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A hugh opportunity lost. Iv never seen a poorer laois team & we let them off the hook. So frustrating. 5 points up early in 2nd half & we never finished them off. We missed some brilliant chances & they took theres. 6 point loss doesn't tell the story of this game as Laois didn't go in front until the last 10 mins. They refuse to lose to Carlow & played that way in last 10 minutes. Going back to my previous posts our discipline is just shocking. I counted 4 or 5 frees that were moved in front of the post for mouthing or not moving back. We made it so easy for their free taker. We foul so easily inside the 21 yard line it's unbelievable. We are not capable of holding up a man without pulling the shirt & giving away a handy score. Finally the ref was shocking. My Laois friends all agreed. He gave Carlow nothing. I wonder was he overly hard on Carlow as his brother is the Old Leighlin manager????? Anyway the 35 year wait continues carlo (Carlow) - Posts: 211 - 19/02/2023 21:42:42 2459237 Link
Different year, same outcome. Shooting accuracy our biggest downfall yesterday, I don't know the exact stats, but conversion rate was definitely down around 30-35%. It took Laois 20 mins into the first half to get their first score and in that period Carlow scored 1-1 and kicked 5/6 wides. Should have been at least 7/8 puts up at that stage. 5 minutes into second half and Carlow find themselves 5 up after a great start. In the remaining 30/35 minutes, Carlow managed only 1 score, while kicking some really poor wides. Tack on the poor discipline and soft turnovers (a number of which directly led to Laois scores) and that's were Carlow lost that game. Adding to the disappointment of the day, that result all but ends Carlow's chances of promotion. Needing to win out, they still have trips to Leitrim and Wexford, with Sligo at home. TaosHum (Carlow) - Posts: 236 - 20/02/2023 08:34:57 2459254 Link
Replying To carlo: "A hugh opportunity lost. Iv never seen a poorer laois team & we let them off the hook. So frustrating. 5 points up early in 2nd half & we never finished them off. We missed some brilliant chances & they took theres. 6 point loss doesn't tell the story of this game as Laois didn't go in front until the last 10 mins. They refuse to lose to Carlow & played that way in last 10 minutes. Going back to my previous posts our discipline is just shocking. I counted 4 or 5 frees that were moved in front of the post for mouthing or not moving back. We made it so easy for their free taker. We foul so easily inside the 21 yard line it's unbelievable. We are not capable of holding up a man without pulling the shirt & giving away a handy score. Finally the ref was shocking. My Laois friends all agreed. He gave Carlow nothing. I wonder was he overly hard on Carlow as his brother is the Old Leighlin manager????? Anyway the 35 year wait continues" Hard to argue with much of that. It's a poor enough Laois team. Not even as good as the 2018 Division 4 outfit. But ye're fouling in bad positions was terribly silly. Kingston will kick those all day long. And one point in the last half an hour cost ye too. Ye didn't make the most of a dreadful first half from Laois. Haven't seen Leitrim yet but if Wexofrd can beat them ye have nothing to fear and promotion is still something Carlow can achieve. Laois could quite easily lose to Wicklow next game - it's that open. CmonAymonow (Laois) - Posts: 160 - 20/02/2023 09:36:29 2459271 Link
Two observations, after the game yesterday. - With our current pool of players, Carlow can't play 15 on 15 football. Getting Poacher back is probably a non-runner, at this point, but it's clear we need someone like him if we are going to be anything more than a bottom half Division Four team. We have to play to our strengths, and when you don't have scoring forwards that means you have be defensive and counter-attack. - Carlow's real problems are structural. Our underage set up is not producing competitive teams. Thus, it's clear we need a radical rethink at this level. Divisional sides may be the answer, while maintaining the individual clubs so everyone gets a game at the non-elite level. What about dividing the county into three divisions of seven clubs? East Carlow, West Carlow and South Carlow?* At underage, any players whose clubs is not in the A grade (as a stand alone entity), is eligible for divisional side. At adult level, the same applies to senior football. So we could have five clubs + three Divisions in the SFC, or three clubs, plus three divisions, if we wanted make it six in each grade, instead of eight. The latter would create hyper competitive grades, and increase our club's chances of winning intermediate or junior Leinster's. Suggested divisions (not geographically perfect, but weighted for some balance). West Carlow: Palatine, O'Hanrahan's, Asca, Eire Og, Ballinabranna, Leighlinbridge, Old Leighlin East Carlow: Tinryland, Clonmore, Grange, Tullow, Rathvilly, Ballon, Fighting Cocks South Carlow: Bagenalstown, Kilbride, Myshall, Kildavin, Fenagh, Mount Leinster, St Mullins CARPS (Carlow)* - Posts: 582 - 20/02/2023 12:13:29 2459334 Link
We have a good few decent players who are all very young, what we need is a decent manager who can mould them into a team. There is one obvious change to be made to that team but no one else has been given a chance there for over a year. I'm not as pessimistic as some on here but we aren't going anywhere with this manager. Overthebar53 (Carlow) - Posts: 199 - 20/02/2023 15:03:46 2459418 Link
Replying To Overthebar53: "We have a good few decent players who are all very young, what we need is a decent manager who can mould them into a team. There is one obvious change to be made to that team but no one else has been given a chance there for over a year. I'm not as pessimistic as some on here but we aren't going anywhere with this manager." Please do explain this change? CW88 (Carlow) - Posts: 20 - 20/02/2023 16:06:48 2459454 Link
Replying To TaosHum: "Different year, same outcome. Shooting accuracy our biggest downfall yesterday, I don't know the exact stats, but conversion rate was definitely down around 30-35%. It took Laois 20 mins into the first half to get their first score and in that period Carlow scored 1-1 and kicked 5/6 wides. Should have been at least 7/8 puts up at that stage. 5 minutes into second half and Carlow find themselves 5 up after a great start. In the remaining 30/35 minutes, Carlow managed only 1 score, while kicking some really poor wides. Tack on the poor discipline and soft turnovers (a number of which directly led to Laois scores) and that's were Carlow lost that game. Adding to the disappointment of the day, that result all but ends Carlow's chances of promotion. Needing to win out, they still have trips to Leitrim and Wexford, with Sligo at home." Have to have shooters on the field from the start. Nobody on the pitch to kick a score from 45+ yards wind assisted. CW88 (Carlow) - Posts: 20 - 20/02/2023 16:08:40 2459456 Link
Replying To CW88: "Please do explain this change?" I don't want to personalise it as we are dealing with amateur players here. Overthebar53 (Carlow) - Posts: 199 - 20/02/2023 16:30:38 2459464 Link
We actually don't have those kind of shooters, (who has?) but I would contend that we don't really need that type of pkayer with the style we play, we are actually quite good at carrying the ball at pace, our problem is in finishing as exemplified in yesterday's game where we left at least 2-4 behind us in the 2nd half Overthebar53 (Carlow) - Posts: 199 - 20/02/2023 16:35:40 2459466 Link
Replying To Overthebar53: "We have a good few decent players who are all very young, what we need is a decent manager who can mould them into a team. There is one obvious change to be made to that team but no one else has been given a chance there for over a year. I'm not as pessimistic as some on here but we aren't going anywhere with this manager." Personally I think Niall Carew is a reasonably good team manager what's needed is a proven coach one that can man manage to get into their heads, straighten out a few issues and get that extra 10 or 15% out of them. Dessie Farrell brought in Pat Gilroy another all Ireland winner, there's no reason why a div.4 county cant do something similar. From what I saw it was a 35 min game, mid way through the second half Carlow were 0-04 up and finished the game losing by 0-06 which is a bit unfortunate because they are capable of much better, I'll go as far as saying they can and probably will beat Leitrim. I hope these lads stay with the county, they are very young and have lots to offer. It's a pity Brendan Murphy couldn't have been persuaded to lend a hand in getting Carlow promoted to div. 3. supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 2907 - 20/02/2023 20:49:55 2459521 Link
Replying To carlowman: "If nobody was asked in perhaps the MLR players were not deemed good enough by co management. For your information I was at the semi finals and final. A pity that the 2 semi finals were played at the exact same time by the way. Hard to watch 2 games at the same time ! The best player for Rangers in both games I watched is overage for this year. Another good player from Rangers is playing colleges hurling and I think is doing his Leaving Cert. At least one player who also likes soccer has been dropped from the panel. Players who did not turn up to training are not being started by their clubs and some have continued to stay at soccer which is a pity for their football team mates. Final thought, any MLR player good enough for the Co senior team... after all they again made the semi final... if they are good enough why are they not in with the panel ?" On your final thought, I never mentioned senior players not being asked in as some were but had committed to hurling - no issue here. U20s is the point that's being made, as none were even asked. The same happened 3 years ago when they were the joint best team at minor level and only lost the final on penalties, that is this years u20 team so do you honestly think none are good enough? Most of the county final winning team are u20 this year also. You say you were at the final, some achievement to beat a strong football only club with just 2 good players, plus beating Pal and Rathvilly in the knockout stages very comfortably! Dualclub1 (Carlow) - Posts: 276 - 22/02/2023 14:24:46 2459773 Link
Replying To supersub15: "Personally I think Niall Carew is a reasonably good team manager what's needed is a proven coach one that can man manage to get into their heads, straighten out a few issues and get that extra 10 or 15% out of them. Dessie Farrell brought in Pat Gilroy another all Ireland winner, there's no reason why a div.4 county cant do something similar. From what I saw it was a 35 min game, mid way through the second half Carlow were 0-04 up and finished the game losing by 0-06 which is a bit unfortunate because they are capable of much better, I'll go as far as saying they can and probably will beat Leitrim. I hope these lads stay with the county, they are very young and have lots to offer. It's a pity Brendan Murphy couldn't have been persuaded to lend a hand in getting Carlow promoted to div. 3." Can I add to your response to the chat about bringing in a specialised coach, that I think that Niall Carew has done a great job in moulding a squad together using a different game template than the previous coach and management. Was the attendance at last Sunday's match the best ever for a league football match? Is the team progressing ? Is it an attractive style to watch? Is there ANY other team in the country playing the 'OTHER' style that the previous management espoused? I think Carew and his management team have gotten the team to play really well. It has taken time to instill confidence in the team and we should not throw out the current set up or attempt to add to it based on one performance. We were up 4 or 5 points and the team I am sure has sat down collectively and asked how did they lose such a lead. For me, I admire the quiet but effective way Carew has managed things. I think the team has gotten more confidence and is improving and I expect the team to give a good account of themselves in the remaining league games. carlowman (Carlow) - Posts: 1819 - 22/02/2023 15:18:00 2459782 Link
Replying To carlowman: "Can I add to your response to the chat about bringing in a specialised coach, that I think that Niall Carew has done a great job in moulding a squad together using a different game template than the previous coach and management. Was the attendance at last Sunday's match the best ever for a league football match? Is the team progressing ? Is it an attractive style to watch? Is there ANY other team in the country playing the 'OTHER' style that the previous management espoused? I think Carew and his management team have gotten the team to play really well. It has taken time to instill confidence in the team and we should not throw out the current set up or attempt to add to it based on one performance. We were up 4 or 5 points and the team I am sure has sat down collectively and asked how did they lose such a lead. For me, I admire the quiet but effective way Carew has managed things. I think the team has gotten more confidence and is improving and I expect the team to give a good account of themselves in the remaining league games." In my opinion the attendance at last Sundays match was a reflection on the rivalry between the two counties of Carlow and Laois, (b) and yes the team is progressing, however not at speed a bit more is needed, (c) yes from what I see, (d) Gaelic football is no longer an attractive style to watch in fact it is quiet boring, win or lose. (e) Leinster counties play a similar style some better than others. I think Niall Carew has bonded well with the panel as much as they have bonded with them. In Bobby Millar's (RIP) time with Eire Og he brought a collective professional awareness into the club. When Michael Dempsey took over the reins at O' Hanrahan's senior football club he used the same template with great success. In a roundabout way Carew is doing something similar but this time it is with the senior county team at a slower pace. I'm not basing my theory one one performance in fact that is what I believe Carlow football needs and that is what a lot of counties have. Like it or not last Sundays game with Laois was a 35 min. game full stop. The first 50 mins of the 70 belonged to Carlow, allowing for the near misses, the turn over's and the little mistakes, yet they were 4 points up, the remaining 20 mins ish belonged to Laois, they went from 4 points down to level the game and won by 6, under the circumstances it's a big ask to expect Niall Carew to instantly put that right, that is why Carlow needs a corrective assistant to Niall Carew to things like that right. If it was left to me I would head hunt Pat Flanagan, although he has recently been appointed manager of Kildare's Sarsfields club he would be my choice, As an aside there is no reason other that their own as to why Carlow cant come home with 2 valuable NFL points against Leitrim, with respect Leitrim are no world beaters, ie div.4 like ourselves. supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 2907 - 22/02/2023 21:01:20 2459819 Link
Replying To carlowman: "Can I add to your response to the chat about bringing in a specialised coach, that I think that Niall Carew has done a great job in moulding a squad together using a different game template than the previous coach and management. Was the attendance at last Sunday's match the best ever for a league football match? Is the team progressing ? Is it an attractive style to watch? Is there ANY other team in the country playing the 'OTHER' style that the previous management espoused? I think Carew and his management team have gotten the team to play really well. It has taken time to instill confidence in the team and we should not throw out the current set up or attempt to add to it based on one performance. We were up 4 or 5 points and the team I am sure has sat down collectively and asked how did they lose such a lead. For me, I admire the quiet but effective way Carew has managed things. I think the team has gotten more confidence and is improving and I expect the team to give a good account of themselves in the remaining league games." I was probably a little rash in saying that we won't get anywhere with this manager and I do agree that he has tried to play a better brand of football than the previous incumbent (low bar in fairness) but surely he needs someone to help him sort out the current glaringly obvious deficiencies. Our kicks out are a disaster and our concession of oppositions kicks out is inexplicable. There is a massive back room team involved yet these faults are evident game after game. With a top class coach I believe we could be atop div. 4 now. Shame really Overthebar53 (Carlow) - Posts: 199 - 23/02/2023 09:31:41 2459830 Link
Replying To supersub15: "In my opinion the attendance at last Sundays match was a reflection on the rivalry between the two counties of Carlow and Laois, (b) and yes the team is progressing, however not at speed a bit more is needed, (c) yes from what I see, (d) Gaelic football is no longer an attractive style to watch in fact it is quiet boring, win or lose. (e) Leinster counties play a similar style some better than others. I think Niall Carew has bonded well with the panel as much as they have bonded with them. In Bobby Millar's (RIP) time with Eire Og he brought a collective professional awareness into the club. When Michael Dempsey took over the reins at O' Hanrahan's senior football club he used the same template with great success. In a roundabout way Carew is doing something similar but this time it is with the senior county team at a slower pace. I'm not basing my theory one one performance in fact that is what I believe Carlow football needs and that is what a lot of counties have. Like it or not last Sundays game with Laois was a 35 min. game full stop. The first 50 mins of the 70 belonged to Carlow, allowing for the near misses, the turn over's and the little mistakes, yet they were 4 points up, the remaining 20 mins ish belonged to Laois, they went from 4 points down to level the game and won by 6, under the circumstances it's a big ask to expect Niall Carew to instantly put that right, that is why Carlow needs a corrective assistant to Niall Carew to things like that right. If it was left to me I would head hunt Pat Flanagan, although he has recently been appointed manager of Kildare's Sarsfields club he would be my choice, As an aside there is no reason other that their own as to why Carlow cant come home with 2 valuable NFL points against Leitrim, with respect Leitrim are no world beaters, ie div.4 like ourselves." What would Pat Flanagan do that Niall Carew can't? He hasn't managed a county team for six years and his last team (Offaly) sacked him (very publicly on Twitter, as I recall) after he avoided relegation to Division 4, by a point. We need to move away from journeyman managers, and develop our own football philosophy. CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 582 - 23/02/2023 15:55:14 2459910 Link
If Carew is to be replaced, which I think is likely at the end of the season, then i think Stephen O'Meara at Tinryland is someone the Co board will take a close look at. Team structure and setup would be close to what Carlow were doing under TOB/Poacher, ball control and compact defensively. Has worked with the Co Board in the past. Took an aging team in Tinryland to a Co final (a game they probably should have won). I know some people aren't fans of how he sets his teams up, but another good season with Tinryland and he would certainly be in contention. TaosHum (Carlow) - Posts: 236 - 23/02/2023 16:47:18 2459915 Link
Well said Carps. We've had them all. Luke Dempsey, Anthony Rainbow, Liam Hayes etc .....same outcome - bottom half of Div 4. Local man O'Brien did way better than all of these, and gave us some great memories. Carew I feel is getting a lot right, getting a good system going on the field...... still needs work and consistency, but he is working with a very young panel, they are still developing, give him time. Good luck to all v Leitrim. fullbach (Carlow) - Posts: 264 - 23/02/2023 17:52:25 2459923 Link
Replying To CARPS: "What would Pat Flanagan do that Niall Carew can't? He hasn't managed a county team for six years and his last team (Offaly) sacked him (very publicly on Twitter, as I recall) after he avoided relegation to Division 4, by a point. We need to move away from journeyman managers, and develop our own football philosophy." I never suggested that Niall Carew should be replaced by Pat Flanagan, I think Pat would be a valuable addition to the current management set up, not as manager but as coach / team trainer. As for journey man managers, most managers fit that description so we have to get used to it. supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 2907 - 23/02/2023 20:05:49 2459940 Link
Looking to Leitrim game & wondering what kind of team we will have? Are Ciaran Moran & Crowley fit? We have small enough panel & can't afford to be missing anyone. I think we are making progress but to back that up we really have to go up to Leitrim & either win or run them very close. If we get a good beating by 6 or 7 points not only are our promotion hopes gone but it will Show our inconsistencies again & will be a step backwards. Beirne is shooting the lights out for them & will take some watching. Hopefully we dig out a result. With a bit of luck we could have 6 points on the board already( still can't believe we let Laois off the hook) carlo (Carlow) - Posts: 211 - 23/02/2023 20:59:07 2459944 Link
Decent side named to face Leitrim. Good to see Hulton has recovered and is starting as is O Brien after a lengthy injury. Moran, Crowley, Molloy all named on bench. Tough assignment but well capable of taking full points. novalis (Carlow) - Posts: 312 - 25/02/2023 15:35:46 2460116 Link