Carlow made it three wins from three in the Joe McDonagh Cup after surviving a dramatic late rally from Down in Ballycran.
For long spells, Carlow looked in control and a goal from Marty Kavanagh right on half-time helped send Pat Bennett’s side in seven points ahead.
But Down came storming back in the second half, with goals from Donal Hughes and Pearse Óg McCrickard cutting the gap and setting up a tense finish.
Carlow eventually held on for a 3–17 to 2–17 victory to continue their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Speaking afterwards, Bennett praised the character his side showed in difficult conditions.
“To be honest I am nothing but proud of the lads. You see the wind that was out there. We did not have enough in the first half, I thought we wasted a lot of good ball that we should have dealt with.
“To be fair to the lads, we went three down against that hurricane and they still fought back to win it.”
