Carlow put up strong fight

ALL-IRELAND SFC QUALIFIERS ROUND ONE Derry 1-18 Carlow 2-9:DERRY FOOTBALLERS' first visit to Carlow produced the expected victory for the northern county at Dr Cullen Park, but Damian Cassidy's men will need to improve if they are to make significant headway in the qualifiers.

Carlow, considered no hopers, gave a very good account of themselves. So good, in fact, that when Daniel St Ledger scored a 62nd-minute goal they were within three points of their opponents (1-15 to 2-9). However, Derry rattled off the last three points of the game to win by six.

The game’s outstanding figure was Eoin Bradley, who scored 1-6, 1-3 out of play. The Glenullin clubman scored his side’s goal in the 29th minute directly after Carlow had drawn level for the second time at 1-5 to 0-8.

Earlier, Derry had claimed the first four points of the game from Cathal McKeever, Mark Craig, Mark Lynch (free) and Emmet McGuckian. But a point from Daniel St Ledger was followed quickly by a well-taken 12th-minute goal from Marc Carpenter.

Derry regained the lead within a matter of seconds when midfielder James Kielt converted a free.

By half-time, Derry were a slender 1-8 to 1-7 lead and hit four unanswered points on the restart.

The St Ledger goal on 62 minutes was his side’s final score and three further Derry points gave them a margin of victory which represented their superiority.

Carlow finished with 13 men when wing back Alan Curran received a second yellow card and left full forward J J Smith was straight red carded.

DERRY: B Gillis; B Og McAlary, G O'Kane, D McBride; M Craig (0-1), B McGoldrick, C Kielt; J Diver, J Kielt (0-3, all frees); C McKeever (0-1), M Lynch (0-4, all frees), E McGuckian (0-1), E Bradley (1-6, 0-3 from frees), E Muldoon (0-1), R Wilkinson. Subs: D Mullen (0-1) for McGoldrick, M McGoldrick for Craig (both half-time); F Doherty for Diver (50 mins); R Convery for J Kielt (58).

CARLOW: J Clarke; P Murphy, S Redmond, B Kavanagh; T Bolger, J Hayden, A Curran; T Walsh, D Foley; A Kelly, M Carpenter (1-1), S Gannon (0-1); S Rea (0-3, 0-2 frees), D St Ledger (1-4, 0-3 frees), J J Smith. Subs: P Cashin for Murphy (40 mins); J Murphy for Foley (45); P Broderick for Rea (injured, 53); K Nolan for Bolger (55); J Kavanagh for Carpenter (66).

Referee: M Condon(Waterford).