A strong second half performance was the key to Mount Leinster Rangers' Carlow SHC final replay victory over Naomh Eoin at Dr Cullen Park yesterday.

Mount Leinster Rangers 2-12
Naomh Eoin 3-5

There was a major flashpoint before the throw-in when a brawl involving most of the players broke out, while there was also a brief skirmish in the stand. However, referee Paudie O'Dwyer took no action and there was no further trouble once the action got underway.

Naomh Eoin got off to a great start when Brian 'Red' Murphy goaled in the sixth minute, but Mount Leinster hit back with a similar score from Denis Murphy four minutes later. The sides retired at half-time level on 1-3 apiece, but the Myshall men should have been ahead after hitting eight wides.

The winners began the second half in businesslike fashion with two frees from Denis Murphy and a point from play by John Coady. John Michael Nolan replied for Naomh Eoin before full forward Willie Murphy knocked home a 42nd minute goal for Rangers. The Myshall side refused to wilt, however, and after Brian Murphy's 25-metre free was blocked, sub Robbie Foley was on the hand to rattle the onion bag and make it 2-8 to 2-5.

But Rangers weren't to be denied. In the final quarter, they reeled off four points without reply to go seven clear. A Brian Murphy goal from a free reduced the arrears in injury-time, but it was a case of too little too late as Rangers collected their fourth ever title.

Scorers - Mount Leinster Rangers: D Murphy 1-3 (0-2f), J Coady 0-4, W Hickey 1-0, E Byrne, P Nolan, P Coady (f), HP O'Byrne, G Doyle 0-1 each. Naomh Eoin: B Murphy 2-1 (1-1f), R Foley 1-0, J M Nolan 0-2, M Clowry, D Roberts 0-1 each.

Mt Leinster Rangers - F Foley; G Kelly, B Nolan, K Lawlor; R Coady, J Hickey, E Coady; P Nolan, D Byrne; E Byrne, J Coady, D Phelan; P Coady, W Hickey, D Murphy. Subs: HP O'Byrne for W Hickey (46); G Doyle for Murphy (blood sub) (56); R Grennan for J Coady (59); R Kelly for J Hickey (59).

Naomh Eoin - N Roberts; T Nolan, S Kavanagh, M Murphy; T Minchin, E Nolan, D Kavanagh; D Roberts, M Mullins; J Waters, M Clowry, D J O'Regan; J M Nolan, B Murphy, A Kenny. Subs: R Foley for Waters (34); S Smithers for O'Regan (47); C McCabe for Kenny (47); J O'Hara for M Murphy (48); R Smithers for Minchin (56).

Ref - P O'Dwyer (Palatine) Tweet

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