The Carlow hurlers wrote themselves into the history books recently when they defeated holders Westmeath in an extra-time thriller to claim the Christy Ring Cup for the first time. For local company Stone Developments, the success was a long overdue, but much appreciated return on their 11-year sponsorship of Carlow hurling and football teams. There were joyous scenes at Tullamore's revamped O'Connor Park on August 3 last when Carlow upset the odds to capture the Christy Ring Cup following a 3-22 to 4-16 extra-time victory over Westmeath.. As the scoreline suggests, this was a cracking contest which has since been referred to as one of the best games of hurling seen in 2008. The only pity about it was that it didn't get the Croke Park or live TV billing it deserved, with no more than 4,000 spectators present to witness this marvellous spectacle.. While Carlow dominated for long stages, their supporters must have feared another hard luck story was about to unfold when Westmeath scored two goals in stoppage-time to force extra-time. But after weathering the Lake County storm in the first period, Carlow found their best form once again in the final 10 minutes to carve out a three-point win and secure a first major hurling title for the county since they claimed All-Ireland 'B' honours at London's expense in 1992.. "It was a great occasion for Carlow and just reward for the efforts that have gone into the underage scene over the past 10 years or so," says Phil Meaney, managing director of team sponsors Stone Developments.. "There is huge time and money being invested in Carlow hurling and it might come as a surprise to some people that Carlow have had more training sessions this year than Kilkenny, which gives you an idea of the sort of effort and commitment the team put in.. "Carlow have been making steady progress at underage level over the past number of years, having contested a Leinster minor final in 2006, and what you are seeing now is a number of those young players starting to make their mark at senior level. There is a fierce want in Carlow people for success and this is a big breakthrough for the county," the proud Carlovian adds.. By winning the second tier championship for the first time, Carlow atoned for the double disappointment of losing the National League Division 2 and Kehoe Cup finals to Westmeath and Meath respectively earlier in the season. As Phil points out, they "wanted it more" than a Westmeath team who had won two of the three previous Christy Ring Cup finals.. "I was down in Limerick for the Division 2 final in April when Westmeath won by six points, and the big difference between Carlow then and in the Ring Cup final was their tremendous hunger and will to win. They were that bit hungrier than Westmeath and they fully deserved to win.. "The only time I was worried was in the first half of extra-time when Westmeath were on top, but they missed a lot of chances. Carlow finished the stronger, but really the game should never have gone to extra-time such was Carlow's dominance in normal time." . Carlow and Westmeath each won three and lost one game en route to the final. Under the management of former Waterford star Jim Greene, Carlow opened their campaign with a 2-24 to 1-9 victory over London at Dr Cullen Park. The home side only led by 0-9 to 0-6 at half-time, but cut loose in the second half as goals from Craig Doyle and Robert Foley eased them to a comfortable win.. The Barrowsiders were denied a home draw in the quarter-final following a 0-19 to 3-13 loss to Down at Pairc Esler, Newry. Despite having Kieran Courtney sent off on a second yellow card after 22 minutes, goals from Gareth 'Magic' Johnson and Paul Braniff had the Ardsmen ahead by 2-7 to 0-10 at half-time.. With Colin Hughes in fine scoring form, Carlow stayed in touch throughout the second half, but a second major from Braniff in the 45th minute proved all-important as the home side prevailed.. Carlow responded to that setback with a 1-14 to 2-4 victory over Kerry in Tralee.. The Kingdom put 7-11 past Meath seven days previous, but their scoring touch deserted them as the visitors produced a workmanlike performance to win by seven.. The Barrowsiders led by 0-9 to 0-3 at half-time, but Kerry resumed with goals from Michael Conway and Liam Boyle to haul themselves back into contention. However, substitute Craig Doyle's 58th minute goal put the result beyond doubt.. Jim Greene's charges survived a huge scare in the semi-final when a late Robert Foley goal handed them a fortuitous victory over Mayo at Castlebar. Mayo, who were coached by Galway legend Pete Finnerty, led by 0-10 to 0-6 at half-time and had extended their advantage to 0-16 to 0-11 by the end of the third quarter. But the visitors refused to panic and snatched victory right at the death.. The build-up to the Christy Ring Cup final was overshadowed by the bizarre decision to fix it as a stand-alone fixture at Croke Park on a Friday evening. Neither Carlow nor Westmeath were happy with this arrangement, and so it was eventually agreed by both to play the final in Tullamore.. Heavy losers to Antrim in the 2006 final, it looked as though history was about to repeat itself as Westmeath stormed into a 1-5 to 0-3 lead after 12 minutes. But a goal from Craig Doyle four minutes later helped turn a five-point deficit into a two-point lead for Carlow before Brendan Murtagh hit the final two points of the half to send the sides into the break level on 1-10 each.. Despite their strong finish to the first half, Westmeath failed to score for 13 minutes after the restart as Carlow took complete control. During this period, the south Leinster men played some superb hurling and were rewarded with two goals inside a minute from Doyle and Robert Foley.. Carlow led by six points deep in injury-time, but the holders weren't going to give up their crown easily and after John Shaw's goal brought them to within three, the outstanding Murtagh brought his tally for the day to 2-10 when he blasted home a penalty to force extra-time.. But after surviving a penalty miss from Murtagh in the first period of extra-time, Carlow came good in the second period with two massive frees from centre back Shane Kavanagh helping to finally break Westmeath's resolve.. Disappointment followed for Carlow when they lost their Liam McCarthy promotion/relegation play-off joust to neighbours Laois by 3-11 to 4-18. The result means that Carlow must be content with second tier hurling again in 2009, but their sponsor doesn't necessarily feel this is a bad thing.. "The Liam McCarthy Cup is a huge step-up and while it's disappointing to think that Carlow won't be playing in it next year, they are still a young team and are learning all the time," Phil says.. "Jim Greene had two objectives for the team this year and they were to get promotion into the new Division 2 and to win the Christy Ring Cup. Both of these were achieved and they will be setting their sights higher next year.". Stone Developments Ltd is synonymous with Carlow GAA, having been the main sponsors to the county's hurling and football teams for the past 11 years. Based in Old Leighlin, the company employs numerous GAA players from the surrounding area, including hurling full back Dessie Shaw, who works as a draughtsman.. Meaney, who has worked for the company since 1971, has lived in Old Leighlin all his life and is extremely proud of the fact that local men Brendan Lawlor, the aforementioned Dessie Shaw and the Brennan brothers, Mark and Alan, along with their father and team selector Seamus, contributed to the Ring Cup success.. "The four lads all play their club hurling with Naomh Brid, which is the hurling club in the parish. The Brennan brothers live beside the quarry in Old Leighlin and worked with us during their student days. Their father Seamus is a great hurling man from Paulstown in Kilkenny, while their mam Catherine was a sister of former Carlow dual player Pat Foley, who died tragically in 1979," he explains.. Stone Developments is Ireland's leading natural stone company, supplying stone products nationwide, and also exports limestone to the UK and the Benelux countries. Part of the Sisk Group, it is proud of its association with Carlow GAA.. "As someone who gets great enjoyment from the GAA, it's nice to be able to put something back into it. The GAA is the heart and soul of rural Ireland and it's fantastic to get some return on our sponsorship in the form of this success," he concludes.. Tweet

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