Great scores, big lead, pulled back to level terms at the end of full time at 1-11 each, fell behind by three points towards the end of the first period of extra time, heart stopping stuff, didn't bend the knee, and the most important piece of all to win by two points, would about sum up an outstanding performance from Carlow's under twenty one footballers as they travelled to O'Connor Park, Tullamore and knocked Offaly out the 2010 Cadbury GAA Leinster under 21 football championship.

This was a true championship game teak tough, no quarter asked or given, a few squabbles, and player from each side taking and early red shower, all this provided great entertainment to the supporters, and especially to the vocal Carlow supporters who mingled with their hero's on the field long after the final whistle had sounded.

Offaly will have nightmares as this is the second time in three years that Carlow have beaten the Faithful County, in the opening round, 2008 at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow 1-11 Offaly 0-13.

It's true to say that Carlow sparkled in the opening quarter, and got a dream start. The home side were first to attack however the Barrowsiders defence quickly dealt with the danger and moved the ball down field, sending a long high ball in to the Offaly square and it looked as if the Offaly no. 3 Brian Geraghty had the ball safely caught when it left his hands, quick as a flash Mt. Leinster Rangers' Eddie Byrne punched the ball to the net with force for the games opening score.

Corner forward Dennis Murphy added a lovely point from play before, Michael Brazil opened Offaly's account. Seven minutes in to the first period and Murphy with a pointed free increased the visitors lead, at this stage Carlow were firing on all cylinders and also had the turbo on.

However Carlow lost centre field man Eoghan Ruth through injury after nine minutes, and in that short period the Eire Og man was very instrumental catching and delivering, Cathal Coughlan coming on in his place. Darragh Foley at centre half forward was superb in the air with his high catching and his great distribution as he laid on perfect long ball into open spaces for the forwards who were stringing some excellent moves together particularly Eddie Byrne, Murtagh Ware, David Bambrick, Dennis Murphy, and the big man Daniel St.Ledger.

At the end of the first quarter Carlow had built up a 1-6 to 0-2 lead. Alan Callinan came on for Kieran Nolan nine minutes before the break

Rally

The defence knew quite well that the Offaly rally was about to come and were well prepared. Offaly ran and carried the ball to Carlow hoping the defence would foul. Some fine defensive work from Shane Redmond, Paul McElligott senior hurler Alan Corcoran, Barry John Molloy, and Jeffery O'Donoghue restricted them to four points, three from Nigel Dunne, and one from Bernard Allen.

Brendan Murphy at centre field for Carlow kicked the games best point from way out the field very near the sideline on the terrace side as Carlow held a 1-8 to 0-6 lead at half time.

On the restart Dennis Murphy with two quick points one from a free one from play extended his sides lead 1-10 to 0-6. Offaly responded with four unanswered points in the space of seven minutes two from Anton O'Sullivan, Nigel Dunne and Bernard Allen, and suddenly the lead was cut to three points.

With the game at fever pitch and entering the last quarter, disaster struck for Carlow. Brendan Murphy taking a line ball forty metres out decided to kick it back to Pat Hughes in the goal as there wasn't either a back or forward any where near goal.

Pat Hughes advanced and covered the ball, in a flash Offaly read what was happening as full forward Brian Kelly ran and tackled the goalie, with the ball running loose for Michael Brazil to collect and kick in to an empty net, and the sides were level 1-10 each. Carlow introduced Martin Clowry for Cathal Coughlan.

Exchanges was hefty with a bit of scrappiness coming in to the game before Daniel St. Ledger restored the lead for Carlow, 111 to 1-10 and then found himself along with Colin Egan of Offaly falling foul of Louth referee Paul Kneel, as they both received straight red cards. Three minutes to go and Michael Brazil tied the sides, as people wondered how much time added on was going to be played. This was answered when the referee blew full time when normal time was up.

Extra Time

Each side content to be still in the game, what was gone before was water under the bridge what would happen now. Tinrylands Cormac Walsh came on and the number was back to fifteen, Jordan Lowry was on for Murtagh Ware, David Kinsella came on for David Bambrick and Con Murphy was on for Darragh Foley.

Offaly played their best cards in the opening ten minutes as they put the Carlow men under tremendous pressure as they edged three points clear courtesy of Anton O'Sullivan, Bernard Allen and Noel Andrew Graham. In the meantime Carlow had a goal disallowed for a number of forwards being in the small square, before Cormac Walsh kicked a steadying point a minute before the whistle sounded, to leave his side two points adrift at the end of the first period Offaly 1-14 Carlow 1-12.

If the first period belonged to Offaly the second belonged to Carlow. Three minutes in and Eddie Byrne narrowed the gap to a single point, as play swung from side to side. Offaly holding on and trying to increase their lead, Carlow all out in search of one more great attack. Anton O' Sullivan put two points between the sides. With three minutes remaining Offaly were moving the ball safely out of danger along their half back line, when Martin Clowry seemed to come from no where made a fast run intercepted a pass quickly parted to Brendan Murphy who unleashed a powerful shot to the Offaly net, suddenly the lead changed hands. True to form Offaly battled back forced a forty five but they had taken of their free taker Michael Brazil and they elected to take a short kick and well policed they forced Nigel Dunne to kick it well wide. With one last raid Jordan Lowry put the issue beyond doubt as he sent over the insurance point.

Full marks to both teams and especially Carlow for their huge work rate and they challenged everything, took some great scores and played some fine football not seen for a long time.