Another big win sees Waterford through to NHL quarter-finals
Waterford booked their place in the NHL quarter-finals as goals from Thomas Ryan, Stephen Bennett and Shane Bennett killed off thirteen man Carlow in deplorable Dungarvan weather tonight.
It was a third double-digit win of the campaign for the Déise. Stephen Bennett claimed 1-8 to increase his 2019 league total to 1-36. Padraic Fanning's side have scored a total of 9-65 in their three games and only conceded 1-32.
The away team lost Diarmuid Byrne and Ger Coady to red cards in a forgettable second half where they only produced three points.
2,478 turned up on a bad night to see the Division 1B table toppers. Two quick goals via Ryan and Stephen Bennett proved the difference at the break (2-7 to 0-7). As wind and rain swept in, the visitors raced 0-3 to 0-1 up after eight minutes. Carlow’s hero against Galway Martin Kavanagh split the posts from sixty metres, converted an awkward free and assisted wing back Richard Coady for a point.
Against the run of play, Waterford rattled the Carlow net twice in the space of a minute. Firstly, Ryan flicked in Shane Bennett’s sideline cut. Then, Shane Bennett supplied older brother Stephen, despite losing his hurley, and he fired low under Damien Jordan (2-1 to 0-3).
Kavanagh kept Carlow competitive with four first half singles. Bennett completed the half with 1-3 and created a point for Jamie Barron. Carlow’s task became trickier when Kavanagh limped off on 33 minutes.
The showers worsened as the half wore on. DJ Foran and Denis Murphy traded points before the two teams took shelter in the dressing rooms.
Nine minutes into the second period, Shane Bennett found the top corner of the net after hard work from Jack Prendergast in the build-up. Stephen Bennett sent over five more frees as the contest fizzled out.
Carlow sub Diarmuid Byrne received a straight red for a wild pull in front of the stand after 52 minutes. He was only on the field seven minutes. Chris Nolan got their first second half score on the hour mark. They finished with thirteen as Ger Coady picked up two yellows. Late points by Jamie Barron, Michael Kearney and sub Callum Lyons completed the job for Fanning’s charges.
Things will get more difficult for the Déise when they travel to Parnell Park next Sunday. Carlow welcome Laois to Netwatch Cullen Park.
Stephen Bennett 1-8 (8fs), T Ryan 1-1, Shane Bennett 1-0, J Barron 0-2, C Dunford, DJ Foran, M Kearney, C Lyons 0-1 each.
M Kavanagh 0-4 (3fs), D Murphy (1f), E Byrne 0-2 each, R Coady, C Nolan 0-1 each.
B Nolan; S McNulty, C Prunty, N Connors; A Gleeson, M Walsh, J Henley; J Barron, C Dunford; DJ Foran, M Kearney, J Prendergast; T Ryan, Stephen Bennett, Shane Bennett.
C Lyons for Henley (49), S Ryan for T Ryan (53), M Harney for Dunford (59), S Roche for Shane Bennett (65).
D Jordan; A Corcoran, M Doyle, G Bennett; G Coady, D English, R Coady; J Kavanagh, J Murphy; JM Nolan, R Smithers, S Murphy; J Doyle, D Murphy, M Kavanagh.
E Byrne for M Kavanagh (33), Chris Nolan for JM Nolan (38), D Byrne for S Murphy (45) T Joyce for Bennett (49), S Whelan for J Murphy (53).
J Keenan (Wicklow).
