Carlow 1-15 Down 0-14 By Cóilín Duffy Goals win games and a 69th minute Robert Foley strike was certainly vital as Carlow claimed back-to-back Christy Ring Cup titles, with a four-point victory over Down at Croke Park on Saturday afternoon. Conditions may have been wet throughout but the 3,978 spectators were treated to a keenly contested game of hurling, which saw the sides level on 11 occasions over the 70 minutes. Indeed it wasn't until Robert Foley's strike that a margin of three points was the difference between the sides, and from then on Carlow never looked back as they ensured Liam McCarthy Cup status for 2010. Kevin Ryan's charges began this game in determined fashion with their captain Mark Brennan leading by example with one of the first scoring chances. In the second minute, Brennan watched his shot from 35 metres out come off the post, but there was better luck when Shane Kavanagh sent over the opening score from a 65'. Carlow continued to press hard with Paudie Kehoe turning on his right from 45 metres out, however he drilled his scoring chance wide. Early scoring opportunities fell the Barrowsiders way but Down were dogged, with points from Paul Braniff and Simon Wilson ensuring a 0-02 to 0-01 lead by the tenth minute. But Carlow edged back once more to score four of the next five points, to lead by 0-05 to 0-03 with 14 minutes to go before the interval. Kehoe tormented the Down defence, but if Carlow were clinical in their shooting, Down had plenty of scoring opportunites and finally were beginning to see some of their chances reap dividends once more. Braniff and Wilson were again on target, with the sides level at 0-05 apiece, seven minutes from the break. In an evenly balanced contest the sides traded scores on two occasions before the interval, ensuring the half-time score-line read 0-07 a piece. Both sides improved their shooting in the second-half, but defences also stood firm - with the battle of silverware now being upped another level. The intensity levels were rising but so too the level of rain, which began as a light drizzle but quickly developed into a shower. Not detered by the elements, both sides battled bravely with Paul Braniff and his Down team-mates on fire in the second half. Braniff and Wilson added early scores, before Down defender Sean Ennis denied Kehoe from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute. These were good times for Down, however Carlow bounced back with a brace of points to level the tie for the sixth time, 10 minutes into the second half. The sides were matched point-for-point between the 46th and 67th minutes, until Carlow's late surge left the outcome of this game beyond doubt. Carlow weren't to be denied back-to-back honours, with Andrew Gaule dispatching the ball from 65 metres out into full-forward Foley, who powered the ball to the net for the games only goal. Although their were calls for a penalty after Foley was swung around in the small square by Down full-back Stephen Murray, referee Tommy Ryan applied the advantage rule, with Foley turning and planting the ball in the Down net. Craig Doyle added a late point, with victory secured as captain Mark Brennan accepted the cup after the game from GAA President Christy Cooney. For Carlow it's another victory to savour and a homecoming is in the Shamrock Square in Carlow town at 10pm on Saturday night. Carlow: F Foley; W Hickey, S Kavanagh (0-1, 1 65), D Shaw; E Coady (0-1), J Rodgers, D Byrne; J Hickey, D Roberts; R Dunbar, M Brennan, C Doyle (0-2, 1f); A Gaule (0-1), R Foley (1-3), P Kehoe (0-5, 4f). Subs: E Byrne (0-1) for Dunbar (29); J Coady (0-1) for P Kehoe (62); Down: G Clarke; F Conway, S Murray, S Ennis; R McGratten, K Courtney, M Ennis; A Savage, C Woods; C O'Prey (0-1), P Braniff (0-4), S Wilson (0-7, 7f); J Coyle (0-1), G Johnston, O Clarke. Subs: A Higgins (0-1) for O Clarke (53); M Og Coulter for Coyle (54) Referee: Tommy Ryan (Tipperary) Tweet

Most Read Stories