Carlow couldn’t live with Kerry after being reduced to 14 men in the first half.The full-time score was 20 points to Carlow’s 13.
It wasn’t ideal hurling conditions in Netwatch Dr. Cullen Park with both sides slogging it out in damp conditions after significant rainfall Saturday night.
It was a slow start for both teams but it picked up momentum in the 2nd quarter with only a point separating the sides after 29 minutes.
Carlow had a good chance to widen the margin significantly before the break when they were awarded a penalty.
However, a mishit strike resulted in an easy save for goalkeeper,Louis Dee.
Their misfortune continued when Diarmuid Byrne was shown a red card for a striking offense.
At half time, the sides were tied on 7 points.
Kerry came out in the 2nd half with clear intent and raised a green flag in the 1st minute of the resumption of play.
Carlow struggled to cope with the extra man and trailed by 4 points after 5 minutes.
It could have been a disastrous 2nd half for Carlow but they clawed their way back shortly after the introduction of Paul Cody.
Chris Nowlan had a chance to draw the game with a free and he did just that 15 minutes into the second half.
Carlow began to lose grip again in last quarter of the game, allowing a 4 point margin to come between the sides with only 5 minutes left on the clock.
Carlow’s indiscipline was the major difference in the end. The final score in Netwatch Dr. Cullen Park was 0-20-0-13.
