Hickey key to success

Carlow 2-7; Clare 0-10: Down to 14 men after just 12 minutes, Clare never recovered from the numerical disadvantage and in the end had to succumb to a more organised Carlow outfit at Cusack Park, Ennis, yesterday.

The Banner started brightly against a strong breeze, leading by three points to nil after six minutes as well as missing a golden opportunity for a goal when Michael O'Shea shot wide.

But their tale of woe began when Dermot O'Brien got involved in a skirmish with Carlow's Pat Hickey, after the Clare goalkeeper had denied Hickey in a dangerous attacking movement.

Referee Séamus McCormack issued a straight red and signalled for a penalty. Hickey's kick hit the upright and crossed the line past new arrival David McInerney.

Hickey was in for Carlow's second goal on 28 minutes, when he received a Mark Carpenter pass. The Old Leighlin club-man notched all of his side's scores in the opening half. Carlow led by 2-4 to 0-4 at the break.

Early in the second half Clare narrowed the gap through three points from Denis Russell.

A period of territorial and possession steadied the visitors. They pointed on two occasions through Brian Carbery and David Byrne to seal victory.

CARLOW: J Brennan; C McCarthy, S O'Brien, B English; P Cashin, J Heyden, K Walker; T Walshe, D Byrne (0-1); W Minchin, M Brennan, M Carpenter; P Hickey (2-4, one penalty goal; four pointed frees), S Kavanagh, J Nevin. Subs: B Carbery (0-2, one free) for Minchin (34 mins), J Byrne for Kavanagh (36 mins), J Kavanagh for Walker (59 mins), R Walker for Brennan (65 mins).

CLARE: D O'Brien, K Dilleen, C Whelan, C Whelan, C Kirwin, David Russell (Clarecastle), B Considine, R Slattery, F O'Dea, D O'Sullivan, P Smith, Denis Russell (0-4, three frees), E Coughlan, O O'Dwyer (0-4, all frees), M O'Shea (0-1), K Considine (0-1). Subs: D McInerney for Coughlan (13 mins), J Moody for O'Dea (30 mins), G Quinlan for O'Sullivan (34 mins), David Russell (Kilkee) for B Considine (54 mins), C Mullen for K Considine (60 mins).

Referee: S McCormack (Westmeath).