Bennett to put Fitzgerald friendship to one side during crucial clash
Pat Bennett speaks to the Carlow team ahead of the second half during the last round in Wexford Photo: Pat Ahern
Carlow travel to Antrim on Sunday, for a game that will now be played in Corrigan Park, looking for a victory which could go a long way to ensuring their place in Division 1B next season. After three weekends of action, Antrim have registered three losses while Carlow have only played two games losing to Wexford but beating Down in their opening game. This Dunloy fixture is very much a four point game.
Both sides have played Wexford with Antrim losing to a late, late goal from a Mark Fanning 73rd minute free. Carlow were in the game against Wexford until the closing stages but fell away then. Manager, Pat Bennett, says the players know exactly what happened that Saturday night where, from a promising position, Carlow ended up losing by ten points.
“We looked at it. The lads looked at it. Our bench didn’t help. The lads know that themselves. I need a bounce when the bench comes on. In football they call them finishers. It is the exact same thing for the hurlers. Wexford got a bounce of their bench and we didn’t. That is what I expect but it is about building a squad. We have a few injuries. The squad is tight and I will be doing well having 25 going to Antrim,” Bennett explained.
Evan Kealy and Conor Kehoe came out of the action against Wexford. Injuries to the pair rules them out of the Antrim game and their absence sees the squad less equipped to deal with what is always a difficult trip.
“A couple of guys are coming back but will not be available until the Clare game (Saturday February 28 in Netwatch Cullen Park). Ciaran Whelan might get some game time in the Clare game,” noted Bennett.
The manager will be renewing acquaintances with Davy Fitzgerald. The pair worked together with the Wexford and Antrim senior hurlers with Bennett ending his connection with Antrim at the end of the 2025 season. It was an amicable parting.
“I have savage time for Davy. He is an unbelievable hurling man. He has won everything in the game. Everything as a player. Everything as a coach. It is unbelievable what he has won,” the current Carlow manager said.
“To go to Antrim it is long trek but he just wants to make them better. That is why he went up there. A great hurling man. A great guy. A great friend of mine but on Sunday those friendships will be put to one side.”
|
ALLIANZ NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 1B |
||||||
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
+/- |
Pts |
|
|
Clare |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
45 |
6 |
|
Wexford |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
6 |
|
Dublin |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
13 |
2 |
|
Carlow |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Kildare |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-5 |
2 |
|
Antrim |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
-25 |
0 |
|
Down |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
-41 |
0 |
