Walsh takes centre stage for Carlow

THE focus in this game will largely be focused on how Thomas Walsh fares out in the midfield battle.

Walsh ends a three-year exile from the Carlow side by lining out for Luke Dempsey’s men but the intrigue is created by the fact he filled his time in the interim by playing for Wicklow, including an integral role last year’s qualifier run. His battle with former teammate James Stafford for supremacy around the middle will be central to settling this game. Walsh will be partnered by championship debutant Brendan Murphy who has made excellent progress since cutting short an AFL career with Sydney Swans. Dempsey should have no worries about his midfield tyro but will be hoping that the other four newcomers to championship football also settle, in particular inexperienced corner-back pairing Padraig Murphy and Benny Kavanagh. The loss of Daniel St Ledger and Eric McCormack through injury is a blow for Carlow however.

The inability to execute a concerted push for promotion during the league was a disappointment for Wicklow, with the defeats to Waterford and Clare proving costly. But Mick O’Dwyer’s judgment of his players in championship fare only is still pertinent and the stars of last summer are still around.