15 February 2010
CARLOW hurlers recovered from a dreadful start to overcome Antrim in this exciting tie at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow yesterday and set up a home final meeting with neighbours Laois.
The Saffrons raced into a 1-3 to no score lead after seven minutes, right half-forward Eddie McCloskey opening the scoring with a goal on three minutes.
Carlow slowly gained a foothold and in the 10th minute were boosted by a fine individual goal from centre-forward Eddie Byrne.
Carlow went 2-11 to 1-11 in front on 46 minutes and still held a three-point advantage when the Saffrons were awarded a 35-metre free in the dying stages. Liam Watson's effort rose over the bar and Carlow were through to the final.
These sides meet again in the opening round of the NHL on Sunday next when Antrim have home ground advantage.
Scorers -- Carlow: E Byrne 1-3, R Dunbar 1-1, C Hughes 0-3 (1f), A Gaule, R Coady (1f, 1 '65) 0-2 each, C Doyle, B Lawler and P Kehoe 0-1 each. Antrim: L Watson 0-7 (0-5f), S McCrory 0-4, E McCloskey 1-0, A Smiley 0-2, K McKeegan (1f), M Scullion 0-1 each.
Carlow -- K Kehoe; A Corcoran, J Rogers, D Shaw; J O'Hara, R Coady, P Doyle; D Roberts, J Hickey; R Dunbar, E Byrne, C Hughes; A Gaule, E Minchin, C Doyle. Subs: P Kehoe for Hickey (24), B Lawler for Minchin (h-t), E Nolan for P Doyle (h-t), E Kane for O'Hara (53), D Miley for K Kehoe (62), D Byrne for Rogers (65).
Antrim -- C O'Connell; S Shannon, N McGarry, R McDonnell; N McAuley, K McKeegan, C Herron; P McGill, M Scullion; E McCloskey, C McBride, A Smiley; S McCrory, L Watson, T McCann. Subs: A Graffin for McDonnell (46), C McFall for McCloskey (51), N McManus for McBride (68).
Ref -- J Kelly (Wexford)
From Independent
