Work beginning to pay off, says Nevin

CARLOW’S Johnny Nevin believes the NHL Division 2 victory over Offaly was the culmination of a massive development programme.

Nevin, 37, better known for his footballing exploits, has also played with the hurlers since 1989. Despite being named man of the match on Sunday, the full-back insisted that the result was a victory for long-term planning and a focus on youth.

“Things have moved on a lot in my time playing hurling for Carlow,” said the Old Leighlin player. “The underage work that has been going on the last eight years, with development squads and everything else, has been amazing and we’re starting to see the fruits of that now.

“Young players are getting coached properly now. Carlow reached a new level with this win though.”

Eoin Garvey, a Clare native, took over from Michael Walsh 12 months ago, with the seniors at their lowest ebb in recent times - after Kerry and Mayo beat them by 19 and 15 points respectively. Look at the graph of Carlow’s improvement and the Bagnelstown De La Salle teacher’s fingerprints are visible everywhere.

Seven of Sunday’s starting XV are still U21s and the same seven also starred for Garvey with the county minors three years ago when they drew with Dublin in the round robin section of the Leinster championship before losing to the same side by a point in the knockout stages.

“When Eoin took over the hurlers were at a really low ebb,” said Nevin “He had to try and keep us from going down to Division Three, things were going that bad. He’s done a great job though, the win over Offaly was the tenth in a row for the team.”

Carlow now meet Derry and Westmeath in their remaining matches. Win those and it is likely that they will have to defeat Offaly again in the Division Two final to secure promotion to the top flight.