IT was always going to be a tight affair and those who turned up a half an hour after mid-day on All Ireland Sunday to St. Conleth's Park, were not disappointed.
In the end, it was favourites, St. Laurence's, who advanced to the last four but not
before Carbury gave them a stern test. However, at the end of the day the difference lay up front where the winners had more options as against a Carbury side who were fairly wasteful throughout.
However, the score line might be a little flattering to the winners at the sides were level with just one minute of normal time remaining after a ding dong battle throughout.
Tight games are often decided by a little luck, a special bit of skill or whatever. On this occasion, with time ticking down, Carbury were on the attack, with Johnny Brereton in possession around the middle. An attempted kick forward was brilliantly blocked down by Pauric Kearney who began a move that saw Shaun Fahey set up Ronan Lawlor who made no mistake from close range.
The Larries kicked on with points from Shaun Fahey and a Barry Mackey free after John Fogarty set up Tommy O'Neill who was fouled and Mackey did the rest from a placed ball. And that was effectively that.
The opening was a very lively affair with Shaun Fahey causing all sorts of problems for the Carbury defence. The Kildare U.21 star opened the scoring after two minutes but Carbury were soon back on level terms through midfielder David Cash.
A long hopeful ball sent in by Terry Rossiter seemed to be under control by Larries keeper Shane Connolly. However, he failed to take full control and Andy Dermody was in like a light to punch the ball to the net to leave Carbury leading 1-1 to 0-1 after just seven minutes.
Shaun Fahey got his second soon afterwards before Padraig O'Neill punched over a fine effort after an excellent run.
The Larries were now beginning to flow and Ronnie Lawlor opened his account soon to be followed by another Fahey point.
Back came Carbury and Philip Mangan looked to have a goal at his mercy but a brilliant Mark Byrne block denied him.
Dom Grufferty was fouled and Barry Mackey made no mistake from 21 yards.
A speculative cross field ball by Eoghan O'Flaherty saw Terry Rossiter split the posts. Eoghan O'Flaherty punched a point as Carbury ended the half with a flourish and a Terry Rossiter free to leave the time score reading Carbury 1-5 St. Laurence's 0-6.
The Larries came out of the traps sharpish on the resumption with points from Padraig O'Neill, Barry Mackey (free) and a John Fogarty played ball from all of 55 yards to take the lead.
Carbury were certainly under the cosh and it was Aiden Dermody who lifted the siege to equalise midway through.
A Ronan Lawlor cross field pass saw Tommy O'Neill regain the lead. Back came Carbury and after a missed effort, Andrew Dermody again had them level with just three minutes to go.
Ding dong stuff as the clock moved on. Mossie Doyle was fouled and Mackey had the Lars back in front but it was short lived as a foul on Sean McLoughlin had the sides level again through Willie Groome.
A minute to go, the sides level and then that crucial goal from Ronnie Lawlor arrived, quickly followed by points from Fahey and Mackey to leave a somewhat flattering five points separating the teams as the final whistle arrived.
The Larries will indeed be pleased to have booked their semi-final spot once again. They worked hard, and turned the screw, especially at the start of the second half, however all credit to Carbury who will surely rue many misses they had throughout the game.
The favourites are through but are acutely aware they will have to step up a gear or two to reach the final on this display.
St. Laurence's: Shane Connolly; Mark Byrne, Niall Clinch, Cian Roche; Alan Higgins, Karl O'Brien, Aaron Flood; Padraig Kenny, Padraig O'Neill 0-2; Mossie Doyle, Barry Mackey 0-4 (4 frees), Tommy O'Neill 0-1; Ronnie Lawlor 1-1, Dom Grufferty, Shaun Fahey 0-4. Subs: John Fogarty for Dom Grufferty 0-1 (free) 42 minute;
Carbury: Declan Conroy; Daryl O'Brien, David Kelly, Darren Crowe; Peter O'Reilly Morgan O'Flaherty, Joe Crowe; David Cash 0-1, Johnny Brereton; Andy Dermody 1-2, Sean McLoughlin, Eoghan O'Flaherty 0-2; Willie Groome 0-1 (free), Terry Rossiter 0-2 (1 free), Philip Mangan 0-1. Subs: Paddy Grace for Darren Crowe (58 minute); Conleth Daniels for Eoghan O'Flaherty (59 minute);
Referee: Liam Herbert
