Carlow 2-17

Westmeath 2-19

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

At Cusack Park, Mullingar

Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow

Carlow suffered  defeat on a tight margin to Westmeath on Sunday. Carlow battled back twice but in the end couldn’t bridge the gap and Westmeath won by two. Westmeath had managed to go five points clear as half time approached but a Seamus Murphy goal with Carlow points either side of it brought Carlow level at half time.

Westmeath got off to a good start with a point on the board inside the first minute. Eddie Coady levelled it up early on with a fine score, Martin Kavanagh got his first of the day to give Carlow the lead on eight minutes. Thirteen minutes in the sides were level and it was beginning to look like it would be impossible to separate them on the scoreboard.

Martin Kavanagh converted a free to take the lead only for Westmeath to score twice in quick succession to reclaim the lead. Martin Kavanagh then rattled the back of the net to drive Carlow back into the lead. Westmeath responded well and kept the scoreboard ticking. From the twentieth to the thirtieth minute Westmeath came out on top and lead 1-9 to 1-7. They then looked to have closed out the half well with that five point lead but Seamus Murphy’s goal and points from Craig Wall and Martin Kavanagh meant the sides in level at half time.

The start to second half was slow and Carlow didn’t register a score until the forty second minute as Westmeath scored two points to build a lead. Sean Murphy levelled the sides on forty eight minutes but a Westmeath goal edged Westmeath clear once more. Westmeath added two more points and it was beginning to look like they would close out the game comfortably. Carlow once again battled back with Martin Kavanagh landing a “65” followed by a free but once again Westmeath would add vital scores to restore the five point lead. Carlow closed out the game with three unanswered scores; another Martin Kavanagh “65” gave Carlow the belief. Sean Murphy and Paul Coady added Carlow’s final scores but they just couldn’t find the crucial score. Next up is the visit of Laois to Netwatch Cullen Park this Sunday at 3.30pm.

Carlow Team 

K Kehoe; R Coady, J Rogers, A Corcoran; E Coady (0-01), D English, G Coady; D Byrne, C Wall (0-02); Sean Murphy (0-03), E Byrne, J M Nolan (0-01); J Kavanagh, M Kavanagh (1-07, 0-04f, 0-02’65), Seamus Murphy (1-02) Subs: P Coady (0-01) for J M Nolan (55 mins), D O’Neill for Wall (68 mins)