Carlow closing in on McDonagh Cup final spot
A fanfare greets the Carlow team as they emerge from the tunnel for an earlier McDonagh Cup game, they are now just one win away from the final Photo: Pat Ahern
If Carlow character was tested in their previous three games, particularly on Saturday in Ballycran against Down, then they face a different challenge on Saturday when London come to Netwatch Cullen Park for a fourth round Joe McDonagh Cup tie.
The expectation is that the home side will be confidently expected to see off the visitors with a bit to spare. Life is not that predictable. Otherwise sport would be a lot less enjoyable and the bookies who make their living out of unpredictability would not be in existence.
As soon as Down were dispatched at the weekend, the thoughts turned to this Saturday. Carlow manager, Pat Bennett, says he has full faith in his players to produce another big performance.
“London next week. I have watched them. They are getting better and I will be watching them tomorrow over in London,” noted the Waterford man who predicted a good game.
“It will be another titanic battle. All games in this group are hard. Everyone knows the Joe McDonagh is very hard. They are coming to town next week. We have to recover tonight and get back. That is our last home game and we have to get ready.”
And is it as easy as that getting players into the correct frame of mind? Again speaking in Ballycran Bennett was looking ahead.
“We will get them back down to earth. By the time we get home to Carlow in three hours’ time, it will be sorted.
About the Down game, he suggested this was a particularly sweet victory. The league hadn’t gone well and a number of players had been missing.
“It is the first day we have had a full panel to pick from since I was involved. In fairness to them, one to thirty, the subs who came on were unbelievable. John Michael (Nolan) caught a savage ball when he needed to catch a savage ball. Paddy (Boland) got a great goal. Jake (Nolan) was good. Evan (Kealy) was good. We need those guys coming on. When you come on you have to hold it or there is no point in coming on,” explained Bennett.
Carlow form is unrecognisable from the side who went through the league with only one victory (against Down).
“I am delighted for the lads. They have put in a great effort and they deserve it. I have seen what they have been doing for the last six to seven weeks. I think they have brought it to a whole new level,” suggested the manager.
