Carlow's 2016 league campaign began with a home defeat to Antrim, but the scallioneaters were given renewed hope with to a 4-4 to 1-11 victory in London, thanks in large part to a Sean Gannon hat-trick. Defeat at home to Waterford by 3-15 to 15 points appeared to spell the end of their promotion chances, but these chances seemed to be reinvigorated by a three-point win in Aughrim the following weekend in a game where Murphy was shown the black card after about 20 minutes.