Carlow stun Fermanagh in Tailteann Cup opener

Irish Examiner

11-05-2025

Fermanagh 2-18 Carlow 3-18
Carlow began their Tailteann Cup campaign with a shock win in Enniskillen as they saw off Fermanagh at Brewster Park with one goal the difference.
A superb display of shooting sent them on their way as they hit five two-pointers and Mikey Bambrick scored 2-4 in an impressive individual performance.
Bambrick began the game on fire as he hit Carlow's opening three scores. Bambrick and Shane McGullion traded with four minutes gone and the Carlow half-forward then got in behind the Erne defence to dribble a shot across goal and it trickled into the goal with a late Fermanagh boot sending it into the roof of the net.
He added another point and Seán McNally then ran the length of the pitch to fist over the bar.
Joe McDade kicked over a point for Fermanagh, but, another Carlow goal went in on 12 minutes as John Murphy surged through the heart of the Fermanagh defence and laced a shot high into the net as the visitors led by 2-02 to 0-03.
Fermanagh were awarded a penalty which was placed into the bottom left corner by Conor Love and, after Kevin Murphy swung over, Carlow had a big shout for a penalty following a Ché Cullen challenge however, play was waved on by referee Barry Cassidy.
Ryan Lyons slotted over after a Jones two-pointer free but, John Phiri and a Bambrick two-pointer quickly cancelled that score.
Kevin Murphy continued the scintillating Carlow scoring with another two-pointer.
Josh Largo Elis and Ross Dunphy traded scores before the break with the score at 2-09 to 1-07 in favour of the away side at half time.
Fermanagh hit an early goal on the resumption as Joe McDade finished from close range after a Darragh McGurn pass inside the Carlow defence.
Niall Hickey hit a two-pointer after Darragh Foley and Conor McGee traded points.
Jones hit a free inside the arc and Fermanagh spurned a goal chance through Love, but, they would then level with points from Fionan O'Brien, McGee and Largo Elis, to make it 2-12 apiece on 56 minutes.
Carlow's Kevin Murphy had a goal ruled out for square ball, although they hit the next 1-02 as substitute Ciarán Moran fisted over, Conor Crowley converted a free and Bambrick blasted to the net again.
McGurn, McNally (2) and Largo Elis reduced the lead.
Conor Doyle hit another two-pointer for Carlow in injury time as McGullion tagged on a late Erne point and they had no time to avail of Ross Dunphy's late black card as Carlow recorded a first win.
Fermanagh: Seán McNally (0-03, TPF), Ché Cullen, Lee Cullen, Oisin Smyth, Shane McGullion (0-02), Declan McCusker ©, Fionan O'Brien (0-01, 1F), Joe McDade (1-02), Darragh McGurn (0-01), Conor McGee (0-02), Ryan Lyons (0-01), Ronan McCaffrey, Josh Largo Elis (0-03), Garvan Jones (0-03, TPF), Conor Love (1-00, pen).
Subs: Aogan Kelm for G Jones (57'), Diarmuid Owens for Conor Love (67'), Jack Largo Elis for Conor McGee (68').
Carlow: Ben McCarron, Paddy McDonnell, Mark Furey, Colin Byrne, John Phiri (0-01), Niall Hickey (0-02, TP), John Murphy (1-00), Kyle Nolan, Conor Doyle (0-04, 2TP), Ross Dunphy (0-01), Darragh Foley (0-01, F), Mikey Bambrick (2-04, 1TP), Conor Crawley (0-01, F), Kevin Murphy (0-03, 1TP), Seán Murphy.
Subs: Adam Burgess for Nolan (45'), Ciarán Moran (0-01) for Darragh Foley (48'), Liam Gavin for Seán Murphy (58'), Mark Mullen for John Murphy (63').
Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry)