GREAT SCORES, good game, the sides level on nine occasions, but it wasn't the result Carlow senior footballers wanted from this game, as they were held to a draw by Waterford in the Allianze national football league Division 4 third round at Dr. Cullen Park on Saturday.

The home side were looking for their second win from this game, which would have given them two wins from three games, they beat Longford first day out, lost to Limerick ten day ago and last weekend drawing with Waterford. This was the first ever draw between the sides and they have played forty seven times with Carlow winning twenty seven times, and Waterford nineteen. However for Carlow loss of this league point could be rued in the closing stages of the league.

Corner forward J.J.Smith got Carlow of the mark with a pointed free after two minutes, the Deceis men levelled the game when Michael Donnelly set up full forward Robert Aherne to score from play a minute later, and this set the pattern for the first thirty five minutes, as the sides were level on seven occasions. Right half back Tony Grey edged Waterford in front, before full forward Mark Carpenter with two delightful points from play levelled and put Carlow in front. Michael Donnelly levelled the sides with a free at 0-3 each midway through the last half.

The game outfield was fast moving with each side providing excellent passages of play, the Carlow defence was solid and cool, as they read Waterford's dangerous raids well breaking up the attack winning back possession and then quickly finding the lose man as they moved the ball away from the dangerous area, particularly Liam Murphy at full back flanked by Padraig Murphy and Tony Bolger in the full back line, John Hayden was holding the centre along with Alan Curran and Benny Kavanagh on the wings, as they controlled Michael Donnelly Robert Aherne and Conor McGrath who were involved in all raids.

Donnelly edged Waterford ahead and at the other end Eric McCormack tied the sides with the first of his seven points. Robert Aherne and McCormack traded points twice. before Eric with a free gave Carlow a one point lead 0-7 to 0-6, going in to time added on and here Michael Donnelly tied the sides for a seventh time at, 0-7 each when Dublin referee Brian O'Shea called half time.

Carlow introduced John Murphy and Daniel St. Ledger at half time for Liam Murphy who picked up what looked like a hamstring injury a minute before half time, and he was playing well up to that point, with Shane Redmond who was at midfield dropping back to the number 3 berth. Daniel St. Ledger also come on for Simon Rea who was carrying an injury going in to the game and it came back to annoy him.

Waterford also introduced Liam O'Lionain for Brian Wall, and he was an impact sub.

The second half started in whirl wind fashion as Waterford set up a super attack with sub Liam O'Lionain going on a solo run and sending a pile driver of a shot at goal bringing the best out of James Clarke inside of thirty seconds as he saved and the ball was cleared down field, where Eric McCormack gathered and kicked over his fifth point, Carlow 0-8 Waterford 0-7. Thirty seconds later and that same man again McCormack increased the lead as pointed from a placed ball. From the kick out Brendan Murphy turned the ball at midfield and finding his namesake John, the big number nineteen headed for goal, bringing a few Waterford players, with him, the solo and bounce of the ball was scarce and John's steps were many as he neared the goal then the Waterford players held on to him as they all fell to the ground, the referee blew the whistle and what looked to be a free in was quickly changed as he spread his arms signalling a penalty.

John Murphy himself took the penalty and gave goalie Tom Wall no chance as he put the ball into the corner of the net and suddenly Carlow had opened up a five point lead, 1-9 to 0-7 five minutes in to the last period. Carlow had a fleeting chance to copper fasten their lead with a second goal but the chance was fluffed.

Four minutes later and the Barrowsiders were rocked when impact sub Liam O' Lionain, put paid to a ball that was bobbing and weaving around the square, with a ground kick he drove the ball through a crowded goalmouth to the Carlow net with speed, and Waterford were back in the game 1-9 to 1-7.

Urgency and intensity now came from both teams as each side went in earnest for the league points. Twelve minutes into the last period the sides were all square at 1-9 apiece, Michael Donnelly and Liam O'Lionain levelling for the Munster men.

Brendan Murphy and Sean Gannon were rallying Carlow men and then J.J. Smith fell foul of the referee as he received a straight red card in what was deemed harsh decision. Down to fourteen Carlow again stretched their lead to two with an Eric McCormack free and a super long range point from Brendan Murphy, with sixteen minutes remaining.

Alarmingly the home side did not score again but they defended heroically, Waterford sub Stephen Cunningham sent over the games last two scores as he tied the sides.

The two sides possibly had chances to win Waterford missed a forty metre free before they lost corner forward Wayne Hennessy for two yellow card offence.

Carlow also had a free from about fourty metres out on the sideline but it also tailed off, but before it was taken the referee gave a straight red card to Tony Grey for an off the ball offence.

Carlow are improving with each game, and the tendency not to hold what we have cost them on Saturday. Their next game is against Wicklow at Aughrim on Sunday, March 7 as well as the league points this game will also be testing the water for the championship when the sides meet again.