Results
Joe McDonagh Cup Round 1
- Offaly 3-19 Laois 1-22
- Down 1-14 Kerry 1-26
- Carlow 5-23 Kildare 0-19
Leinster U20HC
- Wexford 2-17 Kilkenny 0-20
- Westmeath 2-14 Antrim 3-8
- Dublin 1-19 Galway 1-17
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CARLOW, OFFALY AND Kerry got off to winning starts in the Joe McDonagh Cup this afternoon.
Carlow stunned Kildare on a scoreline of 5-23 to 0-19 to top the group.
The hosts at Netwatch Cullen Park were 4-13 to 0-5 ahead at half time.
Paddy Boland fired a 24-minute first-half hat-trick, while Conor Kehoe raised Carlow’s other green flags — one in each half — in a huge result for Tom Mullally’s side.
Offaly also enjoyed a big win over neighbours Laois in Tullamore.
Eoghan Cahill excelled with 2-11 in the entertaining derby, with Joey Keenaghan scoring Offaly’s other goal. Paddy Purcell was on target for Laois, with Stephen ‘Picky’ Maher leading their scoring charge.
And earlier, last year’s beaten Joe McDonagh Cup finalists Kerry got their campaign off to a winning start in Down.
Eoin Ross bagged a goal in the 10th minute and the Kingdom went from strength to strength from there. Stephen Molumphy’s side finished up 15-point victors.
Elsewhere, Wexford, Westmeath and Dublin triumphed in the Leinster U20 hurling championship.
Wexford powered to a 2-17 to 0-20 win over Kilkenny, Luke Murphy and Cian Byrne grabbing the goals; quick-fire second-half majors from David Williams and David O’Reilly helped Westmeath to victory over Antrim; and Dublin came from nine points down to overcome Galway in an entertaining clash. Jamie Conroy scored the Dubs’ goal as they won by two.
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Fine player and was guaranteed choice for team of the year. Here’s hoping to more like him coming through
@Shaun Gallagher: sure Porter is not far off him as it is. He would certainly have been fighting it out for a starting berth on the Lions team if it wasn’t for his injury
Over the years tight head props were at least perceived as being slower and less skilful than loose heads. A few years ago before he hit the interprovincial and international stage I asked him if he ever considered switching to loose. He looked at me like I had 2 heads. But after I explained that with his speed and skills he might get more freedom and be on the ball more often at loose he didn’t knock me off my barstool. He said that he would be sticking with tight but would show that modern No 3s
could have all the skills and still anchor the scrum. How right he was. He has set the standard for tight heads worldwide. Brilliant rugby player.
@JG: this is a bit like the Michael Owen BBC sports personality of the year tweet!
Wonderful player great watching him play long may he last
I wonder is he better than Peter Clohessy was?
Just curious but he is one hell of a player
@O’Brien Michael: Claw was a legend but he was a penalty machine. Also, Furlong has broken the mold with his handling and footwork. That simply didn’t exist for props 15 years back.
@Steve O’Farrell: thats a fair comment old chap
A super player, why wouldn’t he amd his mother a Cork woman, but he tries (pun) to keep that quiet.
Great article, and a super player .let’s hope he stays injury free for the next World Cup . Well need all his skills to table for that .
Not only is he the best tighthead in the world at the moment, he is arguably the greatest tighthead prop there has ever been.
G’wan Tadhg ur a ⭐️