Carlow bridging the divide and already tracking to the future  

"On Saturday evening, we will have a fair idea where Carlow are at for 2023 and more importantly 2024,” says Joe McDonagh Cup-winning keeper Brian Tracey

POSITIVITY FLOWING: Brian Tracey of Carlow poses for a portrait with the Liam MacCarthy cup at Kilmacthomas Viaduct in Waterford. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Last time it took six days of head-in-the-clouds euphoria before they came crashing back to earth with a bump. In 2018, Carlow were Joe McDonagh Cup champions and set to play Munster’s third-placed team. The All-Ireland champions in waiting.

Limerick were coming to town. Little did they know what the green machine would become. The result was a 24-point defeat. This time is different. After overcoming Offaly in an extra-time blockbuster final last month, Carlow had three weeks before the preliminary quarter-final. They welcome Dublin to Netwatch Cullen Park at 5.00pm today.