Carlow and Laois in fight for survival
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THIS weekend sees a big clash between two counties separated by the River Barrow and the two are regular contestants on either side of the river.
Last year they met on both sides of the divide. Carlow came to Portlaoise and took the spoils. They then clashed in the Division 2 league final at Netwatch Cullen Park where Laois scored a comfortable victory.
Laois reached the Joe McDonagh final but lost out to their neighbours Offaly while Carlow competed in the Leinster championship and did well. Their draw against Kilkenny at Netwatch Cullen in round three was the highlight of their year and once this year’s league is complete both Carlow and Laois will be battlers to win the Joe McDonagh title, Laois their second, Carlow in search of a third.
Looking back at other memorable occasions, we look at the National League Division 2 Final of 1958-59.
When you score five goals in a game you generally are on the winning side, not when you are battling in Division 2 of the National League. Athy was the venue and Carlow were the reigning champions.
Laois found themselves in arrears 0-1 to 2-9 with 15 minutes remaining.
Laois introduced the talented and skilful Timmy Maher of the famous Faughs. Originally from Borris-in-Ossory, Timmy honed his skills up by the Liffey.
Carlow backed by a stiff breeze from the throw in went into a lead of 2-6 to 0-1 at half time. Eamon Long and future Laois player Moling Morrissey accounted for the green flags.
Laois tried but Brendan Hayden was outstanding between the Carlow posts. Ned Gladney was to pick up a serious injury and was a big loss to the winners.
Christy O’Brien had cried off the Laois team having played Railway Cup on St Patrick’s day.
The second half was half way through when the Faughs man arrived and within minutes he raised two green flags, one from a free, but time ran out and Carlow had caused a huge upset.
SCORERS:
Carlow: Eamon Long 1-6, Moling Morrissey 1-0, ‘Red’ Liamy Walsh and ‘Black’ Billy Walsh 0-2 each, Mick O’Brien 0-1.
Laois: Timmy Maher 2-1, Mick O’Sullivan, Billy Bohane and Jack Conroy 1-0 each).
CARLOW: Brendan Hayden (Carlow Town); Jim Dermody ,(Leighlinbridge), Mick Dalton (Cournellan), Pat Morrissey (St Mullins); Willie Hogan (Eire Og), Pat Brophy (Tullow), Ben Mulhall (Tullow); Mick O’Brien (Hacketstown), Ned Gladney (St Mullins); “Red” Liamy Walsh (St Mullins), Billy Walsh (St Mullins), Moling Morrissey (St Mullins); Willie Hynes (Cournellan), Peter Hynes (Cournellan), Eamon Long (Carlow Town).
Subs: Martin Hogan (Erins Own) for Pat Morrissey, Robbie Nolan (St Mullins) for Willie Hynes.
LAOIS: Jimmy Fennell (Laois); Mick Fitzpatrick (Clonad), Billy Bohane (Clonad), Jim Dempsey (Durrow); Dan Culleton (Camross), Larry O’Mahoney (Cullohill), Fintan Kealy (Borris-In-Ossory); Ollie Fennell (Clonad), Jack Conroy (Clonad), Paddy Ring (Abbeyleix), Mick O’Sullivan (Cuddagh), Micky McDonald (Abbeyleix); Timmy Maher (Faughs), Jimmy Lyons (Cuddagh), Christy Delaney (Kyle).
