Marty Kavanagh's late goal earns St Mullins a replay in Carlow SHC final

Mount Leinster Rangers 2-19 St Mullins 3-16

Two sides who have built up a healthy rivalry over the last 20 years played out an exciting draw in the Carlow senior hurling final on Sunday.

With the last attack of the game, challengers St Mullins, who lead the Carlow senior hurling role of honour, worked the ball from inside their own half and Marty Kavanagh was on hand to find the net and level the game.

There was an explosive start when Mount Leinster Rangers swooped for a Ciaran Kavanagh goal. The reigning champions continued to press and led 1-04 to 0-01 after eight minutes.

Former St Kieran's All-Ireland medal winner Donagh Murphy was very much in form. He scored two points in the first half and doubled his total after the break. It was all action and at one stage Rangers led by seven points in the half.

St Mullins finally came to terms with the pace of the game and another intercounty star, Jack Kavanagh, netted with a speculative effort from outside the 20-metre line.

His inter-county colleague, James Doyle, also passed up on an excellent goal chance when, from the edge of the small square, he mishit his shot and the ball fell nicely for Dean Grennan to save.

Eddie Byrne was on hand to rifle home from the edge of the small square but once again Jack Kavanagh fired to the bottom-right-hand corner of the Rangers net.

Right on the whistle, Kavanagh’s brother Marty, took the scoring pass and raised a white flag to leave Rangers only leading 2-09 to 2-07 at the interval.

With the game finally balanced once more, it turned out to be an epic second half. Rangers threatened to pull away but just as they did in the opening half, St Mullins dug in.

At one point it looked as if St Mullins were winning the mini battles but Rangers hit