Carlow made a winning start to their campaign with a slender, but merited two-point win over visitors Longford at Dr Cullen Park yesterday. This match was dominated by the very strong wind which favoured Longford in the opening half and they stormed 1-7 to 0-3 ahead after 22 minutes, but failed to score for the rest of the half. That allowed Carlow back into the match and with right full forward Johnny Nevin playing a pivotal role, Carlow were only one point in arrears at half-time - 1-7 to 1-6. Eight minutes into the second half Carlow's Sean Kavanagh finished off the best move of the match with a splendid goal as the home side led for the first time. They went on to build up a six-point lead (2-11 to 1-8) before Longford rallied in the closing stages. But Carlow clung on for victory.

CARLOW: J Clarke; B Farrell, A Corden, V Fleming; J Kavanagh, J Byrne, B Hannon; J Morrissey (0-2), R Donnelly; P Kingston (0-2), S Kavanagh (1-0), Pat Nolan; M Dowling (1-4), P Kavanagh (0-1), J Nevin (0-3). Subs: Philip Nolan for Donnelly, D Bermingham for Pat Nolan; A Kavanagh for Dowling.

LONGFORD: JJ Reilly; D Ledwith, C Conefrey, M Mulleady; R Forbes, M Lennon, S Carroll; T Drake, E Barden (0-3); P Brady, N Sheridan (1-0), P Barden (1-4); J Martin, P Davis, S Hagan. Subs: P Shanley for Hagan; A Keogh for Brady; J Kenny for Forbes; P O'Hara for Martin; J Dowd for Drake.

Referee: M Moynihan (Kildare).