CARLOW DIG DEEP TO SECURE PROMOTION
CARLOW courage edged Antrim in a true promotion dogfight at Corrigan Park to confirm their place in Division 3 next season. Antrim weren’t helped by black cards issued to captain Kevin O’Boyle and Ricky Johnston while Stephen Beatty was sent off moments after coming on following a clash with Jordan Morrissey. CJ McGourty (three) and Paul Broderick (five) traded points in a poor first half, and Turlugh O’Brien’s men led 0-6 to 04 at half-time. O’Boyle’s black card for a foul on Brendan Murphy then spurred the host side into life. Three unanswered points from substitute Kristan Healy, McGourty (free), and Matthew Fitzpatrick brought them to within a point, but they lost Beatty to a straight red. Things went from bad to worse for the hosts as goalkeeper Chris Kerr misjudged the flight of a Broderick free in the breeze and Foley was on hand to convert and put Carlow 1-9 to 0-8 ahead. Johnston’s black card seemed to settle the contest in Carlow’s favour, but Antrim rallied again. However, late points from Morrissey and Ruth saw Carlow over the line while Antrim need a favour from the Barrowsiders next weekend against Laois to have any hope of a return to their third tier. ANTRIM: C Kerr; P Healy, P Gallagher, N Delargy; K O’Boyle (S Beatty BC 50); M Sweeney, J Laverty (P McBride 66); R Johnston ( O Eastwood BC 62), P McAleer; M Fitzpatrick, C Murray, R McCann; C McGourty, C Duffin, R Murray (K Healy HT). Scorers: C McGourty 0-7 (6f); M Fitzpatrick, K Healy, C Murray, O Eastwood, P McBride (0-1). CARLOW: R Molloy; C Crowley, S Redmond, Conor Lawlor; J Morrissey (B Kavanagh 67), D St Ledger, C Moran; B Murphy, S Murphy, S Gannon (M Rennick 62), D Foley (L Walker 71), E Ruth; P Broderick, D O’Brien (Cian Lawlor 48), J Murphy. Scorers: P Broderick 0-7 (7fs); D Foley 1-2 (1f), J Morrissey, B Kavanagh, E Ruth 0-1. Referee: B Judge (Sligo)