National Hurling League Division 2A Round 3
National Hurling League Division 2A Round 3
February 22, 2018
National Hurling League Division 2A Round 3
London 0-15
Carlow 3-23
With the London Hurlers staring down the barrel of facing a relegation playoff after the previous two rounds of games, they were tasked with facing promotion chasing and high flyers Carlow. Carlow were impressive 7-point winners over a fancied Kerry team in last weeks round. Reading into previous results many would write off London’s chances of providing a shock result.
The London Hurlers had other ideas and through pure hard work and endeavour they put it up to Carlow for the whole of the first half. The teams traded points throughout an evenly contested first half and at halftime the only thing between the teams was the goal which Carlow netted through Martin Kavanagh. At half time the score read 1-09 to 9 points.
The effort shown in the first half by the exiles prompted a response from the Carlow team and management, as Carlow boss Colm Bonnar rang the changes and the Carlow side raised the tempo in the second half. They extended their lead out to 6 following the resumption of the second half with London only managing to register a point in this period of time for all of their efforts. Then came the turning point in the game when London full-forward Colin Nelson was red carded for what was deemed a high tackle. It was soon after this the floodgates opened and Carlow found the net twice to put a polish on the scoreboard which perhaps London didn’t deserve to be on the receiving end of. The final score was 0-15 to 3-23 a score line which flattered the away side and now leaves them joint second in the Division 2A table.
As it sits, it seems that London are facing a relegation playoff with perennial strugglers Kildare. Nonetheless London look forward to welcoming Westmeath to McGovern Park this coming Sunday, February 25th.