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Carlow GAA thread

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Replying To Onion Breath: "Leix wasn't a B team. It was a half team. But ours was a team with the same number of regulars. Wicklow wasn't even a B team it was poor enough U20 team who will be nowhere in Leinster but Carlow played a C team for over half that match and only a few A players mostly B in the first half. ." A bit mean spirited to disrespect our u20 team, is it not ?? What did they do to annoy you ? They just turned up to play a game. I'm not saying they are good, bad or indifferent - but to write off a team of young fellows is a bit low, don't you think?? Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2038 - 19/01/2026 23:12:27 2651993 Link
Replying To Bainisteoir: "I wouldn't be as relaxed re midfield- IMHO there is no settled combination that are competitive going into the league. Maybe it will be ok, but questions remain. Great to have won games going into the opening match of the league. We can take a lot from it but remember both Laois and Wicklow fielded B' teams as they had separate challenge matches. Our wins need to be seen in this context. Antrim had trimmings, although against top tier sides. I would be hopeful, but for Antrim we need to bring our A game." Laois and Carlow fielded teams of roughly equal strength. They both had around seven or eight lads who played in the championship last year. Plus Laois had Kingston back and we had Hulton back. Wicklow obviously had a youth team out, but we had somewhere between a B and C side as another poster correctly points out. Anyway, as I said before, please don't read too much into these warm up games. CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 1018 - 20/01/2026 12:40:28 2652058 Link
Replying To Onion Breath: "A few lads definitely played Bolger cup last year having played in the league for the county. Jake Doyle and Darragh Nolan are two I can think of straight away." I think Jake and Darragh had left the panel by the time they played Bolger Cup, could be wrong but they definitely weren't there for Joe McDonagh. The footballers now switched to Portglenone on Sunday, a little bit further north again! ACarlowGael (Carlow) - Posts: 28 - 21/01/2026 11:59:23 2652277 Link
Replying To CARPS: "Laois and Carlow fielded teams of roughly equal strength. They both had around seven or eight lads who played in the championship last year. Plus Laois had Kingston back and we had Hulton back. Wicklow obviously had a youth team out, but we had somewhere between a B and C side as another poster correctly points out. Anyway, as I said before, please don't read too much into these warm up games." What's the story with Adam McCarron? No mention since offaly game and not on panel announced for league? And what's going on with bagenalstown with only 4 between both senior panels. Two years ago that was 10 which should still be the case given their age profile! Carlowtothecore1 (Carlow) - Posts: 103 - 22/01/2026 14:49:48 2652513 Link
Replying To Carlowtothecore1: "What's the story with Adam McCarron? No mention since offaly game and not on panel announced for league? And what's going on with bagenalstown with only 4 between both senior panels. Two years ago that was 10 which should still be the case given their age profile!" I assume Adam is injured. He got a bad belt when scoring his second goal v Offaly and of course the Offaly fella got off scot free when he should have got a straight red. Re Bagenalstown there's definitely a few more who should be in but are not and have opted out to play soccer which is disappointing seeing it's just junior soccer not like it's league of Ireland but inter county and the commitment needed is not for everyone so if that's what they want to do then fair enough. Another talking point for me is how come just one from Palatine on the football panel! Hurling squad looks strong but will be down a few key performers for the league or early part of it. Should still have plenty enough quality to beat Down this Saturday though. For the footballers, this week has put everything into perspective so whatever happens up in Antrim is secondary but great to see the support from the squad and management for Ross. Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1749 - 22/01/2026 16:09:52 2652541 Link
Replying To Onion Breath: "I assume Adam is injured. He got a bad belt when scoring his second goal v Offaly and of course the Offaly fella got off scot free when he should have got a straight red. Re Bagenalstown there's definitely a few more who should be in but are not and have opted out to play soccer which is disappointing seeing it's just junior soccer not like it's league of Ireland but inter county and the commitment needed is not for everyone so if that's what they want to do then fair enough. Another talking point for me is how come just one from Palatine on the football panel! Hurling squad looks strong but will be down a few key performers for the league or early part of it. Should still have plenty enough quality to beat Down this Saturday though. For the footballers, this week has put everything into perspective so whatever happens up in Antrim is secondary but great to see the support from the squad and management for Ross." Thanks Onion. .Jesus must be nearly a season ending injury if he's off the panel in January considering 35 lads named. Poor reflection on the town if that's the case Carlowtothecore1 (Carlow) - Posts: 103 - 22/01/2026 19:48:29 2652593 Link
Replying To Carlowtothecore1: "Thanks Onion. .Jesus must be nearly a season ending injury if he's off the panel in January considering 35 lads named. Poor reflection on the town if that's the case" And agree that's a surprise and very disappointing from Pal with only 1 player committed, obviously circling the wagons now that they've won their first ever U21 title. I'll back them for the league so!! Carlowtothecore1 (Carlow) - Posts: 103 - 22/01/2026 23:28:40 2652633 Link
Footballers have a long trek on Sunday and will need to be at their best to overcome Antrim. The same difficulty persists, namely midfield and winning possession from our own kickout but the addition of Hulton is a positive. Hurlers will have it all to do as well i expect against a visiting Down. They are a very proud county and never give in. We are down a few and i hope our key players lift their game. We need to win this one. carlowman (Carlow) - Posts: 1888 - 23/01/2026 13:06:41 2652715 Link
So that Lee walker back to the blues rumour was true. Straight back into the county side as well, did you line up at all for the o Byrne cup games? CarlowJuniorB (Clare) - Posts: 82 - 23/01/2026 14:43:38 2652733 Link
Replying To CarlowJuniorB: "So that Lee walker back to the blues rumour was true. Straight back into the county side as well, did you line up at all for the o Byrne cup games?" I had heard he was in the original squad of 45 alright but he wasn't named then in any of the squads of 30 or so for any of the four O'Byrne cup games. Maybe he was injured? TBH I can't see him getting into the team as the forwards are the strongest part of the final squad named and there'll be a lot of competition for places. Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1749 - 23/01/2026 16:45:36 2652766 Link
€20 into the match tomorrow!! I know it's division 1 but it's still a league match between Carlow and Down being played on heaving going in January. Seems a bit much. Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1749 - 23/01/2026 16:48:16 2652767 Link
Looks a decent hurling panel the new manager has assembled after Mullaly departed - sometimes these events can impact negatively. You would be hopeful that Down at home is an attainable win. Starting team looks a good mix of experience with some younger guys threaded through it, plus there seems a strong bench. It will be interesting where the hurlers go this season, there may be some unfinished business in their minds. Tomorrow will tell a lot in what will be a highly competitive Division with a tough enough fixture list. The very best of luck to Pat Bennett and the entire group Bainisteoir (National) - Posts: 597 - 23/01/2026 17:38:52 2652780 Link