Carlow have won the inaugural Joe McDonagh Cup with a 2-26 to 1-24 win over Westmeath in the final at Croke Park.
Goals either side of half-time from Carlow gave The Barrowsiders a formidable five-point lead after half-time with the newly crowned champions holding that advantage throughout the rest of the half.
However, whatever hopes Westmeath had of staging a comeback took a significant blow when Derek McNicholas was sent off for picking up his second yellow card with five minutes remaining.
Despite McNicholas’ dismissal, Westmeath tagged on a late goal through Niall O’Brien to give the scoreline some respectability as Carlow celebrate their win as the inaugural champions of the Joe McDonagh Cup.
Joe McDonagh Cup Final
Full-Time
Hard luck lads!!!!
We now face Wexford at TEG Cusack Park next weekend.
Congratulations to @Carlow_GAA @westmeath_gaa 1-24@Carlow_GAA 2-26#westmeathgaa #iarmhiabu #joemcdonaghcup #gaa #hurling— Westmeath GAA (@westmeath_gaa) July 1, 2018
Glory, glory days🏆
What a team & what a performance on the biggest day.
Rising up the Hogan steps and rising up to @gaaleinster Championship Hurling we go in 2019 📶!!!!!!!
A County so proud of these lads. ❤️💛💚
#CarlowRising 🇬🇳 @itcarlow 🇬🇳 pic.twitter.com/xrWCpExynU— Carlow GAA (@Carlow_GAA) July 1, 2018
