27-04-2025
Carlow demolish Kerry to continue winning run in Joe McDonagh Cup
Kerry 0-17 Carlow 3-27
Carlow continued their winning ways in the Joe McDonagh Cup with a nineteen point victory over this young Kerry side at the Austin Stack Park.
And in truth, it was never a contest.
Carlow built up an unassailable half time lead and despite a better performance from the home side in the second period, Carlow cruised to victory.
This was not unexpected as Carlow's trajectory has been on the up over the last three years with Kerry heading in the opposite direction.
So it is not surprising that Kerry struggled for long periods in containing a rampant Carlow side who dominated from the very outset as they raced 0-4 to no score in front after just six minutes thanks to points from Chris Nolan, Marty Kavanagh (2) and Conor Kehoe with a fine effort from play.
Kerry opened their account with a Dylan Moriarty free in the eight minute, and despite using Darragh Conway as a sweeper, they were being overrun as Carlow, who competed in Division 1B of the league, proved far too slick for this young Kerry side.
Carlow added 1-3 without reply over the next four minutes, with the goal coming from Conor Kehoe after a super pass from Marty Kavanagh.
Kerry, after Luke Crowley was fouled, saw Dylan Moriarty convert another free, but Carlow were relentless with Kavanagh adding points from a free and from play.
Then in the sixteenth minute, Carlow struck for another goal, this time it was Paddy Boland who finished to the Kerry net.
Paudie O'Connor got Kerry's first point from play in the sixteenth minute, but Kavanagh replied with two more fine efforts from play and despite another Moriarty free, Kerry were listing badly as they trailed 2-12 to 0-4 after twenty minutes.
Two more Dylan Moriarty frees and a fine point from Oisin Maunsell was as much as Kerry could muster in the opening half, while Carlow continued to admire their handy work with a brace from Chris Nolan and a beauty from Paddy Boland. Carlow led 2-15 to 0-7 at half time and containment was probably their focus for the second half.
The second saw Kerry fare better with the wind but Carlow remained in control with Chris Nolan adding another goal while Louis Dee denied them two more with superb saves from Chris Nolan and Ted Joyce.
Kerry claimed three more points from the impressive Luke Crowley and substitute Shane Nolan, but the gulf in class was obvious and the Kingdom will be looking towards their final two games away to Down and at home to Westmeath to secure their Joe McDonagh status.
Scorers for Carlow: C Nolan (1-5), M Kavanagh (0-8.4fs), P Boland (1-2). C Kehoe (1-1), J Nolan (0-4), T Joyce (0-2), K McDonald (s/l), J Doyle, J McCullagh, J Treacy, and C Whelan (0-1 each).
Scorers for Kerry: D Moriarty (0-6, fs), L Crowley and S Nolan (0-3 each), O Maunsell (0-2), P O'Connor, T Doyle, and S Brosnan (0-1 each).
KERRY: L Dee; K O'Connor, F McCarthy, D Kearney; D Shanahan, K Goulding, S McGrath; P O'Connor, D Griffin; T Doyle, K Hayes, L Crowley; D Conway, O Maunsell, D Moriarty.
Subs: R Mahony for D Griffin, 51, S Nolan for S McGrath (54), Seánie Brosnan for D Moriarty (59), L Rochford for K Hayes (67) N Mulcahy for L Crowley (67).
CARLOW: B Treacy; P Doyle, D Wall, P O'Shea; E Kealy, K McDonald, J McCullagh; J Doyle, F Fitzpatrick; J Nolan, C Kehoe; C Nolan, M Kavanagh, P Boland.
Subs: Ted Joyce for J Doyle (54), Jack Treacy for C Kehoe (58), John Michael Nolan for C Nolan (64), Fiach O'Toole for P Boland (67) Richard Coady for C Whelan (70).
Referee: C Flynn (Westmeath).
