Former Carlow senior hurling captain James Hickey says that Carlow are definitely ’10 points better than Offaly’.
Speaking to KCLR after Saturday nights defeat to Limerick, James says they have the capabilities to compete with the top teams.
Limerick advanced to the quarter-final stages of this year’s All-Ireland senior hurling championship with a comprehensive 5-22 to 0-13 win over the Joe McDonagh Cup champions.
“We need to push this thing on now during the winter again”, says Hickey.
“Carlow are 10 points better than Offaly and I have no problem in saying that. You see Westmeath holding Wexford and Wexford only ran away in the end, and look I would think too that the Joe McDonagh winners having to play Limerick like.”
“In my opinion, Limerick would be that bit ahead of Wexford and I found it a strange one, but it was what it was. I think it’s very encouraging times for Carlow and I would hate to paper over the great year, because it’s a magnificent time.”
Carlow will be among esteemed company in Division 1B next season, joining Offaly, Dublin, Galway, Laois and Waterford.
Limerick, victors on Saturday last, will face Kilkenny for a place in this year’s All-Ireland semi-final, that game throwing in 2pm this Sunday in Semple Stadium.