Senior football returns to Carlow this Friday night.
St. Mullins were crowned the 2022 Hurling Champions, now all attention naturally turns to football. Rathvilly are defending champions, with Eire Og hungry for revenge and their 31st title. Elsewhere Palatine will be hoping to have a repeat of their 2016 campaign, where they became six-time county champions.
Mount Leinster Rangers are their opposition on the opening day of the league, a team who never won the title under their current moniker. When Rangers were crowned hurling champions in 2021, it affected their football campaign, especially in the initial stages. However, after their semi-final defeat to Bagenalstown Gaels three weeks ago, the hurls were dropped and footballs were kicked instead. Will the longer run-in have a positive effect on their opening fixture?
We spoke with Palatine chairman Nickey Parle who expressed both confidence and weariness when looking ahead to the fixture on Scoreline;
“Mount Leinster Rangers, any time you play them, it will be a tough prospect. Our team has been in transition for a couple of years. We have a young panel, but very good chaps who have all worked very hard. We will be quietly confident heading into the match, we always know the challenge ahead when you go up against Rangers.”
Football was on the mind all weekend in Palatine though with the inaugural Amanda Kinsella Memorial Tournament.
The Memorial Tournament was said to be an emotional but special occasion and helped raise vital funds for the Amy Lawler Memorial Fund. Many stars from around the GAA world sent in their wishes but it was clear the stars on the day were the ones taking part in the tournament.
Nickey was on hand to give us some scope on the whole event;
“We had 8 teams involved with a panel of 25, so 200 players involved.”
“It was a fantastic day, with beautiful people. We had a lot of visitors to Palatine, it was a beautiful day and a very very emotional day for the Kinsella family.”
“Brendan was the chief man, along with David Kinsella in the organisation. The two of them put massive work in.”
Listen back to the full interview with Nicky below on Scoreline Extra:
