Carlow 2-14 Leitrim 0-13
Carlow had a little too much in attack for Leitrim on Saturday evening at Dr Cullen Park as they won by seven points. It was the two second half goals from Paul Broderick and Sean Moran that was ultimately the difference in the end as the Barrowsiders march on to play Malachy O’Rourke’s Monaghan in the next round in two weeks time.
Paul Broderick opened the scoring, but it was Leitrim who took control kicking five points without reply to take a four point lead after 13 minutes, Conor Cullen, Brendan Gallagher and Ryan O’Rourke all on target. Gary Kelly pointed from a free for Carlow, before Ronan Kennedy replied to extend the lead back out to five once more. Paul Broderick kicked two free between the posts in a matter of minutes, but he missed some chances as well. Ronan Kennedy and Brendan Gallagher however for Leitrim weren’t missing and those two scores meant that Leitrim went in at the break two points to the good.
Paul Broderick and Darragh Foley brought the Barrowsiders back on level terms after 42 minutes and a minute later Broderick rattled the back of the net after been assisted by midfielder Sean Murphy. It was then the turn of Sean Gannon to raise a white flag, while Foley also added a further one. It was a Carlow purple patch, but Leitrim to their credit fought back as Ryan O’Rourke pointed. In fact, that was Leitrim’s first point of the half. Darragh Rooney was introduced by Brendan Guckian and he got on the scoreboard for Leitrim, but Carlow were in the ascendency and with scores from Kieran Nolan, Ciaran Moran and Shane Clarke they looked home and hosed. Moran put the icing on the cake on 63 minutes as he finished past Flynn in the Leitrim goal. Carlow march on to play their fifth championship game this summer, while for Leitrim they now look forward to 2018.
Player of the Match: Paul Broderick
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