Brilliant performance by our footballers yesterday, we showed great resilience to stay in the contest when Wexford looked home and hosed. They say 6pts is a dangerous lead - probably truer than ever now with the induction of 2 pointers, but yesterday was a remarkable comeback huge well done to the players and credit to Joe Murphy & Co. For the last four years Wexford seemed to have a psychological edge playing against Carlow despite both teams being in div 4, so to finally get a result is a testament to our progress.

The draw was probably a fair result over the entirety of the game, we were unlucky hitting the woodwork 3 times but Wexford controlled large parts of the second half only for their game management to let them down towards the end. As said by a previous poster, under recent managers we would have dropped the heads but yesterday we never gave up.

On our side, our biggest weapon: between Bambrick and Choo Choo running at pace 5 or 6 times each a game is so difficult to defend against, Choo Choo might need to be careful on his steps but particularly on dry ground other teams will be terrified. Going forward we looked threatening, Crowley was excellent particularly in the first half. Ross looked like he was fading out of the game before stepping up with a crucial goal and winning the penalty to level it. Darragh Foley had a quiet game, he likely received special attention earmarked by Wexford as a dangerous 2 pointer threat, speaking of which, the 2 pointer Niall Hickey landed must have been from over 50 yards.

In midfield Conor Doyle was excellent as always, Kyle Nolan worked hard but i'd like to see him get more involved and get on more ball. Defensively we were generally solid with good support runs from our backs contributing to our attack - all our half back line got on the scoresheet. Wexford's goal was very soft Johnny Furey will be disappointed to conceed a tame enough effort, also a high ball dropped under the crossbar was palmed over for a point which should have been caught. Few kickouts led directly to Wexford scores and one or two kicked over the sideline. I'd like to see Ben McCarron feature against Longford.

Carlowrising (Carlow) - Posts: 172 - 19/05/2025 12:53:52    2610938

Overthebar53 (Carlow) - Posts: 365 - 19/05/2025 17:40:46    2611086

Great start to the TC for the footballers. Already qualified and a great chance now to top the group if they can get over Longford. Making the quarters proper would be progress getting into the last 4 would be dreamland stuff but it's doable if we goy a favorable draw. Have to beat Longford first though.

Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1711 - 19/05/2025 20:20:23    2611135

Great weekend for Carlow teams, hurlers were fantastic against a Westmeath team who I am sure were particularly targeting that match as a season saver or at least trying to knock out a high-flying team. Mouse immense. Footballers likewise very good attitude and work rate against a good Wexford team and one we haven't beaten in I honestly have no idea. Hopefully we can beat Longford, on current form you would be expecting it but similarly to Westmeath you always try that bit harder against a team on form. I am worried about the kickout situation though, about 1-5 of Wexford's tally came from kickouts not to mention 3 balls out over the sideline. Not sure we have a better replacement and he is usually a lot more reliable but definitely something Longford will be chasing us down on now.

FearCeatharlach (Carlow) - Posts: 21 - 20/05/2025 02:15:07    2611207

Bimb (Carlow) - Posts: 541 - 20/05/2025 13:47:40    2611319

Looked back at match on YouTube there.Thought we were well on top in 1st half and certainly shouldn't have been behind at half time given the run of play. Second half different story wexford seemed to dominate around the middle eight and we ran out of legs a wee bit. Nevertheless we never gave up even when we looked dead and buried so great credit to everyone for that. The kickouts are a concern as they are too loopy and receiving players are getting trapped under the ball so the advantage is with the player running in. Might be better idea when he can't pick out a man to kick it into space where at the very least it's going to be a 50/50 ball.Some improvement tho from the carry on under cake and against better teams.Panel probably needs strengthening too.Is oisin Doyle in the country, he would be a good addition. Jamie Clarke did well when introduced, I would be starting him in future. Not going to name anyone else but well done to all.

Overthebar53 (Carlow) - Posts: 365 - 21/05/2025 14:15:17    2611558

Two really exciting games in the senior league semi finals last night. Lots of good play and mistakes from all four sides and I have to say the new rules have made a huge difference. Much more enjoyable games than we'd ever have had. Good crowd there too I was surprised how many. Great to see. Despite being about 12 points down at one stage in the second half I dunno how Pal didn't at least get a drew out of it v Rathvilly but in fairness Rathvilly were better but Pal came with some comeback. Looking forward to the senior championship the four teams last night anyway all seemed to be getting into good shape and it's early yet.

Jordan Morrissey is home I saw, not sure for how long and wasn't playing last night but looks in great physical shape. Joe Murphy did say he was leaving the door open to bringing fellas in. Just saying …

Best of luck to the hurlers today. Hopefully they'll get over the line and with a good home support today. It's the least they deserve from Carlow fans. It could be a make or break game for this great generation of Carlow hurlers. If they lose it could be a long time before we see a Carlow team this close to the top of the game, but win and follow up in the final and who knows we might get another couple of years of this.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1592 - 24/05/2025 11:37:44    2612015

Robbed today but should never have been in that position. By far the better team but failed once again to see it out.

Overthebar53 (Carlow) - Posts: 365 - 24/05/2025 17:34:03    2612091

I am not the type to lose the cool very easily, but what happened today in Dr Cullen Park was outrageous. Lads train hard all year, to be treated like that?

Would it happen to Kilkenny or Tipperary?

CARPS (Carlow) - Posts: 869 - 24/05/2025 17:39:25    2612096

Absolutely sickening. Never a 65 & how many Laois players were in the square before the ball came in??? I'm gutted for the lads who put in some effort for Carlow hurling. I can't help but feel it's the end of an era. Players might step away now & Mulally probably will. We should be looking forward to a final in Croker but instead we out. How the ref found a minute & a half extra is beyond me. He was so poor throughout the game for both teams but what happened at the end was a disgrace. As bad as I feel the players must be devastated

carlo (Carlow) - Posts: 266 - 24/05/2025 19:31:51    2612144

Agree we should have been out of sight and did have chances to finish game off. But that still doesn't matter all players want is the game to be done fairly it seemed like when we looked at a laois player it was a free but they could do what they wanted to us.

Brian Tracey incident in particular nearly got beheaded and was a free in to laois mind boggles.

You throw in the farce last year in Corrigan park with James Owens and this bunch of players must really be seething tonight.

Hopefully they can regroup and give it one more lash next year this bunch deserves one more mcdonagh cup.

ITSCHOLAR (Carlow) - Posts: 314 - 24/05/2025 19:35:56    2612146

It was disgusting for those players to be treated in that manner. By all accounts I agree we should have been further ahead but a full minute and a half added on at the end was outrageous. Had to stop on the joe mc forum as posters from other counties see it as swings and roundabouts. Not so sure they'd be so philosophical about it if their county was on the receiving end. Really annoyed for the players, they deserve so much better.

Unusedsub (Carlow) - Posts: 126 - 24/05/2025 21:12:24    2612194

Didn't think I could be more enraged after a game than when Chris Nolan was sent off last year against Antrim but today topped it by a mile. Imagine how the players must feel.

hurlingguru (Carlow) - Posts: 1847 - 24/05/2025 21:37:42    2612205

Hard to take.

We were definitely the better team today and the tactics were right but reality is we should have put the game to bed long before injury time. When 5 up we should have seen it out and then with normal time up and 3 points up we had an easy point but for some reason the Carlow forward went on a mazy run and made the angle more difficult for difficult for himself and then missed. He had an easy point with no one on him 40 metres out and was then wished from 25. Very frustrating. That and other missed chances meant we kept Leix in it.

Then 3 things went against us.

1 the extra minute and half extra injury time.
2 the Leix player kicked it wide but a 65 was given.
3 the square ball.

I fear it could be years before we see a Carlow team this close to Liam McCarthy hurling again. Hopefully I'm wrong but some of our very best hurlers (of all time) have a lot of mileage on the clock. Hopefully they'll regroup for next year but it's hard to see a squad as strong as this again.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1592 - 24/05/2025 21:46:38    2612210

1. The ball was kicked away by a Carlow player when Laois had a line ball, and time was added for that. Once the 65 was awarded, it had to be allowed to be taken.
2. Don't know if it was a Laois player that kicked it out for the 65 or not.
3. I'm not sure it was a square ball - and nor are you. Looking at it in slow motion, it's certainly not clear-cut, and I'd edge to saying it wasn't.

On the other hand, Boland took too many steps for his goal. Shouldn't have been allowed, either - esp. since the ref was basically blowing for 4 1/2 steps all day.

However, Laois didn't really deserve it. But, we'll take it - as would ye.

burdizzo (Laois) - Posts: 10 - 24/05/2025 22:51:40    2612247

carlowman (Carlow) - Posts: 1881 - 25/05/2025 12:35:45    2612342

Bimb (Carlow) - Posts: 541 - 25/05/2025 14:02:13    2612373

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3192 - 25/05/2025 14:30:08    2612386

old yellar (None) - Posts: 2631 - 25/05/2025 15:05:27    2612397

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3192 - 25/05/2025 16:26:22    2612431