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Carlow GAA thread

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Replying To FearCeatharlach:  "Actually disagree here, I get what you are saying and that if you put a team at the highest level they have to improve and get to the level of others. By playing better teams you improve and get better, but in this case I just cant back it. The disparity already between a Btown and MLR is frightening I genuinely think Naomh Brid could lose to rangers by 40 points and thats with no disrespect to them, but its no good to anyone Naomh Brid would simply collapse or get worse as it would turn lads off hurling for NB, in time I think it would be great for them to go up to senior but currently Burren MLR mullins Carlow town is their level at inter and its better to continue at that level at the moment I think. It will bring all of those teams on too if they continue to have competitive games, it was a very competitive championship and the likes of a kildavin who might be a bit weaker are improving hugely. Theres no point Naomh Brid going up when they arent dominant at inter level even. I get the sentiment but another year at inter - see if they can win it again and let others try beat them would be a better scenario"
The point is Naomh Brid are going up Senior. They won the interimediate & will be playing in the top ranks next year. To say they didn't dominate at interimediate is a bit off. They won most games comfortably & only had one draw in the group stage against Burren Rangers. They then beat them in Semi after a good battle ( Burren not bad). They then won the final by 10 points...if that's not good enough to go up Senior we will have no team going up over next few years. I'm not expecting them to make a semi but just to compete for the first few years & then try & push on. The big problem for them is the 3 football clubs will always come first. The more top teams the better in my opinion

carlo (Carlow) - Posts: 282 - 26/08/2025 15:16:32    2633663

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Replying To carlo:  "The point is Naomh Brid are going up Senior. They won the interimediate & will be playing in the top ranks next year. To say they didn't dominate at interimediate is a bit off. They won most games comfortably & only had one draw in the group stage against Burren Rangers. They then beat them in Semi after a good battle ( Burren not bad). They then won the final by 10 points...if that's not good enough to go up Senior we will have no team going up over next few years. I'm not expecting them to make a semi but just to compete for the first few years & then try & push on. The big problem for them is the 3 football clubs will always come first. The more top teams the better in my opinion"
8pts, 2-17 to 1-12. Let's keep it real. I was at it. Difference was the 2 early goals against the run of play.
One of the Mlr management team said they had 25 players tied to senior on Sunday so NB beat their panel members no 26-40! Big step Up to compete with their top 20 needed next year

Carlowtothecore1 (Carlow) - Posts: 73 - 26/08/2025 16:15:12    2633679

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Replying To Carlowtothecore1:  "8pts, 2-17 to 1-12. Let's keep it real. I was at it. Difference was the 2 early goals against the run of play.
One of the Mlr management team said they had 25 players tied to senior on Sunday so NB beat their panel members no 26-40! Big step Up to compete with their top 20 needed next year"
Ok 8 points instead of 10 but was very comfortable & I was also at it. Best team from start to finish. MLR made a bit of a rally in 2nd half after getting a very soft goal. The NB keeper caught the ball then dropped it into the net. I still don't get your point. So Naomh Brid shouldn't go up because they could ship a few beatings.....so the Mcdonagh winners should never go up as they will get hidings from Liam McCarthy winners. Ask the Carlow players how they felt about moving up a level & testing yourself against the best. Yes NB will struggle but if they can stick at it for a few years & try to become competitive that can only be good for Carlow hurling.
It's actually very similar in the football as the interimediate teams coming up nearly always struggle & are generally relagated but they get no 2nd chance. Clonmore were so unlucky last year to be relagated after some brilliant performances. This won't happen in the hurling thou as NB will be left Senior as long as they want & will get a chance to adapt to the top level.

carlo (Carlow) - Posts: 282 - 26/08/2025 17:26:07    2633689

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Replying To CARPS:  "All well and good, but who will play in the Intermediate then?

And why would Kildavin be senior ahead of Burren Rangers?"
Intermediate would be the second teams of all that are senior who have 3 teams + likes of burren rangers or Kildavin's first team if they're not senior + Bagenalstown second team as junior champions.

Re burren rangers in senior fair enough I was just giving it by way of example. So yes BR instead of Kildavin then.

With Kildavin back hurling it would be good if Palatine could also be encouraged to pick up their hurls again, especially now with the split season. Would affect CTHC I know but they seem to have very large numbers again. They had about 35 on their junior hurling panel anyway.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1627 - 26/08/2025 21:09:05    2633712

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Replying To carlo:  "The point is Naomh Brid are going up Senior. They won the interimediate & will be playing in the top ranks next year. To say they didn't dominate at interimediate is a bit off. They won most games comfortably & only had one draw in the group stage against Burren Rangers. They then beat them in Semi after a good battle ( Burren not bad). They then won the final by 10 points...if that's not good enough to go up Senior we will have no team going up over next few years. I'm not expecting them to make a semi but just to compete for the first few years & then try & push on. The big problem for them is the 3 football clubs will always come first. The more top teams the better in my opinion"
4 football clubs - leighlin, old leighlin, ballinabranna and tinryland

old yellar (None) - Posts: 2634 - 26/08/2025 21:28:59    2633713

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Replying To carlo:  "The point is Naomh Brid are going up Senior. They won the interimediate & will be playing in the top ranks next year. To say they didn't dominate at interimediate is a bit off. They won most games comfortably & only had one draw in the group stage against Burren Rangers. They then beat them in Semi after a good battle ( Burren not bad). They then won the final by 10 points...if that's not good enough to go up Senior we will have no team going up over next few years. I'm not expecting them to make a semi but just to compete for the first few years & then try & push on. The big problem for them is the 3 football clubs will always come first. The more top teams the better in my opinion"
I understand what you are saying but the reality is Naomh Brid are much closer to the intermediate teams than the senior teams currently. Again I know you can make the argument senior will bring them on and you have to play the best to be the best but in this case I disagree massively. I think if they were to stay intermediate for another year or two it would allow them to imrpove whilst also be competitive and see if any other teams can come to their level. The disparity in quality between MLR and mullins to other senior teams is huge but the disparity between senior teams and inter teams is even huger, it simply just is the way it is at the moment. NB more or less folded for a year the last time they were senior as the defeats dont benefit anyone. I just dont know the solution to be honest. Hurling is very strong in carlow at the moment and playing population is high just huge gulfs in class but such is life. I just fear senior next year for NB will actually push them further back than where they might have started this year for example. If they lost 3 games in a row by 20 plus points which is concievable, who would want to play the 4th? I just think one more year at inter would benefit everyone more is all. I do acknowledge your points though

FearCeatharlach (Carlow) - Posts: 29 - 27/08/2025 00:59:48    2633742

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Replying To Carlowrising:  "It really is deplorable how O'Hanrahans have let themselves fall to such an extent. Too many left in quick succession, but also the overwhelming dominance of Eire Og didn't help matters as people naturally want to be associated with success from underage to senior. Unfortunately there is little between them and Asca now in terms of what they bring to the table as a club. It would be great to see both Asca and the Blues build back up to Intermediate standard. Wonder if Amalgamation with Carlow Town or Setanta could help in anyway even unofficially that they retain their identities but Carlow Town Hurling Club row in with blues for all age groups and Setanta do the same with Asca or vice versa.."
Can you feel this one out for me a bit? Is this derogatory towards Asca? Do you have any idea of the work that club has put in to keep its name alive? A thriving underage structure now ( 2 u-16 teams) and one of the finest young players in the county wearing their jersey with more following in his footsteps with colts etc.

If you didn't know, Asca has never received a penny in CB or GAA funding in its near 50 years yet here they are, still there, still providing football and back to fielding 2 adult teams. Asca are an example of the ethos of the GAA, volunteerism!!!

TownGael29 (Carlow) - Posts: 29 - 27/08/2025 06:12:14    2633746

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Replying To FearCeatharlach:  "I understand what you are saying but the reality is Naomh Brid are much closer to the intermediate teams than the senior teams currently. Again I know you can make the argument senior will bring them on and you have to play the best to be the best but in this case I disagree massively. I think if they were to stay intermediate for another year or two it would allow them to imrpove whilst also be competitive and see if any other teams can come to their level. The disparity in quality between MLR and mullins to other senior teams is huge but the disparity between senior teams and inter teams is even huger, it simply just is the way it is at the moment. NB more or less folded for a year the last time they were senior as the defeats dont benefit anyone. I just dont know the solution to be honest. Hurling is very strong in carlow at the moment and playing population is high just huge gulfs in class but such is life. I just fear senior next year for NB will actually push them further back than where they might have started this year for example. If they lost 3 games in a row by 20 plus points which is concievable, who would want to play the 4th? I just think one more year at inter would benefit everyone more is all. I do acknowledge your points though"
I don't think Naomh Brid will be beaten by 20 points by Bagenalstown, Myshall and Ballinkillen. They'd probably lose to all but not by that much in all three cases.

This argument about whether they'd be better off staying intermediate is why I'm arguing we should have a Senior B championship so in effect two competitions within one. Otherwise we might as well relegate every team in the Senior championship down to intermediate apart from the big two.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1627 - 27/08/2025 09:50:52    2633754

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Replying To Onion Breath:  "I don't think Naomh Brid will be beaten by 20 points by Bagenalstown, Myshall and Ballinkillen. They'd probably lose to all but not by that much in all three cases.

This argument about whether they'd be better off staying intermediate is why I'm arguing we should have a Senior B championship so in effect two competitions within one. Otherwise we might as well relegate every team in the Senior championship down to intermediate apart from the big two."
Would Leinster Council allow Senior B winners to enter the Leinster Intermediate Championship?

Perhaps there is a technical grading issue?

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 883 - 27/08/2025 11:06:48    2633762

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Replying To Onion Breath:  "Intermediate would be the second teams of all that are senior who have 3 teams + likes of burren rangers or Kildavin's first team if they're not senior + Bagenalstown second team as junior champions.

Re burren rangers in senior fair enough I was just giving it by way of example. So yes BR instead of Kildavin then.

With Kildavin back hurling it would be good if Palatine could also be encouraged to pick up their hurls again, especially now with the split season. Would affect CTHC I know but they seem to have very large numbers again. They had about 35 on their junior hurling panel anyway."
I like your idea, assuming the Leinster Council would let the Carlow Senior B winners play in the Leinster Intermediate Hurling Championship.

In that case then, however, I'd make one tweak: I'd have 7 teams in Senior, not 8, because you have to have some element of promotion and relegation to keep Jeopardy in the competition and keep everyone on their toes.

Next year, your Senior could be 7 teams of Mount Leinster Rangers, St. Mullins, Naomh Eoin, Ballinkillen, Naomh Brid, Carlow Town, and Bagenalstown, with the top side going straight to the County Senior Hurling Final, and the 2nd and 3rd going to a Semi-Final.

And then in Senior B, you'd have 2 Semi-Finals and a Final, and the 2 Semi-Final losers would play in a relegation play-off.

In the Intermediate Championship, would be Mount Leinster Rangers 2, Burren Rangers, Kildavin, St. Mullins 2, Bagenalstown 2 and Naomh Eoin 2.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 883 - 27/08/2025 11:20:16    2633763

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Replying To TownGael29:  "Can you feel this one out for me a bit? Is this derogatory towards Asca? Do you have any idea of the work that club has put in to keep its name alive? A thriving underage structure now ( 2 u-16 teams) and one of the finest young players in the county wearing their jersey with more following in his footsteps with colts etc.

If you didn't know, Asca has never received a penny in CB or GAA funding in its near 50 years yet here they are, still there, still providing football and back to fielding 2 adult teams. Asca are an example of the ethos of the GAA, volunteerism!!!"
Well said Towngael. And all that despite constant poaching by probably the biggest club in the county. Great credit due to them

Overthebar53 (Carlow) - Posts: 379 - 27/08/2025 11:42:26    2633766

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Replying To old yellar:  "4 football clubs - leighlin, old leighlin, ballinabranna and tinryland"
Yes, there is one player on the team from Tinryland

carlo (Carlow) - Posts: 282 - 27/08/2025 12:50:49    2633778

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Replying To CARPS:  "Would Leinster Council allow Senior B winners to enter the Leinster Intermediate Championship?

Perhaps there is a technical grading issue?"
Yes they should as they do already with Offaly.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1627 - 27/08/2025 13:48:46    2633795

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Replying To CARPS:  "I like your idea, assuming the Leinster Council would let the Carlow Senior B winners play in the Leinster Intermediate Hurling Championship.

In that case then, however, I'd make one tweak: I'd have 7 teams in Senior, not 8, because you have to have some element of promotion and relegation to keep Jeopardy in the competition and keep everyone on their toes.

Next year, your Senior could be 7 teams of Mount Leinster Rangers, St. Mullins, Naomh Eoin, Ballinkillen, Naomh Brid, Carlow Town, and Bagenalstown, with the top side going straight to the County Senior Hurling Final, and the 2nd and 3rd going to a Semi-Final.

And then in Senior B, you'd have 2 Semi-Finals and a Final, and the 2 Semi-Final losers would play in a relegation play-off.

In the Intermediate Championship, would be Mount Leinster Rangers 2, Burren Rangers, Kildavin, St. Mullins 2, Bagenalstown 2 and Naomh Eoin 2."
I'd have 7 teams in Senior, not 8, because you have to have some element of promotion and relegation to keep Jeopardy in the competition and keep everyone on their toes

I had said make it 8 as the top team is straight into the county final and the next two (2nd and 3rd) play a semi. Then the next 4 teams from 4th to 7th play B semi finals but the bottom of the 8 is out and automatically relegated. That creates jeopardy at the lower end of the table as the championship goes on week to week as weaker teams try make the B semi and avoid last place and automatic relegation. Otherwise if just 7 and everyone making a semi then there's no jeopardy during the league phase.

As mentioned earlier the senior B champions in Offaly enter the Leinster intermediate so the precedent is there. Their intermediate champions enter the Leinster junior if I'm not mistaken. We could do likewise assuming the intermediate champs are not from a senior club. If so the highest finishing non senior intermediate team could play off against the junior champions for the Leinster junior place.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1627 - 27/08/2025 14:01:18    2633797

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Replying To Onion Breath:  "Yes they should as they do already with Offaly."
Thought I'd written a post on this last night. I must not have submitted it properly, because can't think of any reason it wouldn't have been let through.

It's just to say that under the structure you propose, your Senior 'B' champions wouldn't actually be let into the Leinster Intermediate Championship. That's because they'd already also have taken part in your Senior 'A' championship that year.

The big difference with Offaly is that their so-called Senior 'B' competition is a completely separate competition from their Senior 'A'. It's basically their real, stand-alone, intermediate championship in all but name.

Similar to how here in Wexford, our third grade is called Intermediate 'A' rather than Junior, but its winners compete in the Leinster Junior Championship. That's because they'd only have competed in our own third grade that year.

And for what it's worth, the Intermediate Championship you propose could bring an anomaly too. Let's say the first team of St. Mullins or MLR wins your Senior 'A' title, and their second team wins your Intermediate. The second team wouldn't be allowed go forward to play in Leinster.

That's because no club is allowed to have more than one team in the same code in provincial competition. This is actually topical now right now because of how Ballygunner are in both the Senior & Intermediate Finals in Waterford. Assuming they win the senior again, the team they're playing in the Intermediate Final (Tallow) will represent Waterford in the Munster Intermediate Championship, no matter how their own county final goes.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3036 - 27/08/2025 14:29:40    2633798

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Replying To carlo:  "Yes, there is one player on the team from Tinryland"
And another starter from there that was injured

old yellar (None) - Posts: 2634 - 27/08/2025 16:24:33    2633815

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "Thought I'd written a post on this last night. I must not have submitted it properly, because can't think of any reason it wouldn't have been let through.

It's just to say that under the structure you propose, your Senior 'B' champions wouldn't actually be let into the Leinster Intermediate Championship. That's because they'd already also have taken part in your Senior 'A' championship that year.

The big difference with Offaly is that their so-called Senior 'B' competition is a completely separate competition from their Senior 'A'. It's basically their real, stand-alone, intermediate championship in all but name.

Similar to how here in Wexford, our third grade is called Intermediate 'A' rather than Junior, but its winners compete in the Leinster Junior Championship. That's because they'd only have competed in our own third grade that year.

And for what it's worth, the Intermediate Championship you propose could bring an anomaly too. Let's say the first team of St. Mullins or MLR wins your Senior 'A' title, and their second team wins your Intermediate. The second team wouldn't be allowed go forward to play in Leinster.

That's because no club is allowed to have more than one team in the same code in provincial competition. This is actually topical now right now because of how Ballygunner are in both the Senior & Intermediate Finals in Waterford. Assuming they win the senior again, the team they're playing in the Intermediate Final (Tallow) will represent Waterford in the Munster Intermediate Championship, no matter how their own county final goes."
Simply put, as a club your top graded team will be the only 1 that has a chance to represent in a Leinster club championship through victory or nomination regardless of what the competition is called in the county itself.
Leinster council control the grading of county winners for their competitions in particular for the hurling and have certain markers for county winners to achieve to allow "new" entries.

old yellar (None) - Posts: 2634 - 27/08/2025 16:47:11    2633819

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "Thought I'd written a post on this last night. I must not have submitted it properly, because can't think of any reason it wouldn't have been let through.

It's just to say that under the structure you propose, your Senior 'B' champions wouldn't actually be let into the Leinster Intermediate Championship. That's because they'd already also have taken part in your Senior 'A' championship that year.

The big difference with Offaly is that their so-called Senior 'B' competition is a completely separate competition from their Senior 'A'. It's basically their real, stand-alone, intermediate championship in all but name.

Similar to how here in Wexford, our third grade is called Intermediate 'A' rather than Junior, but its winners compete in the Leinster Junior Championship. That's because they'd only have competed in our own third grade that year.

And for what it's worth, the Intermediate Championship you propose could bring an anomaly too. Let's say the first team of St. Mullins or MLR wins your Senior 'A' title, and their second team wins your Intermediate. The second team wouldn't be allowed go forward to play in Leinster.

That's because no club is allowed to have more than one team in the same code in provincial competition. This is actually topical now right now because of how Ballygunner are in both the Senior & Intermediate Finals in Waterford. Assuming they win the senior again, the team they're playing in the Intermediate Final (Tallow) will represent Waterford in the Munster Intermediate Championship, no matter how their own county final goes."
Well then it's a really bad idea. Best leave things as they are.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 883 - 27/08/2025 18:08:25    2633833

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "Thought I'd written a post on this last night. I must not have submitted it properly, because can't think of any reason it wouldn't have been let through.

It's just to say that under the structure you propose, your Senior 'B' champions wouldn't actually be let into the Leinster Intermediate Championship. That's because they'd already also have taken part in your Senior 'A' championship that year.

The big difference with Offaly is that their so-called Senior 'B' competition is a completely separate competition from their Senior 'A'. It's basically their real, stand-alone, intermediate championship in all but name.

Similar to how here in Wexford, our third grade is called Intermediate 'A' rather than Junior, but its winners compete in the Leinster Junior Championship. That's because they'd only have competed in our own third grade that year.

And for what it's worth, the Intermediate Championship you propose could bring an anomaly too. Let's say the first team of St. Mullins or MLR wins your Senior 'A' title, and their second team wins your Intermediate. The second team wouldn't be allowed go forward to play in Leinster.

That's because no club is allowed to have more than one team in the same code in provincial competition. This is actually topical now right now because of how Ballygunner are in both the Senior & Intermediate Finals in Waterford. Assuming they win the senior again, the team they're playing in the Intermediate Final (Tallow) will represent Waterford in the Munster Intermediate Championship, no matter how their own county final goes."
Ok fair enough I see what you say about Offaly. Even if no precedent it doesn't mean the Leinster council wouldn't accept a case being made to them though if it can benefit Carlow hurling*, which needs help, and it is surely the case that there's really only two teams in Carlow who are genuinely senior standard across Leinster. No way for example would Ballinkillen, if they're the third best in Carlow, trouble any senior champions from the stronger Leinster counties whereas the top two MLR and SM would.

* I'm just trying to propose a way that would help raise the standard in Carlow by getting more teams and players exposed to both more hurling and to also hurling at a higher level than they would get in intermediate in Carlow. I think the Leinster council might look favourably on it if they really want to help the likes of Carlow to even stay at the level we're at and not slip back.

Fully aware a senior club can't enter the Leinster intermediate or junior championship if their second team win Carlow intermediate but I suggested above that in that case the top stand alone team in intermediate would play off against the junior champions (asssuming the latter are a first team which is probably unlikely until hopefully Setanta get stronger).

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1627 - 27/08/2025 19:43:08    2633842

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