Hickey's strike crucial as Carlow off to winning start

A 43rd-minute goal from Carlow midfielder, Niall Hickey, was the difference between the sides in this National Football League Division 4 tie at Carriganore.

It was a score worthy of winning any game as Carlow built quickly from deep. Captain Darragh Foley delivered the final pass but the young midfielder still had it all to do as he finished low to the bottom left hand corner at the dressing-room end.

Jordan Morrissey got the visitors off to a great start with a booming point from distance but Waterford hit the front with three frees from Brian Lynch. With the aid of the slight breeze, Carlow turned the tables and forged a 0-06 to 0-05 interval lead. Foley was key for Carlow, often used as a target man but also on hand to convert three frees.

Immediately after the restart, he added another brace to extend the Carlow lead and then came the decisive three pointer. On 56 minutes, Carlow led by seven points and for the final quarter, the home side threatened without being able to apply to fully penetrate the Carlow defence.

When they did, Carlow's Ciaran Cunningham denied Dylan Guiry as the keeper came off his line and gave the ball carrier nothing to aim at. A goal would surely have worried the visitors but it was Waterford’s best goal chance. They had to settle with points from Conor Murray and Lynch.

With the fourth official signalling five minutes of injury time to be played, it was still possible for the home side to overhaul their rivals but Carlow played keep ball denying their opponents any scoring opportunities while Shane O’Neill’s late free eased the anxiety among the travelling supporters.

Carlow: Ciaran Cunningham; Shane Buggy, Mikey Bambrick, Dara Curran; Sean Bambrick, Jordan Morrissey (0-01), Conor Doyle; Niall