New Oak's grip on Carlow soccer weakened in 2024
2024 will probably be remembered in soccer terms as the year that New Oak’s stronghold on Carlow Soccer weakened slightly. Having won back to back quadruples and everything in Carlow for the past two seasons, and looking for a fourth league title in a row, many were expecting New Oak to roll through the competition once again. And coming into the year, they had only dropped two points in the league, against Crettyard at home on opening day.
At the start of February, New Oak took on Parkville in the KCLR Carlow Shield final with many expecting New Oak to steamroll Parkville. However, Parkville took the lead, twice, forcing extra-time, and even penalties. In the shootout, New Oak missed twice, giving Parkville the win to put an end to the New Oak era of dominance over the past two years. Three draws for New Oak after Christmas in the league left New Oak needing to beat St. Pat’s on the final day at the Burrin Road to win their fourth league title in a row.
However, they were held to a 1-1 draw, leading to Crettyard winning their first league title in seven years. New Oak did go on to win the Premier Cup and the Carlow Cup though to win their tenth trophy in three years. They also fell short in the semi-finals of the LFA Junior Cup, losing out to Wexford Bohs, with suspensions to key defenders, David O’Shea and Owen McCormack, as well as Lee Walker hurt them badly.
With a lot of the big names out of the competition already, this was seen as New Oak’s best chance to win the competition, having only made the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals in the previous two seasons. In the 2024/2025 season, at the time of writing, New Oak are still the only team with a 100% record so far, so have recovered well, even bettering their result at home to Crettyard, getting out with a 1-0 victory.
League champions, Crettyard have struggled so far, losing three games, and face an uphill task to retain their title. Burrin Celtic won the Tully’s Travel Division One to secure their second promotion in two seasons. They only lost one game along the way, to arch rivals, St. Fiacc’s. They have found life in the Premier Division tough so far, losing every game bar one, a win against Bagenalstown. Dolmen Celtic won the cup after a tough battle against Ballymurphy.
The White’s Pharmacy Division was won by Vale Wanderers B who won by eight points in the end. Hanover Harps B were crowned Division Two cup champions. Hanover Harps O35’s pulled off a miraculous league and cup double in Division One, having been promoted from Division Two the previous season, as Pa Dowling’s side put in a huge shift.
Killeshin beat out Bagenalstown in Division 2, who went on to get revenge in the cup final. Division 2 side Bagenalstown also did a cup double, winning the Martin Mullins Memorial Seniors Cup, beating Premier side, St. Pat’s. Dolmen Celtic secured a Division 3 league and cup double.
The Oscar Traynor side got through to the Pat Whitty Memorial Cup final, and after weeks of debate, on Valentines Day, Carlow took on Wexford in Ferrycarrig Park in what can only be described as atrocious conditions, and lost out 3-1.
That meant they had to go to Waterford that weekend, missing a core of players and came out on the wrong side of a 3-1 defeat. In 2024/2025, Carlow reached the Pat Whitty Cup semi-final and host Kilkenny again looking to book a date with Wexford in the semi-final. They travelled to Wexford in their opening match and lost out 3-1. They beat Kilkenny at home in The Meadows 3-1 to leave them needing just a point from the Defence Forces and they got it, with a 1-1 draw.
2025 will undoubtedly have it’s challenges for Carlow Soccer with teams having to contend with Calendar Football being implemented just a few weeks ago, and big decisions will have to be made.
4-5-1 formation
New Oak have conceded just three goals all season so far in the league. Most of this is down to the Palatine ‘keeper between the sticks. Kearney has become a mainstay of the New Oak side and has become a key cog in their machine. He’s often rescued them from danger, his fingertip save at the death against Crettyard gave New Oak the win, and has often kept them in games. He’s really coming into his own. Ben McCarron was a close second but Kearney has been more consistent.
The Pat’s defender is one of the most versatile and consistent players in the league. Whether he’s playing at left-back, centre-back or right-back, he always delivers and is always reliable, very rarely having a bad game. Well able to play with the ball at his feet, he’s very capable of making a tackle too to deny goalscoring opportunities.
The Crettyard centre-half who has often played left-back is one of the best defenders in the league, even at the age of 33. He won the overall Carlow League Player of the Season last season, deservedly, and was a key cog in the machine as Crettyard went on to win the league. His leadership abilities also don’t go unnoticed and he marshals the defence. He’s known as a tough as nails defender who isn’t afraid of a tackle, and is one of the first names on the Crettyard and Oscar Traynor panels.
The New Oak captain is still by and far the best defender in the league, even at the age of 34. Whilst he might have dropped off in speed over the last couple of years, his footballing intelligence and leadership skills make him one of the most revered defenders in the league, and one that nobody wants to play against. He’s a hard tackler and can come in handy for a goal or two occasionally too.
McCarron’s talent was obvious from a young age as he signed with Carlow-Kilkenny FC at the age of 14 and played through their ranks. He’s matured a lot and fast become one of the best defenders in the league. He’s one of the first names on the team sheet at Hanover and is highly regarded by many. He’s got a bright future ahead and his skill has not gone unnoticed.
New Oak’s finest is still one of the best players in the league. He can always be relied on to come up with a goal when they need it the most. He’s got seven goals and four assists so far this season. He’s hard to mark, and dictates the play a lot. His ability to see passes and play in New Oak’s attacking players is incredible. One of the Carlow League’s best players, possibly ever.
After Dean Kelly, he’s probably the best player in the league. His creativity in the centre of midfield has been key to both St. Pat’s and Carlow’s Oscar Traynor squad over the last year. He’s sensational from a set piece, and can dictate the pace of a game. The Rathvilly native is the future of Carlow Soccer.
The Bagenalstown central midfielder is highly regarded by many. He’s an out and out number 6 in that he’s a great tackler but also a skilled playmaker. You can always rely on him to come up with a goal or two as well, whilst he’s also skilled from a set-piece. One of the big reasons why Bagenalstown finished fourth last season and has been one of the reliables in a tough season so far for Bagenalstown.
One of the best players in the Carlow League, and has to be on the shortlist to get an award this season. His skill on the ball is second to none, and can give any full-back a tough time. If he’s not scoring, he’s assisting, or working hard to create chances. Doesn’t quite get the credit he deserves at times, and has been a huge threat for both St. Pat’s and the Carlow Oscar Traynor squad. He was only available for home games last season on a Saturday night and was a big miss for the away games, something that his manager has highlighted.
The Vale winger is highly regarded by many in the Carlow League. He’s tricky, pacy and torments full backs. He got 10 goals in the first half of 2024 and has three in the second half having been injured for a bit of the season. The Fenagh Gaelic player is one of the best in the league and will give defenders a torrid time.
Steed often cuts in from the wings to get his goals and his stature makes it difficult for defenders to stop him, often drawing fouls from defenders to stop him. He was only four goals off Danny Doyle in the Golden Boot standings last season and has started this season on fire. He has 19 goals in 2024 in all competitions, a stat many in Carlow would find hard to match. He’s got an uncanny ability to score goals, and whether he plays on the left, the right or through the middle, he’s a constant threat. The Kildare native is by and far one of the best strikers around.
