Déise suffer heavy defeat on the road to Carlow
Waterford full back Darach Ó Cathasaigh moves between Carlow duo Mark Furey and Colm Hulton during their Allianz National Football League Division 4 clash at Netwatch Cullen Park. Photos: Pat Ahern
Waterford’s poor form continued in Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday as Carlow made it four National Football League Division 4 wins out of four when the home side were too good in what was a disappointing contest.
The visitors took an early lead when Dermot Ryan converted a 45 after the Carlow defence had been stretched and were glad not to concede a goal.
Conor Doyle equalised for Carlow, and Colm Hulton landed a two-pointer from play. Chris Blake also raised a white flag as The Barrowsiders built on their momentum.
The home side were unlucky not to find the net when Conor Crowley took the ball in space, but pulled his effort to the right and wide. At the other end, Billy Hynes delivered a long ball into the edge of Carlow’s small square, but the home keeper, Ben McCarron, kept his eye on the ball and punched safely to his left.
The only goal of the game came on 23 minutes when Sean Murphy powered through the centre of defence and, in a quick exchange of passes with Niall Roche, the Fenagh veteran took the return pass and scored from close range.
Carlow created goal chances, but Conor Crowley and Roche both hit the woodwork. While goals were proving elusive, Hulton still finished the first half with three two-pointers from play.
Ryan was Waterford’s leading attacker, ending the half with five points, which included a two-point free. At the interval, Carlow led 1-14 to 0-8. Full-forward, Stephen Curry, also scored two nice points from play but more was needed from those around him.
Just like they did at the start of the first half, Waterford scored the opening point of the second period with Alan Dunwoody coming forward from deep to bisect the posts. Carlow connections at the end claimed afterwards that they were in control, but their supporters would have liked them to have been a little bit more clinical in the second half. Certainly, Waterford threatened, and if they had scored a goal in the third quarter, it might have asked questions of the home side.
They did nearly secure a three-pointer when Michael O’Brien gathered a Carlow kickout, but to the relief of Ben McCarron, who was fast retreating, the ball hopped over the bar for an opportunistic two-pointer.
Carlow heeded the warning. They would have been relieved when Ryan pulled his free left and wide, and now they were not taking any more chances. They upped the ante, picking off a range of scores.
In the final stages, the visitors were reeling and Carlow exploited their advantage. Substitute, Darragh Foley converted a Carlow two-pointer. When the home side raided, Colm Hulton became yet another home forward to hit the woodwork when he looked certain to find the net. At that stage, the only question mark was what the winning margin would be.
The home side turned the screw with Blake converting a free and added another point from play. For Waterford, Stephen Curry’s pointed but they needed more.
Aaron Amond became the second Carlow substitute to score, while Paddy McDonnell ran at the visiting defence before slotting over. It was all too easy in the end.
C Blake 0-8 (6fs), C Hulton 0-8 (3 2ps), C Doyle 0-4 (1-2pf), S Murphy 1-0, D Foley (1-2p), C Crowley 0-2 each, A Amond, P McDonnell 0-1 each
D Ryan 0-6 (1-2pf, 45 f), S Curry 0-5 (2fs), M O’Brien 0-2 (2p), A Ryan, A Dunwoody 0-1 each.
Ben McCarron; Dara Curran, Niall Roche, Lee Moore; Jamie Clarke, Mark Furey, Padhraig Bolger; Ian Atkinson, Eoghan Ruth; Paddy McDonnell, Colm Hulton, Conor Doyle; Conor Crowley, Chris Blake, Sean Murphy.
Aaron Amond for Murphy (h/t), John Murphy for Roche (h/t), Tadgh Roche for Ruth (43), Liam Gavin for Clarke (53), Darragh Foley for Bolger (57).
Paudie Hunt; Alan Dunwoody, Billy Hynes, Conor O Cuirrín; Conor Murray, Adam Crawford, Michael O’Brien; Michael Curry, Caoimhin Walsh; Tommy Martin, Aaron Ryan, Liam Mulligan, Dermot Ryan, Stephen Curry, Darragh Walsh.
Adam Murray for Martin (h/t), James Walsh for Walsh (h/t), Conor Keating for Ryan (64), David Butler for Dunwoody (66).
Christopher Ryan (Galway).
