DCU 3-8 Carlow 0-8:First-half goals from Monaghan's Jack McCarron and Roscommon's Donal Smyth set DCU up for the win at Dr Cullen Park yesterday.

Although Eoghan Ruth put Carlow in front with the game’s opening point, DCU quickly found their stride.

McCarron struck in the 11th minute to put his side into a 1-1 to 0-2 lead. Smyth added a superb second goal on 25 minutes to extend the lead to 2-4 to 0-3 by the interval.

Without star midfielder Brendan Murphy Carlow struggled badly with only Shane Mernagh, Darragh Foley, Eoghan Ruth and Willie Minchin showing their best form on the day.