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Carlow GAA thread

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Yes Hurlers poor today
Looked heavy legged

Football results helped our cause with Tipp taking a point in Longford and Antrim getting their first result in League against Leitrim.
Carlow and Wicklow in driving seat with 3 games left.

Blackbog (Carlow) - Posts: 789 - 22/02/2026 15:46:32    2657810

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Anyone see square_b?

Collio (Carlow) - Posts: 75 - 22/02/2026 15:47:32    2657812

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Outside of tipp Longford drawing, I don't think the results could have gone better for us today football wise. Takes the wind out of Leitrims and londons sails and Longford knocked back a bit.

CarlowJuniorB (Clare) - Posts: 106 - 22/02/2026 15:52:17    2657813

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Replying To Skippy2:  "Worst result for the hurling in years, there's a team there more than capable of beating Antrim or least being competitive.

Hurled them off the park last year only to be caught with a lucky goal in injury time.

Unfortunately the new man in talking down our chances and saying we're still learning how to play at this level has obviously got into the players mindset aswell. ( we drew with Waterford last year)
His first and most important job was to stay in Division 1 then 2nd was to stay in Joe Mac.

Zero puck out plan and zero plan to get a really talented foward unit onto ball."
God that was a very poor result & obviously poor performance today. I know we down a few bodies but was expecting a hugh battle as if we won today we were almost safe. That has to be the worst result in years. It's always hard to win up in Antrim but we were always there or there abouts. We got hammered today.
I stated that previously that the manager was all " sure we just trying to get up to that level, we have a young team " etc etc. We have a very experienced panel with players who have won a couple of Joe Macs & competed very well in Leinster on 2 occasions. We have also competed very well in the league over the last few years. We actually beat Waterford last year in the league.
Joe Mac is the priority but staying up in the league is also very important because you get to play some top teams. We would have to beat Kildare now maybe have to get something against Dublin. After that result today I can't see it

carlo (Carlow) - Posts: 308 - 22/02/2026 18:03:57    2657855

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Replying To leitrim4sam:  "I was at the Leitrim Waterford game and honestly Leitrim were far superior as a footballing side.

Waterford have big, strong and physical guys if limited football wise. Leitrim are young and very light guys. We struggled with them physically though in all honesty. We were also missing a few regulars including McNulty who is the best footballer in Connacht and unplayable at division 4 level.

Waterford scored two goals in the first half somewhat fortuitous to leave 3 points in it at half time despite being completely outplayed. Our inexperience and doubts crept in it was level with 15 mins to go but then we went ahead and started to play keep ball for long periods instead of pushing on for a bigger winning margin. It was our first league win since 2024.

Leitrim have the youngest squad in the country, I'd be confident of saying that, and every game they are improving. Antrim will be physically way ahead of us again today so I hope for another win not expecting a massive win.

Carlow are flying and almost look home and hosed"
Antrim clearly didn't find McNulty unplayable today. I did notice that Kobe McDonald ran riot for Mayo against Monaghan.

Are you sure this guy of yours is the best player in Connacht?

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 1030 - 22/02/2026 18:13:35    2657862

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Replying To carlo:  "God that was a very poor result & obviously poor performance today. I know we down a few bodies but was expecting a hugh battle as if we won today we were almost safe. That has to be the worst result in years. It's always hard to win up in Antrim but we were always there or there abouts. We got hammered today.
I stated that previously that the manager was all " sure we just trying to get up to that level, we have a young team " etc etc. We have a very experienced panel with players who have won a couple of Joe Macs & competed very well in Leinster on 2 occasions. We have also competed very well in the league over the last few years. We actually beat Waterford last year in the league.
Joe Mac is the priority but staying up in the league is also very important because you get to play some top teams. We would have to beat Kildare now maybe have to get something against Dublin. After that result today I can't see it"
A few points about hurlers

- Staying in the second tier every year was always going to be hard for us with two of seven relegated. And being in the third tier is not the end of the world. Especially with a big transition coming.

- But what's worrying is how far we have fallen off compared to last year. And, yes, I also don't like what the manager is saying. It reminds me of the a previous football boss would opine.

- We don't look fit. Big problem. We fade out of games in the second half.

- I think the huge improvement in the footballers could tempt a couple of lads to switch codes next year. Someone might even do it before then.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 1030 - 22/02/2026 18:17:28    2657867

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Kildare are going well, bet Antrim, ran Clare close … not looking great to get something there. However, these men have beaten expectations over the years

Bainisteoir (National) - Posts: 606 - 22/02/2026 18:39:21    2657882

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Well done to footballers who are probably now 1 win away from promotion and it would be great for them playing great stuff with great players and a squad with depth don't think even in turlos time we had that.

Felt sorry for our hurlers today nothing they tried worked first touch was poor and every 50 50 went antrim way. Pitch also seemed very heavy with ball getting stuck or stopping yard short of our players regularly.

Hearing these comments from the manager is very concerning we've been at a good level for 10+ years now went up and down and got some great results obee this period including joe mac win and drawing with kk running dublin teams close on a few occasions also almost as if hes resigned to going down to division2 already we know these players are better than today.

Best hope is to beat kildare but after today can't see it first time I seen a game Peter put involving our hurlers almost as if dare I say they gave up.

Any word on return of james Doyle and ciaran wheat to squad there a big loss even just for squad depth.

Want to finish by saying it wasn't there day I'm not taking anything away from these great men because over the years they've given us some amazing days out and always punched above themselves here hoping they can produce 1 more big game against kildare in the league and stay up.

ITSCHOLAR (Carlow) - Posts: 323 - 22/02/2026 18:54:38    2657888

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Replying To CARPS:  "A few points about hurlers

- Staying in the second tier every year was always going to be hard for us with two of seven relegated. And being in the third tier is not the end of the world. Especially with a big transition coming.

- But what's worrying is how far we have fallen off compared to last year. And, yes, I also don't like what the manager is saying. It reminds me of the a previous football boss would opine.

- We don't look fit. Big problem. We fade out of games in the second half.

- I think the huge improvement in the footballers could tempt a couple of lads to switch codes next year. Someone might even do it before then."
I think dropping down would be a huge blow, especially considering we were a puck of a ball away from a league final and Division 1A last year.

I know they were missing 3 starting players today, but still enough quality there, especially in the fowards to be competing better.

Even if they win the Joe Mac, they'll have to compete in leinster after playing Division 2 league hurling.

Funny thing is 2 pts (aldo very unlikely) could actually be enough to keep them up.
But we'd need Down to beat Antrim at home next week and hope our score difference would be good enough.

But I wouldn't rule out our lad's beating Kildare there's a lot of quality and pride in that bunch and I'm sure they'll fight it out to the very end.

Skippy2 (Carlow) - Posts: 76 - 22/02/2026 19:23:40    2657905

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Replying To Collio:  "Anyone see square_b?"
Being arrogant isn't an endearing trait.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1835 - 22/02/2026 19:34:16    2657909

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Replying To Square_B:  "It looks increasing like it's going to be Carlow's year and fair play. Not at the races today and perhaps the exploits of last week took more out of them then we thought. We're not an overly physical team and it is showing today. Hopefully next year will bring something."
I am still waiting for my apology.

Collio (Carlow) - Posts: 75 - 22/02/2026 19:45:18    2657912

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Replying To Square_B:  "It looks increasing like it's going to be Carlow's year and fair play. Not at the races today and perhaps the exploits of last week took more out of them then we thought. We're not an overly physical team and it is showing today. Hopefully next year will bring something."
Good man Square B. Not shying away. More than welcome on here any time. Ignore the "ders always one".

DolmenDave (Carlow) - Posts: 65 - 22/02/2026 19:51:07    2657916

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Replying To Collio:  "Anyone see square_b?"
He was in here before you wear.

DolmenDave (Carlow) - Posts: 65 - 22/02/2026 19:52:03    2657917

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Replying To DolmenDave:  "He was in here before you wear."
Good man Dave, which club are you from today?

Collio (Carlow) - Posts: 75 - 22/02/2026 20:00:24    2657920

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Replying To Collio:  "Good man Dave, which club are you from today?"
Good man Collio. Grown up response as always

DolmenDave (Carlow) - Posts: 65 - 22/02/2026 20:10:29    2657926

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Replying To DolmenDave:  "Good man Collio. Grown up response as always"
The 7 Eire Og men did well yesterday. That young lad corner back for the 20s should be in there soon.

Collio (Carlow) - Posts: 75 - 22/02/2026 20:48:20    2657936

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Hugely disappointing day in Belfast today and the worst I can remember in recent times. I never want to criticise this group as they have given us great days and have given great service to the county (and continue to give) but we were outfought, outworked, outhurled today in nearly every position.

I struggle with the logic of going short on puck outs and general play as often as we did today given we have huge ball winners in the forward line. I understand some part of the set up may have been due to the way Antrim play but once we went 4 or 5 down against the wind, I felt we should have pushed up and hit our big men. It could have played into Antrim's hands but Plan A wasn't working.

It's worth trying to mix things up for the Clare game next weekend. Regardless, it's going to take a huge effort to stay up now.

I think going down to division 2 would have a hugely negative impact. Imagine we won Joe McDonagh this year, playing Leinster Championship in 2027 and have a league campaign of probably Down, Meath, Derry, Donegal, Roscommon and one of Kerry/Westmeath. Even if we don't win Joe McDonagh, it still wouldn't be good preparation for championship. It also might encourage some of our older statesmen to step away.

Anyway, no time to feel sorry for ourselves with a big test against Clare and Kildare to come in the next 2 weeks.

ACarlowGael (Carlow) - Posts: 34 - 22/02/2026 21:49:05    2657960

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