Carlow Senior Footballers are just hours away from their fourth Championship game of the summer.
After wins over Wexford and London and an encouraging performance against Dublin, it’s Leitrim who now stand between them and a fifth outing of the Championship.
There has been very little between these two teams in the League over the years and this year it was Leitrim who prevailed in that particular encounter in Carrick On Shannon.
Carlow Senior Football manager Turlough O’Brien says the League defeat in Carrick-on-Shannon gives them extra motivation to gain revenge for Saturday’s All-Ireland Qualifier.
“When we look back at the League, the real damage was done in Carrick-on-Shannon more so than against London. We still had the opportunity to get back into contention after the London defeat but when we lost to Leitrim, we had no hope and that was the one that did the damage.
“I suppose it does give us ammunition going into the game at the weekend that we want to avenge that result. Leitrim have a good record against Carlow in the last 7, 8 years, they have done very well in Dr. Cullen Park in particular and we are very conscious of that too.
“We want to make sure that home advantage counts for us next Saturday,” O’Brien said.
I personally think that home advantage is crucial here as I wouldn’t be as confident if the game was in Letrim.
It looks like Brendan Murphy will miss this game although a lot of people seem to be confused as to whether he actually is suspended or not but it appears that he will be at this stage.
In his absence Carlow will most definitely rally and it’s often the case that others will redouble their efforts after the loss of a key player and a more rounded team performance might actually ensue.
Sean Gannon is more than capable of moving to midfield as is Eoghan Ruth who did very well there against Cavan last year in Breffni Park.
The last game against London was really about grinding out a result and that’s how it proved to be in the end.
Carlow will have to really play at a much higher level this time out because Leitrim will push every step of the way.
If Carlow can break away at pace when they turn the ball over in defence I think they will win this one but this must happen in order to get that result.
Again I don’t think there will be a massive amount between these two teams on the day but Carlow should just about get through.
We Have Full Live Commentary of the game at 3pm on Saturday on air and here on KCLRFANZONE.COM thanks to Flynns Carlow Nissan
