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Carlow GAA thread

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Super win for the hurlers today. I knew it would be a lot closer than the league game with some of our main men back but I never dreamed of winning by 19 points. I'm sure there was a hangover from the league final for Kildare but still our lads were brilliant especially in the first half when the game was there to be won. Great start to weekend & hopefully the footballers can do the job too. Dry Sod I think we will sneak it but a wet day in Aughrim will suit Wicklow

carlo (Carlow) - Posts: 228 - 08/04/2023 18:50:27    2469618

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Delighted with the win for the hurlers today. Exceptional performance. Hopefully they can get over Kerry in the next game, always seen to be a bogey team for carlow. Hopefully the footballers can get the job done tomorrow too.

Unusedsub (Carlow) - Posts: 95 - 08/04/2023 19:31:18    2469633

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I'm a long suffering supporter of our Carlow football team & it gives me no joy to say that today I have hit rock bottom. Hope is gone. We always had the excuse of this player was missing or that player was injured but today bar Crowley we were at full strength in regards Carews panel. Apart from the first 10/15 mims we were shocking. Worst performance I have seen from Carlow in years. Louth gave us a hiding last year but they are a decent team. Well done Wicklow but don't get too excited as we were so poor. No sour grapes here but I can't believe Wicklow actually got promoted watching them today they almost as poor as us but they took their chances & used the wind when they had it. We went around in circles instead of kicking in the ball & at one stage in 1st half they were down to 14 yet outscored us against the wind???? Our experienced men were very poor today & when that happens you are under pressure. No point going over the whole game but it was so so poor & I can't see much hope in the future especially when you look at the results from our underage teams during the week. Broken man

carlo (Carlow) - Posts: 228 - 09/04/2023 19:58:14    2469891

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Hard times for football in Carlow, there has been other low points maybe lower but we always had something to grasp at maybe a decent under 21/20 team or a minor team, but at the minute there isn't really anything to keep the flag flying, as I've said over and over again the problem lies with our club competitions particularly our juvenile section as that's the foundation of all things, until we sort that there won't be any improvements. Many people give up their time freely to try improve carlow football, players,coaches, volunteers throughout our clubs but the structures are failing we are not alone in this either there are other counties in bad shape, but we are definitely bottom of the pile in leinster, and leinster is the bottom of the pile in the country as a whole.

Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1671 - 09/04/2023 21:35:09    2469923

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The 10 minutes before half time summed the game up yesterday. Wicklow go down to 14, Carlow with the wind, this was the time to really push up on Wicklow and gain control of the game before the half. In that 10 minutes, not only did Wicklow outscore Carlow, they controlled and maintained possession for a good spell in their own half because Carlow wouldn't push up on them.

That was the game right there. How can you expect to win a game when you don't press home your advantages when they come?

Funny thing is, that game could have been a good bit closer had their shooting been better and they converted at least one of the goal chances they created. Game was their to be won.

TaosHum (Carlow) - Posts: 250 - 10/04/2023 07:48:50    2469935

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Replying To Barrowsider:  "Hard times for football in Carlow, there has been other low points maybe lower but we always had something to grasp at maybe a decent under 21/20 team or a minor team, but at the minute there isn't really anything to keep the flag flying, as I've said over and over again the problem lies with our club competitions particularly our juvenile section as that's the foundation of all things, until we sort that there won't be any improvements. Many people give up their time freely to try improve carlow football, players,coaches, volunteers throughout our clubs but the structures are failing we are not alone in this either there are other counties in bad shape, but we are definitely bottom of the pile in leinster, and leinster is the bottom of the pile in the country as a whole."
Yes, we can talk about structures and some changes are needed. However, we've had the same structure for the last few years and never took a beating like that from Wicklow before. The problem right now is the type of football they are playing. They are trying to mould players into a 'system' rather than making a system for the types of players available. We played a sweeper yesterday (and all year) for the whole first half while playing with the wind. Wicklow played against the wind in the first half and they had 3 v 2 situation in their full back line for every single kickout. There should have been a press on in the first half. Wicklow are not fantastic, but are organised and have set plays for kickouts. They had their homework done, and implemented their game plan on us.

CW88 (Carlow) - Posts: 29 - 10/04/2023 11:34:41    2469978

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Replying To CW88:  "Yes, we can talk about structures and some changes are needed. However, we've had the same structure for the last few years and never took a beating like that from Wicklow before. The problem right now is the type of football they are playing. They are trying to mould players into a 'system' rather than making a system for the types of players available. We played a sweeper yesterday (and all year) for the whole first half while playing with the wind. Wicklow played against the wind in the first half and they had 3 v 2 situation in their full back line for every single kickout. There should have been a press on in the first half. Wicklow are not fantastic, but are organised and have set plays for kickouts. They had their homework done, and implemented their game plan on us."
That's our level though, this doesn't get Any better either, this carlow team is a product of our development, I agree we are poorly set up, but with what we have there isn't a huge amount more we could be doing, I can't point to a time when that will improve either. We desperately need some forwards to come through but there isn't much coming, if it isn't sorted soon though we could find ourselves in a position where we are no longer able to field at this level

Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1671 - 10/04/2023 17:17:48    2470071

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Replying To CW88:  "Yes, we can talk about structures and some changes are needed. However, we've had the same structure for the last few years and never took a beating like that from Wicklow before. The problem right now is the type of football they are playing. They are trying to mould players into a 'system' rather than making a system for the types of players available. We played a sweeper yesterday (and all year) for the whole first half while playing with the wind. Wicklow played against the wind in the first half and they had 3 v 2 situation in their full back line for every single kickout. There should have been a press on in the first half. Wicklow are not fantastic, but are organised and have set plays for kickouts. They had their homework done, and implemented their game plan on us."
The performance on Sunday wasn't about structures. Which do need to be improved (drastically). Yes. It was down to poor coaching, tactics and playing a system that didn't work to our strengths.

Our players are not as bad as some people here seem to think. We had a number of guys from an Eire Og team which lost a Leinster final by only a couple of points, a few years ago.

Actually, that Eire Og team is a good example of how a team's fortunes can quickly change. One year, on the cusp of a provincial title (with a young side) and then just afterwards unable to win a Carlow championship. Despite having more or less the same players.

We don't need to look back too far to see how good coaching can quickly turn a ship around.

In 2015, Laois beat us by SEVENTEEN points in the Leinster first round. In 2016, Louth beat us by TEN.

2017, we beat Wexford by four and lost to the Dubs by twelve (which was not bad going at the time, given they beat Westmeath by 31 points in their next game).

2018, we defeat Louth by ELEVEN (a 21-point turn around in two years). Then beat Kildare by seven and lose to Laois by four (thirteen point improvement in 3 years).

This was all done with much the same core group of players.

A year later, the wheels came off and we got stuffed by Meath.

Carlow are good enough to beat Wicklow. The Board should approach Joe Murphy. Or ask Steven Poacher to come back. If neither want it, they should look for a young coach with radical ideas. Not more of the same journeyman stuff.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 742 - 11/04/2023 08:33:22    2470119

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Question. - How many times have Carlow senior footballers earned promotion in the NFL over the past 35 years.?

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3084 - 11/04/2023 11:25:54    2470182

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that is a huge result for Carlow.Mcdonagh is in yere own hands.Beat Down and Offaly twice.

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1618 - 22/04/2023 18:01:59    2472462

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Replying To supersub15:  "Question. - How many times have Carlow senior footballers earned promotion in the NFL over the past 35 years.?"
Once that i remember

Bimb (Carlow) - Posts: 472 - 23/04/2023 11:59:29    2472673

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Any hope ciaran whelan will be available for carlow's next matches. He would be a huge addition as we were quite poor in attack on sat apart from mouse and James Doyle.

Overthebar53 (Carlow) - Posts: 295 - 24/04/2023 14:41:42    2473293

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Two huge games tomorrow and next Saturday for the hurlers and two wins needed to qualify.

Have been lucky enough to make it to all three games and the lads have played some extremely good hurling at different stages. The Kildare game was set up perfectly for an ambush, once we lost to Offaly in the league we had a month to build up for it and the team and management got it spot on. We stepped off the Kildare puck outs and deciding to play against the wind in the first half backfired against Kildare. Once Kildare went short, we had cover in front of their full forward line, if they worked it short we had the numbers in the middle to turn them over. A very impressive display especially the first half.

The Kerry game felt like a defeat, we wasted multiple goal chances in the first half which came back to bite us. But on reflection the team showed huge character to push on even when Kerry levelled 3 times in the second half. Once it went 0-15 a piece with 15/20 minutes to go, Kerry had all the momentum, a greater impact off the bench and we could have easily lost that game.

The first 20/25 minutes of the Laois game was worrying and we looked tired after an intense game in Kerry 6 days previously but we played some excellent hurling in the 10 minutes before half time and for 15 minutes after conceding the soft goal in the 2nd half. Serious character shown to come from 7 points down. It was disappointing to not push on once Laois went down to 14 men and we have multiple chances to go ahead but what an end to snatch a draw. Mouse judged the free into the large rectangle perfectly, a great catch from James Doyle and a clear penalty despite what the Laois management and players said in the media afterwards! A great penalty by Mouse, I'm sure the penalty miss against Kilmacud Crokes would have been hard to get out of his head.

Overall a positive campaign so far, we should have beaten Kerry but could have easily lost to Laois. The team are playing well and working hard with Mouse, Jack Kavanagh, James Doyle, Paul Doyle, Conor Lawlor, Kevin McDonald, Jack McCullagh have played well throughout the 3 games. The break was much needed as we don't have a depth compared to some of our rivals but we are a small county and have had a bit of turnover in the last few years. We don't have the likes of Alfie Corcoran, David English, Gary Bennett, Edward Byrne, Richard Kelly, Michael Doyle, Ross Smithers, Paul Coady, Ted Joyce, Seanie Whelan, Denis Murphy, Sean Murphy.

Hopefully we get the win tomorrow and then get a big crowd in for the final game against Offaly next week.

hurlingguru (Carlow) - Posts: 1835 - 06/05/2023 10:42:15    2476027

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Replying To hurlingguru:  "Two huge games tomorrow and next Saturday for the hurlers and two wins needed to qualify.

Have been lucky enough to make it to all three games and the lads have played some extremely good hurling at different stages. The Kildare game was set up perfectly for an ambush, once we lost to Offaly in the league we had a month to build up for it and the team and management got it spot on. We stepped off the Kildare puck outs and deciding to play against the wind in the first half backfired against Kildare. Once Kildare went short, we had cover in front of their full forward line, if they worked it short we had the numbers in the middle to turn them over. A very impressive display especially the first half.

The Kerry game felt like a defeat, we wasted multiple goal chances in the first half which came back to bite us. But on reflection the team showed huge character to push on even when Kerry levelled 3 times in the second half. Once it went 0-15 a piece with 15/20 minutes to go, Kerry had all the momentum, a greater impact off the bench and we could have easily lost that game.

The first 20/25 minutes of the Laois game was worrying and we looked tired after an intense game in Kerry 6 days previously but we played some excellent hurling in the 10 minutes before half time and for 15 minutes after conceding the soft goal in the 2nd half. Serious character shown to come from 7 points down. It was disappointing to not push on once Laois went down to 14 men and we have multiple chances to go ahead but what an end to snatch a draw. Mouse judged the free into the large rectangle perfectly, a great catch from James Doyle and a clear penalty despite what the Laois management and players said in the media afterwards! A great penalty by Mouse, I'm sure the penalty miss against Kilmacud Crokes would have been hard to get out of his head.

Overall a positive campaign so far, we should have beaten Kerry but could have easily lost to Laois. The team are playing well and working hard with Mouse, Jack Kavanagh, James Doyle, Paul Doyle, Conor Lawlor, Kevin McDonald, Jack McCullagh have played well throughout the 3 games. The break was much needed as we don't have a depth compared to some of our rivals but we are a small county and have had a bit of turnover in the last few years. We don't have the likes of Alfie Corcoran, David English, Gary Bennett, Edward Byrne, Richard Kelly, Michael Doyle, Ross Smithers, Paul Coady, Ted Joyce, Seanie Whelan, Denis Murphy, Sean Murphy.

Hopefully we get the win tomorrow and then get a big crowd in for the final game against Offaly next week."
Agree fully with your analysis of the teams performances to date. Kildare were bruised after their slim defeat for promotion and were not let into the game by Carlow.
Our players were ravenous all through.
Kerry were left off the hook but in the last 15 min our lads again battled very hard while the Laois game saw a real see saw match where we were being blitzed for the first 20 min but the second half performance was exceptional and Martys peno sealed a great draw.
Down and Offaly next up.. worried that we don't seem to have confidence in our subs to take over from those who have given their all on the pitch.

carlowman (Carlow) - Posts: 1852 - 06/05/2023 14:26:02    2476093

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Massive weekend for both our Senior Hurlers & Footballers. First Saturday evening in Dcp will be a massive occasion for hurlers. A Mcdonagh Final in Croke Park the prize for our hurlers. A strange one in the fact that Offaly are already in the final & we don't know how they will set up for this game. Will they go full strength and try keep on their winning run or will they rest players for the final. We were on the wrong side of this last year when Antrim played a weakened team against Kerry in the last game & lost which knocked us out. Antrim then went on to beat kerry in the final. I recall a similar situation with the fooballers in 2017 when we played Wexford in the last game of the league after they were already promoted. They played a weakened team against us & we hammered them. Few weeks later in first round of the championship with our confidence up after beating them in the league we beat their full team in DCP. All the hurlers can do is beat whatever Offaly team is put in front of them on the day & qualify for the final. Won't be easy as Offaly Hurling is on the rise but I think we can do it by a couple of points
On Sunday in Aughrim our Footballers are playing to save their season. Apart from the first 15 mins the last day we can't be as bad again. Some of our more experienced men had an off day & I'm expecting a massive performance from them. We have nothing to lose & should go for it from the start instead of sitting back like we did the last day. We have been described as Cannon Fodder by a poster on the Wicklow page & if I was playing I know where I would shove that. Will be close but if we play like we can I think we can sneak it. Ceathearlach Abu

carlo (Carlow) - Posts: 228 - 11/05/2023 13:23:59    2477586

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Replying To carlo:  "Massive weekend for both our Senior Hurlers & Footballers. First Saturday evening in Dcp will be a massive occasion for hurlers. A Mcdonagh Final in Croke Park the prize for our hurlers. A strange one in the fact that Offaly are already in the final & we don't know how they will set up for this game. Will they go full strength and try keep on their winning run or will they rest players for the final. We were on the wrong side of this last year when Antrim played a weakened team against Kerry in the last game & lost which knocked us out. Antrim then went on to beat kerry in the final. I recall a similar situation with the fooballers in 2017 when we played Wexford in the last game of the league after they were already promoted. They played a weakened team against us & we hammered them. Few weeks later in first round of the championship with our confidence up after beating them in the league we beat their full team in DCP. All the hurlers can do is beat whatever Offaly team is put in front of them on the day & qualify for the final. Won't be easy as Offaly Hurling is on the rise but I think we can do it by a couple of points
On Sunday in Aughrim our Footballers are playing to save their season. Apart from the first 15 mins the last day we can't be as bad again. Some of our more experienced men had an off day & I'm expecting a massive performance from them. We have nothing to lose & should go for it from the start instead of sitting back like we did the last day. We have been described as Cannon Fodder by a poster on the Wicklow page & if I was playing I know where I would shove that. Will be close but if we play like we can I think we can sneak it. Ceathearlach Abu"
I wouldn't take any notice of what sponger says on the Wicklow forum; he tends to say things to wind people up. Based upon history, there is no rational Wicklow supporter who would think that Carlow will be cannon fodder for Wicklow at any time. It is always a close and tough encounter between Wicklow and Carlow regardless of how well one team is going and even when the other team is not going well. We believe that we are on the upward curve and promotion was an important step, having said that we are far from the finished article. We seem to be a bit more consistent but as supporters, we've been here before only for us to fall flat on our face when expected to perform. We have a young side and I expect Carlow to be determined to put up a good show this time and redeem themselves. This game is coming at the right time for Carlow, so soon after not doing themselves justice the last day. Hopefully home advantage can shade it for us but I expect a better Carlow performance and a tough match as always to boot.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2037 - 11/05/2023 14:06:52    2477612

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Got the win. Played Offalys 2nd team but we could only beat whats in front of us. Final in 2 weeks in Croker which is something great to look forward to. Couldn't ask for more. Great to see all the kids in Carlow colours on the pitch at half time & full time.

Over to the fooballers now tomorrow....

carlo (Carlow) - Posts: 228 - 13/05/2023 21:16:31    2478165

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Great comeback today to score last 6 points of game. Genuinely was not expecting a win.
Nor was I expecting a hammering

Blackbog (Carlow) - Posts: 725 - 14/05/2023 17:38:32    2478391

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Fair play guys

The best men and brst team won.

Enjoy your evening.

sponger (Wicklow) - Posts: 2913 - 14/05/2023 17:39:13    2478392

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Great weekend for the county. Well done to both management teams. We must be the best small dual county in Ireland!

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1434 - 14/05/2023 17:43:39    2478397

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