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Carlow GAA thread

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Replying To EireOgAbu:  "Disagree here. We have not had a golden generation in the last 10 years as that would indicate success at underage level coming to fruition then later at senior. Under Turlo and Poacher, we just had a really good structure and the players bought into it and executed it well.

It's not all doom and gloom. This current panel are a decent bunch. Most of us can see that. The manager is the problem. Under new management we can progress.

The only thing you could say is that time and time again we are missing key players and for such a small county you cant afford that. There are about 10 lads who would strengthen that panel enormously. Maybe under new management they would be inclined to come back in or actually get called up!"
Disagree here. The Poacher & O Brien teams were built from the 2007 Leinster minor finalists & the 2010 Leinster u21 semi final team which lost to Dublin after extra time by a point ( Dublin went on to win the All Ireland) That was our golden generation in my time anyway. Also disagree about missing so many players. Down through the years we always had the excuse that we had half a team missing etc but this time around I think we have almost everyone in with the county that should be there. The only exceptions would be Brendan Murphy & Sean Murphy & they won't be coming back I'm afraid.

carlo (Carlow) - Posts: 214 - 05/03/2024 20:43:43    2530005

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Replying To carlo:  "Disagree here. The Poacher & O Brien teams were built from the 2007 Leinster minor finalists & the 2010 Leinster u21 semi final team which lost to Dublin after extra time by a point ( Dublin went on to win the All Ireland) That was our golden generation in my time anyway. Also disagree about missing so many players. Down through the years we always had the excuse that we had half a team missing etc but this time around I think we have almost everyone in with the county that should be there. The only exceptions would be Brendan Murphy & Sean Murphy & they won't be coming back I'm afraid."
You must not have watched much club football this year if you think we have everyone in there that should be there then carlo. Here is a list of 10 like I said and I could name more:

Brendan Murphy (You agreed here)
Sean Murphy (You agreed here)
Seanie Bambrick
Tadgh Roche
Niall Lowry
Jason Kane
Finbar Kavagnagh
Jonah Dunne
Darren Lunney
Diarmaid Walsh

I think 3 of those mentioned above left the panel from last year. Others were either not called in / choose not to go in. Like I said, maybe under new management they would be in there.

3 / 4 of those names were also on the Nationalist and Left Wing Back teams of the year.

Not to mention Eoghan Ruth, Chris Blake and Daragh O Brien who are all massive losses but unavailable due to traveling.

EireOgAbu (Carlow) - Posts: 17 - 06/03/2024 10:00:54    2530040

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Replying To CARPS:  "Before Turlough and Poacher took over, Carlow were so bad that there was talk of regrading to junior.

In 2014, we lost the first round in Leinster by 28 points.

Under a manager from Kildare.

Just three years later, we won four games in the championship… with the same players.

The following year, we hammered Kildare.

At inter county level, the manager is paramount.

Sadly, Carlow's policy has been to appoint journeymen. So that's why we always come back to this issue.

The hurlers have had a number of very good managers. That's the difference. But even when they've had a poor choice, they've regressed."
Well said CARPS. It's very obvious for some and not others.

EireOgAbu (Carlow) - Posts: 17 - 06/03/2024 10:02:38    2530042

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Replying To CARPS:  "Before Turlough and Poacher took over, Carlow were so bad that there was talk of regrading to junior.

In 2014, we lost the first round in Leinster by 28 points.

Under a manager from Kildare.

Just three years later, we won four games in the championship… with the same players.

The following year, we hammered Kildare.

At inter county level, the manager is paramount.

Sadly, Carlow's policy has been to appoint journeymen. So that's why we always come back to this issue.

The hurlers have had a number of very good managers. That's the difference. But even when they've had a poor choice, they've regressed."
Would agree strongly here. Management is vital in terms of competing. You can say Carlow are weak or this that and the other but when playing in the national leagues we are playing teams of similar standard which is the beauty of the competition.
At this level and in any division teams are evenly matched and there is little between anyone therefore management and tactical edges are paramount. I honestly believe Carlow have one of the best panels of players they have ever had currently but are being let down by management. Any games being won are by individual excellence not tactics.
I have voiced already that I personally am not a fan of Carew and whereas he has won big games and blooded in alot of new young players I would question whether its just down to individual brilliance of players again. My point being I also agree we cant underestimate the importance of a manager at this level which was shown by Turlough and Poacher at the time.

FearCeatharlach (Carlow) - Posts: 4 - 06/03/2024 11:17:15    2530053

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Replying To EireOgAbu:  "You must not have watched much club football this year if you think we have everyone in there that should be there then carlo. Here is a list of 10 like I said and I could name more:

Brendan Murphy (You agreed here)
Sean Murphy (You agreed here)
Seanie Bambrick
Tadgh Roche
Niall Lowry
Jason Kane
Finbar Kavagnagh
Jonah Dunne
Darren Lunney
Diarmaid Walsh

I think 3 of those mentioned above left the panel from last year. Others were either not called in / choose not to go in. Like I said, maybe under new management they would be in there.

3 / 4 of those names were also on the Nationalist and Left Wing Back teams of the year.

Not to mention Eoghan Ruth, Chris Blake and Daragh O Brien who are all massive losses but unavailable due to traveling."
Every county has lads away who might never come back, we have several. We have numerous more who were asked but didn't want to commit, and not because of the manager but because they didnt want to commit to the intercounty player lifestyle. All any county management can do is try to get the most out of the lads who are prepared to commit, and all we can do as supporters is turn up to support the team. If it is the case that you have very good players who say they will commit under different management then that's a different story, but is that really the case in Carlow?

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11876 - 06/03/2024 11:23:51    2530054

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Replying To Viking66:  "Every county has lads away who might never come back, we have several. We have numerous more who were asked but didn't want to commit, and not because of the manager but because they didnt want to commit to the intercounty player lifestyle. All any county management can do is try to get the most out of the lads who are prepared to commit, and all we can do as supporters is turn up to support the team. If it is the case that you have very good players who say they will commit under different management then that's a different story, but is that really the case in Carlow?"
Yes that is the case for a few players mentioned. We also have one of the smallest pools of players in the country so we feel the effects more.

EireOgAbu (Carlow) - Posts: 17 - 06/03/2024 11:34:35    2530058

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Replying To EireOgAbu:  "You must not have watched much club football this year if you think we have everyone in there that should be there then carlo. Here is a list of 10 like I said and I could name more:

Brendan Murphy (You agreed here)
Sean Murphy (You agreed here)
Seanie Bambrick
Tadgh Roche
Niall Lowry
Jason Kane
Finbar Kavagnagh
Jonah Dunne
Darren Lunney
Diarmaid Walsh

I think 3 of those mentioned above left the panel from last year. Others were either not called in / choose not to go in. Like I said, maybe under new management they would be in there.

3 / 4 of those names were also on the Nationalist and Left Wing Back teams of the year.

Not to mention Eoghan Ruth, Chris Blake and Daragh O Brien who are all massive losses but unavailable due to traveling."
I think more will be lost to travel too if rumours are true.
We lost so much experience in the panel with the change of management, it's very hard to start over with a bunch of green footballers, basically the spine of the team for ten years gone over night. We were going to be in a period of transition anyway but the handling of the management change at the time had to play a big role in so many stepping away. It's a lot of experience to lose in a dressing room and why when appointing new management it's always important to have the players onside.

Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1594 - 06/03/2024 11:37:38    2530059

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Replying To EireOgAbu:  "You must not have watched much club football this year if you think we have everyone in there that should be there then carlo. Here is a list of 10 like I said and I could name more:

Brendan Murphy (You agreed here)
Sean Murphy (You agreed here)
Seanie Bambrick
Tadgh Roche
Niall Lowry
Jason Kane
Finbar Kavagnagh
Jonah Dunne
Darren Lunney
Diarmaid Walsh

I think 3 of those mentioned above left the panel from last year. Others were either not called in / choose not to go in. Like I said, maybe under new management they would be in there.

3 / 4 of those names were also on the Nationalist and Left Wing Back teams of the year.

Not to mention Eoghan Ruth, Chris Blake and Daragh O Brien who are all massive losses but unavailable due to traveling."
Well considering most clubs have only played 1 or 2 games this year so i don't think that is anything to go by. But yes I would be very up to date with the club scene. Seanie Bambrick yes but he is gone travelling for the year & Darren Luney yes but he transferred from Ballinabranna as he's living & working in Dublin so he wasn't going to commit to carlow. After that we have mostly our best options. For the record I'm not a fan of Carew either as I have previously posted. His style, lack of kick out strategy, his non use of the bench until the game is over & then its only certain players who get a run. However this notion that if he was gone we would have a much better panel is not backed up either. Some lads just wont make that hugh commitment for very little success no matter who is over the team. Our big problem is our lack of underage success. When was the last big win at minor or u20 level? I can't remember. We just not producing the underage players & that doesn't lead to successful senior teams.

carlo (Carlow) - Posts: 214 - 06/03/2024 13:17:37    2530071

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Replying To carlo:  "Well considering most clubs have only played 1 or 2 games this year so i don't think that is anything to go by. But yes I would be very up to date with the club scene. Seanie Bambrick yes but he is gone travelling for the year & Darren Luney yes but he transferred from Ballinabranna as he's living & working in Dublin so he wasn't going to commit to carlow. After that we have mostly our best options. For the record I'm not a fan of Carew either as I have previously posted. His style, lack of kick out strategy, his non use of the bench until the game is over & then its only certain players who get a run. However this notion that if he was gone we would have a much better panel is not backed up either. Some lads just wont make that hugh commitment for very little success no matter who is over the team. Our big problem is our lack of underage success. When was the last big win at minor or u20 level? I can't remember. We just not producing the underage players & that doesn't lead to successful senior teams."
Sorry that was meant to say last year. Agree on underage success being a problem but we definitely do not have our best options in there - they are either opting out because of Carew or not being called in when they should be.

The list could go on and on. Tinryland in the last 2 county finals (albeit it boring football) but only 1 player this year involved from the club? That is bizarre too.

EireOgAbu (Carlow) - Posts: 17 - 06/03/2024 14:24:49    2530080

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When a team that promises quite a bit or has a few wins and then loses its easy and understandable to look outside the panel at possible replacements.
As far as I can see its of no use looking outside the panel. The lads that are in are committed and I woukd prefer a committed chap than a lad who had talent but is only there now and again.
For what its worth I think we have the best of the county there.
Are there deficiencies in the squad- yes!
Ball winners at midfield, or put it another way, we have not been winning possession from long kick outs.
Watching some of the games, management and the panel have been working very hard at this aspect but it has not worked as yet.
Our system whic has yielded.results against Tipp and Waterford and Leitrim while not perfect is definitely a long way ahead of where we were.

All we can ask and expect is that the team is working hard and I think they are.

carlowman (Carlow) - Posts: 1821 - 07/03/2024 10:52:09    2530171

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Replying To CW88:  "We are in a terrible position. Getting promoted would only be covering over the cracks.
The GDA's have been taken away from Colts system to focus on schools? Why not educate primary school teachers on GAA coaching so they could put their expertise into the colts? No incentives for schools to buy into this. We are wasting our time having GDA's going around to schools doing basic stuff that others can do… especially when many clubs have GPO's doing that already.
However, The biggest problem in Carlow football is the results at juvenile level. Players will not have skill acquisition if they are not being challenged in games. They are all hammerings, 2 teams max in age age group. When we move into high stakes games at county level, we can't cope."
I think your point about the GDAs is the most underrated point here. The lads are all brilliant coaches in there but they are wasted on schools coaching. There's actually plenty of really good Gaa people teaching in most schools and the club school link is there to help out that. Offaly changed their whole academy system to mimick limericks, the guys who's over it was on off the ball a few months back and it was really interesting to hear how they went about it. They're doing 2 sessions a week I'm pretty sure one pitch, one S&C / tactical. Limerick do it all on a Saturday wigh their squads.

I also wasn't saying that Carew is not guilty of being poor at times. I'm just saying that the issue with Carlow football is much deeper than the senior manager. I'd follow the hurlers more at county level but see a lot of the club football games and the standard is absolutely awful. Tinryland getting to a county final with that brand of football just shows. If any team was capable of kicking long range points you'd draw them out of the deep defensive cover at some stage. I think it just needs a total review and put more emphasis on the colts system and getting out to clubs and engaging with club coaches & trying to get them to see that they play a major role in how the county teams develop at each grade. It's unlikely to happen though and across the country gaps just seem to be getting bigger and bigger between the top and bottom teams!

benchtoaster (Carlow) - Posts: 15 - 07/03/2024 11:33:27    2530176

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Replying To benchtoaster:  "I think your point about the GDAs is the most underrated point here. The lads are all brilliant coaches in there but they are wasted on schools coaching. There's actually plenty of really good Gaa people teaching in most schools and the club school link is there to help out that. Offaly changed their whole academy system to mimick limericks, the guys who's over it was on off the ball a few months back and it was really interesting to hear how they went about it. They're doing 2 sessions a week I'm pretty sure one pitch, one S&C / tactical. Limerick do it all on a Saturday wigh their squads.

I also wasn't saying that Carew is not guilty of being poor at times. I'm just saying that the issue with Carlow football is much deeper than the senior manager. I'd follow the hurlers more at county level but see a lot of the club football games and the standard is absolutely awful. Tinryland getting to a county final with that brand of football just shows. If any team was capable of kicking long range points you'd draw them out of the deep defensive cover at some stage. I think it just needs a total review and put more emphasis on the colts system and getting out to clubs and engaging with club coaches & trying to get them to see that they play a major role in how the county teams develop at each grade. It's unlikely to happen though and across the country gaps just seem to be getting bigger and bigger between the top and bottom teams!"
Agree the lads are good but colts are totally under funded and actually just had the budget cut again recently, no buses to games now which to me seems particularly mean spirited, in terms of bonding a panel the chat and craic on the bus is a major factor. I disagree about the schools but more so because they are needed in schools clubs and colts. The whole thing needs a big rethink if it's a choice of one or another that needs to be fleshed out and see which is in greater need, I think club support might not be the best use as you're often meeting people who aren't willing to take on board what you bring. So if you spend a major part of the week preaching the message to people not listening you probably could use that time better. You would be amazed with the archaic practices still going on in clubs which would indicate that the work done with them wasn't heeded.
I think everyone recognises the major issues lie with the clubs, be it at juvenile or adult, but we don't seem to have any idea or maybe more so any interest to address it. Could we start small and say let's try get every club to make sure atleast one on a management team has atleast done award 1 and can do a warm up and plan a session, as far as I know its already meant to be like that but it isn't enforced probably because some clubs would struggle to find anyone.

Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1594 - 07/03/2024 14:50:29    2530201

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Replying To Barrowsider:  "Agree the lads are good but colts are totally under funded and actually just had the budget cut again recently, no buses to games now which to me seems particularly mean spirited, in terms of bonding a panel the chat and craic on the bus is a major factor. I disagree about the schools but more so because they are needed in schools clubs and colts. The whole thing needs a big rethink if it's a choice of one or another that needs to be fleshed out and see which is in greater need, I think club support might not be the best use as you're often meeting people who aren't willing to take on board what you bring. So if you spend a major part of the week preaching the message to people not listening you probably could use that time better. You would be amazed with the archaic practices still going on in clubs which would indicate that the work done with them wasn't heeded.
I think everyone recognises the major issues lie with the clubs, be it at juvenile or adult, but we don't seem to have any idea or maybe more so any interest to address it. Could we start small and say let's try get every club to make sure atleast one on a management team has atleast done award 1 and can do a warm up and plan a session, as far as I know its already meant to be like that but it isn't enforced probably because some clubs would struggle to find anyone."
Yeah everyone is suppose to have a foundation course done at minimum, those courses are a pile of rubbish though as there's no possible way to fail them.

I don't know the answer I don't think there's a willingness to change within clubs really but until there comes a point where we all sit down and say listen we are a v small county we have to all see the big picture we'll never improve.
Wasnt aware of the cut to colts panels. I stepped away from coaching in the county because it would just frustrate the life out of you and that just sums up the state of affairs.

benchtoaster (Carlow) - Posts: 15 - 07/03/2024 16:55:55    2530211

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Could it be argued that Carlow is more of a hurling county now than football?

Hurlers are flying atm. Would be great to see them have a good run in Liam this year

upandwin (Down) - Posts: 111 - 07/03/2024 17:40:25    2530217

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Replying To upandwin:  "Could it be argued that Carlow is more of a hurling county now than football?

Hurlers are flying atm. Would be great to see them have a good run in Liam this year"
Carlow are senior in hurling, but Intermediate in football.

Logically, Carlow should plow everything into hurling.

But the GAA doesn't work on logic.

We have 21 adult football clubs and only 10 hurling.

There are only 20 adult hurling teams in the county, but there are 45 football teams.

Also, county football matches get much bigger attendances than hurling.

That's because Carlow town, and immediate hinterland, has only 3 hurling teams (none senior), but has 13 football (3 of them senior). You could even add a couple more if you included Graiguecullen.

Half the county lives in the town area.

So long as this pertains, Carlow will put football first.

Even though, yes, it's illogical given we are better at hurling. Can only assume we'd be a serious county if we decided to prioritise hurling, and grew it in the north of the county.

But that ain't going to happen.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 593 - 07/03/2024 19:25:53    2530224

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Replying To benchtoaster:  "Yeah everyone is suppose to have a foundation course done at minimum, those courses are a pile of rubbish though as there's no possible way to fail them.

I don't know the answer I don't think there's a willingness to change within clubs really but until there comes a point where we all sit down and say listen we are a v small county we have to all see the big picture we'll never improve.
Wasnt aware of the cut to colts panels. I stepped away from coaching in the county because it would just frustrate the life out of you and that just sums up the state of affairs."
The courses aren't about failing. They are about education. What you do with that education, and how successful your teams become, will determine if you passed or failed.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11876 - 07/03/2024 21:27:54    2530234

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Replying To CARPS:  "Carlow are senior in hurling, but Intermediate in football.

Logically, Carlow should plow everything into hurling.

But the GAA doesn't work on logic.

We have 21 adult football clubs and only 10 hurling.

There are only 20 adult hurling teams in the county, but there are 45 football teams.

Also, county football matches get much bigger attendances than hurling.

That's because Carlow town, and immediate hinterland, has only 3 hurling teams (none senior), but has 13 football (3 of them senior). You could even add a couple more if you included Graiguecullen.

Half the county lives in the town area.

So long as this pertains, Carlow will put football first.

Even though, yes, it's illogical given we are better at hurling. Can only assume we'd be a serious county if we decided to prioritise hurling, and grew it in the north of the county.

But that ain't going to happen."
You should at least put them both equally

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11876 - 07/03/2024 21:33:12    2530235

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Well done Carlow.. massive result in what was always going to be a tricky encounter after the big Laois win. Division one in 2025 secured

Carlowtothecore1 (Carlow) - Posts: 24 - 10/03/2024 22:02:12    2530674

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Another special day for Carlow hurlers. Excellent first half where time and time again Carlow put pressure on Down and scored. Their accuracy overall is uncanny
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Down then got those 2 quick goals but Carlow fought back, did not panic and finished clear winners.
The last match looks like it will be another tough one against Kildare at the weekend.
Plenty of great days with the hurlers and more to come !
Jack Kavanagh got a run and Paddy Boland togged out too ! No place is safe on that team with plenty of players vying for starting.

carlowman (Carlow) - Posts: 1821 - 11/03/2024 08:50:59    2530693

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Hurlers dug deep when they had to yesterday. They were really good in patches in the first half, went out of it a bit in the second but stuck to their task. That resilience will stand to them. Great to get back to div 1 hurling for next year, well done to the team.

Unusedsub (Carlow) - Posts: 79 - 11/03/2024 12:34:01    2530732

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