Greene asks players: Put celebrations on hold

AFTER masterminding Carlow’s greatest hurling hour last Sunday, Jim Greene found himself reluctantly slipping into the role of a killjoy.

The Mount Sion man had just watched his side oust Westmeath in a thrilling Christy Ring Cup final but instead of indulging in wild celebrations, Greene had to plead for calm. The silverware had been secured but Carlow’s hurling season had one more date that needed attending to. Today in Dr Cullen Park, they play off against Laois for the right to assume Liam McCarthy Cup status in 2009.

“It was a pity that we couldn’t celebrate properly. At the dinner we had the cup and I had to stand up and ask the lads to be careful this week to not go crazy. I’d say that was the last thing they wanted to hear!

“But they’re intelligent lads. We’d a good training session on Tuesday night and they’ll be ready for Laois. I was thrilled with our performance last Sunday. It’s what we were striving for since last year. You want to be at your best on the big day and that’s what we were.”

To be within touching distance of elite hurling status is something that delights the Carlow hurling senses. It’s what they have been yearning for and Greene feels they are ready for it.

“It’s everyone’s dream to play in the Liam McCarthy Cup. We spoke about achieving that before I took over and it’s been part of the plan ever since. The chance is hopping for us now and we must take it. It’s a vital game but we’ll need something similar to what we did last week.

“That was a great performance. Some of my family from Waterford were at the match and they were surprised at how good the standard was. We need to match that against Laois. If you’re going to move up then you have to be able to do it against teams like Laois. That’s the test of where you are at. This is the big chance for Carlow as a county.”