Palatine edge by Old Leighlin to claim Carlow senior football title

Palatine 2-12 Old Leighlin 2-8

Palatine reclaimed the Conlon Cup as Carlow senior football champions after a nine year lapse with a fully merited four win over Old Leighlin in an entertaining county final played in balmy weather conditions, before an attendance of 3,000 at Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday.

The new champions were never headed and stormed into a 1-5 to 0-2 lead by the 15th minute, their goal from right full forward Jamie Kenny. Old Leighlin showed their fighting spirit and three unanswered points were followed by a cracking goal from left corner forward Willie Minchin on 27 minutes to level matters. Palatine steadied with points from Paul and David Reid to establish a two point interval lead.

Outstanding Palatine full forward Ciarán Moran got on the end of a flowing movement in the 38th minute to goal and put his side 2-8 to 1-6 ahead. But a wonderful individual goal from Old Leighlin midfielder Hughie Gahan trimmed the leeway to two points.

The introduction of veteran forward Brian Kelly steadied the Palatine ship and he struck two late points as Palatine took the title to add to previous wins in 1919, 1920, 1952 and 2006.

Palatine: C Kearney; A Murphy, B Farrell, D Kinsella; C Crowley, C Lawlor, S Reilly; D Reid (0-1), J Kane (0-1); T Kenny, P Reid (0-2), J Reid (0-1); J Kenny (1-1, 0-1 free), C Moran (1-3), L Gordon (0-1, free). Subs: M Rennick for Farrell (injured) (27); N Reid for Gordon (29); C Parle for Reilly (black card) (35); B Kelly (0-2, frees) for T Kenny (42).

Old Leighlin: J Clarke; G Hickey, J Hayden, E Fitzgerald; R Burke, M Brennan, D Kelly (0-1); H Gahan (1-1), P Hickey (0-1); D Bambrick (0-2), S Bambrick, M Meaney (Monemore); C Coughlan, S Kinsella (0-2, frees), W Minchin (1-1). Subs: D Dowling for Burke (19); N Roche for Brennan (injured) (42); I Atkinson for Meaney (57); M Meaney (Blackbush) for S Bambrick (58).

Referee: B Deering (Rathvilly).