Carlow shock Meath in preliminary round
Carlow 0-17, Meath 2-10
Carlow pulled off a shock one-point win over Meath in a thrilling Leinster Senior Hurling preliminary round match in Navan.
Despite conceding an early Nicky Horan goal, Carlow scored freely in the first half and led by a point at the break - 0-9 to 1-5.
Four early points after the restart gave Carlow a five-point cushion before Meath woke up. A goal and point by substitute Keith O'Callaghan got them within striking distance before Nicky Horan equalised with a free seven minutes from the end.
Gary Doyle restored Carlow's lead and they kept Meath scoreless for the last five minutes to clinch a memorable win and a meeting with Laois or Wicklow next week.
Meath: M Gannon; S Wallace, P Roche, P Gannon; J Watters, C Sheridan (0-1), M Horan; B Perry, D Fagan; M Cole (0-1), D Dorran, C Keena (0-2); E Lynam (1-2), R Dorran, N Horan (1-3).
Subs: S Corrigan for Perry (22 mins); K O'Callaghan (0-1) for Dan Dorran (43 mins); David Dorran for Fagan (53 mins); P Coone for M Horan (60 mins).
Yellow cards: S Wallace (34 mins), K O'Callaghan (59 mins).
Carlow: E Spruhan; S Sheils, S Kavanagh, D Shaw; K Nolan, L Kenny, Paddy Coady; Pat Coady (0-7, 5f), K English (0-1); S Smithers (0-2), R Foley (0-2), G Doyle (0-1); P Keogh (0-2), D Murphy (0-1), B Murphy (0-1).
Subs: W Hickey for Paddy Coady (39 mins); S Ml. Murphy for B Murphy (44 mins); J Hickey for Sheils (55 mins).
Yellow: R Foley (57 mins)
Referee: T McIntyre (Antrim)
Man of the match: Pat Coady (Carlow).
