Carlow crowned Joe McDonagh Cup champions!

Joe McDonagh Cup Senior Hurling Final

Carlow 2-30

Offaly 1-32

Last gasp points from Diarmuid Byrne and Chris Nolan snatched a famous victory from Offaly's grasp as they missed a great late chance of forcing a penalty shootout but Adrian Cleary's shot from just inside half way drifted wide of the target.

Offaly had played with fourteen men from the 31st minute after corner back Dara Maher was dismissed – 2-9 to 1-7 behind at half time, they forced extra time against all odds, scoring seven of the last eight points and the last four.

In the second period, points from the Sampson brothers, Jason and Killian put Offaly a point in front with four minutes left and a win was in sight. Instead Carlow rallied and those points from Byrne and Chris Nolan gave them the sweetest of wins.

Over the course of the 90 plus minutes, Carlow were the better side and deserved their win but it was all down to very thin margins and this could have went either way.

The winners' ability to win all sorts of ball was a big factor in the victory, particularly in the attack and this played a huge role in their win. In contrast, Offaly struggled to hold onto the ball at times, yet they almost pulled it out of the fire.

Offaly were the architects of their own misfortune to an extent in the first half as they struggled to cope with Carlow's physicality. They conceded three quick points after that sensational start and had Stephen Corcoran to thank for Carlow not having a major on the board as he made superb saves to deny Martin Kavanagh and Chris Nolan.

Offaly got the next three through Eoghan Cahill (two, one free) and Cillian Kiely to lead by 1-3 to 0-3 after eight minutes but they were in a dogfight for the remainder of the half. Carlow were on level terms, 0-7 to 1-4 after 17 minutes. It was 0-8 to 1-5 four minutes later and then it fell apart for Offaly. First Paddy Boland got a 28th minute goal after brilliantly catching a long delivery when Carlow swept into attack after Cillian Kiely failed to gather what looked a straightforward ball.

Three minutes later, Offaly suffered a  double blow when Dara Maher was sent off for pulling Paddy Boland's helmet and Martin Kavanagh dispatched the penalty to the net. 

Offaly finished the half with points from Adrian Cleary and Eoghan Cahill but a 2-9 to 1-7 half time deficit left them with a mountain to climb for the second half.

Offaly somehow found the reserves of courage to force extra time against all odds in the second half, as it finished level, 1-25 to 2-22.

Carlow's ability to pick off points at regular intervals looked like it would win the day. They were back five in front, 2-17 to 1-15 after 49 minutes and were six clear 2-21 to 1-15 after 57 minutes. 

Three in a row from Charlie Mitchell and subs Paddy Clancy and Eimhin Kelly kept them alive but Paddy Boland put Carlow back four in front in the 69th minute. With a defeat staring them in the face, Offaly rallied between the 69th and 73rd minutes. Eoghan Cahill (free) and Clancy and Kelly again brought in down to a point and then Cahill stroked over the equaliser in the 73rd minute.

Extra time was a very tight affair as you would expect with almost nothing between them. Cillian Kiely, back in for the sent off Dara Maher, edged Offaly in front but by half time, Carlow had their noses in front, 2-27 to 1-29.

In the second period, it went right to the wire. Offaly got their noses in front and it was there to be won but then Carlow rallied again, snatching a famous victory and celebrating wildly on the final whistle.

MATCH ANALSYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Paddy Boland (Carlow): Paddy Boland's ability to win high ball caused consternation in the Offaly full back line. He scored 1-4, was fouled for the penalty and Offaly's inability to deal with him was a big factor in defeat.

THE SCORERS

Carlow: Martin Kavanagh 1-8 (5f and 1 '65), Paddy Boland 1-4, Chris Nolan 0-4, Jon Nolan and James Doyle 0-3 each, Conor Kehoe, John Michael Nolan and Jack Kavanagh 0-2 each, Diarmuid Byrne and Kevin McDonald (f) 0-1 each.

Offaly: Eoghan Cahill 0-8 (3f), Cillian Kiely 0-6 (2f), David Nally 0-5 (1 '65', 1 sideline and 1f), Charlie Mitchell 1-1, Adrian Cleary 0-3, Killian Sampson, Paddy Clancy and Eimhin Kelly 0-2 each, Joey Keenaghan, Sam Bourke, Jason Sampson 0-1 each

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Stephen Corcoran (Coolderry); Dara Maher (Shinrone), Ciaran Burke (Durrow), Ben Conneely (St Rynagh's); David King (Coolderry), Jason Sampson (Shinrone), Killian Sampson (Shinrone); Sam Bourke (Durrow), David Nally (Belmont); Cillian Kiely (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Jack Clancy (Belmont), Adrian Cleary (Shinrone); Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Brian Duignan (Durrow), Eoghan Cahill (Birr). Subs – Eimhin Kelly (Lusmagh) for Bourke (46m), Paddy Clancy (Belmont) for Duignan (49m), Shane Dooley (Tullamore) for Kiely (57m), Joey Keenaghan (Clodiagh Gaels) for Nally, inj. (67m), Paddy Delaney (Kinnitty) for Keenaghan (70m), Joey Keenaghan for Jack Clancy (74m), John Murphy (Ballinamere) for Keenghan (84m).

CARLOW: Brian Treacy; Paul Doyle, Conor Lawlor, Jack Kavanagh; Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Diarmuid Byrne, Jack McCullagh; Conor Kehoe, Kevin McDonald; Jon Nolan, Chris Nolan, James Doyle; John Michael Nolan, Martin Kavanagh, Paddy Nolan. Subs - Fiach O'Toole for JM Nolan (63m), Richard Coady for Kavanagh (72m), Niall Bolger for McDonald (85m), Jack Treacy for Jon Nolan (87m), Ciaran Kavanagh for O'Toole (89m)

Referee – Thomas Walsh (Waterford).

WHAT'S NEXT

That completes the season for both sides.

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly – 26 (11 in first half, 9 in 2nd half, 2 in first period of extra time, 4 in 2nd period); Carlow – 11 (5 in first half, 5 in 2nd half, 0 in first period extra time, 1 in 2nd period).

Yellow cards: Offaly – 0; Carlow – 4 (Jack McCullagh, James Doyle, Paddy Boland and Jack Kavanagh).

Black cards: 0.

Red cards: Offaly – 1 (Dara Maher); Carlow – 0.