In the end, Carlow felt about fifteen minutes short of having something to rank with 1944. That year marked their best ever Championship, in which they won their only Leinster Championship and reached the last four.
Tonight, they played a fifth Championship game for the first time since then, and heading into the final quarter, it looked as if they would play a sixth for the first time ever. A Darragh Foley free dropped short, which Monaghan 'keeper Rory Beggan made a royal mess of. The ball fell to Gary Kelly, who rifled it to the net.
Monaghan had huffed and puffed in the face of a blanket Carlow defence, but they chipped away at the Carlow lead, aided by a couple of soft frees. They drew level, and missed an easy free to go in front minutes before making the leading score more emphatic: Fintan Kelly fisting the ball to the net.
In the end, Monaghan escaped with a five point win.
But what a terrific championship from Carlow, of which their supporters were extremely proud.
Inability to retain possession from their own kickouts killed Carlow. Brilliant year, brilliant effort, must use this to build underage #GAA
— Daragh Ó Conchúir (@RebelDevil71) July 15, 2017
Carlow were so, so brave!!
Monaghan seriously need to up the ante, but qualifiers are just about winning #GAA— Diarmuid Nolan (@dermonolan91) July 15, 2017
Carlow have been the story of the Championship, their journey reminded me of Fermanagh in '04. Everyone loves an underdog story #GAA #GAAGO
— Patrick Quaile (@PatrickQuaile) July 15, 2017
Thank you to all the Carlow team @Carlow_GAA @TurloughCarlow you put pride back in our county, you've no idea this summer meant to us GRMA
— Dermot O'Brien (@dermotcw) July 15, 2017
Super proud of that group of players @Carlow_GAA ! What a super championship run, regroup and push on again next season 💪🇬🇳
— Graham Power (@GrahamPower1) July 15, 2017
No matter what you look at it, Monaghan have shown how far the have fallen whilst Carlow have shown just how far they've come #gaaqualifiers
— Doc (@HashtagDoc) July 15, 2017
Fair play @Carlow_GAA. Gave that a right good rattle.
— Tommy Martin (@TommyMartinVM) July 15, 2017
Monaghan's experience told in the end but what a journey from @Carlow_GAA this Summer. @Turloughcarlow warrior display by all #gaa
— Cóilín Duffy (@coilinduffy) July 15, 2017
Anyone on this from Carlow should be very proud of there team they gave it there all
— mark breslin (@markbreslin) July 15, 2017
A bit more composure from Carlow early on and how different it could have been. Savage effort #GAA
— Derrick Lynch (@DLynchSport) July 15, 2017
