Dublin Senior Hurlers secure promotion with win over Carlow

DUBLIN 0-34 

CARLOW 2-14 

Dublin confirmed their return to Division 1A of the Allianz National Hurling League when overcoming Carlow by fourteen points in their final NHL1B group match at a sun-kissed Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday afternoon. 

Despite finishing level on points with Wexford in second spot, Dublin’s superior points difference was always likely to prove pivotal as they secured a welcome and deserved return to the top-flight. 

Despite dominating the bulk of the opening-half, Dublin led by just 0-18 to 2-9 at the interval with Martin Kavanagh and Chris Nolan plundering late first-half goals for Carlow. 

The Dubs dispelled any hopes of a Carlow comeback with an assured display upon the restart and while they were denied a goal by the excellence of home goalkeeper Kyle Foley, they gradually built up an unassailable lead as the contest evolved.  

The visitors opened up brightly through early points from Paddy Smyth and Conor Burke and they doubled that lead by the 5th minute thanks to further points by Paddy Doyle and Fergal Whitely. 

The latter doubled his personal tally soon after before Carlow eventually opened their own account through Ciaran Whelan in the 8th minute. 

The hosts were further boosted by points from Donagh Murphy and Kavanagh as Dublin’s scoring rate slowed down slightly but they remained on the front foot as both Darragh Power and Dara Purcell opened their own accounts. 

Carlow more than held their own in the second quarter with Fiach O’Toole, Nolan and Murphy all adding points while Dublin’s economy in front of goal slipped slightly despite scores from John Hetherton and Whitely. 

With their lead reduced to three points by the 27th minute, the visitors regained their control on the scoreboard as they struck five points in as many minutes with Cian O’Sullivan (free), Hetherton, Whitely, Purcell and Power all on target. 

Much of that promising work was undone approaching the break as Kavanagh unleashed a superb shot from 18 metres, leaving Seán Brennan helpless and Nolan did likewise deep into added time to leave just three points between the sides by half-time.

Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing was introduced for the second-half and made an instant impression when converting two frees with an O’Sullivan point in the 41st minute adding further breathing space for the visitors. 

Dublin’s control was enhanced further as Ó Dúlaing, Conor Burke and Doyle all added points and an excellent O’Sullivan score stretched their lead to seven points by the start of the final quarter. 

The away defence was far more secure after the break, restricting Carlow to just five pointsand they cruised to victory with substitutes Conor Donohoe, Conor Groarke and Davy Keogh all pointing by the final whistle. 

The Dubs now have a two-week break before they contest the Division 1B final against Clare on the weekend of 4/5 April. 

Scorers – Dublin: F Whitely 0-5; J Hetherton, D Ó Dúlaing (3f) 0-4 each; C O’Sullivan (1f), D Power 0-3 each; D Purcell, C Burke, P Doyle, C Crummey, C Donohoe, D Keogh 0-2each; D Burke (1f), P Smyth 0-1, C Groarke 0-1 apiece. Carlow: M Kavanagh 1-3 (0-2f); C Nolan 1-2 (0-1f); D Murphy, C Whelan, F Fitzpatrick 0-2 each; T Joyce, F O’Toole, J Nolan 0-1 each.

Dublin: S Brennan; C McHugh, P Smyth, E O’Donnell; P Doyle, C Crummey, A Dunphy; C Burke, B Hayes; F Whitely, D Burke, D Power; D Purcell, J Hetherton, C O’Sullivan. Subs:D Ó Dúlaing for D Burke (half-time), C Groarke for Dunphy (half-time), S Gallagher for C Burke (Temp, 43-45), C Donohoe for Purcell (53), D Keogh for Hayes (62), Gallagher forCrummey (67). 

Carlow: K Foley; C Fitzpatrick, D Wall, P Doyle; E Kealy, K McDonald, F O’Toole; C Whelan, F Fitzpatrick; J Treacy, D Murphy, John Doyle; R Coady, M Kavanagh, C Nolan. Subs: T Joyce for John Doyle (half-time), C Kehoe for Murphy (50), James Doyle for Kavanagh (50), C Beck for Kealy (54), J Nolan for Whelan (57).

Referee: Shane Hynes (Galway).