Carlow defeated Westmeath by 2-26 to 1-24 in the inaugural Joe McDonagh Cup decider at Croke Park.

Goals from James Doyle and Chris Nolan either side of the interval provided the platform for Carlow's massive victory, which earns them a place in next summer's Leinster SHC.

As well as replacing Offaly in the 2019 senior hurling championship, the winners will also host Limerick in a preliminary All-Ireland SHC quarter-final next weekend.  

Doyle's injury-time goal handed the Barrowsiders a 1-12 to 0-13 lead at the end of a first half filled with terrific scores from distance. Aonghus Clarke had just flashed a goal effort narrowly over the bar at the other end to give the Lake County a narrow 0-13 to 0-12 advantage.

Chris Nolan's third point from play had the winners 0-10 to 0-7 ahead after 23 minutes but Westmeath refused to roll over and were level by the 32^nd minute (0-11 apiece) thanks to points from Eoin Price and Allan Devine (3). Niall O'Brien cancelled out Denis Murphy's free before the sides had contrasting fortunes with those late goal chances at the end of the opening period - a five-point swing.

Edward Byrne and Price had exchanged points inside the opening two minutes and there was nothing between the sides for the remainder of an evenly-contested first half where they were on level terms eight times.

Carlow players celebrate with the Joe McDonagh Cup. ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson.

Nolan's goal gave Colm Bonnar's men a perfect start to the second half and, despite a Derek McNicholas point, they led by 2-14 to 0-14 after 39 minutes. Another Devine free closed the gap but Murphy (free) replied with his sixth of the day and Edward Byrne left seven in it with 25 minutes left.

Devine and Murphy registered at either end but Westmeath needed a goal to get back into contention. Instead, at the other end, Diarmuid Byrne pointed to leave eight between them after 50 minutes. Robbie Greville replied with a monster score and Devine's sixth - another distinctive free conversion - meant only the two goals separated the teams moving into the final quarter.

There was no sign of the midlanders getting back in touch as Murphy (free) and Doyle added to the winning tally before Darragh Clinton and Paul Coady traded points. Price and Devine (free) pulled back a couple more, with Nolan on target in between for Carlow, who led by 2-22 to 0-21 with an hour played.

John Nolan replied to Devine's next free and Eoin Price slotted his fifth before the Lake men were reduced to 14 men five minutes from the end as McNicholas picked up his second yellow card. From there, Carlow held on for a massive success.

A Price point and O'Brien goal for Westmeath deep into added time was never going to affect the outcome but, despite missing out on promotion, the Lake County still progress to a preliminary All-Ireland SHC quarter-final date with Wexford next weekend.

Carlow - T Tracey; A Corcoran, P Doyle, M Doyle; K McDonald (0-1), D English, R Coady; J Kavanagh, D Byrne (0-1); J M Nolan (0-3), P Coady (0-4), E Byrne (0-2); D Murphy (0-10f), J Doyle (1-1), C Nolan (1-4). Subs: R Smithers for D Byrne, S Murphy for E Byrne, R Kelly for J Kavanagh, J Murphy for P Coady, T Joyce for C Nolan.

Westmeath - P Carroll; S Power, T Doyle, J Gilligan; L Varley, P Greville, D McNicholas (0-2, 1f); E Price (0-6), R Greville (0-2); N Mitchell (0-1), J Boyle, A Clarke (0-3); N O'Brien (1-1), C Doyle, A Devine (0-8f). Subs: D Clinton (0-1) for C Doyle, S Clavin for L Varley, C Boyle for J Boyle, B Doyle for S Power, C Shaw for N Mitchell.

Referee - C McAllister.

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