One step away from the Promised Land
Aoibhinn Webb scores a fine long range point for Carlow during the win over Sligo Photo: Pat Ahern
If ever they needed to be told about how difficult winning a championship is then Carlow got a reminder when Derry, whom they play in the All-Ireland Junior Championship semi-final at Breffni Park on Sunday, gave Antrim an eight point thumping in their meeting at the start of June.
The Saffrons were favourites to confirm their provincial victory over the Leaf County but Annie McLochlain’s 0-11 in their 2-17 to 1-12 win spoke volumes. That also included three two-pointers so Carlow have been warned.
Carlow beat Derry in the league by 2-7 to 0-11 but Carlow defender, Aoibhín Webb, says that is all over and done with now.
“They are a different teams since then. They had a lot of players missing and hadn’t had a system. Since then they have come on. Beating Antrim a few weeks ago was a shock result. A surprise because Antrim had been going so well,” stresses Webb who says championship and league form may not be reflecting each other.
“The last couple of weeks there have been some random results and surprises. We have to be ready for everything. We know they have some really good free takers who can kick them from the 45. We have to be able not to give away anything in the back.”
But Carlow are unbeaten all year. They have secured league and provincial silverware. Webb scoffs at the suggestion that the players could become a little blasé.
“We can’t think because we have won 16 games that we are going to win 17. And then because we have won 17 we are going to win 18. It is not like that. We know we have to put in the work and believe in the tactics that Ed (the manager) has set out for us. Do all the things that we have been doing. It is probably going to be the hardest match we have had all year for sure. As we know anything can happen in semi-finals and finals. We have to be ready for whatever comes.”
The Bennekerry-Tinryland players have happy memories of Kingspan Breffni Park. Webb was on the team which beat Mullahoran by 4-6 to 1-12 in the intermediate club All-Ireland semi-final.
“When I heard it was in Breffni Park my face lit up. I was buzzing because we had had such an exciting day there a couple of years ago. I still have fond memories of it and we need to just go and make some more. It would make you believe you can knowing you have already done it there before. I am really excited for it and I can’t wait. I think everybody is excited.”
On the other hand, the Carlow manager portrays a cool and calm figure about what lies ahead. Since the start of the season, Carlow have gone from waiting in hope to waiting with expectation. That brings pressure.
“This is the one semi-final where we are expected to win,” Ed Burke agrees.
“They are getting used to it now. We are expecting to win every game. You don’t really see the reaction until you lose a game and hopefully that won’t happen next weekend.” But despite the enormity of the prize in playing in Croke Park in an All-Ireland final, Burke says the players have not allowed themselves to over analyse their hopes.
“Nothing has changed from normal. There is no talk about it at all. Same thing. In. Train. Go. Onto the next day. We just want to keep doing what we are doing. Not to improve. Just to stay the same,” the Tipperary man says.
And where has the belief come from. Burke doesn’t need to wrack his brains.
“When we won the National Football League Division 4 semi-final and got promoted the pressure comes off again. As much as everything, it is still a successful season when that happens. It allays a lot of fears.”
Carlow v Derry - Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan
Antrim v Sligo - St. Tiernach's Park, Clones
