Kerry 1-24
Carlow 3-17

Kerry brought Carlow's unbeaten run to an end following a ding-dong tussle at Netwatch Cullen Park today.

Eamonn Kelly's charges just about survived a spirited revival by the hosts thanks to Padraig Boyle's converted injury-time free.

The sides were level after 17 minutes of play as a result of Marty Kavanagh's goal for the hosts but five unanswered points parachuted the visitors into a 0-15 to 1-8 half-time advantage.

The Pat English managed Carlow cut the deficit thanks to points from Kavanagh (2) and Eddie Byrne but they were knocked back on their heels when Michael O'Leary goaled for the Kingdom in the 41st minute.

Byrne provided the perfect response when netting at the other end of the field almost immediately but, with 10 minutes left on the clock, Kerry were 1-23 to 2-13 ahead.

John Michael Nolan cut the gap to three points when bagging his side's third goal four minutes later and Carlow looked to have rescued a share of the spoils when Kavanagh sent over a free on the stroke of full-time.

A draw would have sent Carlow into the final but there was still time for Kerry to earn a free and Boyle held his nerve to secure maximum points for the Munster men.

Kerry - J Logue; T Casey, B Murphy, D Fitzell; S Weir, D Dineen, D Collins (0-1); J Griffin, P Kelly (0-3); M O'Leary (1-0), S Nolan (0-4), C Harty (0-2); M Boyle (0-2), P Boyle (0-10, 8f), J Egan (0-2). Subs: P Lucid for J Egan, R Hogan for S Weir.

Carlow - K Kehoe; R Coady, S Kavanagh, A Corcoran; D English (0-2), J Rogers, G Coady; D Byrne (0-1), J Kavanagh (0-1); Seamus Murphy, E Byrne (1-2), J M Nolan (1-2); A Gaule, M Kavanagh (1-7, 0-6f), C Doyle. Subs: Sean Murphy (0-2) for A Gaule, E Coady for C Doyle, E Nolan for J Kavanagh, R Smithers for Seamus Murphy.

Referee - J Heffernan.

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