In a thrilling match at Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow threw a spanner in the works and stunned the crowd with an unexpected draw against Kilkenny in the senior hurling championship. The game kicked off with Kilkenny quickly gaining momentum; Martin Keoghan scored an early point and soon after, Owen Wall added a goal. This proved as an early setback for Carlow, who lost control of the ball in the midfield.
However, Chris Nolan scored a point seven minutes into the match, setting the pace for Carlow. Although Carlow was lagging by six points at the 28-minute mark, Kilkenny was thrown off balance when Killian Doyle was ejected from the game for foul play off the ball.
Not long before this, Billy Ryan had an opportunity for a goal, but was outnumbered by the Carlow defence. Cian Kenny managed to score two points in an effort to equalise for his team. By halftime, Kilkenny led 1-11 to Carlow’s 0-9, largely aided by the wind in their favour.
As the second half of the game resumed, a Fiachra Fitzpatrick’s point uplifted Carlow’s spirits. Even though they had trouble with Kilkenny’s short passes and control of the game, Carlow remained steadfast. Had Tom Phelan managed to score with a little over fifteen minutes to go, the momentum may have swung Kilkenny’s way. However, Brian Tracey, the Carlow ‘keeper, brilliantly blocked Phelan’s attempt.
Carlow wasn’t short of opportunities either, with Marty Kavanagh almost scoring a three-pointer but was thwarted by Kilkenny’s quick defence. Then, when Kavanagh took a shot that was blocked, Conor Kehoe seized the chance and managed to slam the ball over the goal line.
Carlow showcased great resilience and determination from then on, portraying a change in attitude from previous teams that would have settled for a respectable defeat.
The final two points of the match were claimed by TJ Reid, giving Kilkenny a two-point lead. However, the home team was unyielding in the face of defeat. James Doyle stepped in to bring Carlow within one point of the competition, and a Kilkenny player’s moment of imprudence at the 75th minute led to a free cricketer. From the 45-metre mark, Kavanagh equalised for Carlow with a fine free kick that just curled inside the right post, resulting in a historic tie.
The team for Carlow consisted of B Tracey, P Doyle, D Wall, N Bolger, T Lawlor, along with K McDonald, who secured one free; F Fitzpatrick, who hit two points; S Joyce, and R Coady. Completing the team’s core were J Nolan, C Nolan, who made impressive four points, and M Kavanagh, who took the spotlight with one 65 and eight frees. J McCullagh, J M Nolan, and S Treacy were also key players. Subs for the game included C Kehoe, P Boland, C Whelan, James Doyle, and D Murphy.
Kilkenny had a strong line-up with E Murphy, M Butler, H Lawlor, and K Doyle to start with while D Blanchfield, D Corcoran, and S Murphy, the latter two of whom made one point each. C Kenny hit three points and was joined by J Molloy, M Keoghan, J Donnelly, and T Phelan. B Ryan, TJ Reid – the highest scorer with four frees, and O Wall, completed the team. The substitutes for Kilkenny were T Walsh, C Fogarty, and B Drennan. The referee for the match was C Cooney from Dublin.