History was made at the Netwatch Carlow Training Centre in Fenagh last night as Old Leighlin and Mount Leinster Rangers went head to head in their Carlow senior football quarter-final fixture. For the record, it was the first championship game to take place at the ground as well as the first championship game in Carlow to take place under lights.
The history, however, would be on the side of Old Leighlin at the final whistle.
‘Rangers started well in front of a large crowd at the Training Centre with two points from Gary Kelly and Diarmuid Byrne.
Slow to start, Old Leighlin clawed their way back in to the game with scores from Cathal Coughlan and Michael Meaney. At the end of the first quarter Patrick Hickey gave Old Leighlin the lead for the first time, a lead they never lost.
Old Leighlin were 0-7 to 0-3 in front at half time and were seven clear early in the second half.
Mount Leinster Rangers attacked in the closing stages and narrowed the gap to four points, however Old Leighlin defended with all their might and ran out five point winners at the final whistle.
The result, 0-13 to 0-8 sets up a senior football championship semi-final fixtures between Old Leighlin and Rathvilly on Sunday next at 5pm.
