Tipp challenge next for table topping Carlow

As the third round of the league comes around, Carlow players would have mixed memories of their recent jousts with the Premier County.

There is still a number of survivors from the 2022 clash at Semple Stadium where Tipperary dished out a 2-16 to 0-11 defeat to the visitors where current squad members, Colm Hulton, Conor Crowley, Jamie Clarke and Ross Dunphy all scored for Carlow. That year the Premier County won promotion from the basement division.

Yet it was not all joy for Tipp against Carlow that year as the Barrowsiders dumped their rivals out of the Tailteann Cup in Netwatch Cullen Park. That day, Niall Hickey (currently injured) scored the vital goal for the home side in a 1-12 to 1-10 win.

The following year, Tipperary drew only one game in Division 3 which was against Longford and made a quick return to the lower division.

In Carlow’s opening game of the 2024 campaign away from home, Aaron Amond, Darragh Foley and Crowley all scored a goal each as Carlow eked out a narrow 3-10 to 1-14 victory in Thurles. After seven games, Carlow took fifth place with Tipperary one spot below them.

Last year in Carlow the sides played out a 2-13 to 1-16 draw with Amond (penalty) and Dunphy scoring the Carlow three-pointers. Again both sides were side by side in mid-table which was disappointing for both.

So now they go at it again. Tipperary will enjoy home advantage. It has to be a help even if there will be a relatively small crowd in Thurles.

After Carlow beat Wicklow in their second game, manager, Joe Murphy, expressed his disappointment with many facets of his team’s performance. Yet a win is a win in the league and two league points comes in many shapes and sizes. In fact, defeats can spring out of nothing too.

One would imagine Tipperary will be slight favourites to take the victory. Carlow can draw on the memory of recent results against Tipperary and will go into the game not fearing the opposition. The Premier side drew with London in London in their opening game. They then dispatched the challenge of Antrim in the second round.

It is a bit early in the week to speculate who will start for either side. At any stage of the season players will pick up knocks and bumps. Hopefully when that happens it will not be serious. For either side that is. A loss is not fatal but winning can build momentum. After the weekend, the league will not even be half-over but it is still all to play for.

National Football League Division 4

Tipperary v Carlow 

FBD Semple Stadium, 

Sunday 15 February, 

2pm