Carlow GAA Discussion Thread

TaosHum · 05-03-2014 3:19pm #1

Might end being a bit of a ghost thread, but said it would be worth creating considering we are less than 2 weeks away from St. Patrick's Day and MLR in the All-Ireland Hurling Club Championship final.

This weekend will also see a double header in Dr. Cullen Park with the footballers taking on Antrim at 12.45 and the hurlers going up against Derry at 2.30.

Meanwhile, the county under 21 footballers are in action tonight vs Dublin at 7.30 in Carlow IT.

Redsoxfan · 05-03-2014 4:30pm

What sort of numbers supporting MLR would you expect to see in Croke Park on St Patrick's Day?

TaosHum · 05-03-2014 4:51pm

Considering there was an overall attendance vs Oulart of around 7,000 (about 60-65% of which was for Mount Leinster Rangers) I would certainly expect 5,000 at the least to make the journey.

With Carlow being so staved of success at inter-county level, the entire county will always rally around the county champions when it comes to the Club Championship. Both Eire Og and the Blues received the same support when they had their success in football during the 90's.

Nearly all clubs are sending at least one bus load up.

Stevecw · 05-03-2014 7:27pm

Great to see a Carlow thread here. Should be enough happening to keep it from being a ghost thread. Between MLR's great run, & the Carlow Hurlers effort to make the breakthrough to the next level should mean there is interest and some positive posts here.

As for the footballers, well the less said the better and I see Rainbow will still not walk away. Sad to see how low Carlow football is right now.

Fear that this evening our U-21 footballers will be in for another hammering from Dublin. Was at the game in Parnell Park last year where we lost by 37 points. This evening could be something similar. Hope I'm wrong but doubt it.

king size mars bar · 05-03-2014 7:30pm

Think we may knock the football on the heed and stick with the hurling!

rambojon · 05-03-2014 7:33pm

Stevecw wrote: »

Great to see a Carlow thread here. Should be enough happening to keep it from being a ghost thread. Between MLR's great run, & the Carlow Hurlers effort to make the breakthrough to the next level should mean there is interest and some positive posts here.

As for the footballers, well the less said the better and I see Rainbow will still not walk away. Sad to see how low Carlow football is right now.

Fear that this evening our U-21 footballers will be in for another hammering from Dublin. Was at the game in Parnell Park last year where we lost by 37 points. This evening could be something similar. Hope I'm wrong but doubt it.

Best of luck to the small fish (as Davy would say) MLR on paddy a day . Bookies have spread at 25 points for the U21s .. Doesn't look good even with home adv

TaosHum · 05-03-2014 9:41pm

Stevecw wrote: »

Great to see a Carlow thread here. Should be enough happening to keep it from being a ghost thread. Between MLR's great run, & the Carlow Hurlers effort to make the breakthrough to the next level should mean there is interest and some positive posts here.

As for the footballers, well the less said the better and I see Rainbow will still not walk away. Sad to see how low Carlow football is right now.

Fear that this evening our U-21 footballers will be in for another hammering from Dublin. Was at the game in Parnell Park last year where we lost by 37 points. This evening could be something similar. Hope I'm wrong but doubt it.

Didn't get to make it up to the IT, but by all accounts its been a massacre.

Dublin 2-23 to 0-3 points in front and its not even over. Carlow football in big trouble.

king size mars bar · 05-03-2014 10:25pm

That's 2years running the dubs have whopped us in this grade.

Fireball07 · 05-03-2014 10:44pm

Stevecw wrote: »

Great to see a Carlow thread here. Should be enough happening to keep it from being a ghost thread. Between MLR's great run, & the Carlow Hurlers effort to make the breakthrough to the next level should mean there is interest and some positive posts here.

As for the footballers, well the less said the better and I see Rainbow will still not walk away. Sad to see how low Carlow football is right now.

Fear that this evening our U-21 footballers will be in for another hammering from Dublin. Was at the game in Parnell Park last year where we lost by 37 points. This evening could be something similar. Hope I'm wrong but doubt it.

Not quite as bad but only scoring 3 points isn't great

Hammer Archer · 09-03-2014 3:41pm

Great win for your footballers against Antrim.

king size mars bar · 09-03-2014 5:32pm

Two wins for Carlow today, good stuff

TaosHum · 09-03-2014 9:00pm

Was up at Dr. Cullen today and was great to see both the hurlers and footballers grab wins.

Have to say, I really didn't expect the footballers to win that. For most of the 2nd half Antrim primarily maintained a 4/6 point lead, with Carlow struggling to crawl it back. Both I was delighted to see the team continuing to fight and not give up. Carlow actually looked the fitter team in the final minutes, as Antrim began to fade.

Paul Brodrick was outstanding today, scored some fantastic points from play with both feet and always had the beating of his man. Seamus Kinsella was also impressive and his goals made the difference. I think Kinsella scored 2-4 (all from play) while Brodrick scored about 10 points.

I think Carlow will need to tighten up at the back as Antrim were able to do alot of damage and Carlow struggled to live with them at times. But all in all, great to see the team fighting back to win it at the end against one of the promotion favorites.

As for the hurles, they were in a different league to Derry and they didn't even play that well. Carlow were quite sloppy at times and handed possession over easily far too often. But they didn't need to be at their given how poor Derry were. Carlow did have some good performers though in Mark Brennan, David English and especially Sean Murphy. The fullback line to their credit also give up very little.

So a rare double win today sets it up nicely for St. Paddy's day and MLR in the club All-Ireland.

klairondavis · 09-03-2014 9:50pm

Is Paul Cashin playing any football these days?

Fireball07 · 09-03-2014 11:43pm

Excellent win for your footballers today, wouldn't have given ye much hope against a decent enough Antrim side who are going well. High-scoring game... hopefully ye build on that, should be a big confidence boost.

09-03-2014 11:48pm

Bit of an outsider perspective here from Tipp man who studies in the IT. Firstly congrats on today's win and credit goes to the setup after the bad day out last week to rally the troops for today. These performances are well within Carlows sphere only perhaps due to squad size and overall pick its difficult to do it consistently.

Secondly i think the GAA men in your county deserve tremendous pat on the back for the trojan work they do.
Carlow are against all the odds competing with Rugby (which seems traditionally strong even before the success of SOB) and Soccer.

You have a relatively small population of 55k in comparison with the likes of 1.5m Dublin and yet still maintain both codes within the intercounty game and the success of the excellent MLR will hopefully drive not just hurling, but the whole GAA county to greater heights. MLR's rise is a story which really warms the heart and i hope they pull off a shock on Paddy's day.

Alot of positives to be taken. You have a good hurling core within the county with some really talented young players like Marty Kavanagh coming through. Ye beat the dubs last year at u21....A county with six senior teams beat the team with the likes of Ciaran Kilkenny, Cormac Costello, and Danny Sutcliffe.
The footballers are definitely capable of more and should stick with Rainbow. I remember they gave a performance at Semple Stadium last year that very few teams would live with. I thought ye could be in division 3 this year but for whatever reasons it just didnt happen.

Best of luck for 2014 and hopefully the powers that be will do more to give ye a fighting chance of competing with the big boys.

allthedoyles · 09-03-2014 11:54pm

I presume theres been no MLR players in the last few matches ,so must be satisfying wins for Carlow .

09-03-2014 11:58pm

allthedoyles wrote: »

I presume theres been no MLR players in the last few matches ,so must be satisfying wins for Carlow .

I forgot to congratulate the hurlers. TBH i was wondering how MLR absence would affect them but impressive showing so far. Id imagine theyll pip Kerry to promotion. We could be playing ye next year the way things are going and it could be two points there for ye be it Dr Cullen or Semple :pac:

TaosHum · 10-03-2014 12:17pm

klairondavis wrote: »

Is Paul Cashin playing any football these days?

Was out injured with a serious knee injury the last I heard. Didn't play for Eire Og last year and not involved in current county set-up.

Deleted User wrote: »

Bit of an outsider perspective here from Tipp man who studies in the IT. Firstly congrats on today's win and credit goes to the setup after the bad day out last week to rally the troops for today. These performances are well within Carlows sphere only perhaps due to squad size and overall pick its difficult to do it consistently.

Secondly i think the GAA men in your county deserve tremendous pat on the back for the trojan work they do.
Carlow are against all the odds competing with Rugby (which seems traditionally strong even before the success of SOB) and Soccer.

You have a relatively small population of 55k in comparison with the likes of 1.5m Dublin and yet still maintain both codes within the intercounty game and the success of the excellent MLR will hopefully drive not just hurling, but the whole GAA county to greater heights. MLR's rise is a story which really warms the heart and i hope they pull off a shock on Paddy's day.

Alot of positives to be taken. You have a good hurling core within the county with some really talented young players like Marty Kavanagh coming through. Ye beat the dubs last year at u21....A county with six senior teams beat the team with the likes of Ciaran Kilkenny, Cormac Costello, and Danny Sutcliffe.
The footballers are definitely capable of more and should stick with Rainbow. I remember they gave a performance at Semple Stadium last year that very few teams would live with. I thought ye could be in division 3 this year but for whatever reasons it just didnt happen.

Best of luck for 2014 and hopefully the powers that be will do more to give ye a fighting chance of competing with the big boys.

Promotion in all honesty was never really on the cards for this team coming into the season. They struggled for numbers at the beginning of training, several high profile players in the county didn't declare themselves available and then the departure of Brendan Murphy at the start of the campaign. In the teams first game against Tipp, then were battered by a fitter and hungrier side. I know losing Broderick in the opening minutes to a red card didn't help, but they were blown away regardless.

But yesterday might be the turning point needed, as they will go in confident for their remaining games. With Wicklow, London, Clare and Waterford left, I think two wins would give them enough confidence and belief going into the Championship.

allthedoyles wrote: »

I presume theres been no MLR players in the last few matches ,so must be satisfying wins for Carlow .

The hurlers have been very impressive considering they are missing at least 5 starters from the MLR side. To have already wrapped up a place in the Division 2A final with two games left is a testament to the great work being done in Carlow hurling.

What this means is that the MLR players won't have to be rushed back against Westmeath in their final game. I don't think Meyler will be giving away too much next week vs Kerry in Tralee. Could see the side being rotated.

Stevecw · 10-03-2014 8:18pm

Great day in DCP yesterday, very unexpected win for the footballers followed by another handy win by the hurlers.

Amazing fightback by the footballers, 6 points down with 8 to go couldn't see us pulling it back.
To be honest at that stage we were lucky not to be further behind. Antrim had so many chances of goals, Andy O'Brien pulled off at least 3 saves and terrible decisions by Antrim forwards cost them at least another 2 or 3. Could very easily have been 6-15 for Antrim, and then things would be very different.
But it was a spirited display by Carlow, Broderick gave the best forwards display in a Carlow jersey I've seen since Simon Rea was at his best. Seamus Kinsella was class too, his 1st goal was quality. Between them they got 2-13 I think it was.

Defence is a serious problem tho, how many times were we cut open with simple runs thru the middle. Bambrick is a decent player, but never a no 6, Shane Redmond is not the answer at full back either. We were very lucky as I said that we didn't concede at least 6 goals.
Richie Mahon played really well, best of the backs for me. Gahan burst forward to great effect, but no way in RHB his best position. Ware did well at mf apart from his brain freeze when clean thru at the end. Obviously Broderick and Kinsella were class in the forwards and have to mention Willie Minchin who roamed all over the field to great effect. Probably the best game I've seen him have in a Carlow jersey.

It was a great win and the cheers and jumping around we all did in the stand, plus the standing ovation said a lot. Carlow football needed something like this so so badly. More than ever after the week we had, the U-21s being hammered again and the disgraceful comments from the Co chairman about pulling out of Co football.

Hopefully now we can get another win or 2 before the league ends.

The hurlers got the job done in no time, blitzed Derry and had the game wrapped up in a few mins. Rest of the game was killing time really, and giving the squad members a run.
The next 2 games now mean nothing really, which is a pity in a way as we need some competitive games before the 2A final and hopefully a play off against a 1b side.
Fair play to the lads, and to Meyler who unlike Rainbow with the footballers looks interested and encourages from the sideline.

All in all a rare double victory for Carlow and we all went home happy. Looing forward to next weekend and Wicklow in DCP on Sunday and of course MLR on Paddys day.

14-03-2014 4:57pm

Interesting statement from the Carlow Co Chairman the other day. Cant link it at the moment due to their being a server block on the hoganstand website on the network im using but basically he stated that their gross earning from the league v Down recently was €75 :eek: And that's before expenses are taken into account it would then probably have been a loss making situation.

€350 was the total taken in at the gate and apparently one fifth of that each goes back to the counties. Even €350 wouldn't have left you with much gross profit too be honest.

There really is a severe imbalance that has to be addressed at HQ level. Fair enough the Dublin argument that its not their fault they are a more attractive advertising product and i take their argument but for the good of the game there should be some sort of 'Tax' above certain earnings for counties to redistribute back into the game. Its just unfair that some have all the resources while others struggle. Not a pop at Dublin or other counties and it isnt their fault but the GAA need to look at ways at levelling the playing field.

TaosHum · 16-03-2014 10:45pm

Dreadful performance today by the footballers. Wicklow by far the better team and moved the ball well. Totally dominated at midfield. Carlow were very sloppy in possession at times and conceded some very soft scores. Paul Broderick again was outstanding and Carlow's only real player of note, apart from maybe O'Brien in goal.

The hurlers were beaten in Kerry, but with a final spot already sown up, I wouldn't be too concerned.

Well, only one day now to MLR in the club final. Would be unbelievable if they could pull it off. Best of luck to the lads tomorrow.

16-03-2014 10:58pm

TaosHum wrote: »

Dreadful performance today by the footballers. Wicklow by far the better team and moved the ball well. Totally dominated at midfield. Carlow were very sloppy in possession at times and conceded some very soft scores. Paul Broderick again was outstanding and Carlow's only real player of note, apart from maybe O'Brien in goal.

The hurlers were beaten in Kerry, but with a final spot already sown up, I wouldn't be too concerned.

Well, only one day now to MLR in the club final. Would be unbelievable if they could pull it off. Best of luck to the lads tomorrow.

How many MLR lads on the hurling panel by the way? They will definitely make a huge difference to what is an already strong Carlow panel in terms of Division 2a. Looks like we will be playing each other in 1b in next year the way things are going.

TaosHum · 17-03-2014 12:43am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

How many MLR lads on the hurling panel by the way? They will definitely make a huge difference to what is an already strong Carlow panel in terms of Division 2a. Looks like we will be playing each other in 1b in next year the way things are going.

Your definetly looking at 5/6 on the starting 15 with another 3/4 on the panel. Richard Coady, Diarmuid Byrne and Denis Murphy will make a big impact when they return.

17-03-2014 1:31am

TaosHum wrote: »

Your definetly looking at 5/6 on the starting 15 with another 3/4 on the panel. Richard Coady, Diarmuid Byrne and Denis Murphy will make a big impact when they return.

Huge, especially Murphy who is a a ball of class

allthedoyles · 17-03-2014 1:45am

I recall a few inter-county matches in 2012 , and there were only 2 MLR players on the first 15

I know this will change now , and they will deserve it.

Best of Luck in the final MLR .

17-03-2014 1:49am

allthedoyles wrote: »

I recall a few inter-county matches in 2012 , and there were only 2 MLR players on the first 15

I know this will change now , and they will deserve it.

Best of Luck in the final MLR .

Strange enough really because MLR won the title that year. Anyways best of luck to them tomorrow. Have huge respect for Portumna as a club but i hope the underdog takes it.

Kerrydude1981 · 17-03-2014 2:40pm

Best of luck to MLR today,be great to see them pull off the win.

allthedoyles · 17-03-2014 3:39pm

Kerrydude1981 wrote: »

Best of luck to MLR today,be great to see them pull off the win.

Only 4 points down at half-time , I hope MLR can improve in the 2nd .

dirkmeister · 17-03-2014 4:16pm

What was the red card for? I've watched it back and can't see anything.

Gael85 · 17-03-2014 4:16pm

MLR getting nothing from referee.Any time Joe Canning falls he gets a free.

kksaints · 17-03-2014 4:18pm

Hard luck to MLR. They can be very proud of their effort. Just lacking that small bit of quality compared to Portumna.

kksaints · 17-03-2014 4:19pm

Gael85 wrote: »

MLR getting nothing from referee.Any time Joe Canning falls he gets a free.

Ref was very poor. Gave Portumna everything.

eire 2012 · 17-03-2014 4:21pm

Gael85 wrote: »

MLR getting nothing from referee.Any time Joe Canning falls he gets a free.

Barry Kelly loves joe canning and always looks after him. Kelly worst referee by a country mile has his own rules and loves to be the main talking point. Has to be removed from reffing panel before he ruins anymore matches.

Grats · 17-03-2014 4:36pm

eire 2012 wrote: »

Barry Kelly loves joe canning and always looks after him. Kelly worst referee by a country mile has his own rules and loves to be the main talking point. Has to be removed from reffing panel before he ruins anymore matches.

Yes I'm from Kilkenny and of course supported MLR today. Amusing to see Kelly today with a genuine opportunity to issue second yellow cards to at least two Portumna players and chose not to. I would have thought he might have favoured the underdog but clearly not today. He lost the run of himself in recent years and hasn't improved judging by this latest display from him. Most certainly MLR can feel aggrieved. Portumna fouled persistently in order to stop MLR running at them. It worked, simply because Kelly copped out.

Well done MLR, ye done yourselves and Carlow proud.

KKkitty · 17-03-2014 4:44pm

I'm also from Kilkenny but living in Carlow and even though Rangers lost they did brilliantly to get to the final. They did their county and respective villages proud so well done to them. Just think of how many teams they had to beat to get that far.

allthedoyles · 17-03-2014 6:19pm

eire 2012 wrote: »

Barry Kelly loves joe canning and always looks after him. Kelly worst referee by a country mile has his own rules and loves to be the main talking point. Has to be removed from reffing panel before he ruins anymore matches.

I even saw Kelly at one stage during the match having a chat and giggle with JC ,
Not what you would expect from a referee

Slydice · 17-03-2014 8:34pm

Went down to Croke Park for the match. Great to see such a good turn out from Carlow.

Thought it was grand to see a Carlow team play at such a high level.

Also didn't understand the Ref giving the yellow card, not giving a card to the Portumna player who drew blood on the back of the head of the MLR player or his large amount of decisions which seemed to be way more in favour of Portumna.

Ah sure. Hopefully it'll have been good experience for them and that there'll be another occasion to celebrate in the future because of it.

18-03-2014 1:05am

Gael85 wrote: »

MLR getting nothing from referee.Any time Joe Canning falls he gets a free.

Hard luck to MLR. Your right the ref was piss poor. Coady didnt do an awful lot to get a red i think. There wasnt a dirty stroke in that whole game. One or two late ones but nothing malicious.
I thought though that the forwards for MLR lacked the fluid interchange of their Portumna counterparts although they battled valiantly. Make no mistake, this is only the beginning and not the end. I thought Rangers broke a fantastic amount of ball in the backs but got turned over a little too much at the other end.

MLR will be thereabouts for the next few years i feel.

RoyalCelt · 18-03-2014 3:36am

TaosHum wrote: »

Might end being a bit of a ghost thread, but said it would be worth creating considering we are less than 2 weeks away from St. Patrick's Day and MLR in the All-Ireland Hurling Club Championship final.

This weekend will also see a double header in Dr. Cullen Park with the footballers taking on Antrim at 12.45 and the hurlers going up against Derry at 2.30.

Meanwhile, the county under 21 footballers are in action tonight vs Dublin at 7.30 in Carlow IT.

Did all Carlow teams you mentioned lose?

RoyalCelt · 18-03-2014 3:40am

KKkitty wrote: »

I'm also from Kilkenny but living in Carlow and even though Rangers lost they did brilliantly to get to the final. They did their county and respective villages proud so well done to them. Just think of how many teams they had to beat to get that far.

Can anyone list the teams they beat in the Carlow, leinster and All-Ire championships, on the way to the final?

It's atually incredible when you think about the run needed to get to croke park.

Also delighted to see half of carlow up in croker! Out numbered potumna about 10 to 1 I'd say.

18-03-2014 1:28pm

Whats the format of the Carlow club SHC by the way? Is it double round robin with top two playing in the final?

TaosHum · 18-03-2014 3:21pm

Well, the adventure has ended, but what an adventure it was. Was fantastic to be up in Croke Park yesterday cheering on a Carlow side in a Senior final. It doesn't happen often, which was the main reason why people from all over the county decided to go up and support MLR.

On the match itself, Portumna just had that bit of class which was the difference between the sides. Both Cannings and Damien Hayes were able to capitalise on the opportunities given to them. Frank Foley, who was solid in goal, made two errors in possession and got punished for both. The fullback's were solid and gave up little to a dangerous Portumna full forward line. The MLR half backs were excellent I though and cleaned up alot of ball during the game.

The problem for MLR however were the forwards who struggled to gain possession and Portumna's backs simply dominated the Rangers forwards. MLR just lacked that bit of quality in that area and even Denis Murphy struggled. Paul Coady was probably the best of the forwards.

On the ref, I thought he was poor and quite harsh on MLR at times, but even with better officiating, Portumna still come out on top.

But what an achievement for MLR and Carlow hurling to have a team in the Club Senior final. So many positives to now build on and hopefully that young Rangers side have learned from their adventure and can build on it. But one things for certain, the other Carlow senior hurling sides will be licking their lips the get a craic at the Leinster champions. Really looking forward to the county hurling championship.

TaosHum · 18-03-2014 3:30pm

RoyalCelt wrote: »

Can anyone list the teams they beat in the Carlow, leinster and All-Ire championships, on the way to the final?

In the Leinster Champioship:

Castletown Geoghegan (Westmeath)
Ballyboden St. Enda's (Dublin)
Oulart the Ballagh (Wexford)

All-Ireland Semi Final:

Loughgiel Shamrocks (Antrim)

Deleted User wrote: »

Whats the format of the Carlow club SHC by the way? Is it double round robin with top two playing in the final?

6 team championship with games played on a round-robin basis. After round-robin games, top 4 teams go into semi finals, while bottom two should play in a relegation final, however only Carlow Town can go up from intermediate but they opted to stay Intermediate again this year, even though they won it last year.

Teams in the Senior Championship are:

Naomh Brid (Ballinabranna, Old Leighlin, Leighlinbridge)
Naomh Eoin (Myshall)
Erin's Own (Bagenalstown)
Mount Leinster Rangers (Borris)
St. Mullins
Ballinkillen (Fenagh, Kildavin)

18-03-2014 3:51pm

TaosHum wrote: »

In the Leinster Champioship:

Castletown Geoghegan (Westmeath)
Ballyboden St. Enda's (Dublin)
Oulart the Ballagh (Wexford)

All-Ireland Semi Final:

Loughgiel Shamrocks (Antrim)

6 team championship with games played on a round-robin basis. After round-robin games, top 4 teams go into semi finals, while bottom two should play in a relegation final, however only Carlow Town can go up from intermediate but they opted to stay Intermediate again this year, even though they won it last year.

Teams in the Senior Championship are:

Naomh Brid (Ballinabranna, Old Leighlin, Leighlinbridge)
Naomh Eoin (Myshall)
Erin's Own (Bagenalstown)
Mount Leinster Rangers (Borris)
St. Mullins
Ballinkillen (Fenagh, Kildavin)

What about Setanta are they just an 'Óg' (youth) hurling club?

How many hurl at other levels then? I notice there is a few with 'GFC' in the club title such as Tinryland and the Blues that probably dont hurl at all?

TaosHum · 18-03-2014 4:18pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

What about Setanta are they just an 'Óg' (youth) hurling club?

How many hurl at other levels then? I notice there is a few with 'GFC' in the club title such as Tinryland and the Blues that probably dont hurl at all?

Your correct about Setanta, currently only have juvenile sides. Other Huling sides in the county are

St Patricks (Tullow)
Palatine
Carlow Town

I think other clubs may have juvenile clubs but that's it for adult teams.

18-03-2014 4:40pm

TaosHum wrote: »

Your correct about Setanta, currently only have juvenile sides. Other Huling sides in the county are

St Patricks (Tullow)
Palatine
Carlow Town

I think other clubs may have juvenile clubs but that's it for adult teams.

Good to see those clubs are starting somewhere anyway. Strength in numbers would be a huge plus and In terms of schools would Carlow not consider maybe entering a combined team in the Leinster Colleges A cup?

It has certainly benefited both Waterford and Dublin in terms of Harty/Leinster/Croke cups.
I know Carlow have a few B level schools but this is probably the key area to development as they would get more competitive games.

Location wise is a big advantage for Carlow as they are in the heart of the South East and within distance all of the hurling counties but as highlighted earlier they are severely handicapped with revenue and that's where HQ need to help out.

It isn't going to be easy if you have more buffoons like your man on the Cork board that have power and a vote (Regarding the ludicrous 'Pavarotti/Jedward' analogy he gave) but hopefully MLR will have challenged the few snobs to open their mind and hearts a bit and help the smaller more under resourced counties out.

At the same time though perhaps gates might pick up now the MLR boys will return to the county setup? They've generated a bit of a feel good factor within the county. That said its only right that the few people should get out and support the lads as it stands who are doing really well in 2A despite being weakened.

Slydice · 18-03-2014 8:10pm

Well someone got onto the pitch and gave the ref an earful about the red card anyway:

Probe as fan abuses ref on pitch
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/probe-as-fan-abuses-ref-on-pitch-30100511.html

a supporter of Carlow club Mount Leinster Rangers got on to the pitch at the end of the AIB All-Ireland club hurling final and verbally abused Mr Kelly at close quarters before stewards intervened.

Some Mount Leinster supporters were aggrieved at the sending off of Carlow wing-back Edward Coady in the dying minutes.

Few among the crowd understood why Coady was red-carded but Mount Rangers' manager Tom Mullally did not take issue with the referee.

Still don't know why the red card was given though

Syferus · 18-03-2014 8:42pm

What sort of eejit gets that worked up about a meaningless red card at the end of a game that was already over as a contest?

TaosHum · 19-03-2014 12:34pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Good to see those clubs are starting somewhere anyway. Strength in numbers would be a huge plus and In terms of schools would Carlow not consider maybe entering a combined team in the Leinster Colleges A cup?

It has certainly benefited both Waterford and Dublin in terms of Harty/Leinster/Croke cups.
I know Carlow have a few B level schools but this is probably the key area to development as they would get more competitive games.

I know at Senior and Junior levels, Borris VS compete in the Leinster A Championship and have even took some notable scalps, including Good Counsel. At juvenile level there is a Carlow School's side that compete in the A Championship. Borris VS probably feel they are strong enough without teaming up with other Carlow school's, considering they get students from a large part of South Carlow and even bordering Kilkenny and Wexford villages.

The highest level any other Carlow school competes in is the South Leinster C, so maybe the Carlow Town schools should play on the one side. But I agree that young players competing at the highest level in schools hurling would aid the development of the game further in the county.

One thing I have noticed from keeping an eye on Carlow IT's Fitzgibbon Cup games is the lack of Carlow players on the side. I know Carlow IT pulls in alot of talent from Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford and even Offaly, but the absence of Carlow players in a Carlow school is disappointing.

Whether it's because they are not good enough or they are not committing I don't know, but playing at Fitzgibbon Cup level would develop players further, as it's not every day you get the chance to line up against the best young talent in Ireland.

Location wise is a big advantage for Carlow as they are in the heart of the South East and within distance all of the hurling counties but as highlighted earlier they are severely handicapped with revenue and that's where HQ need to help out.

Kilkenny to their credit, have been a huge help to the development of Carlow hurling. Carlow clubs in the past have been allowed enter Kilkenny leagues, which not only means they are playing against better quality, but offers something different than playing against the same 5 opposition every time.

Also, some clubs have allowed Carlow teams to use their facilities. The Carlow Senior hurlers actually train once a week in Blacks and Whites hurling club, so they can avail of their hurling wall.

Carlow is also blessed to have state of the art facilities in Carlow IT and the newly developed center of excellence in Fenagh. I actually think the facilities in the IT are criminally under-used by the county board.

It isn't going to be easy if you have more buffoons like your man on the Cork board that have power and a vote (Regarding the ludicrous 'Pavarotti/Jedward' analogy he gave) but hopefully MLR will have challenged the few snobs to open their mind and hearts a bit and help the smaller more under resourced counties out.

At the same time though perhaps gates might pick up now the MLR boys will return to the county setup? They've generated a bit of a feel good factor within the county. That said its only right that the few people should get out and support the lads as it stands who are doing really well in 2A despite being weakened.

I've always found it funny when you see certain sports talk about developing their game in weaker areas and then try to stifle their development once they start to become a danger to the accepted hierarchy. I'd liken it to the Irish cricketers being told they could no longer compete at the world cup, even though real development was/is happening.

But it's good to see people taking an interest in Carlow hurling. It's good to see the likes of yourself taking an interest to what is going on here and having good will to the county. It's that type of attitude that will only help Carlow and indeed other weaker counties when it comes to trying to gain the respect of the stronger counties.

Stevecw · 23-03-2014 6:48pm

Good day today for Carlow Hurling, the seniors still without any of the Mount Leinster players had a very impressive win against Westmeath, 2-21 to 0-13. Really great display especially early in the 2nd half where we lifted our game to a level Westmeath couldn't cope with.

Not long back from Fenagh where our minors have qualified for the Leinster minor hurling league final, after a thrilling win v Offaly. We got a last min goal to win it! Ended Carlow 1-16 Offaly 2-10. Playing Antrim in the final next week I think.

23-03-2014 6:59pm

Congrats on both fronts. I really hope ye can gain promotion and if not i hope if Kerry make that playoff instead that they do because its utterly disgraceful the way the gaa have moved the goalposts on promotion from 2A.

Antrim should be relegated having no points by right and the winner of Carlow v Kerry should be promoted straight. Really is the most ludicrous unsporting decision i have heard and those counties who voted for this format should hang their head in shame.

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