A late goal from Brendan Lawlor was enough to keep Carlow on the winning trail in Ruislip.

Victory looked a remote prospect at half time as they trailed by 3-8 to 0-8, but Carlow dominated the second half aided by man of the match Mark Brennan before Lawlor's late strike sealed the win.

CARLOW F Foley; A Gaul, C Hughes, L Kenny; E Coady, D Rogers, W Hickey; D Roberts (0-1), A Brennan (1-0); R Dunbar, M Brennan (0-6, 0-4 frees), J Coady (0-3); C Doyle (0-2), R Foley, J Miley (0-2) Subs S McMahon (0-1) for R Dunbar; B Lawlor (1-0) for J Coady
LONDON JJ Burke; A Pierce, S Loughlin, B Forde; E Leamy (0-1), K Kennedy, N Healy (01); P Fagan, F McMahon (0-2, 0-1 free); E Kinlon, B Tennyson (0-1), K McMullan (0-2); E Rocks (1-0), M Finn (2-2), S Malone (0-1) Referee Dominick Connolly (Kilkenny)

NICKY RACKARD CUP DETAILS, SPORTS GUIDE, PAGE 23