FC Carlow made the long journey to Athea on the Limerick-Kerry boarder on Sunday for what they knew was going to be a very tough game, and thats exactly what they got. It has to be said, that given the poor weather conditions of the last few weeks, the pitch was in excellent condition and contributed to a very entertaining game of football.

Playing with the advantage of the slight hill, the home side started brightly and had FC Carlow on the back foot from the start, without actually creating any real scoring chances. The first real opportunity came the way of the visitors after just 6mins., a penetrating pass from Tomas Brennan into the feet of Andrew Hickey, who turned sharply and played the ball into the run of Emmet Phelan, who calmly drilled the ball under the Limerick keeper to net his first goal for FC Carlow.

From the re-start, Limerick again pinned Carlow back in their own half, but were still finding it difficult to create any scoring opportunities from open play, but on the quarter hour mark, FC Carlow gave away a cheap free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Limerick’s Jeffrey Judge stepped up and struck a lovely shot high into the top corner of the net. Goal scoring opportunities continued to be a premium for the remainder of the half, with both defences on top, the teams went in level at the interval.

FC Carlow started the second half at a very high tempo, knowing that 3 points was a must, if they were to keep their qualification hopes alive. Playing very good football, they restored their lead in the opening minutes with the move of the game, which saw Cathal Coughlan, Emmet Phelan and Andrew Hickey all combine with one-touch-football to set-up 17 year old Daragh Walshe for his 6 th goal in six games. Carlow’s lead was short-lived however, as in very similar circumstances to the first half, Limerick scored with a direct free just outside the box, again Judge applying the finish.

Having been pegged back twice, it was going to take alot of character and belief, if FC Carlow were going to push ahead and score a winner, but over the last few games the belief has been growing and the character of these lads can never be questioned. On the hour mark, Carlow were awarded a corner, Tomas Brennan delivered the ball which the Limerick keeper failed to hold, inspirational centre back Ryan Curran, who seems to be popping up in the right place at the right time, was on hand to net his 3 rd similar goal of the season.

Limerick responded well after the goal, but despite strong pressure in the last ten minutes were unable to come back a third time. The long journey home would be a little easier for FC Carlow who left with all three points, leaving them level at the top of Pool 2 with Cork City on 16 points.

FC CARLOW: Jeff Moran, Philip Smithers, James Dermody, Ryan Curran, Adam Byrne (C), Emmet Phelan, Tomas Brennan, Cathal Coughlan, Craig Hore, Andrew Hickey, Daragh Walshe.

Subs: Shane Clarke (50min for Hore), Joe Roberts, Stephen Duncan, James Coleman, Jeff Sutton.