AFTER THE high of defeating the all-Ireland champions Navan, this Leinster League under 17 final result came as a shock to Co. Carlow systems, but it was an equitable outcome in Tullow on Sunday, even if the Oak Parkers contributed towards their own downfall. Enniscorthy were the more workmanlike team, marginally dominant in the scrums and certainly steadier out of touch with the losers forfeiting at least five of their own throws.

Thomas Daly gave Carlow the lead with an excellently-struck 22 metres penalty from the right on six minutes after the referee advanced the kick ten for vocal disagreement.

The first sign of loosening wheels came three minutes later when Enniscorthy centre Mel Doyle blocked an attempted Daly clearance and the was up to win the downward pressure, with Brendan Kearney adding the extra points.

There was a looseness about Carlow's play which kept them on the back foot for long periods, and they fell 10-3 behind when the outhalf converted a right touchline penalty in the 17th minute; the final score of that half.

Although there was much energy expended by John Lyons, Thomas Whitney and twin Ronan Farrell in the pack, they were restricted to any significant progress in the loose.

Daly and James Barron were shown the bin on 23 minutes, but Carlow missed probably their best opportunity of a first half try when conceding a penalty after excellent work by Ronan O'Brien Eoin Stynes Lyons and Stynes again followed by a fine drive by Lyons again.

The game drifted past Carlow when Mark Fitzgerald was penalised for an illegal tackle just 50 seconds into the new half and Kearney obliged from the 22 after 90 seconds.

The greatest threat to the Co. Wexford survival was Leinster player Stynes who was involved in their only try five minutes into the second half. Daly failed to find touch with a penalty but Carlow took the line with a throw to the front and Daly and Stynes made ground with Fitzgerald - seconds after his purging his yellow sin - going in on the left corner.

Carlow prospects looked a great deal rosier even if they were not playing with consistency, but they finally hit the floor when Enniscorthy crossed left of the posts in the 19th minute. They won an excellent touch on the left and O'Brien prevented a possible 'Corthy try when the burly and highly-influential Naoise Dunbar sent Wally Furlong down the left with O'Brien killing his chip ahead. However, from the scrum 5 Dunbar picked and drove right of the pack to touch down.

Carlow returned to the Enniscorthy 22 and tapped a penalty from which Lyons drove for the right post, but instead of the pack retaining possession they raided left and conceded the scrum.

Unfortunately the game descended in to a Donnybrook eight minutes from the end after which Enniscorthy's Dane Fortune was red-carded with yellows for Tom Ryan (E) and Michael Mannion and James Doyle (C).

Enniscorthy - most of whom were on their 14s who defeated Dundalk in a Leinster final three seasons ago - were full value for their triumph; their all-South East front row imperious and Dunbar a tower at 8.

Carlow's dismissals, concession of penalties and erratic line-out work helped write them out of the script although the back row of Joe Tomlin Hugh Fraser and Ronan Farrell did some good loose work, with Stynes the best back on the park.

Carlow were awarded nine of the 16 penalties, but only one aimed at goal even if many contended they should have shot two second half awards at the posts.