TRAILING LEINSTER champions Dublin by three points with four minutes remaining in an exciting John Player Cup final, Carlow won a close range free which corner-back 'Cran' Hogan chose to kick over the bar.

Now the Dubs lead was the 'dangerous two'. A minute later Carlow were awarded another close range free, one which the home side was also expecting to be dispatched for a point.

However on this occasion the wily 'Cran' hung one in the air andrising high on the edge of the square was Carlow captain Ned Dooguewho, in fading light via the fist, magnificently crashed the ball to the net.

It was to prove the winning goal and gave Carlow - who had beaten Kerry in Tralee and Cork in Croke Park en route a NFL semi-final in which they rattled All-Ireland champions Down in Croke Park - tangible reward for an action-packed season during which they also gave a marvellous account of themselves in the Leinster SFC, running Offaly, who were seeking a Provincial three-in-a-row, very close.

In this John Player Cigarette Company invitation tournament, Carlow beat Ulster champions Cavan in a semi-final replay but as Dublin had beaten us by a big margin in a challenge game in Croke Park shortly beforehand, hopes of victory were not high.

Those hopes were further hampered when the afternoon Carlow SFC meeting of the O'Hanrahan's and Kildavin in Bagenalstown turned out to be a tough battle, bordering on the dirty. Yet five players quickly hopped into a couple of cars and sped to the Metropolis to play together with Carlow.

This rushed preparation saw Carlow start poorly and Dublin took full advantage, Paddy Delaney clipping over and early point, Eamon Burgess following with a cheap enough goal.

When a cleverly put together move ended with right full forward Peter Roberts forcing the ball over the Dublin line in goalmouth schemozzle, Carlow's spirits soared and within minutes Roberts had levelled with a beautifully taken point. earing half-time, Carlow marksman Brendan Hayden pointed a 35 yard free to allow his side retire at the break with a 1-2 to 1-1 advantage.

Just four minutes after the restart Dublin had regained the lead, Frank Gilton fisting a goal from another melee, then Roberts and Delaney bartered points, Delaney and Carlow's Eddie Walker following suit. Another Dublin point by Delaney gave the Sky Blues that three point lead before the Cran Hogan/Ned Doogue double-act created the platform for those vital late scores.

Cran was the undoubted man of the match. Operating from left corner back, his anticipation, high catching and rousing clearances were top class. 'Buller' Canavan was as steady as ever on the edge of the square while Eamon Fitzpatrick and Joe Gorman were very sound in the wing half back positions.

Tom Keogh and Genie Kelly were a useful mid-field pairing while in attack Peter Roberts with 1-2 and, of course, the great Ned Doogue at full-forward, were the Carlow stars.

Dublin's best player was star defender Paddy Holden. Dan Gahan and Joe Farrell were also shone with John Timmons and Larry Carr doing well at mid-field. In attack Eamon Burgess and Frank Gilton stood out.