Opinion: Wexford energy needed against rising Carlow

A lot has been made of the Carlow rising. ‘Carlow rising’ is a typical trend on social media when the Barrowsiders stake a big claim in both hurling and football…

In Dr. Cullen Park last weekend, Carlow showcased how they were.

But no longer were they rising; they had risen. They got a result against one of the hurling kingpins of Ireland, the mighty Kilkenny. Although they didn’t secure a win, the Carlow hurlers caused a huge upset getting a draw and spitting the share of points. Leinster hurling, Carlow against Kilkenny, with Carlow coming out with a draw when they needed it. It was a historic moment for Carlow hurling and it was symbolic of their rise.

One could argue that their result was a shock, but others could point to how this was coming too. Coming up from the Joe McDonagh, they always looked like a solid outfit. With players of the calibre of Marty Kavanagh, Chris Nolan, and Kevin McDonald, they will pose a threat to any team. Their win in last year’s Joe McDonagh Cup final against Offaly also illustrated what the Carlow hurling team are about: classy hurlers with a never-say-die attitude, who fight for every ball, and try their best to win. This is the same energy that they have brought into the Liam McCarthy Cup and the Leinster Championship campaign this season.

As somewhat expected after attaining promotion, they have been outsiders in their Liam McCarthy Cup campaign, but they never looked completely out of any game either.

In their previous games, they faced Galway, Dublin, and Kilkenny. They didn’t get any points in their opening two games, but the point that they secured against the Cats was more than deserved. Against Galway, the score-line was not a fair reflection of their effort. In the following round against the Dubs, Dublin needed a late goal, which was described as a ‘charitable goal’ for Fergal Whitley by the Irish Independent, to get over the line against Carlow. That game ended 1-24 to 0-22 in favour of the Dubs, but it was a closer game than the score-board would suggest too. After their loss to Dublin, one Carlow player – the Carlow captain and centre-back, Kevin McDonald – was interviewed after the game. “It was grand, but we want to look past moral victories now and get wins in this campaign,” was his adamant message as he signed Carlow youngster’s hurls. They went to Parnell Park for a win and were not happy with just performing.

They could have easily took the foot off the pedal too for their next clash against Kilkenny. They could have rested players, knowing that they had crucial clashes against Wexford and Carlow still remaining. But that’s not Carlow hurling. They want to play the best – and now, they believe they can not only perform against the best, but beat the best too. It’s why they did not care when Derek Lyng’s Kilkenny team came to town.

And it’s why they definitely won’t care that Keith Rossiter’s Wexford hurling team are coming too. There are multiple reasons for this. One is that Wexford have been quite inconsistent this year; a draw to Dublin, a loss to Antrim, and a win against Galway. Another is the fact that Carlow would have targeted this game against Wexford, given that the Barrowsiders have home-advantage. The third relates to excitement. After their draw against Kilkenny last weekend, there’s no doubt that this team is on a high and that they will have plenty of support to match that too.

It’s why Keith Rossiter and Wexford need to be careful this Sunday in Dr Cullen Park. Wexford are favourites in everyone’s eyes; the bookies have them as 1/10 on to win the game, with Carlow close to 7/1. But is that justified? Is there really that much between the two sides? The handicap is set for 8 points, but from a Wexford perspective, I’m not too sure it’s going to be that easy based on previous performances, previous years, and Wexford’s own ability to architect their own downfall at times too.

To Wexford’s credit though, like Carlow, they’ll also be aware of the importance of this game. Given some previous Championship results, such as against Westmeath in 2022 and 2023 and then Antrim in 2024, we can be rest assured that they’re not taking this one for granted. After all, a Wexford loss could see them battling for relegation in their final match against Kilkenny, depending on other results in Round 4.

In contrast, a win for Wexford could set up a mouth-watering final game clash against rivals Kilkenny, which, depending on other results, could see them in a Leinster final or at the minimum, qualified for the All-Ireland stages.

It is a huge game for both sides and a packed Dr Cullen Park will be able to witness it. If Wexford are able to perform to a similar level to the game against Galway, where they dominated the proceedings to win by eight points, we will only see one winner.

Wexford, who will be without Cian Byrne after his red card dismissal against Galway, will need the big players to stand up again and just like the Galway game, they’ll need to bring the game to Carlow. Wexford’s lay-off break this weekend could prove to come at a perfect time. Carlow may be feeling the effects of last week’s clash against Kilkenny, while the break gave Wexford that little bit of extra time to rest up and recover. To show them what Wexford hurling is about and highlight to them why we are the Model County, Wexford will need to be at their best.

To under-estimate this Carlow side or to read too much into the bookies’ insights would be dangerous and Wexford should do so at their own peril.

This 2024 Leinster Championship has been mad. And more mad results can – and will – still happen because we’re not done yet.

Carlow vs Wexford Leinster SHC tickets can be purchased online via Ticketmaster. Tickets can also be bought in the usual SuperValu & Centra stores. There are only terrace tickets are on general sale, at a cost of €15 per adult/student/OAP and €5 per under-16.