Carlow Senior Footballers played their second game in the O’Byrne Cup against Meath at Netwatch Cullen Park under tricky conditions last night.
Turlough O’Brien’s men elected to experiment somewhat with some new players getting game time while others played in slightly different positions.
Kildavin Clonegal man Liam Roberts wore the number 2 jersey to decent effect with Jordan Morrissey getting another 35 minutes under his belt at wing back.
Ciaran Moran wore the number 7 jersey and operated in the middle third throughout while Benny Kavanagh came in at wing back for the second half in his first home game back since suffering a bad knee injury last year.
Sean Murphy was withdrawn at half time after featuring against Wicklow as well.
Conor Crowley showed well in the full forward line winning most of the ball that went in, while the Clarke brothers Shane & Jamie played the full second half as Gary Kelly and Lee Walker also saw game time.
Arguably Carlow’s most impressive performer was Diarmuid Walsh who kicked some wonderful points both from frees and play in the second half in particular and he could be someone that might come to the fore during the League.
Meath fielded a decent enough side with the likes of Graham Reilly, Ben Brennan, Bryan Menton and Donal Lenihan playing from the off as Mickey Burke joined from the bench.
Carlow First team regulars from last year Sean Gannon, Brendan Murphy, Paul Broderick, Eoghan Ruth and Chris Crowley were all absent.
In the end Meath prevailed by 0-9 to 0-7 but plenty to build on nonetheless.
