All-Ireland League Division One: County Carlow are within touching distance of safety in Division 1 following this thrilling win over Blackrock College at the Oak Park grounds in Carlow last evening.
A cracking game produced eight tries - five to the home side, all of which were converted by their inspirational South African player-coach and outhalf, Dan van Zyl.
Carlow ran in three first-half tries to lead 21-6 at half-time and when centre Ian Dwyer scored his second try three minutes after the restart they went 28-6 in front.
Three Blackrock tries caused some local concern but a magnificent penalty strike in the 78th minute from Billy Murphy put Carlow safe.
COUNTY CARLOW: B Murphy (pen); M Logue (try), I Dwyer (2 tries), R Armstrong, M Buckley; G Jacob, D van Zyl (5 cons); K Ashmore (try), C Gee, L O'Byrne, R Sherriff, P Holden, D Cox, M Cooke, A Melville. Replacements: A Galavan (try) for Gee, 7 mins. injured; K Corrigan for Cox 46 mins; L Hannon for O'Byrne 69 mins.
BLACKROCK COLLEGE: C Kilroy (2 pens, 3 cons); J Ferris, G Brown, D Quigley, J Hearty; E Farrell, B Willis; A McSweeney, G Van Der Wyer, M Cuffe, M Kilbride, J Fitzgerald (try), R Rogers, G McCarthy, M Carroll. Replacements: J Davis (try) for Quigley 47 mins; P Graham for Carroll 52 mins; G McEvoy (try) for Van Der Wyer 58 mins.
Referee: L Mayne (Munster).
