Dominant second half sets Carlow on their way to quarter-finals

Carlow advanced to the Tailteann Cup quarter-final thanks to a superior second-half performance in this preliminary round at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday.

The New Yorkers created their own bit of history earlier in the season when they beat Leitrim on penalties in the Connacht championship. A subsequent heavy defeat to Sligo didn't dampen their ardour and they came across the Atlantic to face Carlow in good fettle, looking the more energetic side in the opening half.

Shane Carthy scored three points with Daniel O’Sullivan, Shane Brosnan, Jack Reilly and Gavin O’Brien (2) all on the mark as they built a 0-8 to 0-6 interval lead. Darragh Foley accounted for four of Carlow’s total with Conor Doyle and Colm Hulton also on the mark.

Word after the game was that the home side had serious but encouraging words with each other during the interval. It worked.

A free from Foley and a successful effort from Ciaran Moran levelled before Carthy restored the New York lead with a free.

That was as good as it was going to get for the visitors.

Doyle and Jordan Morrissey landed boomer of points for the home side which was a huge lift as belief surged through previously tired bodies.

Hulton almost goaled but a point was good. Seanie Bambrick broke through the New York cover for another point, while Conor Crowley crowned an incisive performance with a point.

The Exiles had a chance but Luke Kelly was denied by the feet of Johnny Furey in the Carlow goal. It turned out to be the visitors' last real chance.

Carlow played keep ball in the final minutes before Killian Butler blazed over for New York in the last seconds, while Furey had to go down at his near post for another save.

The Exiles mini-revival came just that little bit too late as Carlow