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Carlow GAA thread

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Congratulations to Burren Rangers on a historic first minor A title against Mount Leinster Rangers on Saturday.
Hopefully this is the start of many A titles for this new club.
They also I believe show what can be achieved in an area where dedicated coaches work hard.
Wouldn't it be great to see other new clubs succeeding ?

carlowman (Carlow) - Posts: 1825 - 09/10/2023 00:30:06    2507458

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Delighted for Burren Rangers on winning the minor title. I've been following their progress and have been involved with teams playing against them at underage level and they keep getting better and better. Well done to the coaches there and all involved. I've no doubt they'll start making serious strides at adult level in the near future. It would be fantastic to see more hurling clubs established in the county if the will is there in certain areas. It all points to a bright future for the game in the county.

Unusedsub (Carlow) - Posts: 85 - 09/10/2023 10:32:19    2507500

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Maybe someone can confirm this, but does Burren Rangers draw in players from as far as Hacketstown direction? They might be said to 'sweep in ' lads from almost Tinryland direction south to the Wexford border and east across? I thought some lads from KC area used to hurl with Ballinkillen, at underage at least?

Anyway, great to see BR offering competitive hurling to lads outside the 'hurling heartland'.

Bainisteoir (National) - Posts: 545 - 09/10/2023 11:50:54    2507530

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Great win for Burren rangers at weekend have been doing great work.

Few people on about the catchment area whilst I understand there drawing from a major area but it's better than these guys not playing any hurling at all.

Hopefully we can in a few years get them up a few more levels along with kildavin.

ITSCHOLAR (Carlow) - Posts: 297 - 09/10/2023 12:21:22    2507539

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Replying To ITSCHOLAR:  "Great win for Burren rangers at weekend have been doing great work.

Few people on about the catchment area whilst I understand there drawing from a major area but it's better than these guys not playing any hurling at all.

Hopefully we can in a few years get them up a few more levels along with kildavin."
a) In terms of people, it's still a much smaller catchment area than Carlow Town has. And what are they doing with the 27,000 people at their disposal (plus Palatine and a few other areas)?

b) No other club is offering juvenile hurling in that vast swathe of the county. If that changes, it will be great.

Well done to Burrin Rangers.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 652 - 09/10/2023 13:33:19    2507563

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Replying To Bainisteoir:  "Maybe someone can confirm this, but does Burren Rangers draw in players from as far as Hacketstown direction? They might be said to 'sweep in ' lads from almost Tinryland direction south to the Wexford border and east across? I thought some lads from KC area used to hurl with Ballinkillen, at underage at least?

Anyway, great to see BR offering competitive hurling to lads outside the 'hurling heartland'."
I'm pretty sure oisin doyle clonmore played for them so yes they have a wide draw

Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1625 - 09/10/2023 14:42:15    2507579

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Eire Og - with a catchment area almost as large as the rest of the county put together - wins the county minor fina, today, by 22 points to 9.

That means they've now won 19 of the last 29 titles at this grade.

How many of these chaps will ever play senior football?

At any other club, half of them, if not more, would probably play first team - in the championship - within two years.

Simply cannot believe some people defend this wasteful demographic doping and believe it's serving the best interests of Carlow football.

Wake up, guys. Seriously.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 652 - 14/10/2023 18:07:54    2508362

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Replying To Collio:  "The third most successful club in Leinster club football is underachieving? And to answer your question there was 4 lads involved from the minor team that won 3 in a row. In the intermediate semi final 11 of starting 15 were under 21 so they are clearly doing something right. You're obviously just jealous of their success"
Four. From a three-in-a-row minor team? Well that sums it up.

The last club other than Eire Og to win a two-in-a-row minor in Carlow was O'Hanrahan's in 1995 and 1996.

Because they didn't have the numbers of Eire Og, almost all of them were immediately brought into the clubs's main adult team (then Intermediate).

Just four years later, TEN of those lads won a Leinster Senior Club championship.

That's what can happen when you spread the talent pool around, instead of letting one club hoard it all.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 652 - 14/10/2023 18:16:19    2508363

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Replying To Carlow1970:  "First Carps I agree Carlow Town needs strong clubs bar Eo and would love to see it
But with repect its factually incorrect to say Eo have unfettered access to the whole town
Blues and askea have access. Pal and tinryland take players from the town. Maybe a good idea to actually offically allow these clubs have the town as their catchment areas?
Thats 5 clubs
Pal won a senior last year and field i think 2 other adult teams. Tinryland contested last 2 finals and have at least one if not two other adult teams. Both have good numbers underage and have had for a no of years
The blues situation is not down to anything eo have done. Its of their own making.
You haven't responded to my question on why pal and tinryland have players passing by the gates of the blues to play football? Why parents who played for the blues have their kids in other clubs( and not just eo) and why their best player joined grauigecullen?
On splitting the town, how for example, could you force the residents of new oak estate, to play for just one of eo or blues. Both clubs best teams had a number of players from this one estate.
If its that easy sure the best thing to do is remap every town and county in ireland so the population is split evenly. Carlow can have a bit of klidare laois and wexford
Thats a mad notion but no madder than your sugesstion. You cant rip up history and force people to switch clubs
And to be honest your disparaging remarks about Eo for not having hurling teams shows that you have a massive chip about Eo.
Carlow town are growing numbers every year and rome wasnt built in a day. Setanta and themselves if they joined up would be well along the way of bringing hurling in the town towards where it needs to be"
Hi Carlow 1970.

Yes, I think letting Palatine and Tinryland have formal catchment areas in the town is a good idea.

It doesn't really matter if lads play for Asca or O'Hanrahan's. The key is stopping one club from hoarding all the best players and giving every child a chance to realize their potential.

So the more clubs operating in the town the better. But there needs to be some formal division of the pick.

The current situation can't continue if we want Carlow football to succeed.

I don't know why you're asking me questions about the internal situation at O'Hanrahan's. How would I know?

But if the club is being as badly run as you suggest, perhaps there's a case for the County Board intervening and taking it over for a while, until the right structures are put in place to fix whatever problems are there?

I have no chip on my shoulder about Eire Og. I just think they have been allowed to become too powerful, relative to other clubs in the county and they are stifling competion and the development of talent in Carlow.

As I said, if proper catchment areas are imposed, fair play to Eire Og if they keep winning. It'll be great. Will be the first to applaud them.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 652 - 14/10/2023 18:50:16    2508368

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Replying To CARPS:  "Eire Og - with a catchment area almost as large as the rest of the county put together - wins the county minor fina, today, by 22 points to 9.

That means they've now won 19 of the last 29 titles at this grade.

How many of these chaps will ever play senior football?

At any other club, half of them, if not more, would probably play first team - in the championship - within two years.

Simply cannot believe some people defend this wasteful demographic doping and believe it's serving the best interests of Carlow football.

Wake up, guys. Seriously."
Carps you remind me of someone I used to know, you get very fixed on certain topics and really do seem to have a real dislike for eire og. That's fine too you're not obliged to like them, but I'm going to have to take you to task on some of what you're saying, eire og had one more player than st martins yesterday and I don't think that one extra player was the difference.

A culture of success has been built there, if you look on the eire og line yesterday the experience there was huge all fellas who have won multiple senior titles, that's a huge factor when it comes to preparing for these big games, I can guarantee they got their championship week correct, team meetings where tactics are discussed, and I'm sure many other finer details that other clubs don't even think of.

Size isn't everything michael davits have the largest panel of all 6 finalist and never won a league game.
Rathvilly probably had the smallest panel but ended up in a 1b final beating eire og on the way. A really well drilled team though and tinryland won the the 1b with a small panel but again a team that was well drilled and organised.

I'd like to congratulate eire og tinryland and michael davits on their wins and commiserations to St martins Rathvilly and bagenalstown, I think a special mention must go to Grange who contested the 1A semi which I'm going to assume is a first for them and were competitive, what great strides that small club have made, again it shows you it's not all about size.

The 1A final was decided on two first half goals when st martins were getting into the game, martins will be bitterly disappointed and I know many of them young fellas and how much they wanted it, I thought eire og were set up brilliantly though they covered each other very well in the backline and managed to snuff out a very potent martins forward line, Jamie coakley is one to watch for eire og it won't be long before he is playing senior. He put up a big score yesterday and his younger marker can hold his head high too he got some great blocks and tackles in.

1b final was last Monday in fenagh, tinryland over came a very stiff Rathvilly challenge, again a very entertaining game played infront of a large crowd, tinryland probably always looked a little ahead but two Rathvilly goals kept them in the game, Jamie doyle (u15) kicked 9 points for tinryland including the winning point in what was a tense finish to a highly enjoyable if nerve wracking game. Its should have been in the county grounds.

2A final was yesterday morning, I'm not sure where they got 2A from as there was no division 2 this year but micahel davits playing a very direct style of football came out on top in what was a good physical encounter between two neighbours, bagenalstown have a very good 15s team coming and I expect them to be competing at the top end in the next couple of years.

Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1625 - 15/10/2023 09:19:29    2508404

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Replying To Barrowsider:  "Carps you remind me of someone I used to know, you get very fixed on certain topics and really do seem to have a real dislike for eire og. That's fine too you're not obliged to like them, but I'm going to have to take you to task on some of what you're saying, eire og had one more player than st martins yesterday and I don't think that one extra player was the difference.

A culture of success has been built there, if you look on the eire og line yesterday the experience there was huge all fellas who have won multiple senior titles, that's a huge factor when it comes to preparing for these big games, I can guarantee they got their championship week correct, team meetings where tactics are discussed, and I'm sure many other finer details that other clubs don't even think of.

Size isn't everything michael davits have the largest panel of all 6 finalist and never won a league game.
Rathvilly probably had the smallest panel but ended up in a 1b final beating eire og on the way. A really well drilled team though and tinryland won the the 1b with a small panel but again a team that was well drilled and organised.

I'd like to congratulate eire og tinryland and michael davits on their wins and commiserations to St martins Rathvilly and bagenalstown, I think a special mention must go to Grange who contested the 1A semi which I'm going to assume is a first for them and were competitive, what great strides that small club have made, again it shows you it's not all about size.

The 1A final was decided on two first half goals when st martins were getting into the game, martins will be bitterly disappointed and I know many of them young fellas and how much they wanted it, I thought eire og were set up brilliantly though they covered each other very well in the backline and managed to snuff out a very potent martins forward line, Jamie coakley is one to watch for eire og it won't be long before he is playing senior. He put up a big score yesterday and his younger marker can hold his head high too he got some great blocks and tackles in.

1b final was last Monday in fenagh, tinryland over came a very stiff Rathvilly challenge, again a very entertaining game played infront of a large crowd, tinryland probably always looked a little ahead but two Rathvilly goals kept them in the game, Jamie doyle (u15) kicked 9 points for tinryland including the winning point in what was a tense finish to a highly enjoyable if nerve wracking game. Its should have been in the county grounds.

2A final was yesterday morning, I'm not sure where they got 2A from as there was no division 2 this year but micahel davits playing a very direct style of football came out on top in what was a good physical encounter between two neighbours, bagenalstown have a very good 15s team coming and I expect them to be competing at the top end in the next couple of years."
Barrowsider, the point is behind you. It's flown over your head.

I give up, honestly. Wasting my time here. But just to say. I have no dislike for Eire Og. Followed them around the country in the 1990s. Was in Newbridge back in 1980 when they should have beaten Walterstown - the great Eamonn Barry scored 2-5 or 2-6 that day.

The issue is demographics. The proportion of the county living in the town has increased dramatically in the past 50 years. From about 25% to close to 50%. Particularly in the last 20. But the GAA has done nothing to adapt, and has just left it to one club.

This is my last post on this subject. Cannot be bothered anymore.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 652 - 15/10/2023 12:04:16    2508421

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Replying To CARPS:  "Barrowsider, the point is behind you. It's flown over your head.

I give up, honestly. Wasting my time here. But just to say. I have no dislike for Eire Og. Followed them around the country in the 1990s. Was in Newbridge back in 1980 when they should have beaten Walterstown - the great Eamonn Barry scored 2-5 or 2-6 that day.

The issue is demographics. The proportion of the county living in the town has increased dramatically in the past 50 years. From about 25% to close to 50%. Particularly in the last 20. But the GAA has done nothing to adapt, and has just left it to one club.

This is my last post on this subject. Cannot be bothered anymore."
Good, because we're sick to death of you harping on about it.

Collio (Carlow) - Posts: 31 - 15/10/2023 19:59:44    2508522

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Anybody have an idea if Carlow town will field in the Leinster intermediate hurling ?

Mileythedog (Wicklow) - Posts: 57 - 16/10/2023 13:56:38    2508642

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Bear in mind the 27k for Carlow town also includes lads across the bridge who will kick ball with Graigue, no use to us ….

Bainisteoir (National) - Posts: 545 - 17/10/2023 00:16:11    2508755

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Replying To CARPS:  "Barrowsider, the point is behind you. It's flown over your head.

I give up, honestly. Wasting my time here. But just to say. I have no dislike for Eire Og. Followed them around the country in the 1990s. Was in Newbridge back in 1980 when they should have beaten Walterstown - the great Eamonn Barry scored 2-5 or 2-6 that day.

The issue is demographics. The proportion of the county living in the town has increased dramatically in the past 50 years. From about 25% to close to 50%. Particularly in the last 20. But the GAA has done nothing to adapt, and has just left it to one club.

This is my last post on this subject. Cannot be bothered anymore."
It's my final post on it too. That 27k has up to 8 clubs pulling from it plus multiple soccer clubs and other sports along with an ever growing number that play no sports.
If you did sort it on area or schools then you would end up making so many exemptions for parents clubs that it wouldn't be worth doing. Maybe if we had done this 40 years ago it would be well bedded in now.

To run a good juvenile structure with big numbers require a large volunteer group in the club roughly 30-40 coaches/assistant coaches. Admin etc all in you probably need 50 people to run it well. Small town clubs simply don't have those numbers and if we did what you suggested participation would fall through the floor

Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1625 - 17/10/2023 11:50:36    2508798

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Replying To Collio:  "Good, because we're sick to death of you harping on about it."
Ah, it's Eire Og's PR man again. I was going to stop, but just to annoy you - I'll keep her going.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 652 - 17/10/2023 15:50:05    2508870

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Replying To Bainisteoir:  "Bear in mind the 27k for Carlow town also includes lads across the bridge who will kick ball with Graigue, no use to us …."
The Carlow part of Graigue is between 3,000-4,000 people. Have previously addressed this issue. Time for Carlow's County Board to take a hardline approach to the situation. Insist boundaries are enforced.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 652 - 17/10/2023 15:53:06    2508871

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Replying To Barrowsider:  "It's my final post on it too. That 27k has up to 8 clubs pulling from it plus multiple soccer clubs and other sports along with an ever growing number that play no sports.
If you did sort it on area or schools then you would end up making so many exemptions for parents clubs that it wouldn't be worth doing. Maybe if we had done this 40 years ago it would be well bedded in now.

To run a good juvenile structure with big numbers require a large volunteer group in the club roughly 30-40 coaches/assistant coaches. Admin etc all in you probably need 50 people to run it well. Small town clubs simply don't have those numbers and if we did what you suggested participation would fall through the floor"
Now, unless Eire Og's PR man pipes up again. This really will be my last post, on this matter.

Tralee is a town I know very well. It has 23,000 people (ie. about the same as Carlow without Graigue ) and has Na Gaeil, Austin Stacks, Parnells, Kerins O'Rahilly's, John Mitchels and St Pats in the town, and a number of other clubs pulling out of it (like Spa) in the hinterland. This is possible because they use catchment areas to spread the population pool around.

Somehow they find the numbers....

Carlow town has three football clubs - Eire Og, Asca and O'Hanarahan's. Yes, Palatine and Tinryland also draw some players. But not a huge amount.

The town of Tralee also has multiple soccer clubs - far more than Carlow, I think at least 12 -  including a semi-professional League of Ireland team. But the GAA still finds plenty of space.

Tralee Rugby Club has a better set up than Carlow Rugby club, from my experience. Its youth system has produced, for example, Ultan Dillane, who won the European Cup - a few months ago - playing for La Rochelle. Carlow Rugby has never produced a single professional player, to the best of my knowledge (guys who went to private rugby schools don't count, as they are developed there).

Going to stop here, but one more time: Carlow town has one dominant club pulling from 27,000 people. While the average pick of a club outside the town is 2,000.

Clearly there is a case for a better use of resources in the town.

I'll leave it here. Unless the PR man keeps it going.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 652 - 17/10/2023 16:13:38    2508877

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Replying To CARPS:  "Now, unless Eire Og's PR man pipes up again. This really will be my last post, on this matter.

Tralee is a town I know very well. It has 23,000 people (ie. about the same as Carlow without Graigue ) and has Na Gaeil, Austin Stacks, Parnells, Kerins O'Rahilly's, John Mitchels and St Pats in the town, and a number of other clubs pulling out of it (like Spa) in the hinterland. This is possible because they use catchment areas to spread the population pool around.

Somehow they find the numbers....

Carlow town has three football clubs - Eire Og, Asca and O'Hanarahan's. Yes, Palatine and Tinryland also draw some players. But not a huge amount.

The town of Tralee also has multiple soccer clubs - far more than Carlow, I think at least 12 -  including a semi-professional League of Ireland team. But the GAA still finds plenty of space.

Tralee Rugby Club has a better set up than Carlow Rugby club, from my experience. Its youth system has produced, for example, Ultan Dillane, who won the European Cup - a few months ago - playing for La Rochelle. Carlow Rugby has never produced a single professional player, to the best of my knowledge (guys who went to private rugby schools don't count, as they are developed there).

Going to stop here, but one more time: Carlow town has one dominant club pulling from 27,000 people. While the average pick of a club outside the town is 2,000.

Clearly there is a case for a better use of resources in the town.

I'll leave it here. Unless the PR man keeps it going."
Go on keep going it's funny to see you ramble on about it. Picking and choosing your examples to suit your agenda. What about Portlaoise and Naas two towns with only one club. But again that wouldn't suit your agenda so you don't want to talk about that.

Collio (Carlow) - Posts: 31 - 17/10/2023 18:37:40    2508927

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Slightly different down there, I think the John mitchels team of the 50s basically all came from the one street, but they have all existed a long time. There is a thriving gaa community in kerry too it must be added, better structures in place, it would be very hard to come in after the fact and create a whole new system, the exemptions would make it pointless, I do happen to think there is space for a strong club in town to rival eire og I'm just not sure either of the current two have the capacity to achieve it. Together they might, it seems a no brainer to me, newbridge have two strong clubs, long term we will end up a one club town and then you will see 10+ in a rows done like portlaoise.

Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1625 - 17/10/2023 20:12:07    2508939

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