National Hurling League Division 1B relegation play-off: Offaly v Carlow (tomorrow, Born na Mona O’Connor Park, 2pm)
A WEEK can be a long time in sport and Carlow will be hoping it’s long enough to reverse a seven-point defeat to Offaly.
A spot in the newly-structured 2020 Division One is the prize at O’Connor Park tomorrow afternoon and the Faithful county will feel that it’s something they can secure after their out of the blue showing last weekend.
Kevin Martin’s side travelled to Cullen Park with zero points and a scoring difference of -42 after four games.
Although an escape from the relegation play-off was impossible, they produced some quality hurling that had been missing thus far.
Joe Bergin and Shane Dooley both found the net in the 4-8 to 0-13 win and the result will offer renewed hope ahead of this clash.
Carlow boss Colm Bonnar was remaining positive this week but he must surely be wondering how they are in this position.
They really pushed Dublin hard in round one before they securing a draw with Galway in one of their most famous results in recent times. Waterford proved much too strong in round three but they showed real grit to earn a draw with Laois despite finishing with 14 men following Richard Coady’s dismissal.
That’s why the feeble home loss to Offaly was so unexpected, even if it was played in atrocious conditions. One team was in good form, one was in awful form yet it was Martin’s men who looked the hungrier even though it was Carlow who had something to play for.
That’s the angle Bonnar will likely be focusing on this week. He’ll demand that his side show the determination that had served them so well in the early stages of the League. Carlow should have enough to survive.
