Down beaten in Ring Cup decider

Jim McKernan's side were level at 0-7 to 0-7 at half-time at Croke Park

Down's hopes of qualifying for next season's Liam McCarthy Cup were dashed as holders Carlow won Saturday's Christy Ring Cup final 1-15 to 0-14.

The sides were level 0-14 to 0-14 with a minute left but Robert Foley then slammed in a goal and Craig Doyle added a further point in injury-time.

It was another heartbreaking finish for Down after Antrim's late show clinched the Ulster title last month.

The score was 0-7 to 0-7 at half-time and remained tight in the second half.

Carlow become the first team to retain the Christy Ring Cup but they will not be able to aim for a three-in-a-row as they move up to the top-tier for next season.

However on the evidence of Saturday's game at Croke Park, the Leinster county will struggle at the top table.

Overall, the play was not of a particularly high standard as both teams were unable to find fluency.

Free-taker Simon Wilson and Paul Braniff were Down's chief scorers while Paudie Keogh knocked over a series of placed balls for Carlow.