Carlow 0-13 Monaghan 0-11 Carlow's good run in the O'Byrne Cup stood to them yesterday as their superior fitness proved a vital factor as they held out for a deserved win over Monaghan at Dr Cullen Park.

Carlow will be grateful for the outstanding scoring contribution of Brian Kelly, who collected 10 points, eight from frees.

The Carlow defence must also take a bow, as they had to withstand very strong pressure in the final 25 minutes. However, thanks to a superb save in the 27th minute of the second half by John Brennan from Thomas Freeman's screaming, goal-bound effort, Carlow recorded their fourth successive clean sheet of the year.

At half-time Kelly's accuracy had put Carlow into an unflattering 0-9 to 0-5 lead.

They established a double scores lead (0-12 to 0-6) by the 10th minute of the second half, but thereafter it was very much a defensive effort by the home county.

Overall Carlow deserved their win in a game which marked a personal milestone for their dual player Johnny Nevin, who was making his 300th competitive senior county appearance.

CARLOW: J Brennan; P Cashin, J Doyle, B English; S O'Brien, J Hayden, J Kavanagh; K Walker, M Brennan; B Carberry, S Kavanagh (0-1), M Carpenter; P Hickey (0-1), J Nevin, B Kelly (0-10, eight from frees). Subs: S Rea (0-1) for Hickey; T Walsh for S Kavanagh; D Byrne for Doyle; C McCarthy for J Kavanagh.

MONAGHAN: P McElroy; C Flanagan, JP Mone, F Doogan; D Duffy, J Coyle, V Corey; F Markey, J Hughes; D Mone, P Finlay (0-5, four frees), T Freeman (0-3, one free;) D Larkin, M Slowey (0-1), D Freeman (0-2). Subs: R Ronaghan for Larkin; Edmund Lennon for Flanagan; M Duffy for D Mone; Eoin Lennon for Mackay; D Clerkin for Doogan.

Referee: B Tyrell (Tipperary).