Barrowsiders a coming force in the game

I DON’T expect any surprises in the weekend’s preliminary quarter-finals but Carlow could spring a couple next year.

They face a huge step up to compete in Division 1B and the Leinster Championship in 2019 but they were excellent throughout the field against Westmeath in the Joe Mcdonagh Cup final on Sunday. Indeed, they could have won by more and the score flatters Westmeath, who’ll be disappointed with their showing.

Carlow will trouble some of the more established sides next year but Limerick will be a bridge too far for them on Saturday evening, while I can’t see Westmeath lifting it against Wexford.