These Carlow lads sure didn't back down.
Jim Gavin's all-conquering Dublin are in hot pursuit of a third successive Sam Maguire, but Carlow proved to be a difficult first obstacle for the Champions.
Right from the first minute of the game, Carlow hit Dublin hard. They are physical, they are intense and they look as fit as they possibly could.
Brendan Murphy got the ball rolling, as he so often does for Turlough O'Brien's side, with a fine point from play in the early stages of the game.
Dublin, as expected, established a foothold in the game. The Champions reeled off a few fine points from play with Paul Mannion and Niall Scully to the fore.
Carlow responded with true heart and courage, with this monster Paul Broderick free from almost 60mts out the highlight of their scores.
https://twitter.com/SkySportsGAA/status/871071722631344130
If you told any Carlow man before the game that the teams would enter the half-time break with only one score between them, they would probably have bitten your hand off.
