Carlow saved their Allianz HL Division 1B skin in dramatic fashion against Offaly in O’Connor Park today.

Despite playing most of the game with 14 men following the 10 minute dismissal of Edward Byrne, Colm Bonnar’s side finished on the right side of the 2-14 to 1-16 scoreline to consign the Faithful County to relegation to Division 2A for 2020.

And they overturned an 11 point half-time deficit in the process.

Backed by a strong wind after the resumption, goals from Seamus Murphy and Chris Nolan laid the foundations for the Barrowsiders’ comeback.

Martin Kavanagh edged the visitors ahead for the first time via a free with two minutes of normal time remaining before John Michael Nolan tagged made it a two-point game.

Joe Bergin pulled a score back for Kevin Martin’s charges but they ran out of time.

Carlow - B Tracey; A Corcoran, P Doyle, M Doyle; R Coady, D English, K McDonald; J Kavanagh, S Whelan; S Murphy (1-1), M Kavanagh (0-8, 4f), E Byrne; J Doyle, J M Nolan (0-1), C Nolan (1-4). Subs: J Murphy for J Kavanagh, T Joyce for J Doyle, J Nolan for J Murphy.

Offaly - E Cahill (0-1f); P Rigney, N Houlihan, B Conneely; D Egan, P Camon, A Treacy; S Kinsella (0-2), C Gath; K Dunne (0-1), S Dolan, C Egan; S Dooley (0-3), J Bergin (1-7, 0-4f, 0-1'65), K Connolly (0-2). Subs: A Flynn for N Houlihan, D Shortt for A Treacy, C Langton for K Connolly, M Egan for C Gath, C Taylor for B Conneely.

Referee - J Keenan.

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