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Any word on the injury list for the weekend? Were Mouse and Boland rested against Clare to target this weekend?

CarlowJuniorB (Clare) - Posts: 118 - 04/03/2026 18:12:10    2660016

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Replying To pieman:  "From my knowledge only 4 players from Pal were asked in,
Crowley
Ciaran Moran, who has retired after many years service, has a young family, not living in Carlow anymore, can't commit.
Cian Cashman, who was on the panel for the O'Byrne cup, played a couple of games but didn't make the cut for the league panel
Finbar Kavanagh, who is sitting final accountancy exams in May, declined the invitation due to those.
No one else asked. That's the simple explanation.
Pal do have 8 players with the u-20 squad though, just in case anyone might think that there is some anti county thing within the club, certainly not."
Yes but Eire og have 7 on u20 panel and went out at semi stage, no representation from MLR, Tullow, Cocks, Grange and a few others. Ballon who knocked out eire og, got to final and ran Pal close only have 2. The eire og minor team did not make county final either and also have a majority on county panel. Senior team was in relegation ( not saying they are second worst team in county here) and have 8 on panel with 7 starters sometimes, with only sub being a eire og goalie to back up an eire og goalie. It has always been a trend at every county grade that eire og will dominate selection and not always justified imo. Just saying.

Carlowgeal (Carlow) - Posts: 11 - 05/03/2026 00:13:29    2660042

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Replying To Carlowgeal:  "Yes but Eire og have 7 on u20 panel and went out at semi stage, no representation from MLR, Tullow, Cocks, Grange and a few others. Ballon who knocked out eire og, got to final and ran Pal close only have 2. The eire og minor team did not make county final either and also have a majority on county panel. Senior team was in relegation ( not saying they are second worst team in county here) and have 8 on panel with 7 starters sometimes, with only sub being a eire og goalie to back up an eire og goalie. It has always been a trend at every county grade that eire og will dominate selection and not always justified imo. Just saying."
I'm not sure this kind of discussion is fruitful. Éire Óg down through the years have always been very supportive in providing players to county teams at all grades. Thats something to be admired & supported. Playing inter county football for Carlow has traditionally not been the most glamorous thing to do, & we are all aware of difficulties of getting players to commit. Complaining about your biggest source of players providing players is counter productive.

Smokeless Red (Carlow) - Posts: 40 - 05/03/2026 10:35:39    2660059

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Replying To Carlowgeal:  "Yes but Eire og have 7 on u20 panel and went out at semi stage, no representation from MLR, Tullow, Cocks, Grange and a few others. Ballon who knocked out eire og, got to final and ran Pal close only have 2. The eire og minor team did not make county final either and also have a majority on county panel. Senior team was in relegation ( not saying they are second worst team in county here) and have 8 on panel with 7 starters sometimes, with only sub being a eire og goalie to back up an eire og goalie. It has always been a trend at every county grade that eire og will dominate selection and not always justified imo. Just saying."
U20s were an open trial so all players had the opportunity. Minors last year was u18 them players would be u19 this year. This years u17s are from last years u16 championship which eire Óg won easily and also won the regional tournament. The seniors drew with both county finalists and yes lost to rangers, of the 8 on the panel 5 played that rangers game (4 really Ruth came off half way through the first half) missing dunphy, Kyle Nolan and McCarron was playing inter. Also to add 2 of the forwards are our highest scorers. Also not sure who you'd chose to replace any of them with. Open to hearing but I would imagine you don't have any actual recommendations just criticism.

Collio (Carlow) - Posts: 90 - 05/03/2026 11:16:17    2660067

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Replying To Collio:  "U20s were an open trial so all players had the opportunity. Minors last year was u18 them players would be u19 this year. This years u17s are from last years u16 championship which eire Óg won easily and also won the regional tournament. The seniors drew with both county finalists and yes lost to rangers, of the 8 on the panel 5 played that rangers game (4 really Ruth came off half way through the first half) missing dunphy, Kyle Nolan and McCarron was playing inter. Also to add 2 of the forwards are our highest scorers. Also not sure who you'd chose to replace any of them with. Open to hearing but I would imagine you don't have any actual recommendations just criticism."
Excellently captured. A few of the above comments are absolutely ridiculous. Our best year in the NFL in what 8 years or something? And lads are giving out about too many players from one club? Sure let's go ahead and drop Chris Blake who is the overall top scorer in Division 4 or Colm Hulton the top scorer from play. Would make you laugh.

Joe Murphy has literally assembled our best squad in years. There are only a few guys that would make the panel even stronger (guess what, one of them is another Eire Og man!!)

Get behind them in these last two games and we will have a day out in Croke Park.

EireOgAbu (Carlow) - Posts: 32 - 05/03/2026 12:16:26    2660080

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Replying To Carlowgeal:  "Yes but Eire og have 7 on u20 panel and went out at semi stage, no representation from MLR, Tullow, Cocks, Grange and a few others. Ballon who knocked out eire og, got to final and ran Pal close only have 2. The eire og minor team did not make county final either and also have a majority on county panel. Senior team was in relegation ( not saying they are second worst team in county here) and have 8 on panel with 7 starters sometimes, with only sub being a eire og goalie to back up an eire og goalie. It has always been a trend at every county grade that eire og will dominate selection and not always justified imo. Just saying."
Your current u20s have players from a good few different clubs? Ballon have 3 not 2. Besides which maybe Ballon had a better team, but without as many star footballers?
For example down here last year St Martins only had 2 regular starters on our Senior Hurling team last year, despite being back to back Senior Champions. The team they beat in the final in 2024 dont have any starters this year, pretty sure they dont even have anyone on the panel, and the team they beat in the 2025 final had no Championship starters either last year, havent in many years actually, and might not have this year, though a couple are pushing hard for places.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18698 - 05/03/2026 13:18:47    2660100

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Sorry to have upset a few eire og die hards. I see no comment by anybody that suggested dropping Blake or Hulton as both have been excellent. I also did not see any comment suggesting dropping anybody. Murphy is getting the very best out of this group and gets results whereever he goes in fairness. I still think eire og players make county teams easier than a chap from one of the lesser clubs, often on merit but not always. To suggest other clubs "don't provide" their players may be a bit harsh also. Carlow Abù and here is hoping we finally get clear of division 4 basement.

Carlowgeal (Carlow) - Posts: 11 - 05/03/2026 13:37:48    2660108

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Replying To Carlowgeal:  "Sorry to have upset a few eire og die hards. I see no comment by anybody that suggested dropping Blake or Hulton as both have been excellent. I also did not see any comment suggesting dropping anybody. Murphy is getting the very best out of this group and gets results whereever he goes in fairness. I still think eire og players make county teams easier than a chap from one of the lesser clubs, often on merit but not always. To suggest other clubs "don't provide" their players may be a bit harsh also. Carlow Abù and here is hoping we finally get clear of division 4 basement."
Any comment about your completely incorrect statement on the minor panel?

Collio (Carlow) - Posts: 90 - 05/03/2026 15:15:05    2660136

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Replying To Collio:  "Any comment about your completely incorrect statement on the minor panel?"
I made completely correct comment I said " Eire og minor team did not make county final and have majority on minor panel" that statement 100% correct. It has been pointed out that county minor panel is basically u17 not u18 and is made up of last years u16s. Eire og had a fabulous u16 team last year and easily hammered all before them and in this case, fully accepted they should have the lions share and fully deserved. I saw that team play a few times and some great prospects. My point was it is not always the case and that's only my opinion.

Carlowgeal (Carlow) - Posts: 11 - 05/03/2026 18:20:25    2660193

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Replying To Carlowgeal:  "Yes but Eire og have 7 on u20 panel and went out at semi stage, no representation from MLR, Tullow, Cocks, Grange and a few others. Ballon who knocked out eire og, got to final and ran Pal close only have 2. The eire og minor team did not make county final either and also have a majority on county panel. Senior team was in relegation ( not saying they are second worst team in county here) and have 8 on panel with 7 starters sometimes, with only sub being a eire og goalie to back up an eire og goalie. It has always been a trend at every county grade that eire og will dominate selection and not always justified imo. Just saying."
The 20s has a good selection from different clubs in farness. Great to see a Ballinbranna represent in their too !! Ballon have 3 not 2 and some of them younger players are 21s now so are to old. 20s was open to anyone, all clubs were asked to put players forward. Last year's had someone from all clubs you mentioned above and some chaps went hurling this year.

DolmenDave (Carlow) - Posts: 69 - 05/03/2026 19:30:29    2660197

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Replying To CarlowJuniorB:  "Any word on the injury list for the weekend? Were Mouse and Boland rested against Clare to target this weekend?"
I assume mouse is back after coming on against Clare. As for paddy im unsure

Ceatharlach7000 (Carlow) - Posts: 30 - 06/03/2026 11:41:32    2660270

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Replying To Ceatharlach7000:  "I assume mouse is back after coming on against Clare. As for paddy im unsure"
Mouse and Paddy both named on the bench. I'm sure Mouse at least will definitely start. No Paul Doyle which is a big loss in defence.

On the other hand Kildare are without Jack Sheridan who lost his red card appeal last night. Huge loss for Kildare.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1790 - 07/03/2026 11:29:38    2660402

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Listening on the radio, one scary thing is the lack of physicality or even effort from Carlow. Two things you never could criticise about the hurlers in the past. Also just sounds like lumping the ball forward every time as well, no playing it through the hands and space

CarlowJuniorB (Clare) - Posts: 118 - 08/03/2026 14:21:39    2660516

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Replying To CarlowJuniorB:  "Listening on the radio, one scary thing is the lack of physicality or even effort from Carlow. Two things you never could criticise about the hurlers in the past. Also just sounds like lumping the ball forward every time as well, no playing it through the hands and space"
Watching on tg4......... No plan, no physicality, full back line awful...... No team work........ This time is going backward at an alarming rate

Bimb (Carlow) - Posts: 589 - 08/03/2026 16:24:30    2660532

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In miracle territory now if I'm right need down to beat antrim and us to beat dublin or draw.

Will not say a bad word about these men as they've given us great times over the years and wouldn't count out a good joe mcdonagh run either this year.

Desperately need james Doyle back and character whelan to bolster the team

ITSCHOLAR (Carlow) - Posts: 325 - 08/03/2026 17:37:55    2660541

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Replying To Bimb:  "Watching on tg4......... No plan, no physicality, full back line awful...... No team work........ This time is going backward at an alarming rate"
Unfortunately you are correct, they will bounce back though it might take a while as Carlow are on the way down whereas Kildare are on the way up, they also have a new manager who appears to have a different style of managing that might take a bit of getting used to. For now things can only get better, - - - and they will.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3379 - 08/03/2026 17:38:36    2660542

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I'm afraid it looks like we have reached the end of a golden era in Carlow hurling. Which started when we reached our first Leinster minor final in 2006. Underage results started to fall off badly around six or seven years ago, and we are starting to see the consequences now.

What a twenty years it has been. The highlights for me were the league win over Wexford in 2010, the thrilling Joe McDonagh final with Offaly in 2023, the 2024 draw with Kilkenny and the 2008 Christy Ring final against Westmeath in Tullamore.

We've had so many great players during these two decades: Paul Doyle, Denis Murphy, James Doyle, Shane Kavanagh, Marty Kavanagh, Chris Nolan, Mark Brennan, Craig Doyle, Des Murphy, David English, Edward Coady, to name a few.

Thanks for the memories lads. It was always going to be hard to sustainably challenge at the top level with only five or six senior clubs and with two of those being dominant. But what a tremendous adventure it's been.

Hopefully we can rebuild at underage and come good again in the future. But we need to get back to competing in A competitions and sections at minor and under 20.

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 1049 - 08/03/2026 18:19:41    2660549

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Replying To supersub15:  "Unfortunately you are correct, they will bounce back though it might take a while as Carlow are on the way down whereas Kildare are on the way up, they also have a new manager who appears to have a different style of managing that might take a bit of getting used to. For now things can only get better, - - - and they will."
Thats my main concern i dont see what we are even trying to do. Looks like aimless hit and hope

Bimb (Carlow) - Posts: 589 - 08/03/2026 19:02:28    2660557

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Replying To supersub15:  "Unfortunately you are correct, they will bounce back though it might take a while as Carlow are on the way down whereas Kildare are on the way up, they also have a new manager who appears to have a different style of managing that might take a bit of getting used to. For now things can only get better, - - - and they will."
Tough afternoon in Newbridge. Kildare had a big crowd at it and we didn't.

Firstly Kildare are a good side, well drilled and their fitness levels are at a different level to our lads.
Our full back line was decimated without Dion Wall and Paul Doyle and Kildare forwards were out in front to every ball. I think we had two of the six defenders that started against Wexford. Kevin Mac tried his best to firefight but Kildare were scoring from the half back line in the first half and running through us in the second.
We could have conceded three goals in the first half without Brian Treacy.
Jack Treacy had a good game linking the play and Jon Nolan won a lot of ball on a day where we struggled. Paddy Boland was excellent when he came on and could have scored four goals.
I don't think we are using Chris Nolan well on the full forward line where he is being double marked. I'd bring him out center forward and let him run at defences.
Good to see Ciaran Whelan back playing, we need every player back fit for the MacDonagh cup.
Wouldn't be too hard on the players that came in as it was the youngest backline that I've ever seen start for Carlow and I'm old.
We won't compete with Dublin next week and it's time to look at the MacDonagh cup for this season.

carlovia (None) - Posts: 1543 - 08/03/2026 19:29:50    2660562

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Replying To CARPS:  "I'm afraid it looks like we have reached the end of a golden era in Carlow hurling. Which started when we reached our first Leinster minor final in 2006. Underage results started to fall off badly around six or seven years ago, and we are starting to see the consequences now.

What a twenty years it has been. The highlights for me were the league win over Wexford in 2010, the thrilling Joe McDonagh final with Offaly in 2023, the 2024 draw with Kilkenny and the 2008 Christy Ring final against Westmeath in Tullamore.

We've had so many great players during these two decades: Paul Doyle, Denis Murphy, James Doyle, Shane Kavanagh, Marty Kavanagh, Chris Nolan, Mark Brennan, Craig Doyle, Des Murphy, David English, Edward Coady, to name a few.

Thanks for the memories lads. It was always going to be hard to sustainably challenge at the top level with only five or six senior clubs and with two of those being dominant. But what a tremendous adventure it's been.

Hopefully we can rebuild at underage and come good again in the future. But we need to get back to competing in A competitions and sections at minor and under 20."
Missing 6 nailed starters today.
Any tier 2 team would struggle short that number of players.
Even Wexford struggled early in the league with the same situation.
I think there are reasons to be worried and it's a set back losing there place in 1B.
But I wouldn't lose all hope just yet.

Skippy2 (Carlow) - Posts: 79 - 08/03/2026 20:27:38    2660571

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