Carlow’s Darragh Foley has emphasised the importance of gaining promotion from division 4 of the Allianz National Football League this year.
Foley has reiterated Carlow manager Niall Carew’s call to return to division 3, saying that it is an absolute necessity that they are not playing in football’s bottom tier come 2022.
“We need to be getting out of division 4 this year. We feel that we’re good enough to do so but it’s going to be very tough,” said Foley.
“The league is our main focus so we need to hit the ground running.”
The Kilbride clubman also said that the period the team had to get used to manager Niall Carew’s style of play will be beneficial as the county side embark on their 2021 campaign.
“Niall used the build-up to the Offaly game to really implement his style of play. He told us that we need to change the way we play so that we’re not too predictable.”
Foley, who was part of the Carlow panel who faced Dublin in the 2017 Leinster Championship, is of the opinion that Dublin have a clear advantage over other Leinster sides, particularly when it comes to finance and home advantage.
“Little things like being able to go away for a weekend whenever they (Dublin) want which is a huge advantage compared to a small county like ourselves.”
The 2017 Carlow captain was also complimentary of the six-in-a-row All-Ireland champions but called on Leinster Council to take action so that teams can get closer to Dessie Farrell’s side.
“Dublin are in great shape and are a great team, so we have to do our best to try and reach those levels,” said Foley.
“Leinster Council should try and play all of the Leinster games bar the final outside of Croke Park.
“We gave Dublin a good game in Portlaoise in 2017 but it could have been any score had it been in Croke Park.”
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