O’Brien savouring upcoming clash against Laois in semi-final

THE stock of Carlow football continues to rise as they now prepare for a Leinster semi-final clash with near neighbours Laois. The last time they played Laois in a Leinster semi-final was back in 1943, but they are teams with a close understanding of each other having played each other twice in the League already this year, including the Division 4 League final

in Croke Park. ‘There is a great rivalry there with Laois. We would feel the last two days that we were unlucky that we didn’t win at least one of them. There is nothing much between us and they had a good win on Saturday night. It is a game to savour for everyone,’ insisted Carlow manager Turlough O’Brien who wore a broad smile after yesterday’s game. Another man who was savouring the moment at the final whistle — while being mobbed by supporters — was coach and Down native Stephen Poacher who believed Carlow answered their critics with an awesome all-round performance. ‘2-17 against Louth and 2-14 today against Kildare and from all accounts from some certain pundits — who have never coached teams in their lives — we are a defensive team. Not a single wide, efficiency of scoretaking and that is something we have worked on since the League final. ‘Paul Broderick, what a player, he really stepped up to the mark. We enjoyed ourselves here today. I went on to that field and was offering Kildare players water and normally I am squeezing water into people’s faces.’

The larger-than-life character also put weight in behind the notion of a ‘B’ Championship coming to fruition in years to come. ‘They are talking about ‘B’ Championships, how can you deny that {display] today. That is just special. We are now going into our second outing in Croke Park; this team hadn’t played in Croke Park for 10 years and now have our second outing this year.’