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Carlow GAA thread - 6 Like(s)
What a day! History made. Only the third time ever we played Kilkenny at senior championship level. The first was in 1993. We lost by 18 points.
To give an idea of how far we have come: In 1997, Carlow played the Cats in a Leinster Intermediate final. The GAA had brought back the competition with the idea of giving 'B' counties a chance to play junior and intermediate players from the "traditional" powers.
We felt we had a great chance. We had been building over the decade, in the A Leinster, and this looked like something we could realistically hope to win.
It was a team made up of Mark Mullins, Niall English, Martin Farrell, Pat Coady, Johnny Nevin, Joe Hayden, Johnny Kavanagh, Davy Doyle, Des Murphy and a few other very well known players locally. Mark had transferred back from Cork. Which gave us all a huge lift.
We lost by 13 points and were never in contention. Ollie O'Connor from Freshford scored 2-5. Ollie was a fine player, but he never played senior championship hurling - as far as I know.
So that's how big the gap was. And it hit us straight in the face that day.
After that the wheels fell off the 1990s Carlow hurling chariot and that team kind of broke up. Wicklow beat us by 9 points in the first round the following year.
A number of us who were involved felt that was it: Carlow were doomed to be perennial also rans. We had reached our ceiling.
Things changed in the mid 2000s, with the 2008 Christy Ring win a major turning point - in my view - and now we have hit a new peak.
I am not ashamed to say I cried when I got back into my car outside Doctor Cullen Park today.
Thank you lads. Especially Marty Kavanagh. You absolute legend.
Amazing stuff.
CARPS (National) - 11/05/2024 19:47:51
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Tomsmith Intends To Retire From Intercounty Posting On Hoganstand - 4 Like(s)
Who is Tomsmith?
CARPS (National) - 05/01/2024 18:46:48
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Hurlers 2017 - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Scallioneater: "Joe Quaid is doing all he can to raise the profile of Kildare hurling, he has 5 key players in key positions all ball winners and game changers and know where the post are. Carlow has to raise their game and keep it raised, playing hot and cold is not an option, the Carlow bench is as strong as any selected 15." I don't see the point of what Kildare are doing - and Westmeath were it too (maybe still are)... because if Kildare get promoted, these brought in players can't take part in the 'A' grade... so 'rump' Kildare would be whipped in senior... whereas, what they might do is block Carlow or Antrim from going up... who use all their own and would compete better... this nonsense of bringing in players who don't even play club in the county, shouldn't be allowed...
CARPS (Carlow) - 14/03/2017 13:20:59
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Carlow GAA thread - 3 Like(s)
Less than four years ago, Carlow beat Louth by 2-17 to 0-12 (11 points) in a Leinster SFC First Round tie... Today, Louth beat us by 5-10 to 0-10 (15 points)... A 26 point turn around in just a few seasons... Congratulations to the members of our County Board who chose Niall Carew over Stephen Poacher to manage the team... You have reaped what you sowed.
CARPS (National) - 24/04/2022 20:51:18
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Footballers 2018 Season - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Blackbog: "Steady start" Hello, Onion.... not much swatting today... instead a hard fought win against a side who kicked a lot of wides.... has everyone come back down to earth a bit now?
CARPS (Carlow) - 27/01/2018 15:19:46
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Carlow GAA thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To carlowman: "This hankering back to a previous era is absolute nonsense and does nothing to improve anything. Mamagers of the past had their day and the brutal football that was played under previous managers was shocking to watch. Yes people will say we got results, and to what cost I ask? We got out of Div 4 yes, but the following years league we were straight down.
That style of football that was adopted was shocking to watch.
The top teams play a particular brand that we have not played.
The minor team are trying to play that brand and fair play to the team management and coaches for trying to bring in a far better and more productive style that mirrors what Dublin Kerry and Mayo play.
Being very honest, the basic skills of the game are not there amongst a large number of players within the county.
Most other counties in div 4.have gotten better while we have regressed.
Success needs to be built from the bottom up. Otherwise it's a temporary fix.
No manager will improve the success rate until we have players able to perform at the level required.
Above all, i feel for all involved yesterday.
It was a difficult game and yes, we were very poor and yet the players were trying and doing their best.
Blaming the county board and the current manager is not going to work either.
It's might get things off our chest but offers no solution.
I believe we need to go back to the grass roots and ask are we doing things right at that level and take it.from there.
Hard work is needed." This is such a depressing post that I want to answer it line by line.
I'm glad you posted it because it offers an insight into the petty, Stone Age mentality of many figures in Carlow GAA.
"This hankering back to a previous era is absolute nonsense and does nothing to improve anything.
- You mean the era when Carlow hammered Wexford in the first round, instead of losing by 27 points to them?
Mamagers of the past had their day and the brutal football that was played under previous managers was shocking to watch.
- So shocking that Carlow got their biggest crowds for games since the mid 1980s? How many Carlow people were in Wexford park on Sunday? And how many would have travelled to away games in 2017/2018?
Yes people will say we got results, and to what cost I ask?
- That has to be one of the most stupid things I have ever read on this board? Did some players die in the process of winning? I don't recall that.
We got out of Div 4 yes, but the following years league we were straight down.
- Yes, we got out of Division 4. Since then we have not even come close to getting out of it? So your point is?
That style of football that was adopted was shocking to watch.
- But we won games?
The top teams play a particular brand that we have not played.
- So you think Carlow should play like Dublin? That will lead to success?
The minor team are trying to play that brand and fair play to the team management and coaches for trying to bring in a far better and more productive style that mirrors what Dublin Kerry and Mayo play.
- How many matches have the minor team won?
Being very honest, the basic skills of the game are not there amongst a large number of players within the county.
- You say we don't have basic skills, but we should play like Dublin?
Most other counties in div 4.have gotten better while we have regressed.
- But you said we play better football now? Make up your mind
Success needs to be built from the bottom up. Otherwise it's a temporary fix.
- Have you ever heard of 'success breeds success?'
No manager will improve the success rate until we have players able to perform at the level required.
- so we should withdraw from inter county competitions until we have better players?
Above all, i feel for all involved yesterday.
- that's heartwarming.
It was a difficult game and yes, we were very poor and yet the players were trying and doing their best.
- they were also trying and doing their best when they hammed Wexford in 2018.
Blaming the county board and the current manager is not going to work either.
- The Board are responsible for the developement of Carlow football. So who else is to blame? The FAI? The IRFU? Sinn Fein? Vladimir Putin?
It's might get things off our chest but offers no solution.
- right, so let's never criticise the Board
I believe we need to go back to the grass roots and ask are we doing things right at that level and take it.from there.
Hard work is needed."
- ah, the grass roots… like John Delaney.
CARPS (National) - 09/04/2024 13:17:07
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All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2023 - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Viking66: "Munster hurling League" Just stop. Will ya? That's not a primary competition.
CARPS (National) - 10/07/2023 17:31:02
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Carlow 2021 - 2 Like(s)
Replying To novalis: "Haven't heard many names but a big football panel training - 35/36 I believe.
Brendan Murphy not committing for 2021.
They have a game Saturday week 15th vs Waterford so need to have good preparation in that short period.
We do have plenty of experience in the panel.
Here's hoping" Brendan Murphy delivered the most complete performance I've ever seen from a player in a Carlow shirt... the heartbreaking u21 game against Dublin... however, when we look back, surely we have to say he underachieved? He opted out of a number of years, and played half of others... missed the entire 2018 championship run, would he have made the difference against Leix?... don't get me wrong, Brendan gave us some great moments (and thank you for those, big man), but there's just a niggling feeling that he could have gone down in lore as a complete legend, but fell short... he's more a Tommy Dwyer than a Paddy Quirke... and I understand it must have been frustrating for him at times... it's a lot harder to play for Carlow as a talented player than it is to play for Dublin or Kerry.
CARPS (Carlow) - 05/05/2021 07:54:18
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Carlow GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Barrowsider: "It's growing hurling at the expense of football though. The football league ends in May and championship doesn't start until late August, and then it's all over in 5 weeks. It's incredibly damaging to football, it needs to go back to 2 weeks on 2 weeks off." Don't understand how trying to level up hurling is damaging football. It's not a zero sum game.
The GAA's mission is to. promote both codes.
If footballers feel let out in July and August,, there's nothing to stop them picking up a hurl.
Just as St Mullins dusted of the big ball to occupy their time in September and October.
CARPS (National) - 13/11/2023 12:30:42
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New Football Manager - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Oldyellar: "(same me, slightly different username as they won't send me a password change for my old one!)
I personally would like to see Joe Murphy have a crack at it. He certainly has effected Eire og in a positive way and is not afraid to make changes as he sees fit. As for Stephen Poacher, I d have my worries and I personally don't like the controversy attached to him. He did leave citing travel as a major issue. I don't think this has changed? 3/4 times a week adds up to a lot of miles and it's not sustainable on a longer basis as some people here would like to see him stay for a number of years. Travelling like this while maintaining a job isn't possible for any man - like him or loathe him! And unfortunately I don't think we have the money of other counties to allow him to be a full time manager. That's the reality. On the football side of things, for all the inventive coaching at the start of his time, we didn't change or adapt and ultimately teams figured us out. We failed to beat laois on 3 occasions and that to me was a major failing. I have heards murmurs of disquiet from panel members about selection issues. We all have. Would he be able to put stuff like this aside and make the changes to freshen it up? Its going to be hard get someone at this time given the timing but that's where we are at. Best wishes to turlough in his "retirement" also. He is Carlow through and through, be it at hurling matches, underage, club or school matches. Always there supporting." Point is, we got closer to beating Leix on those three occasions that at any point in the last 32 years. Back when Joe Hayden put them in their place in 1988.... Before Poacher came, we wouldn't have gotten within 15 points of Leix.... some people on this board have extremely short memories... also, what we saw in the league this year was a clear sign that the bad old days were on the way back... I'm not against Joe Murphy getting it... but has to be a 4/5 year deal... to give him the space Turlough got... otherwise you go with Poacher... indeed, If the money could be got, I'd make Poacher full time and give him another role - to train up the Carlow coaching and training system from the ground up. By the time he's finished, there should be At least eight native managers running clubs who could step up after him...
CARPS (Carlow) - 04/07/2020 10:08:59
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Carlow GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To carlo: "I see the fixtures are out for the Leinster football Championship. We down to play Meath on 6th of April in Navan. I thought that was meant to be a home game for us as we were drawn out first?? Or is it down to home & away fixtures. In 2019 we played them in Portlaoise but I think the time before was in Dr Cullen" Under Cake we should fear no team. If we can't beat Meath in Navan, how can we expect to beat the Dubs in Croke Park. I'd say we probably volunteered to play away. As a test of character.
CARPS (National) - 31/01/2025 08:40:08
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Dual Counties: True Gaels Or Longtime Suffering - 2 Like(s)
Little old Carlow here.
We have only 61,000 people. Third smallest population in Ireland. And we are the only one of the sub-80,000 people counties that is genuinely dual. The likes of Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo and Longford basically don't bother with hurling.
Of the eleven senior hurling countries, the next lowest population is Kilkenny (104,000) - but they don't play football at all.
Right now, there are a good few county hurlers who would walk onto the football team: Most notably Conor Lawler.
All of our county hurlers play football for the clubs. About half of them senior.
In recent years, Sean 'Choo Choo' Murphy (Sky Sports man of the match against Dublin a few years back) was a very good hurler, but was better known for football., Meanwhile, Dennis Murphy and Eddie Byrne were accomplished underage footballers who only played hurling at adult level.
Meanwhile, the biggest loss to Carlow hurlers ever was probably Padraig Amond -- but that was to a different code, alas.
If we were like Kilkenny or Monaghan - and put all our eggs into one basket - I think people would have a different impression of Carlow GAA.
But we try to do both. And sadly we don't have the numbers to be a top team in either.
We do have a decent club record - both Eire Og and O'Hanrahan's have won Leinster titles in football and Mount Leinster Rangers achieved the hurling equivalent. St Mullins have been there or thereabouts too.
Personally, I think counties that don't finance both codes properly shouldn't be allowed to take part in the championship. Kilkenny and Waterford's carry on is outrageous, on one hand - and the same applies to the Mayo's and Tyrone's on the other.
CARPS (National) - 08/05/2024 17:11:37
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Joe McDonagh Cup 2023 - 2 Like(s)
Replying To skirge7: "Offaly really screwed a good Laois team over. Laois should have really beaten Carlow on that day I suppose. It'll be a tough division next year with Westmeath and Laois." On what grounds do you assume a fully strength Offaly would have beaten Carlow? Who were unbeaten coming into the game, and beat Offaly (by five points) last year?
And if Leix are 'really good' why didn't they beat Carlow? They had their chance.
CARPS (National) - 14/05/2023 11:17:39
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County Senior Football Team - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Barrowsider: "Bad day for a game, Carlow are looking a bit disjointed in these first couple of games I think a combo of new rules and so many new faces have played a part, we have relied heavily on the handpass for a cpl of years and now we must adapt to a more kicking oriented game. Result aside I hope Conor lawlor is ok he was stretchered off late in the second half and did not look in good shape I'm presuming it was a neck injury as he was braced and stabilized." I was there too... I think if the new rules stay in place for the league, we are in serious bother... hope I am wrong... on a brighter note, fact we didn't lose by more, with that handicap, and given experimental nature of team, suggests strength-in-depth of county is quite good... No Jordan Morrissey, Sean Murphy, Eoghan Ruth, Sean Gannon, Diarmuid Walshe, Paul Broderick, John Murphy, Darragh O'Brien, Cian Lawlor, BJ Molloy today and hardly got hammered! Kildare remain a division ahead of us.
CARPS (Carlow) - 15/12/2018 21:09:59
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Irish Pubs Costa Del Sol. - 2 Like(s)
Replying To latefortraining: "any suggestion for a good irish pub where i can watch Gaelic matches.
in the Benalmádena area." Kinahan's, Puerto Banús. Great crack altogether.
CARPS (National) - 23/05/2023 16:58:27
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Who Are Going To Be Euro 2024 Champions ? - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Tirchonaill1: "There are fellas viewing this forum who have a problem with gambling, posts like this shouldn't be allowed on here.
Anyway,
we have to be in Croke Park for a 1.15 throw in on Sunday so that both the GAA quarter finals will be finished earlier,
because RTE don't want the GAA games to clash with their coverage of the England last 16 game,
and the GAA allow our schedule to be dictated by RTE? some joke this country, no respect shown to our own supporters." Maybe you should ask UEFA to move the England game to facilitate your trip to Croke Park on Sunday?
CARPS (National) - 29/06/2024 18:34:31
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Carlow GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Barrowsider: "From what I hear. They have 39 lads in and will rotate squad . So you could see different team next week" Cake clearly aiming to win Leinster and just using the league to experiment. Sure, why not?
CARPS (National) - 27/01/2025 11:31:40
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Carlow GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Overthebar53: "You know exactly what I meant so don't pretend. Your suggestion that lads should just pick up hurleys and all will be well is just trite. Our club footballers are playing for for 6 /7 weeks in spring. Then playing for 5 weeks in autumn with a 3 month gap in between. The 3 best months of the year. This is your idea of progress?? It's just bizarre and won't work." Many of those club footballers play hurling in the summer months.
The others are welcome to join them.
What you want to do is punish dual players.
CARPS (National) - 15/11/2023 10:11:47
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Carlow GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Actually looked it up. According to Schooldays.ie, there are 3,610 children currently enrolled in primary schools in County Carlow.
1,549 are in the town, and 2,061 in the rest of the county.
There are 17 Juvenile Football clubs in Carlow, and 9 hurling clubs.
3 of the football clubs are in the town, and two of the hurling. There are whole pockets of the county where hurling is not offered to children at all - Tullow, Hacketstown, Rathvilly, Palatine, etc
Now, let's be honest - one of those 3 football clubs is hoovering up all the best players in the town, to the detriment of the other two clubs (and the game in the county generally). This makes it even worse.
So effectively one club has around the same pick as 14 other clubs PUT TOGETHER.
It's a ridiculous waste of resources.
So, if we want to see where the problem starts with Carlow GAA, and why our county teams are being hammered... it's very clear.
Any action plan has to start with a reform of how the games are promoted, and organized, in Carlow town. And making sure every child has a chance to play hurling.
We have a small population. If we want to compete, we have to make the most of it. We are not even trying to do that.
CARPS (National) - 14/07/2023 17:47:25
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All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2023 - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Cockney_Cat: "It must be hard for Carlow to stomach, seeing teams already qualified for the quarter and semi-finals, who have all lost at least once." Sure, if we lose on Sunday, we demand a back door play off with the All Ireland winners. The morning after that game. At, say, 9am?
CARPS (National) - 14/06/2023 10:23:19
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