It’s been a decent League campaign so far for the Carlow Senior Hurlers.
As predicted last weekend they took care of business with relative ease against London which made up for the horrific defeat in the corresponding fixture last season.
They face a much sterner test this Sunday however as they travel to St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge to face a rejuvenated Kildare side who are spearheaded by former Kilkenny Hurler John Mulhall.
Kildare began their campaign with a three point win over Armagh and they followed it up with an impressive victory over Westmeath by five points.
They were also very unlucky not to beat Antrim away last time out and a late rally saw them fall on a scoreline of 1-16 to 1-14.
People have been harping on about Kildare’s imports but it’s not as if they are the only county to avail of the system.
A decade ago they did bring in Paddy O’Brien, David Kennedy and Johnny Enright, but Evan Sweeney has hurled for Kerry, Eoin Brislane with Meath and of course Patrick Kelly has also been in action for Kerry and there are loads of more examples of this.
If a county has an opportunity to bring in players like that then so be it. Will it make the likes of Kildare, Kerry, Carlow, Meath All Ireland Senior Hurling Champions? Absolutely not. Will it make them competitive? Yes. And that can only be good for the game.
I am not suggesting that Hurling should have a League of Nations sort of an effort but all these things are very petty in the grand scheme of things.
In terms of this Sunday’s game, I think it will be a difficult test and a much more strenuous one than 12 months ago when Carlow won at the same venue by five points.
Newbridge is a very tight venue and I think that this one will be a real battle.
Carlow can’t afford to take their eye of the ball here and if they do then they will be defeated and that’s the long and short of it.
Given the strength in depth that Colm Bonnar’s lads have I think they will have the edge here, but not by much I might add.
P.S: Speculation continues to mount over the future of Carlow’s Physio Paul Kelly after a rumoured career change to punditry!
We have Full Live Commentary of Carlow V Kildare in the National Hurling League from 2pm on our Carlow Frequency this Sunday with thanks to Rea’s Department Store, Fairgreen, Bagenalstown, Co.Carlow
