IT’S 29 YEARS since Carlow last played Dublin in the Leinster senior football championship.
That gap will come to an end on Saturday evening, when they face the daunting challenge of taking on a side that have claimed four All-Ireland titles over the past six seasons.
Dublin’s dominance is more pronounced in Leinster with 11 final victories in the past 12 years and it all contributes to the considerable task facing Carlow.
But Carlow boss Turlough O’Brien passionately objects to that line of thinking.
He believes too many counties in the province are over-awed by Dublin, with ‘traditionally strong powerhouses’ having ‘rolled over’ in recent years.
And he has also branded ‘a load of nonsense’, pundits wondering why teams like Carlow would give the commitment required at inter-county level.
After seeing off Wexford at the first round stage, O’Brien has lavished praise on Jim Gavin’s side ahead of their meeting at O’Moore Park.
He doesn’t agree that their success is solely down to resources and has paid tribute to their management, their scouting of opponents and the attitude of the players in the Dublin squad.
“Their players are very grounded, really they’re a great model to follow.”
“For all the success they’ve had, I don’t think they’ve bought into the hype at all.”
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This is where football is at now, manager gets ten games and if the results are not good enough, the sack. Clubs want immediate gratification and have no interest in a long term plan. Sad stuff…..Hope Pulis got a nice parting handshake.
How In the name of God could you turn a club around in 45 days that’s absolutely crazy.
Sheffield Wednesday are a terrible club, I hope they get relegated to league one.
@James: whys that James ? Give us your insight to the club?
Hopefully this will result in a Boro win this evening. Dreadful decision by a ridiculous club who were once one of the originals. Pulis has always been a decent bloke
@Rory O’Connor: 3 points in the bag. Not bad for a ridiculous club.
Horrible anti football tactics. Hopefully that’s the last we’ve seen of his pukey tactics