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Replying To Collio: "Very true, carlow were very poor and Leitrim much better team. However, what I saw and heard from Leitrim management, players and supporters yesterday was something I've never seen in my years following G.A.A., I used to have a soft spot for yee but can't say I do any longer. I don't know if I'd like my county to ever stoop that low even if it did mean getting a result in tailteann cup round 2B." Probably giving out at you I'd say.
Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2049 - 24/05/2026 14:13:37
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Replying To Collio: "Very true, carlow were very poor and Leitrim much better team. However, what I saw and heard from Leitrim management, players and supporters yesterday was something I've never seen in my years following G.A.A., I used to have a soft spot for yee but can't say I do any longer. I don't know if I'd like my county to ever stoop that low even if it did mean getting a result in tailteann cup round 2B." Sorry to hear that ( and surprised).
Couldn't make the game yesterday unfortunately - was listening on radio. Did seem to be a bit going on at half-time from what I could make out..... but obviously can't comment.
I was optimistic about Leiitrim's chances - but got doubts once it was clear both Barry McNulty and Tom Prior were out. But then saw Carlow also had injury woes - so levelled the playing field so to speak. We've played a lot over the years in Div 4 (excluding the years one of us gets promoted)...... just seems to me that we generally win in Carrick, and you win in Carlow. Not sure I could back that up with stats but definitely feels that way.
I have a 'soft spot' for Carlow (and Wicklow and Waterford), like to see them do well. Just like to see one of us stay up in Div 3.
Best of luck in Div 3 - could be dependent on having a full-hand for most matches. I do think Div 3 is tough - usually 3 to 4 teams who are of a higher standard - but you can only progress from playing better oppostion.
Solo_Run (Leitrim) - Posts: 226 - 24/05/2026 19:31:41
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Congrats on yeer Div.4 title but what on earth has happened since? I was in Carrick yesterday so took in the game. The scoreline greatly flattered Carlow as Leitrim were far superiour in most departments and got stronger as the game went on.
This is certainly a Leitrim team on the rise and what a summer they've had already.
Good luck to Carlow in Div.3 next year.
PeterQ92 (Donegal) - Posts: 192 - 24/05/2026 21:26:47
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Some very strange decisions by management in Corrigan Park yesterday. 15 changes from the London game. Maybe 7 debuts for lads.... Not the time and not the place. As RTE headline reads, "Antrim *hammer* final-bound Carlow". Huge momentum coming into this weekend. Super feel good factor. Heading up to play a rival who are at a low point. No room for sentiment at that level. You go drive a nail in the coffin I would have thought? Maybe Bennett felt sorry for his buddy Davy.
I feel bad for the players being exposed like that. A lot of them great servants who have pulled us out of trouble more than once in the past too. Any manager worth his salt would rest any niggles, give game time to fringe players who are likely to feature in the final. Starting the whole lot is like sending lambs to the slaughter. No good for any of the lads that played yesterday. What did they learn from that game? Hopefully the players aren't too effected by yesterday's result and can brush it off and move on quickly.
sportingplay (Kilkenny) - Posts: 18 - 25/05/2026 10:13:42
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Replying To sportingplay: "Some very strange decisions by management in Corrigan Park yesterday. 15 changes from the London game. Maybe 7 debuts for lads.... Not the time and not the place. As RTE headline reads, "Antrim *hammer* final-bound Carlow". Huge momentum coming into this weekend. Super feel good factor. Heading up to play a rival who are at a low point. No room for sentiment at that level. You go drive a nail in the coffin I would have thought? Maybe Bennett felt sorry for his buddy Davy.
I feel bad for the players being exposed like that. A lot of them great servants who have pulled us out of trouble more than once in the past too. Any manager worth his salt would rest any niggles, give game time to fringe players who are likely to feature in the final. Starting the whole lot is like sending lambs to the slaughter. No good for any of the lads that played yesterday. What did they learn from that game? Hopefully the players aren't too effected by yesterday's result and can brush it off and move on quickly." I was up at the match yesterday and to be honest the first 20 minutes was a very hard watch from a Carlow perspective. But the last 15 minutes in the first half and the entirety of the second half was a massive benefit as a very inexperienced team started to get grips with a game they played some impressive Hurling in parts. Especially with six players making her debut and another three or four off the bench personally I think it was the right decision from management.
With many young players, stepping up to the plate with the likes of conaill Fitz, kyle foley in goal, lorcan had a great second half as well as Ruari Murphy (scoring 1-7) and Colm kavanagh. English also had a good second half in the middle of the park. Over
Ceatharlach7000 (Carlow) - Posts: 40 - 25/05/2026 11:15:33
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Replying To sportingplay: "Some very strange decisions by management in Corrigan Park yesterday. 15 changes from the London game. Maybe 7 debuts for lads.... Not the time and not the place. As RTE headline reads, "Antrim *hammer* final-bound Carlow". Huge momentum coming into this weekend. Super feel good factor. Heading up to play a rival who are at a low point. No room for sentiment at that level. You go drive a nail in the coffin I would have thought? Maybe Bennett felt sorry for his buddy Davy.
I feel bad for the players being exposed like that. A lot of them great servants who have pulled us out of trouble more than once in the past too. Any manager worth his salt would rest any niggles, give game time to fringe players who are likely to feature in the final. Starting the whole lot is like sending lambs to the slaughter. No good for any of the lads that played yesterday. What did they learn from that game? Hopefully the players aren't too effected by yesterday's result and can brush it off and move on quickly." Not sure I agree.
If it was a scenario that we would have faced Antrim in the final (like Offaly against us in 2023) if they won then my answer would be different. 30+ lads have given a great effort since last November and if they all can't get game time in games like yesterday then they might question why am I bothered being involved at all. I appreciate it's a very tough situation for fringe players and debutants to be thrown in together in a tough away fixture but I still feel it's the right call.
The starting 15 have played 4 games in 5 weeks so no harm resting the bodies and avoiding any risk of injuries. Kerry were in the same scenario in the Christy Ring and their full forward, Padraig Boyle picked up an injury late on against Derry. If we lost Marty, Chris, James Doyle, Kevin Mc etc. to injury yesterday, everyone would be crying about why were they played at all. Laois made a few changes themselves yesterday and they had to get a result to be guaranteed.
The lads that played gave their all with some great performances from Conaill Fitzpatrick, John Doyle and Ruairi Murphy. Any inter county team would be thrilled with the move worked for Ruairi's goal.
Hopefully John Michael's injury isn't too bad, didn't look great at the time but hopefully he can run out on to Croke Park in 2 weeks time.
hurlingguru (Carlow) - Posts: 1861 - 25/05/2026 11:26:16
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Replying To hurlingguru: "Not sure I agree.
If it was a scenario that we would have faced Antrim in the final (like Offaly against us in 2023) if they won then my answer would be different. 30+ lads have given a great effort since last November and if they all can't get game time in games like yesterday then they might question why am I bothered being involved at all. I appreciate it's a very tough situation for fringe players and debutants to be thrown in together in a tough away fixture but I still feel it's the right call.
The starting 15 have played 4 games in 5 weeks so no harm resting the bodies and avoiding any risk of injuries. Kerry were in the same scenario in the Christy Ring and their full forward, Padraig Boyle picked up an injury late on against Derry. If we lost Marty, Chris, James Doyle, Kevin Mc etc. to injury yesterday, everyone would be crying about why were they played at all. Laois made a few changes themselves yesterday and they had to get a result to be guaranteed.
The lads that played gave their all with some great performances from Conaill Fitzpatrick, John Doyle and Ruairi Murphy. Any inter county team would be thrilled with the move worked for Ruairi's goal.
Hopefully John Michael's injury isn't too bad, didn't look great at the time but hopefully he can run out on to Croke Park in 2 weeks time." 100 percent agree.
Ceatharlach7000 (Carlow) - Posts: 40 - 25/05/2026 12:01:19
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Replying To hurlingguru: "Not sure I agree.
If it was a scenario that we would have faced Antrim in the final (like Offaly against us in 2023) if they won then my answer would be different. 30+ lads have given a great effort since last November and if they all can't get game time in games like yesterday then they might question why am I bothered being involved at all. I appreciate it's a very tough situation for fringe players and debutants to be thrown in together in a tough away fixture but I still feel it's the right call.
The starting 15 have played 4 games in 5 weeks so no harm resting the bodies and avoiding any risk of injuries. Kerry were in the same scenario in the Christy Ring and their full forward, Padraig Boyle picked up an injury late on against Derry. If we lost Marty, Chris, James Doyle, Kevin Mc etc. to injury yesterday, everyone would be crying about why were they played at all. Laois made a few changes themselves yesterday and they had to get a result to be guaranteed.
The lads that played gave their all with some great performances from Conaill Fitzpatrick, John Doyle and Ruairi Murphy. Any inter county team would be thrilled with the move worked for Ruairi's goal.
Hopefully John Michael's injury isn't too bad, didn't look great at the time but hopefully he can run out on to Croke Park in 2 weeks time." Thought that goal was excellently worked.
Ceatharlach7000 (Carlow) - Posts: 40 - 25/05/2026 12:21:48
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Replying To sportingplay: "Some very strange decisions by management in Corrigan Park yesterday. 15 changes from the London game. Maybe 7 debuts for lads.... Not the time and not the place. As RTE headline reads, "Antrim *hammer* final-bound Carlow". Huge momentum coming into this weekend. Super feel good factor. Heading up to play a rival who are at a low point. No room for sentiment at that level. You go drive a nail in the coffin I would have thought? Maybe Bennett felt sorry for his buddy Davy.
I feel bad for the players being exposed like that. A lot of them great servants who have pulled us out of trouble more than once in the past too. Any manager worth his salt would rest any niggles, give game time to fringe players who are likely to feature in the final. Starting the whole lot is like sending lambs to the slaughter. No good for any of the lads that played yesterday. What did they learn from that game? Hopefully the players aren't too effected by yesterday's result and can brush it off and move on quickly." Ah they'll be grand Sporting Kilkenny. They'll be grand. I'd be more worried about your own guys,
Carlowtothecore1 (Carlow) - Posts: 155 - 25/05/2026 14:21:43
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Replying To hurlingguru: "Not sure I agree.
If it was a scenario that we would have faced Antrim in the final (like Offaly against us in 2023) if they won then my answer would be different. 30+ lads have given a great effort since last November and if they all can't get game time in games like yesterday then they might question why am I bothered being involved at all. I appreciate it's a very tough situation for fringe players and debutants to be thrown in together in a tough away fixture but I still feel it's the right call.
The starting 15 have played 4 games in 5 weeks so no harm resting the bodies and avoiding any risk of injuries. Kerry were in the same scenario in the Christy Ring and their full forward, Padraig Boyle picked up an injury late on against Derry. If we lost Marty, Chris, James Doyle, Kevin Mc etc. to injury yesterday, everyone would be crying about why were they played at all. Laois made a few changes themselves yesterday and they had to get a result to be guaranteed.
The lads that played gave their all with some great performances from Conaill Fitzpatrick, John Doyle and Ruairi Murphy. Any inter county team would be thrilled with the move worked for Ruairi's goal.
Hopefully John Michael's injury isn't too bad, didn't look great at the time but hopefully he can run out on to Croke Park in 2 weeks time." I am with Pat Bennett and Johnny Nevin on this one.
It is easy to talk about momentum and losing it, it is easy also to think about injuries and possible suspensions and i believe that management was right on both counts !
The second last time we were there we lost Chris Nolan to a straight red before the 2nd half throw in.
John Michael received a serious injury yesterday and i for one wish him a speedy recovery.
Bennett is a wise coach and he has looked at the the lads we have and he has made the right call i believe.
Playing under a baking aun yesterday would not have veen good prepararion for our lads.
We need them all to be fresh eager and bursting to get out there against Laois.
Nothing bar a really full bodied effort will be good enough to have the win.
carlowman (Carlow) - Posts: 1903 - 25/05/2026 15:50:58
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Replying To Carlowtothecore1: "Ah they'll be grand Sporting Kilkenny. They'll be grand. I'd be more worried about your own guys," Kilkenny club for a while now but just as Carlow to the core as anyone. When I wore the Red Yellow and Green we never took the foot off the gas against the likes of Antrim or any other mid-tiered team.
I see the points about exposure and awarding panel players with game time. But panelists don't want tokenism either. They want to be out there with Mouse, Chris, James & co. and opportunities to break through to the first team. Getting a drubbing against a poor team does nothing for your chances of grabbing a starting spot. (using those lads names as examples, obviously any niggles should be rested).
Kyle Foley, Conal Fitz, Ruairi Murphy, all great men for the future and looking forward to seeing how they go in the next few years. If we can get over Laois there is a huge opportunity there next year, especially when you see where Kilkenny & Wexford are at. Offaly going well but we've had their number in the past too.
sportingplay (Kilkenny) - Posts: 18 - 25/05/2026 15:54:38
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Replying To sportingplay: "Some very strange decisions by management in Corrigan Park yesterday. 15 changes from the London game. Maybe 7 debuts for lads.... Not the time and not the place. As RTE headline reads, "Antrim *hammer* final-bound Carlow". Huge momentum coming into this weekend. Super feel good factor. Heading up to play a rival who are at a low point. No room for sentiment at that level. You go drive a nail in the coffin I would have thought? Maybe Bennett felt sorry for his buddy Davy.
I feel bad for the players being exposed like that. A lot of them great servants who have pulled us out of trouble more than once in the past too. Any manager worth his salt would rest any niggles, give game time to fringe players who are likely to feature in the final. Starting the whole lot is like sending lambs to the slaughter. No good for any of the lads that played yesterday. What did they learn from that game? Hopefully the players aren't too effected by yesterday's result and can brush it off and move on quickly." Not strange at all.
Why flog lads that have had four tough games in 6 weeks.
Nothing at stake and it gave a chance for squad players to have a run out which will help in a few weeks time.
A couple of Laois lads got injured over in London yesterday so for me it was the best option.
It's a huge game and we've got almost a full panel to choose from unlike the league where we had lots injured.
carlovia (None) - Posts: 1549 - 25/05/2026 20:31:34
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Replying To sportingplay: "Kilkenny club for a while now but just as Carlow to the core as anyone. When I wore the Red Yellow and Green we never took the foot off the gas against the likes of Antrim or any other mid-tiered team.
I see the points about exposure and awarding panel players with game time. But panelists don't want tokenism either. They want to be out there with Mouse, Chris, James & co. and opportunities to break through to the first team. Getting a drubbing against a poor team does nothing for your chances of grabbing a starting spot. (using those lads names as examples, obviously any niggles should be rested).
Kyle Foley, Conal Fitz, Ruairi Murphy, all great men for the future and looking forward to seeing how they go in the next few years. If we can get over Laois there is a huge opportunity there next year, especially when you see where Kilkenny & Wexford are at. Offaly going well but we've had their number in the past too." Missed the game yesterday was John Michaels injury bad?
I see Carlow are playing Limerick on Wednesday night. Great for us to get a game like that to get to the pitch of it before the final.
JohnJoe2026 (Carlow) - Posts: 1 - 25/05/2026 21:31:55
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