Limerick are bound for Netwatch Cullen Park after Carlow’s history Joe McDonagh Cup victory on Sunday.
In 2017, Carlow made the trip to Croke Park, claiming the Christy Ring Cup with a mammoth 5-23 to 4-15 victory over Antrim.
On Sunday afternoon in the 1.45pm game, Carlow made sure of the silverware yet again, claiming the inaugural Joe McDonagh Cup with a 2-26 to 1-24 win over Westmeath. In the process, they secure Leinster senior hurling championship action for 2019 and set up a date with Limerick in the All-Ireland qualifiers this coming weekend.
That’s a pretty good return over the past two years.
Carlow boss Colm Bonnar says they need to be able to stand up to the challenge that Limerick will provide in this coming weekend.
“It’s a huge test for us. Obviously, Limerick and Wexford have both been waiting for the last three or four weeks”, said Bonnar post-match on Sunday.
“It’s a massive massive game for them because both those would have eye on the bigger prize in terms of the Liam McCarthy and they will be looking to push us aside very very quickly.”
“They are going to come down very focused, they are going to give it a hell of a rattle. But having said that, fighting for that respect as a hurler, we need to be able stand up to that and to be able to match whatever they can throw at us.”
“It will be a good indication of what we need to do in terms of moving forward and it’s in Netwatch Cullen Park and you can never write off this team. If they get the bit between their teeth and get a bit of luck who knows what could happen.”
