DCU Dóchas Éireann 3-14 SETU CARLOW 1-19
Conor Kehoe’s goal in injury time was enough to secure a one-point victory for DCU Dóchas Éireann over SETU Carlow in the third round of the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup.
DCU knew before the game they already had a spot booked in the quarter finals after their win over Mary Immaculate last week. This win ensures crucial home advantage next week against SETU Waterford.
Kilkenny’s new captain Eoin Cody put on a dazzling free-taking display for Carlow, finishing the game with a remarkable 1-12. His efforts, despite defeat, were enough for Carlow to find themselves also in the quarter finals due to their scoring difference over Mary Immaculate.
DCU Dóchas Éireann benefitted from a strong wind in the first half with forwards Eoin Daly and Martin O’Connell striking some fine scores. Perhaps the score of the game came from Eddie Gibbons in goals who converted a tremendous free back on his own 45.
Free’s from the Eoin Cody and some crafty scores from Thomas Keyes kept Carlow right in the game until DCU struck for the first goal in the 25th minute. Wexford’s Richie Lawlor made the cutting-edge pass to the free Ross Banville who made no mistake in front of goal to put five points between the sides at halftime, 1-10 to 0-08.
DCU kicked off the second half as they left the first, with another goal. This time it was full-forward Conor Hennessy who got in on the act, instinctively dinking the ball over the goalkeeper. A controversial goal Carlow could argue as corner back Adam Daly possibly may have prevented the ball from going over the line.
However, Carlow clawed back at the lead, with DCU’s ill-discipline in the tackle costing them. Eoin Cody then got his goal in the 45 th minute after going for goal from a 20-metre free.
In fact it was Carlow, who had fought back from those two early goals by DCU, who found themselves up a point come the 60 th minute. Ironically, it was a Carlow man, Conor Kehoe, who took matters into his own hands and won the game for Mick O’Dwyers side. He fielded a long ball in and prevailed from a few challenges to hit the back of the net. Game over.
Fittingly, Eoin Cody closed out the scoring in the game to secure Carlows spot in the quarter final. As for DCU, they’ve topped the group and await a visit from Waterford to St. Clares next week.
Scorers for DCU: R Banville 1-4 (4fs), C Hennessy 1-1, C Kehoe 1-0, E Gibbons 0-2fs, M O’Connell 0-2, D Power 0-1, E Daly 0-1, R Lawlor 0-1, C Murphy 0-1, N Murphy 0-1.
Scorers for SETU Carlow: E Cody 1-12 (1-10fs, 0-2 ‘65s), T Keyes 0-4, Chris Nolan 0-1, M Troy 0-1, Conor Nolan 0-1
DCU: Eddie Gibbons (Dublin); Simon Leacy (Kildare), Niall Murphy (Wexford), Harry Walsh (Kilkenny); Eoin Forbes (Dublin), Conor Murphy (Kilkenny), Andrew Dunphy (Dublin); Darragh Power (Dublin), Rian Boran (Kildare); Eoin Daly (Westmeath), Ross Banville (Wexford), Martin O’Connell (Kilkenny); Richie Lawlor (Wexford), Conor Hennessy (Kilkenny), Jim Ryan (Kilkenny).
Subs: Conor Kehoe (Carlow) for Lawlor, h/t; Joe Barrett (Wexford) for Forbes, h/t; Fiachra Fitzpatrick (Carlow) for Daly, 48; Conal Clancy (Wexford) for O’Connell, 48.
SETU CARLOW: James Lawlor (Wexford), Paudie Casey (Wexford), Podge Delaney (Laois), Adam Daly (Cork); Ciaran Burke (Offaly), David Blanchfield (Kilkenny), Gearoid Lynch (Laois); James O’Connell (Dublin), Conor Nolan (Dublin); Thomas Keyes (Laois), Cian Kenny (Kilkenny), Eoin Cody (Kilkenny); Jack Morrissey (Kilkenny), Chris Nolan (Carlow), Mark Troy (Offaly).
Subs: Tom Doyle (Kilkenny) for Conor Nolan, 43; Richard Foley (Kilkenny) for Lynch, 52; Brandon McGinley (Laois) for Keyes, 55; Keyes for O’Connell, 57.
REFEREE: Kevin Brady (Louth).
Harry Byrne
Image Credit: Kyran O’Brien