Match Report - Dublin v. Carlow O'Byrne Cup Semi-Final Replay

Carlow 1-07 Dublin 1-15

Who said crowds are not interested in the O'Byrne Cup? A large attendance at Dr. Cullen Park enjoyed Dublin's young guns overpower Paul Bealin's Carlow team to reach the O'Byrne Cup Final. Vincents, Plunketts & Skerries players were in action on Friday night, and Pillar therefore rang the changes giving a number of players a chance to impress. In balmy conditions, particularly compared to last week's drawn encounter, the Jacks got off to the perfect start recording seven straight points before Carlow pointed their first. With Eamonn Fennell, Denis Bastick and the half backs & half forwards lauding it around the middle Carlow struggled to gain posession and even when they did so tenacious tackling from Philip McMahon, Stephen O'Shaughnessy, Derek Murray & David Henry kept the reggae brigade at bay. Dublin went in at half time 5 points ahead (0.08 - 0.03). Carlow did start the 2nd half in a different fashion putting it up to the Dubs but Pillar's men were always in control. Carlow's efforts were assisted when Denis Bastick picked up a straight red card when throughout the game many high and dangerous tackles from Carlow players went unpunished. A poor defensive error let Carlow in for a goal but Philip McMahon goaled for the Blues to ensure the final score properly reflect the scale of dominance or the Dubs. Up front John O'Brienn stood out recording 8 ponts, 5 from play and great to see Conal Keaney making a return. A special mention also to Graham Cullen who came on after a very tough game for Skerries on Friday night. Pillar will have a lot of thinking over the coming days in selecting a panel of players for the league & a starting 15 for Saturday night.

DUBLIN – Stephen Cluxton; David Henry, Niall O’Shea (Derek Murray (60)), Stephen O’Shaughnessy; Philip McMahon (1-01), Paul Casey, Derek Murray (Declan Lally (40)(0-01)); Denis Bastick, Eamonn Fennell; Paul Flynn, Pat Burke (Graham Cullen (55)), Donal Ryan (Brian McManamon (35)); John O’Brien (0-08), Kevin Bonner (Conal Keaney (45)(0-02)), Barry Kennedy (0-03).

CARLOW – J Brennan; E Doyle, J Hayden, P Bambrick; A Curran (M Nolan (45)), J Murphy (1-03), J Ryan; D Byrne, P Walsh; R Sinnott, R Walker(0-01), B Carberry (JJ Smyth (40)); C Pender (S Gannon (20)), K Doyle (B Farrell (60)), E McCormack (0-03). Subs: S Gannon for Pender (22), JJ Smyth for Carberry (41), M Nolan for Curran (45), B Farrell for Doyle (61), J O’Connor for Doyle (67).