Two goals from Chris Nolan saw the Carlow hurlers pull off their first ever win over Waterford in the sunshine at Netwatch Cullen Park (2-21 to 1-19). The Mount Leinster Rangers man shot 2-3 from play as Tom Mullally’s side shocked the visitors. All-time top scorer Martin Kavanagh weighed in with ten points. On a disappointing afternoon, Jamie Barron was Waterford’s best performer with four points from play and an assist for Sean Walsh’s goal.
In greasy conditions, Carlow got to the pitch of the game immediately and made a dream start. Like the Cork game, Waterford started sluggishly. Chris Nolan and James Doyle split the posts inside 70 seconds. In the third minute, Nolan snapped a line ball from Martin Kavanagh and struck under the body of Shaun O’Brien (1-3 to 0-0). Jack Prendergast hit a badly needed Waterford point on five minutes. Jamie Barron supplied younger brother Tom for another single. Michael Kiely grabbed a high ball on his own 65 and soloed all the way up to the opposition 21 but nothing came of it. A stunning Chris Nolan point in front of Mark Fitzgerald and in front of the stand saw Carlow regain that six point advantage (1-7 to 0-4). Waterford had a let off when Chris Kehoe blazed left and wide with the goal at his mercy.
Waterford switched to short puckouts and began to work the ball through the lines. Shane Bennett moved out to the wing and Sean Walsh moved in to full forward. Two Padraig Fitzgerald frees and a Patrick Fitzgerald point from play got it back to a goal. Martin Kavanagh finished the half with six points as the Barrow men led by four at the interval (1-10 to 0-9). He also sent three frees off target. Conor Sheahan nailed his second long distance effort just before the break.
Both sides made two changes at half time with Patrick Curran and Conor Keane introduced for Waterford. Jamie Barron belted over his third from play from a tight angle before Padraig Fitzgerald nailed a free (1-10 to 0-11). Carlow sub Paddy Boland sent over a beauty in front of the stand.
After Fitzgerald missed a free, Barron intercepted the subsequent puckout and split the posts again. On 44 minutes, Barron evaded Kevin McDonald and offloaded to Fourmilewater club mate Sean Walsh who found the far corner of the net. The away side ahead for the very first time (1-12 to 1-11). The lead didn’t last long as Ciaran Whelan replied immediately and Kavanagh converted another placed ball. Conor Sheahan levelled with his third from play. A quick Carlow puckout led to a point for centre back Kevin McDonald. Conor Keane then supplied Patrick Fitzgerald (1-14 each). Paddy Boland snapped a high ball and slotted his second point to make it 1-16 to 1-14. Patrick Curran popped one over after a short passing move from the visitors.
Two Padraig Fitzgerald singles levelled the contest. Carlow refused to lie down to their Liam MacCarthy opponents. A monster Martin Kavanagh free edged them in front again. The hosts intercepted the Waterford puckout and Chris Nolan brought his tally to 1-3 for the day (1-19 to 1-17). Corner back Tony Lawlor increased the lead to three. Patrick Fitzgerald got one back.
In the last minute, Chris Nolan got in behind Mark Fitzgerald and his shot crept under Shaun O’Brien. 2-3 for the number 20 on a famous day for Carlow.
