Shorthall exit leaves Carlow ‘spirits low’

A SENIOR Carlow GAA official admits that “spirit is low” within the county following the shock resignation of football boss, Andy Shorthall last week.

However County Secretary Tom O’Neill remains confident that both hurling and football can bounce back after disappointing on and off field performances.

Said O’Neill: “I don’t know what is wrong, but there is a lot of adverse publicity going on which isn’t helping the county. The Tommy Walsh transfer saga hasn’t helped.

“When things go wrong and the results don’t come, it’s easy to point the finger in one direction or another. To be fair we should have a couple of points in the bag in the hurling and football leagues, but just don’t seem to get the rub of the green.

“When you don’t win games you should, attendance at training isn’t what it should be, and you lose your best player to another county, players become very despondent.

“Unlike years gone by when the O’Hanrahans and Éire Óg were the top clubs, not alone in Carlow and Leinster but in Ireland, there has been a huge levelling off in standards in the county, and both those clubs are not anywhere as good as they were.

“We started out this year with just eight of last year’s football panel. I can fully understand players’ frustration. They want to be part of successful inter-county teams, or at the very least be part of a team that has some chance of winning.

“Spirit is down at the moment, but if we got a couple of wins under our belt I’m confident we can turn the corner. We need to lift the heads, get those involved with our county teams to persevere, the county board to row in behind them and the people of the county to be more supportive of the teams.

“A rising tide lifts all boats they say, and if we can win a few games it could lead to greater things.”

Mr O’Neill also revealed that the board may look within the county for Shorthall’s replacement.

“There are many examples around the country of what can be achieved if we all work together. The structures are in place in the county, particularly at youth level. What we need is to string a couple of victories together. The priority now is to get a coach for our senior footballers, preferably someone from within the county.”