Kildare hurlers stun Carlow in dazzling Joe McDonagh display
Brian Dowling's men ran out 2-23 to 1-20 winners in Netwatch Cullen Park to achieve their second Joe McDonagh Cup win of this campaign and indeed of all-time
Kildare 2-23
Carlow 1-20
After an exceptional win over Westmeath last time out for their first ever Joe McDonagh Cup win, the Kildare hurlers kept that train rolling to turn over Carlow away from home.
A lightning first half display, which included a Jack Sheridan goal, sent the visitors in at the break with a 1-12 to 0-11 advantage.
However, there was still an enormous amount of work to be done against a team of Carlow's quality and sure enough the home had battled back to draw level with 10 minutes to go. When James Doyle pointed you feared the worst for the underdogs who had led much of the way.
Kildare responded in astounding style with three points from Darragh Melville, David Qualter, and James Burke in the six minutes that followed.
All the while, The Lilies shut Carlow out, and the same trio pointed again before the end of the game as Kildare recorded one of the finest wins in the counties hurling history.