Gaelic Games

Fergal Whiteley’s goal sees Dublin work past Carlow

Goalkeeper Sean Brennan pulls off a spectacular second half save to keep Carlow at bay and preserve Dublin’s win

Sean Currie of Dublin in action against Carlow. Photograph: James Lawlor
Sean Currie of Dublin in action against Carlow. Photograph: James Lawlor
Sat Apr 27 2024 - 22:03
Leinster SHC: Dublin 1-24 Carlow 0-22

Carlow pushed Dublin all the way in this Leinster senior hurling championship second round tie at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday.

There were two key moments in the second half which divided the sides. Carlow had led 0-13 to 0-9 at half-time but Dublin had turned the game around and led by two points when Conor Kehoe broke through for Carlow. His shot looked all over a goal but Dublin keeper, Sean Brennan, dived to his left to spectacularly keep his line intact.

Then on 59 minutes, Fergal Whiteley was surely going for a point when he let fly from out on the left. Instead of arrowing over the crossbar, the ball dipped and beat both defenders and forwards for what was a lucky goal.

After that Dublin maintained the five-point margin to emerge winners. Carlow had harried the pre-match favourites in the opening half.

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Marty Kavanagh knocked over six points from placed balls and play while Jon Nolan raised two white flags. With the Dublin side probably a little bit more balanced throughout the field, five of their starting forwards all scoring from play.

Carlow forced a series of Dublin errors while the nine wides from the visitors was not just down to bad shooting. In fact, the visitors made a series of mistakes which included firing a simple free over the side-line and, in addition, allowing Carlow defenders to make some good intercepts.

The eventual winners were always going to have a purple patch. This arrived immediately after the restart with Conor Burke, Donal Burke and Paul Doyle all pointing. Dublin managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over while Carlow only scored 0-9 in the second half.

That failure to breach the visitors defence and Dublin’s soft goal combined to ensure the Blues would leave with both championship points.

DUBLIN: S Brennan; J Bellew, P Smyth, P Doyle (0-1); C Crummey, C Donohoe, E O’Donnell (0-2); M Grogan, C Burke (0-3); R Hayes, D Burke (0-9, eight frees), D Gray (0-2); D Sutcliffe (0-2), C O’Sullivan (0-1), S Currie (0-1).

Subs: D Power for Grogan (h/t), F Whitley (1-1) for Hayes (42 mins), P Crummey (0-1) for Currie (58), D Purcell (0-1) for Sutcliffe (63), J Madden for O’Donnell (63).

CARLOW: B Tracey; P Doyle, D Wall, N Bolger; J Kavanagh (0-13, 10 frees, one 65), K McDonald, F Fitzpatrick (0-1); C Whelan (0-1), J McCullagh; J Nolan (0-3), T Lawlor, M Kavanagh; C Kehoe (0-2), C Nolan (0-1), P Boland (0-1).

Subs: J M Nolan for Whelan (48 mins), R Coady for J Kavanagh (60), F O’Toole for Fitzpatrick (65), S Treacy for C Nolan (65),

Referee: C Flynn (Westmeath).