Down draw opening NHL Game with Carlow

Taken from BBC NI Website

Down drew their Allianz NHL Division 2B opener against Carlow at Ballycran.
The Ulster county were a point ahead in injury-time when the impressive Kieran Courtney was controversially adjudged to have handled on the ground.

Carlow led 0-5 to 0-0 but three Paul Braniff points cut the visitors' lead to 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time.

Paddy Coulter's goal gave Down hope and despite Stephen Clarke's sending-off for an illegal pull, Down moved ahead before the controversial finish.

Paul Braniff had a fine game for Down but he will look back on his penalty miss early in the second half when his shot was blocked on the line.

Clarke's dismissal by referee Gerard Devlin looked a tad harsh although his stick did connect with a Carlow player after he had made contact with the sliothar.

Centre half-back Courtney had a superb game for Down but his late concession of the free enabled Karl English to level for Carlow in injury-time.