NHL DIVISION TWO:Carlow 3-18 Down 2-11
CARLOW BUILT on a brace of early goals from full forward Robbie Foley to record their third league win on the bounce with a merited 10-point win over 14-man Down at Dr Cullen Park.
Following wins over Antrim and Westmeath, Kevin Ryan’s men were always in control yesterday and the home side held a double scores lead at half-time – 2-8 to 1-4.
The opening minutes of the second half proved pivotal. First Down’s Ciarán Coulter received a straight red card for a very early pull. Two minutes later, Carlow’s Paudi Kehoe rattled the Mourne net. There was no hope for Down after that, despite the best efforts of centre forward Paul Branniff.
CARLOW:F Foley; D Byrne, S Kavanagh, D Shaw; E Coady, J Rogers (0-1), Paul Kehoe; D Roberts, M Brennan, C Doyle (0-3), E Byrne (0-2), R Dunbar (0-4), Paudi Kehoe (1-7, 0-5 from frees), R Foley (2-1), A Gaul. Subs: J Kane for Brennan (51 mins); M Ryan for Shaw (58 mins); W Hickey for Roberts (yellow, 60 mins).
DOWN:G Clarke, C O'Prey, S Johnson, S Ennis, F Conway, G Clarke, M Ennis, S Clarke, S Wilson (0-3, one free, one 65), C Coulter, P Branniff (2-5, 1-3 from frees), K McGarry (0-1), K Courtney, R McGrattan, O Clarke. Subs: D Flynn for McGrattan (24 mins); J Coyle for McGarry (46 mins); A Higgins for O'Prey (52 mins); E Trainor for Johnson (53 mins); O Clarke for Wilson (yellow, 63 mins).
Referee:T McIntyre (Antrim).
