The Mourne County coach behind Carlow’s incredible scoring efficiency

One of the most impressive statistics in the Championship season and one that is unlikely to be repeated, was the fact that Carlow did not record a single wide in their Leinster quarter-final win over Kildare, their first over the Lilywhites since 1953.

It speaks of the outstanding coaching job performed by Steven Poacher, Carlow’s coaching import from Down, who only last week the 2010 All-Star Marty Clarke was hailing as one of the best coaches he has ever worked with, urging Down to recruit him as soon as they could.

And yet, from Poacher’s viewpoint, the move that finished the game with a late goal by corner-back Conor Lawlor was for him the highlight of the game.