Leinster Football Championship 1944
Semi - Final

Carlow  5 - 07             Wexford  3 - 06

Carlow Beat Wexford

A very big crowd, considering the unsettled state of the weather, saw Carlow defeat Wexford in the Leinster Football semi-final at Kilkenny. A huge crowd of Carlow supporters made the journey on all manner of vehicles, and judging by the favours displayed on the field, they appeared to be the majority. Carlow lead at half time, 3-4 to 2-3, and in a thrilling finish asserted their superiority by winning by 5-7 to 3-6. The Carlow team certainly laid the bogey that they are only at their best under ideal weather conditions, and only play good football on a fine day. On Sunday every member of the team showed he could adapt himself to any condition of weather prevailing and their mastery of the heavy greasy ball stamped them as footballers of no mean order. The outstanding feature of the Carlow side was the wonderful team work of the players. To this may be ascribed their success.

Kavanagh put over a point for Wexford to lead by 0-4 to 0-0 after four minutes play. Carlow then took up the running, after Whelan had sent well down, and Rea shot in a good goal. The goal delivery was returned from midfield, and after a neat bit of play Rea pointed, and shortly after he again raised the white flag to give his side the lead by a point. Carlow came away, and the ball went to the other end where Moore secured and driving in a good long one found the net. Almost immediately Rea added a point. Morris sent in a long ball to the forwards and after a good bout of passing Sullivan rammed home Carlow’s third goal. The interval came with Carlow leading 3-4 to 2-3.

On the resumption, Carlow bounded away and attacked immediately. Hosey put to Sullivan, who made no mistake in finding the net to further stretch the lead. The Carlow players rose to great heights, and for the last ten minutes completely dominated the play. From a splendid bout of passing, in which all the forwards took part, Sullivan sent in a shot that beat Lynch all the way for a goal. This was followed by two points from the same player, and Carlow came off good winners.

Carlow now meet Dublin in the Leinster final at Athy, on the 30th inst. They can approach this contest with the utmost confidence, as by a reproduction of the wonderful combination and team work displayed in their last two games, it will certainly take an outstanding team to beat them.

Adapted excerpt from the “Nationalist and Leinster Times”, July 15th 1944