Chris Nolan and Ciaran Whelan turned on the style at Parnell Park on Saturday to secure this extra-time victory for Carlow over Antrim. With a combined tally of 2-16, the dynamic corner-forwards were instrumental in the win.

Antrim led by five points in the 51st-minute, but Carlow got to grips with the game and will now face Dublin in a round two play-off on June 6.

After James McNaughton and Conal Cunning (two) points had moved Antrim into an early lead, Carlow fired back through Nolan, Jamie Wall and Kevin McDonald.

A five-point haul by McNaughton gave Antrim a 0-8 to 0-7 interval lead, before Nolan’s goal on 43 minutes. A Cunning goal sparked a dominant spell for Antrim, only for a Whelan goal to offer Carlow a lifeline. Following a brace of frees from Nolan, the sides were level at the end of normal time (2-12 to 1-15).

Padraig Hynes’ 1-1 salvo helped open up a five-point cushion on 70 minutes and Whelan, Aaron Amond and Nolan eased Carlow home.

Scorers – Carlow: C Nolan 1-11 (9f), C Whelan 1-5 (4f), P Hynes 1-2, J Wall, K McDonald, J Nolan, A Amond 0-1 each.

Antrim: J McNaughton 0-10 (5f, 2 ’65’), C Cunning 1-3 (0-1f), G Walsh, E O’Neill 0-2 each, K Molloy, E McQuillan 0-1 each.

CARLOW – T Dowling; J Wall, D Tobin, D Connors; A Casey, O Roberts, E Redmond; N Lynam, K McDonald; C Tracey, J Nolan, P Hynes; C Whelan, P Connors, C Nolan. Subs: A Amond for Lynam (48), A Whelan for Tracey (56), G Lawlor for Casey (71), L Galway for Connors (76), E Holland for Hynes (79).

ANTRIM – R Elliott; A Crawford, C McMullan, C Carson; C Boyd, E Smyth, R McGarry; J McNaughton, G Walsh; C McHugh, K Molloy, R McKee; E McQuillan, C Cunning, E O’Neill. Subs: A O’Brien for McKee (h-t), S Walsh for McGarry (49), D Black for McHugh (53), McGarry for McQuillan (61), McKee for Walsh (70).

REF – S Stack (Dublin).