Dempsey demands overdue recognition

Luke Dempsey called for a little respect after his side pulled off a surprise Leinster championship result for the second successive season.

Last year, Carlow overcame Louth to qualify for the Leinster semi-finals for the first time since 1958. They didn’t win yesterday but drawing with one of the province’s traditional super powers deserves equal celebration, according to boss Dempsey.

“They certainly feel that in Carlow they are not given due recognition and that the general media don’t study Division 4 and realise how competitive it is,” said Dempsey.

“Look at Clare beating Limerick and our match with Clare [in the league] there was only a point in the difference. There’s tough competition down there. We’re playing at the unnoticeable end of the league but today was a marvellous day for the players to get that spotlight.”

Dempsey said he “thought it was gone at the end” so was happy to relive the game’s critical moment when Smith shot the equalising goal.

“Keith Jackson had only come on, his shot was parried by the Meath goalkeeper and JJ Smith, who had a great game, was at hand to score,” continued Dempsey, who praised his midfield and defence too.

The former Longford and Westmeath boss hit out at the decision to send Paul Reid off for an alleged strike, claiming it never happened, and he criticised referee Barry Cassidy for handing Meath more of the 50-50 decisions.

But it was probably Meath manager Seamus McEnaney’s post-match comments that were most intriguing as he insisted it was the ‘best possible result’ his side could have got.

“There was a period of the game where we went four points up and we missed five handy, scoreable chances,” said McEnaney. “This was the best possible result we could get out of here this evening. I’m delighted to have got the result we got.

“We’re back here next Saturday and I can tell you we have it all to do.”