Meyler hails Carlow’s commitment

“Probably the most committed bunch of players I’ve ever been involved with” — that’s manager John Meyler on the Carlow squad that takes on Laois tomorrow in Portlaoise in the Leinster SHC quarter-final.

“Very committed, very determined. The fact they’re next door to Kilkenny has rubbed off on them, in that respect. The difference, though, is that all the clubs in Carlow are dual clubs, in Kilkenny it’s mainly hurling.”

There is another difference — size. Carlow is less than half the size of Kilkenny, has just over half the population (54,612 v 95,419). If that isn’t enough disadvantage, only a fraction of those in Carlow are actually playing hurling.