Murphy points Carlow into last four
May 17, 2008
Denis Murphy scored nine points as Carlow proved too good for a resilient Meath side in an ESB Leinster MHC quarter-final clash at Dr Cullen Park on Saturday when the Barrowsiders earned a 'semi' tilt at neighbours Kilkenny.
Carlow ...... 0-17
Meath ........ 1-10
Maurice Power's charges were too stroing for a Meath side that were in championship action for the second time in five days and never looked liked repeating their first round win over Laois.
Carlow made the early running and hit the front within two minutes of the off when Paudie Kehoe landed a '65' with the assistance of the breeze, after Meath 'keeper Tommy Quinn saved well from Michael Meaney.
Eddie Byrne sauntered unchallenged through the Meath defence to tap over his side's second score. Kehoe had landed his second '65' before the visitors' best forward Mark O'Sullivan erased their blank off the board.
By the 19th minute the margin was up to seven points, 0-8 to 0-1, when Murphy deftly cut a sideline puck over the bar.
Two points in quick succession from Daniel Carty (one a free) trimmed the deficit to five by the 23rd minute. However Carlow responded by outscoring Meath by 0-4 to 0-1 in a five minute spell to move eight points clear on two occasions.
Wing-back Thomas Nolan sent over a superb effort before Kehoe found the range with a long range free. Murphy also chipped in with a brace of pointed frees. Another pointed Carty free was Meath's only respite from the onslaught but they finished the half with a point from Daniel Maguire to trail by 0-5 to 0-12 at the break.
Within 11 minutes of the restart Carlow were 0-16 to 0-6 clear and looked set to win in a canter. A fine block by Meath full-back Shane Troy prevented Carlow substitute James Doyle from getting in for a goal.
At the other end Nicky Roberts advanced to prevent Maguire netting for Meath. With Ger Murphy pushing forward from midfield to assist O'Sullivan in attack Paul Reilly's charges rallied.
A pointed sideline cut from Willy Mahady was the highlight of that late Meath charge that saw them cut the gap to just six points with five minutes remaining. But they never got to within a score of the home side.
Murphy completed his haul by pointing a late free and also ended a 19-minute Carlow drought. Substitute Malcolm Doyle netted for Meath stoppage time to cut the final margin to just four points.
Carlow - N. Roberts; J. Hughes, G. Kelly, J. Ryan; D. English, P. Kehoe (0-3, 2 65s, 1 free), T. Nolan (0-1); S. Kelly, P. McElligott; C. McCabe, E. Byrne (0-2), R. Kent (0-2); M. Dalton, D. Murphy (0-9, 7 frees, 1 sideline), M. Meaney. Sub - J. Doyle for Meaney (40 mins).
Meath - T. Quinn; S. Moran, S. Troy, R. Hatton; P. Kelly, R. Massey, C. O'Shea; G. Murphy (0-2, frees), W. Mahady (0-1, sideline); N. O'Rourke, G. McGovern, M. O'Sullivan (0-1); D. Carty (0-5, 4 frees), T. Meyler, D. Maguire (0-1). Subs - M. Doyle (1-0) for McGovern (25 mins), D. Tormey for O'Rourke (half-time), A. Healy for Carty, R. Dillon for Massey (both 51 mins).
Referee - T. Carroll (Offaly).
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