Carlow manager Turlough O'Brien was euphoric after leading his side to a first Leinster SFC victory over Kildare since 1953.

The Barrowsiders have made great strides under O'Brien, but this was their best result yet as they qualified for a provincial semi-final against Laois at Croke Park on June 10.

"It's a fantastic day for Carlow people," he told RTE.

"There's messages coming to me from America, Australia... all over the world and for Carlow people, it's captured their imagination how this team is playing, how they're going. It's just a fantastic time for Carlow. We've real quality in our team. We really feel players should enjoy these occasions and that's what we're doing.

"It was a great challenge for us today and we rose to the challenge. It's a great scalp for us to take. We'll see where it takes us."

O'Brien is hoping it will be a case of third time lucky against Laois after the O'Moore County beat them twice in this year's Allianz League.

"We've played Laois twice and lost narrowly in both games," he continued. 

"There's a huge Carlow-Laois rivalry. The third game in the trilogy should be something to see. We're very well prepared. We've put a lot of structure on our game. 

"I think people appreciate good defending as well as good attacking. It was a great facet of our game today. We were up against a very strong forward line. We held them very well.

"Carlow rising. Here we go!"

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