Carlow and Wexford battle it out this weekend for the right to play Dublin in a Leinster senior football championship quarter-final on June 3rd.

This thread will be used to discuss Sunday's game at Netwatch Cullen Park.

Administrator (None) - Posts: 2274 - 16/05/2017 17:40:56    1987227

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 16/05/2017 17:58:51    1987238

Having read the local Nationalist today it is fairly clear that Carlow believe that they have a great chance of causing an upset on Sunday against Wexford. It is hard to see where this confidence is based on solid evidence. Carlow have had poor overall league performances over the past few years and were never really in the hunt to move from division 4 a the end of the league campaigns. Nevertheless the same basoc panel has stayed the trip with Turlough O'Brien and that is bringing some confidence. He has tried a lot of players and has given players an opportunity to prove themselves. Overall the players know the system that they have employed and that builds confidence also. Not all supporters are totally happy with this system but it is there and there will be little change I believe on Sunday. Carlow have never feared Wexford in football and Wexford have not reached the heights they were in a few years ago. Hence the confidence in Carlow. A lot will depend on the work rate of Carlow and in Brendan Murphy Carlow has an outstanding player who is now in his physical prime and he will take some watching. If he is able to play at his best Carlow have a great chance of causing an upset. The forwards have one or two who will trouble Wexford if they get the right ball. That is the difficulty - getting the right ball quickly in to the forwards who can score. Hopefully it will be a good dry day and we can have an open and high scoring game.
It will be preceded by the minor game also involving the same two counties and Carlow have improved in their style of play and hope to trouble Wexford in this as well. It would be a great double for the footballers of either county to crow about along the borders of Kildavin and Myshall! We have a good chance in both!

carlowman (Carlow) - Posts: 1820 - 16/05/2017 18:08:40    1987242

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 16/05/2017 20:20:01    1987276

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 16/05/2017 20:33:15    1987283

If Carlow believe in themselves they will win.

Jack_Sparrow (Westmeath) - Posts: 1014 - 16/05/2017 20:58:56    1987294

This has the makings of a very good game of football. I really think Carlow can do a job. They have a few quality big men in Gannon, Foley and Murphy and play a very attacking brand of football. Wexford were going okay in the league without ever demolishing anyone and the momentum ended when Banty made 14 changes for the Westmeath game. Carlow to spring a surprise in a game that'll be well worth going to.

icehonesty (Wexford) - Posts: 2550 - 16/05/2017 22:20:42    1987323

Going for a Wexford win, Banty is doing a good job with them.
Wexford 2+

oakleafersir (Derry) - Posts: 808 - 16/05/2017 23:20:11    1987347

Could be a very good competitive game alright. Carlow had some very good displays in the league but then also lost to London. Wexford started the league well but then faded towards the end. They have some very good footballers though and I think Summer football suits their style.

Think Wexford will win but not by much.

county man (Limerick) - Posts: 1102 - 16/05/2017 23:48:19    1987363

Hard to call this one, it's the strongest Carlow panel in a long time. For once we got about 75/80% of the best players in the county involved.
Had a weird old league, drawing away to Westmeath who won every other game easily. Then went out the next week and lost at home to London...the only game London managed to win. Lost to Leitrim too, but won the other 4 games v Limerick, Wicklow, Waterford & Wexford! Most of them easily too.

Wexford had a great league, and had promotion sorted with 2 games left. Most games were close wins, but got job done.
Last 2 league games they made massive changes v Westmeath and lost badly....then brought back a few more regulars v Carlow but lost badly again.
League final v Westmeath was a bad experience, but am sure Wexford are better than that.

Will be a high scoring close game

The Real 1944 (Carlow) - Posts: 1114 - 17/05/2017 00:22:33    1987374

I think this will be a real dogfight. I dont expect an open free flowing game. I think Carlow will set up quite defensively, break fast, and try to draw frees from the Wexford defence, so Wexford will have to be disciplined. I don't expect there to be much in it at the end but I think Wexford's greater experience will see them over the line. Somebody commented that Carlow would never be worried about playing Wexford, but I think if any team is apprehensive about taking on another team at any point in time, regardless of whatever gulf there may perceived to be between the two teams, then there is something wrong with the attitude and approach of that team.

Sliotharyslope (Wexford) - Posts: 135 - 18/05/2017 16:50:03    1988028

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 18/05/2017 17:47:42    1988048

Expect Wexford to win by 3/4 points

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2135 - 18/05/2017 18:56:28    1988068

Stmunnsriver (Wexford) - Posts: 2840 - 18/05/2017 19:08:03    1988073

Thought I'd make the efford to post this because of the up coming game's, senior, minor and CR Cup. Good luck to all three.
I see the Carlow / Wexford game to be one of "I could see that coming" type of game. Wexford as expected sailed through div.4, got promoted but failed to Westmeath for divisional honours, Carlow also caught them for a good win, somewhat unexpected, never the less a win is a win, why, because Banty had achieved his goal got promotion and started straight away to concentrate on the championship, his first outing against Carlow, he started by fielding an experimental team against Westmeath in that div. 4 final and more of the same against Carlow when they lost to Carlow 2-14 to 1-07, some say it's on that one game that people started talking Carlow up, and that could prove costly if Carlow allow themselves to be bought into a false sense of security.
His opposite number in the Carlow camp Turlough O'Brien is a Carlow man to the core he has spent up to three years putting this squad together and keeping them there. There's a hint of an Eire Og attitude of the glory years in them in that they play for one another, along with that the word sub's is not used loosely, from what I'm led to believe it's a panel of players from which a starting 15 is picked.
Carlow can win this one of that I have no doubt, they have the ability, the skill, the talent, all key positions filled, leaders on the field, replacements as/if required, a good solid manager and management team. So what can stop them from winning this one, well because I'm not a negative person, I can't answer that.
I won't be at the game, so unless KCLR allow me to tune in, I'll have to wait for post match comments, perhaps I might even be using that famous cliché, "worth waiting for."

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 2907 - 20/05/2017 00:10:37    1988461

This really is a 50:50 game for me.

It's very hard to know where wexford are after the league. Solid would be a good description but we faded towards the end albeit job done with promotion.

Based on league form there is nothing between these teams so tomorrow is a complete toss up as to who comes out with a win.

Hopefully whoever wins will be allowed host the dubs in their own back yard in the next round providing of course if it isn't too much of an inconvenience

tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1326 - 20/05/2017 13:13:39    1988527

Well done Carlow. Not surprised at all.

Jack_Sparrow (Westmeath) - Posts: 1014 - 21/05/2017 16:44:19    1988839

I AM surprised but great win for Carlow, so well done to them. Does that mean its the dreaded Portlaoise for our fixture with them anyone?

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8585 - 21/05/2017 17:05:53    1988847

Fair play Wayno, you were bang on the money with your sarcastic comment as it turned out! It did sound like a classic!

Andy (Laois) - Posts: 371 - 21/05/2017 17:30:44    1988855

jacktheDub (Dublin) - Posts: 944 - 21/05/2017 17:42:05    1988859