in the final 13 minutes. Carlow fared marginally better, with Michael Nolan's 59th-minute point from a free proving decisive.

Carlow: J Clarke; B Farrell, A Corden, P O'Dwyer; J Murphy, S Kavanagh, J Kavanagh; P Doyle, J Morrissey; J Nevin 1-0, P Kingston, J Reid 0-1; M Carpenter, G Ware 1-1, M Nolan 0-2. Subs: P Nolan 0-1 for J Kavanagh, K Walker for Reid.

Tipperary: P Ryan; N Kelly, C O'Dwyer, F Clifford; B Hahessy, S McEwan, D Byrne; J Costello, J Owens 0-1; B Cummins 0-4, D Hogan 0-1, C O'Shea; P Lambert 0-1, K Coonan, M Spillane. Subs: A Lacey for Clifford, D Lyons 1-0 for Coonan, P Cahill for Owens injured)

Referee: M Walsh (Limerick).