Carlow's Paul Doyle has stressed that they are not a dirty team following the outcry over some of the side's tackling against Antrim in the Joe McDonagh Cup last weekend.

The Barrowsiders finished the game with 12 men after they had Jack Kavanagh, Richard Coady and Diarmuid Byrne sent off on straight red cards.

Antrim were furious over the injuries sustained to Michael Armstrong who had his arm broken in two places, while Neil McManus had to have six stitches in his scrotum followed what was alleged to have been a false stroke.

Joe Maskey has a broken bone in his foot and all three may well miss the remainder of the campaign. Antrim's Eoghan Campbell was also dismissed in what can only be described as a fractious affair.

However, Doyle did not agree with the Carlow Nationalist when asked if he felt that it was an undisciplined performance by Colm Bonnar's charges.

"You have a right to say that when three men are sent off. Everyone puts in an effort, it was a flash in the pan," said the defender.

"There was a lot going on. A mad game really. It is disappointing. The character we showed when we were down to 12 men. I am very proud of the boys. They stuck in and gave it their all. We could easily have dropped the heads. Playing with 12 men and five points down, the lads stuck at it."

Stay up-to-date with this weekend's football and hurling championship action on our Match Tracker where we will be bringing live updates and scores from around the grounds.

Tweet

Most Read Stories