Carlow's hurlers proved themselves to be the real deal when landing the 2008 Christy Ring Cup. The Barrowsiders deservedly made the historic championship breakthrough with an extra-time victory over Westmeath in the second-tier decider at Croke Park. Hogan Stand discussed the success with team selector Seamus Brennan. Jim Greene's Carlow were one of the revelations of the 2008 hurling championship season. The Barrowsiders delivered on the vast promise shown in recent years to lift the Christy Ring Cup with a stunning 3-22 to 4-16 defeat of a fancied Westmeath side, after extra time in a high-scoring decider at Headquarters on Sunday evening, August 3. Initially, the powers that be had seemed reluctant to make Croke Park available to the middle-tier championship showpiece, but both teams served up a thriller that more than justified their belated HQ billing. Carlow selector Seamus Brennan admits that the victory saw the Barrowsiders achieve the target laid down for them from the start of the year: "Absolutely, this would have been the target from my point of view. Jim [Greene] came in cold and was looking at a three-year plan, so in a way the win came even earlier than he might have expected." Cyril Hughes completed the backroom team. While the incoming manager may not have been fully certain of where Carlow hurling was at, Kilkenny native Seamus had worked with various underage teams down through the years and - with sons Mark and Alan on board - had also kept a close eye on the senior team, particularly over the past four years, so he had a clear picture of what the team was capable of. "I felt they had underachieved for four years, so I said I would do my bit this year when I was asked to come on board," he reflects. "They were a bit unlucky in last year's semi-final against Westmeath. Things went pear-shaped when they conceded three goals at the end of the first half. But fortunately there was no repeat this year and the lads hurled well and refused to give up." Having seen off Mayo (1-16 to 0-17) at the semi-final stage at Castlebar thanks to a Jack Rogers goal in the second minute of added time, Carlow went into the Ring Cup decider as outsiders, against a team that had gone all the way two years previously. They produced a performance high on resilience and skill to eclipse the midlanders on the Bank Holiday Sunday evening, in a remarkably high-scoring affair. "The game ebbed and flowed," says Seamus. "We started better than normal but Westmeath rattled off three or four points and then got the goal to lead by 1-4 to 0-2. But the lads battled back against a stiff breeze and Craig Doyle's 16th-minute goal followed by Damien Roberts' sideline cut had us level." It was 1-10 apiece at the break and exchanges would remain tense throughout. But Carlow dominated the third quarter and goals from full forward Robert Foley and Doyle saw them assume a ten-point advantage before the Lake County fought back to force extra time. What was the turning point or defining moment for Carlow? "I think we were relieved that the full-time whistle came when it did. We were level but the momentum was very much with Westmeath and we had tired legs. Full time enabled us to regroup and get our heads together. Fair dues to them - they came back from ten points down and they had us rattled. After that, the fact that we only conceded one point from play, when they had wind advantage in the first period of extra time was also a major help." With sons Alan at midfield and Mark on the wing, it was a proud day for the Brennan family. "It's super," Seamus agrees. "There was a time earlier in the competition when I didn't think we'd be good enough, as we seemed to get very tough draws and had to travel four weeks in a row. I thought we might buckle at some stage and it looked like we were goners in the semi-final against Mayo." Where does this victory rank in terms of the overall history of hurling in Carlow? "I think you'd have to say it's the biggest hurling success Carlow have enjoyed. Unlike the 1992 'B' All-Ireland, it happened here in this country. This is a major boost to Carlow hurling. We are competing with the best at underage level and this win copper-fastens that work. A successful senior team gives the young lads something to drive on towards. We've had a good underage development system in place for four or five years now and the Christy Ring Cup win is a clap on the back for everybody involved. "Since the Christy Ring Cup was developed, the County Board has taken a much more serious approach to hurling in Carlow. They have got behind the game and the tide has turned. More emphasis has been placed on hurling and more energy is invested into it. They were well beaten by Antrim in the final in '06 and that knocked them back a bit but they kept bouncing back and we had a well-balanced team this year, with a mix of youth and experience." However, after losing their promotion/relegation play-off to neighbours Laois, Carlow will be on the second rung again in 2009, with no Liam McCarthy campaign to look forward to. How can they bridge the gap between the Christy Ring Cup and the next level? "It's a mammoth task even to get on the lower rungs of the next tier, and we're under no illusions. Dublin is an example of a team that's finding it very difficult to take the next step - but you have to believe it's possible. We have to believe in the young players in Carlow and this championship win will help them a lot. There can be a future for Carlow. "We'll be battling against Offaly, Wexford, Antrim and Laois in Division Two of the league, which is a big step up. It may take a few years before we could beat these teams, but we have to keep the lads on their toes and fighting for places. You have to believe there is a long-term future and the HDC has to provide Christy Ring Cup finalists with a chance to measure themselves against Liam McCarthy Cup teams at some level. "Everybody in Carlow is standing three inches tallep 3-3r and even the non-hurling people got behind the team and joined in. It was incredible to witness the crowd that gathered in Shamrock Square to welcome the team home with the cup, and everybody was so proud to be a Carlow person. That's what sport is all about." Away from the GAA, Seamus - who has been living in Carlow with his wife since 1981 - works for Glanbia in Waterford, as sales development manager within the consumer foods division. Tweet

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