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Carlow GAA thread

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Replying To CARPS:  "If you drive past the O'Hanrahans' pitch at the weekends, there seems to be plenty of young children there. Are they perhaps losing them as teenagers to other sports?

As for the poster that said Palatine are now a town team... I would always have considered them to be a de facto town team. It's just become more obvious as the town has expanded.

Last point, this year's championship is a great advertisement for the eight team format. There are no dead rubbers at all going into the final round. Every game means something.

Could MLR stun Eire Og and put them in a relegation play off? Tinryland could find themselves in the Q-Finals or staring at Intermediate.

Can Ballinbranna shock Tullow or are they facing Junior? And will it be Naomh Eoin or Eire Og's B team they meet?

And what about Junior A? Will it be Rathvilly or O'Hanrahans playing St Mullins?

and this is only the relegation part!! Proper championship GAA - the way it should be!!"
Ballinabranna vs Naomh Eoin already confirmed for intermediate relegation final due to H2H rule

SofaSupporter (Carlow) - Posts: 15 - 15/09/2025 18:38:27    2636336

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Replying To Onion Breath:  "I'm not impressed with Eire Og this year and failing to win their first two games can't be a great sign. Neither is the fact that Sean G and Eoghan R are their midfield pairing - two fantastic players for club and county but both the wrong side of 30. MLR improved a bit from the first game but have scope to improve a lot and if they do they could trouble Eire Og.

An Eire Og v Tinryland relegation play-off maybe !!!"
All great points. I don't think this scenario is as far fetched as we may think. Similarly with the Eire Og B team. Again, with many players over the 30 mark. What happens if Eire Og A get relegated? Do the B automatically have to move down a division?

On a separate note, I fancy Ballon to be senior next year. Quite the rise for them ! Super impressive.

DolmenDave (Carlow) - Posts: 34 - 15/09/2025 21:56:15    2636353

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Replying To CARPS:  "Thats a consequence of the County Board letting McGrath Park go to ruin. There was a time when we weren't totally dependent on Dr Cullen Park."
The Training Centre should be fine for one of those games say Bagenalstown v Tinryland. It has turnstiles for ticket entry, it has floodlights and a shop etc. There'd need to be no other activity going on there though as the car park would be an issue then.

Re McGrath Park in fairness the county board have spent a lot on the Training Centre over the past decade and I don't think the GAA owns McGrath park which is owned by some sort of community set up. McGrath park has improved lately and still has a great view from the far bank and I believe there are plans for a small stand.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1686 - 16/09/2025 09:25:33    2636381

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Replying To Onion Breath:  "Looking at the fixtures for next weekend it looks very unfair on Fenagh that they play Pal on Saturday night (and in fairness will surely lose) but then Bagenalstown and Tinryland will not play until Sunday afternoon - so both will know exactly what they have to do to go through as Fenagh's scoring difference will be known.

Surely those games should be played at the same time with one of them moved to the Training Centre?"
I'm not 100% sure if I'm correct with this, but I'm fairly sure when 3 teams are level on points and H2H cancels itself out it's only the score difference from the games including the 3 teams count. Therefore the results vs. Pal would be irrelevant as far as I know

SofaSupporter (Carlow) - Posts: 15 - 16/09/2025 10:02:19    2636385

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Replying To SofaSupporter:  "I'm not 100% sure if I'm correct with this, but I'm fairly sure when 3 teams are level on points and H2H cancels itself out it's only the score difference from the games including the 3 teams count. Therefore the results vs. Pal would be irrelevant as far as I know"
That's correct, it was changed two or three years ago.

Ignoring games v Palatine, the scoring difference currently looks like:
Bagenalstown +14
Tinryland -2
Fenagh -12

So Fenagh need to get a result against Palatine or hope Bagenalstown beat or draw with Tinryland.

ACarlowGael (Carlow) - Posts: 15 - 16/09/2025 10:57:54    2636390

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Replying To SofaSupporter:  "Ballinabranna vs Naomh Eoin already confirmed for intermediate relegation final due to H2H rule"
Yes, I should have known that. Ouch.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 952 - 16/09/2025 14:00:37    2636433

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Replying To CARPS:  "Thats a consequence of the County Board letting McGrath Park go to ruin. There was a time when we weren't totally dependent on Dr Cullen Park."
When was the last time you were in Mc grath park? The last century? Huge work done there in the last few years But don't let the facts get in the way of a good aul moan.

Overthebar53 (Carlow) - Posts: 400 - 16/09/2025 14:42:26    2636438

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Been a very interesting champ so far lots of surprises, underperformers and good showings. Standard has been good by some teams etc. Rathvilly and pal have certainly showed best so far both super fit and well coached. i think neither has shown their full hand yet although hard to judge pal fully based off of the manner of their wins.

B town have been a mixed bag and really could beat tinryland if their first half showing vs pal or victory against fenagh is anything to go by.

Tinryland have been very bad, unfit, and not ready for battle at all. Extremely windy, they arent able for the contact nor can they give it out. I think they are in big trouble. Likely to be MLR they face in relagation if they end up there and I wouldnt fancy their chances. Would have to question their metal having seen how the last two managers they had left in the manner they did.

Fenagh will be happy to an extent so far had a tough year with lots playing hurling and coming up. I think staying up is priority and anything after is a bonus.

MLR somewhat similar have to admire how they can always grind it out when it matters they are made of tough stuff and certainly have the metal. Big ask every year with the hurling and you would have to question can they keep it going every single year but fairplay to them.

EO have been a mixed bag they seem a little undercoooked and are relying on football alone, no clear gameplan but again just the one team you cant write off they will be extremely close as always.

OL are a likeable team (I am not from there). Always very honest and hardworking but never had what it takes. Always got the label of dark horses but for me I didnt buy it they were just slightly off. This year however I think they have a right good chance 6-7 guys who are their best players all coming into their prime. If they are going to do it, it has to be this year or next as older guys due to retire Kinsella, Bambrick, Coughlan. Dont think anyone would begrudge them a championship but can they do it is the question.

FearCeatharlach (Carlow) - Posts: 43 - 17/09/2025 01:31:39    2636517

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Replying To Overthebar53:  "When was the last time you were in Mc grath park? The last century? Huge work done there in the last few years But don't let the facts get in the way of a good aul moan."
Last month. I am talking about how it ranks comparatively to Dr Cullen Park, as opposed to in the past.

There was a time, for example, when the last round of the hurling (so all games would start at the same time), would have been played at Dr Cullen, McGrath and either Brother Leo or Spellman.

Now everything is in the county grounds.

By the way, I am not a fan of the Training Centre at all. It actually quite suits me geographically personally,, but it's too far from the population centers, and you a lot of townies don't have cars. Plus, kids are reliant on people to drive them there.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 952 - 17/09/2025 10:30:37    2636538

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Replying To CARPS:  "Last month. I am talking about how it ranks comparatively to Dr Cullen Park, as opposed to in the past.

There was a time, for example, when the last round of the hurling (so all games would start at the same time), would have been played at Dr Cullen, McGrath and either Brother Leo or Spellman.

Now everything is in the county grounds.

By the way, I am not a fan of the Training Centre at all. It actually quite suits me geographically personally,, but it's too far from the population centers, and you a lot of townies don't have cars. Plus, kids are reliant on people to drive them there."
Training centre is the worst place possible for matches. Absolutely detest the place and the dressing rooms are brutal as well.

CarlowJuniorB (Clare) - Posts: 37 - 17/09/2025 11:56:36    2636556

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There's no reason why games can't take place in Spellman Park, Br. Leo Park, Tinryland and Carlow Town HC and McGrath Park (if scoreboards were added). Even grounds like, Leighlinbridge, Myshall, Fenagh, Fighting Cocks, Eire Og should be capable of hosting games.

The only difference is the county board would have to give the host clubs a cut of the entrance fees.

ACarlowGael (Carlow) - Posts: 15 - 17/09/2025 12:31:41    2636564

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Replying To ACarlowGael:  "There's no reason why games can't take place in Spellman Park, Br. Leo Park, Tinryland and Carlow Town HC and McGrath Park (if scoreboards were added). Even grounds like, Leighlinbridge, Myshall, Fenagh, Fighting Cocks, Eire Og should be capable of hosting games.

The only difference is the county board would have to give the host clubs a cut of the entrance fees."
I think you hit the nail on the head as to why club grounds are not used with your second paragraph, cb do not want to give up any money to clubs when they dont have to.

The shine has really been removed from the training centre over the last few years with the lack of development, there is changes happening now but that wont be seen for years.

If b'town are really putting a stand in it really is primed for championship action and the cb should be really open to supporting a club like them to do it for the enjoyment of the whole county.

more4me (Carlow) - Posts: 124 - 17/09/2025 13:16:05    2636573

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My predictions for this weekends games
I think EO will take care of MLR easily enough
Rathvilly and OL Draw
Pal should beat fenagh well
Btown and Tinryland. maybe tinryland by 2/3

Inter
St Pats will give ballinabranna a bit of a clipping
Grange and Kildavin be very tight - Grange by 2
Ballon already top against myshall already out so complete dead rubber
Clonmore and EO 2 - clonmore by 6

Junior A
Leighlin vs Cocks - surely will meet again and whoever wins the second day will be champions
Rathvilly 2 and the Blues - Rathvilly win well unfortunately which means blues are destined to go down
Kilbride will beat St Mullins
pal 2 against Asca - Pal by a couple

sportsmadcarlow (Carlow) - Posts: 29 - 19/09/2025 12:04:50    2636765

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Replying To sportsmadcarlow:  "My predictions for this weekends games
I think EO will take care of MLR easily enough
Rathvilly and OL Draw
Pal should beat fenagh well
Btown and Tinryland. maybe tinryland by 2/3

Inter
St Pats will give ballinabranna a bit of a clipping
Grange and Kildavin be very tight - Grange by 2
Ballon already top against myshall already out so complete dead rubber
Clonmore and EO 2 - clonmore by 6

Junior A
Leighlin vs Cocks - surely will meet again and whoever wins the second day will be champions
Rathvilly 2 and the Blues - Rathvilly win well unfortunately which means blues are destined to go down
Kilbride will beat St Mullins
pal 2 against Asca - Pal by a couple"
If Rathvilly and Old L draw, what happens then, assuming EO win. The 3 teams will be on 4 points and going by the mini league rules, the 3 teams will be on a score difference of 0. Is it goals scored next? And if so what happens if 2 or the 3 teams have scored the same number of goals? Just curious

pieman (Carlow) - Posts: 70 - 19/09/2025 13:53:57    2636779

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Replying To pieman:  "If Rathvilly and Old L draw, what happens then, assuming EO win. The 3 teams will be on 4 points and going by the mini league rules, the 3 teams will be on a score difference of 0. Is it goals scored next? And if so what happens if 2 or the 3 teams have scored the same number of goals? Just curious"
It goes to the great number total points (goals and points) scored. If there's 3 teams are still level then it goes to scoring difference for all games in the group.

ACarlowGael (Carlow) - Posts: 15 - 19/09/2025 15:13:15    2636785

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What a SFC this is turning out to be! Eire Og first team to be eliminated and now into a relegation play off after failing to win any of their three games. I don't know what's gone wrong there but after all the conveyor belt of talent they've had it's just extraordinary that such a genuine "super club" are in a play off for relegation.

Fair play to MLR and Chris Conway who has turned them around in three weeks. I thought they were shocking in their first game and looked like they had no prep done due to hurling and maybe they hadn't but the talent in that group is such that they could turn it around so quickly.

Then Rathvilly and Old Leighlin both drawing again so each have drawn two of their three group games. PAL have run up big scores in the other group but Rathvilly and OL are coming out of their group battle hardened. It's still Rathvilly to win it for me but it's turned into a really enjoyable championship and you never know what's going to happen.

Tomorrow Bagenalstown can put league winners Tinryland out of the championship and I think Bagenalstown will do it. If they do it's Eire Og v Tinryland - a very possible county final a few weeks ago - in a relegation play off that no one could have predicted.

Despite Eitd Og falling off a cliff the standard of football in the county has definitely risen this year in my opinion.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1686 - 20/09/2025 19:39:59    2636860

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Replying To ACarlowGael:  "It goes to the great number total points (goals and points) scored. If there's 3 teams are still level then it goes to scoring difference for all games in the group."
All the permutations didnt have EO losing. Some display by MLR but how shocking were EO. All the talk about recent success at minor and U20 level. Are they afraid to blood youth because what played tonight was an ageing team. Many people present commentated that it was a Turlo team from 6 years ago. Its not beyond the realms of possiblity that EO could be playing Inter next year. Pure shocking stuff.
Old Leighlin v Rathvilly was a decent affair with very little between them. I would imagine these will feature at the business end and Pal. It just goes to show how open the championship is.

jigger (None) - Posts: 103 - 20/09/2025 19:42:04    2636861

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Replying To Onion Breath:  "What a SFC this is turning out to be! Eire Og first team to be eliminated and now into a relegation play off after failing to win any of their three games. I don't know what's gone wrong there but after all the conveyor belt of talent they've had it's just extraordinary that such a genuine "super club" are in a play off for relegation.

Fair play to MLR and Chris Conway who has turned them around in three weeks. I thought they were shocking in their first game and looked like they had no prep done due to hurling and maybe they hadn't but the talent in that group is such that they could turn it around so quickly.

Then Rathvilly and Old Leighlin both drawing again so each have drawn two of their three group games. PAL have run up big scores in the other group but Rathvilly and OL are coming out of their group battle hardened. It's still Rathvilly to win it for me but it's turned into a really enjoyable championship and you never know what's going to happen.

Tomorrow Bagenalstown can put league winners Tinryland out of the championship and I think Bagenalstown will do it. If they do it's Eire Og v Tinryland - a very possible county final a few weeks ago - in a relegation play off that no one could have predicted.

Despite Eitd Og falling off a cliff the standard of football in the county has definitely risen this year in my opinion."
How you could possibly say standard has improved after watching that drivel this evening is beyond me.It was truly awful.

Overthebar53 (Carlow) - Posts: 400 - 20/09/2025 20:42:49    2636869

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Worrying result for Carlow football, a hurling team that picked up the big ball for the 1st time this year 3 weeks ago knocking out one of the favourites.
Would never happen in a strong championship.
Exciting maybe but lacking quality.

Skippy2 (Carlow) - Posts: 73 - 20/09/2025 21:22:16    2636872

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Replying To Overthebar53:  "How you could possibly say standard has improved after watching that drivel this evening is beyond me.It was truly awful."
Conditions tonight were poor but MLR adopted to them very well and did play good football with their ball handling in particular being very high standard given it was so greasy. Very composed bringing the ball out and found the right men in attack with good passes into space. None of that is easy in those conditions. Eire Og were very poor no question.

As was surely obvious though I was talking about the standard of the championship over all not just tonight and I also specifically excluded Eire Og who I said have fallen off a cliff.

I've seen most nearly all games in this years SFC and in my opinion the standard is up on recent years as most teams are stronger, fitter and have more balance and more options off the bench than recent years. I think that definitely applies to OL, Rathvilly and Pal with the latter two especially bringing in young players who are stepping up very well and will be potential county seniors soon. I also think Bagenalstown in their match v Fenagh were really lively and performed better than any match in the SFC in recent years. That's why I think it's improved. Low base admittedly it's been stagnant for long enough.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1686 - 20/09/2025 21:26:25    2636874

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