Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CARLOW IN LILY SHOCK
CARLOW produced the shock of the Championship to date as they knocked Kildare out of the Leinster SFC with a stunningly effective display yesterday at O’connor Park.
Turlough O’brien’s men set up with their usual defensive shape and Kildare attacks perished time and again while at the other end Paul Broderick ended with 0-11 (0-9 frees).
Carlow didn’t hit a single wide over the 70 minutes as the team from Division Four triumphed over one which operated in the top tier.
Elsewhere, there was a Garden party to kick-off the All-ireland four-in-a-row bid for Dublin in Portlaoise yesterday in a 4-25 to 1-11 win over Wicklow.
Jim Gavin clearly meant business from day one as he sent out 11 of his starters from last September’s All-ireland final triumph.
“I don’t think we’ve ever done experimentation,” he said. “Those players that represent the county – 21 players today – earn that right.
“There were another five players who didn’t partake and will be bitterly disappointed. I know that hunger will resume next week.”
Ciaran Kilkenny (1-7) top-scored for the Dubs, who meet Longford in the provincial semis on June 10.
Longford enjoyed a superb 0-16 to 0-14 win over favourites Meath at Pearse Park.
James Mcgivney was the game’s most prolific scorer with four points and he led the Longford line superbly.
Meath boss Andy Mcentee’s son Shane was given a red card.