Nolan is the Carlow hero on a famous day
A bloodied Chris Nolan with a young fan after Carlow's famous victory over Waterford Photo: Pat Ahern
After a day of Carlow hurling history, you could say the two-goal scorer, Chris Nolan, doesn’t do things by halves. Just to recall a few of his marquee moments in a Carlow jersey. He scores the winning point in the 2023 Joe McDonagh Cup final. The following year he is harshly sent off against Antrim in the Leinster senior hurling championship. He was suspended for the opening game against Offaly last week but all that is put behind him now as he scores 2-3 in a first ever senior hurling competitive win over Waterford.
“I suppose the last time I was in a Carlow jersey, I wouldn’t have had great memories. Sent off at half-time and then relegated. You probably think about it every now and again when you are on your own. Especially last week. I just wanted to go out and put things somewhat right,” he says.
🇲🇱Goal Highlights | The 2 goals by Chris Nolan that sealed our historic win over @WaterfordGAA in Sunday’s AHL game in NCP. pic.twitter.com/XBldbvjmq2
— Carlow GAA (@Carlow_GAA) February 4, 2025
After what he has gone through Nolan urges caution.
“Look, it is only our second game of the league. We are not getting carried away. It was a good start after what happened last summer.” While Carlow outscored their more vaunted rivals, it was the attitude of the squad which won the day. Nolan articulates this well.
“Tom (Mullally) has, over the last 4-5 years, drilled into us that it is about honesty, work-rate. After that, your hurling should do the talking. If you don’t work hard you don’t put yourself in with a chance. We have been there before and we haven’t given ourself that chance. Today, it was different. We wanted to come out on the right side of the result. We wanted to put in a performance.”
There is also a touch of dried blood on Nolan’s face. These injuries are generally not spotted from afar. It was a further hint of what Carlow had to do to take the win.
“It was shocking tough from start to finish. It is what to expect. It is winter hurling playing against one of the top teams in the country. A Munster side who is battle hardened. We are under no illusions, in a couple of weeks, it will be as tough up in O’Moore Park against Laois,” said Nolan.
