UCD produce a strong finish to oust Carlow

Carlow 0-18 UCD 1-9

UCD encountered a strong challenge from a spirited Carlow side in this O’Byrne Cup tie at Dr Cullen Park.

The visitors recovered from a 59th minute equalising goal (0-12 to 1-9) from substitute Hughie Gahan to reel off a match-winning six points without replay.

This was a promising start for new Carlow manager Turlough O’Brien as his side matched the students in many phases, though lacked the accuracy of the visitors UCD fielded a good sprinkling of inter-county stars.

Carlow enjoyed a good share of first-half possession but shot seven wides and as a result they trailed 0-8 to 0-5 at the interval.

The students’ strongest sector was midfield where Kildare’s Tom Moolick and dual star Matthew O’Hanlon from Wexford were a dominant force in the second half.

They provided much of the ammunition for the visitors’ attack. Westmeath’s John Heslin, at full forward, top-scored with 0-8, 0-6 from frees.

UCD: E Keoghan; M C Carr, D Byrne, M Cahill; R Wylie, P Harnan, S O’Dea; T Moolick (0-1), M O’Hanlon; B Fenton (0-3), N Kelly (0-2), J Barry; R Carr (0-1), J Heslin (0-8, 0-6 frees), P Reilly. Subs: J McEntee (0-1) for Carr (half-time); M Hughes for Cahill (45 mins); C Lenehan for McEntee (51 mins); R Basqus (0-2) for Barry (56 mins).

CARLOW: A O’Brien; D Kelly, S Redmond, K Nolan; D Hayden (0-1), D St Ledger, B Kavanagh; S Gannon, D Foley (0-1); E Finnegan, C Moran (0-2), D Bambrick; D Roberts, P Broderick (0-5, 0-4 frees), J Kennedy (0-1, free). Subs: H Gahan (1-0) for Roberts (half-time); A Kelly for Bambrick (51 mins); M Meaney for Finnegan (53 mins); E McCormack (0-1, f) for Kennedy (57 mins); J Kane for Broderick (61 mins), E Ruth (0-1, f) for Foley (66 mins).

Referee: N McKenna (Kildare).