Leinster Hurling: Antrim relegated after losing to Carlow

Antrim did not capitalise on Conor Johnston's early goal

Antrim's hurlers have been relegated to the Christy Ring Cup after a 2-18 to 1-11 defeat by Carlow in Cullen Park.

Kevin Ryan's men never built on Conor Johnston's 10th-minute goal despite Carlow having Martin Kavanagh sent-off.

Both sides eventually finished with 13 men as Antrim's Conor Johnston and Simon McCroy got red cards.

Antrim corner back Ryan McCormack was taken to hospital with a suspected dislocated shoulder after a challenge by Edward Coady who also saw red.

Antrim grabbed the early goal after Carlow keeper Kevin Kehoe hesitated on the loose ball, Johnston finishing through a packed defence

Carlow were reduced to 14 men on 21 minutes when full-forward Kavanagh flicked his hurley off the helmet of Odhran McFadden.

Antrim trailed Carlow by two points at half time and were never able to get back into the game with Carlow scoring 2-10 after the interval.

Sean Murphy wrapped up the victory for Carlow with a late goal, and victory for Loais over Westmeath saw the Ulster men relegated to the Christy Ring.

Carlow: Kehoe, Kavanagh, Rogers, Corcoran, R Coady, English, E.Coady (Wall 60), D Byrne, Kavanagh, S Murphy (Brennan 35+2), E Byrne, Nolan (Coady 58), S Murphy, Kavanagh, P Coady

Scorers: Kavanagh 0-2, 1f, P.Coady 1-6, 4f, E Byrne 0-2, Nolan 0-3, Murphy 1-1, M Brennan 0-1, D Byrne 0-1, Kavanagh 0-1

Antrim: O'Connell, McFadden, Dillon R McCambridge (Ross 60), McCrory, T McCann, McKinley, Ciaran Johnston, McAuley (Donnelly HT), Shiels (Bradley HT), Carson, McKernan (Campbell 51), Clarke, McCann, Conor Johnston

Scorers: Sheils 0-1, Clarke 0-2 2f, Conor Johnston 1-3, 2f, Bradley 0-2, McCann 0-1