Carlow will play in the 2024 Leinster SHC after a pulsating Joe McDonagh Cup victory over Offaly following extra-time in Croke Park this afternoon.
Chris Nolan was the hero for the Barrowsiders as they prevailed following an epic 2-29 to 1-31 encounter which ebbed and flowed throughout with the winner in doubt right until the last puck of the game.
Carlow were in pole position at half-time with numerical advantage – Offaly defender Dara Maher was sent off for a faceguard pull on Paddy Boland – and a five-point lead, 2-9 to 1-7.
That hadn’t looked likely when Offaly U-20 captain Charlie Mitchell fired a goal inside 60 seconds but Carlow fought back in great style with Boland firing their opening goal.
He turned provider for Kavanagh later in the second quarter when taken down after a brilliant fetch with the St Mullins’ attacker finishing the penalty to the net.
Carlow’s aerial ability throughout was outstanding while they were much sharper in front of the posts with their efficiency maintaining their lead in the third quarter despite an Offaly barrage.
Offaly, on the other hand, rued a string of bad wides but Johnny Kelly’s men kept fighting until the end with 14 men and they got a huge bounce from the bench with Eimhin Kelly and Paddy Clancy excelling.
They snatched a draw in normal time at the death through Eoghan Cahill – who was off-colour from placed balls but razor-sharp from play – and it looked like they had all of the momentum, 2-22 to 1-25.
Carlow were out on their feet at full-time and with Offaly restored to 15 men for extra-time, it looked like the Faithful would kick on. That didn’t materialise, however.
Carlow were wily throughout and had a one-point lead at the end of the first period of extra time while they just about kept their noses in front in the second period before Nolan fired over the winner.
There were joyous scenes at the final whistle as Carlow celebrated their second McDonagh Cup success – and their first since 2018 – to set up a preliminary All-Ireland quarter-final date with the third-placed team in Leinster in three weeks’ time.
For Carlow boss Tom Mullally, it was the crowing achievement of a glittering managerial career which has included a string of club success with the likes of Glenmore, Mount Leinster Rangers, Clara, Naas and many more.
It was heartbreak for Offaly but they fought until the bitter end and this young squad will no doubt regroup over the coming years while they face a daunting preliminary All-Ireland quarter-final against the third-placed team in Munster.
