Carlow county hurling team
| Sport: | Hurling | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish: | Ceatharlach | ||
| Nickname(s): | The Barrowsiders[1] | ||
| County board: | Carlow GAA | ||
| Manager: | Tom Mullally | ||
| Home venue(s): | Dr Cullen Park, Carlow | ||
| Recent competitive record | |||
| Last championship title: | None | ||
| Current NHL Division: | 1B (4th in 2025) | ||
| Last league title: | None | ||
| |||
The Carlow county hurling team represents Carlow in hurling and is governed by Carlow GAA, the county board of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The team competes in the Joe McDonagh Cup and the National Hurling League.
Carlow's home ground is Dr Cullen Park, Carlow. The team's manager is Tom Mullally.
The team has never won the Leinster Senior Championship, the All-Ireland Senior Championship or the National League.
History
Carlow's last appearance in a Leinster Senior Hurling Championship (SHC) semi-final was in 1993, a game which Kilkenny won by 18 points. To date, this is Carlow's most recent appearance at that stage of the competition.
Carlow has won the Christy Ring Cup on three occasions. After losing the 2006 final to Antrim at Croke Park, the team defeated Westmeath by a scoreline of 3–22 to 4–16 (after extra time) in a classic 2008 final. This was Carlow's first "Division 2" win since 1992 – and a first in the re-arranged All-Ireland SHC structure, which saw four divisions in hurling from 2009.
Carlow repeated the feat the following year, defeating Down at Croke Park to win a second consecutive title and earn automatic promotion to tier one for the 2010 championship. Carlow played at that level until 2016, a year when the team was relegated from the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship. Carlow, however, won the 2017 Christy Ring Cup for a record-equalling third time, gaining promotion to a new competition, the 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup, which Carlow duly won, gaining promotion back to hurling's top tier and a chance to compete in the 2019 Leinster SHC, from which Carlow underwent relegation to the 2020 Joe McDonagh Cup, staying there until the 2023 Joe McDonagh Cup, which Carlow won, gaining promotion back to hurling's top tier and a chance to compete in the 2024 Leinster SHC.
On 11 May 2024, Carlow achieved an historic 1–20 – 1–20 draw with Kilkenny in the third round of the Leinster SHC.[2] However, defeats in Rounds 1, 2, 4 and 5 brought relegation to the 2025 Joe McDonagh Cup.
On 2 February 2025, Carlow recorded a first ever senior hurling competitive victory over Waterford during their NHL 1B second round meeting at Dr Cullen Park.[3]
Panel
Management team
- Management team confirmed on 3 February 2021:[4]
- Manager: Tom Mullally (appointed 21 January 2021)
- Selectors: Chris Kealy, Joe Nolan, Pat Murphy
- Coaches: John Dermody, Paddy Mullally
- Liaison officer: Michael Whelan (continuing)
Managerial history
Colm Bonnar left as manager in November 2020. Tom Mullally succeeded him, from January 2021.[5][6]
Players
Notable players
Captaincy
Records
- Edward Coady (Mount Leinster Rangers) – Christy Ring Cup SH winner 2008, 2009 Christy Ring All Star winner, Leinster Hurling Club winner Intermediate, Carlow Hurler of the Year winner 2006, winner of first All-Ireland Club Hurling title in Carlow 2012. Leinster Senior Hurling Club Championship winner 2013 first Carlow club or team to win a Leinster Championship at Senior 2013.
- James Hickey (Mount Leinster Rangers) – Christy Ring Cup winner SH 2008, 2009 Christy Ring All Star winner, Leinster Hurling Club winner Intermediate, Carlow Hurler of the Year winner 2009 winner of first All-Ireland Club Hurling title in Carlow 2012. Leinster Senior Hurling Club Championship winner 2013 first Carlow club or team to Win a Leinster Championship at Senior 2013.
- Johnny Nevin[7] (Old Leighlin GFC/Naomh Brid HC) - Railway Cup SF, SH, All-Ireland Senior B Football Championship 1994, Carlow Championship 1997, All-Ireland over-40s runner-up 2008
- Rory Dunbar (Carlow Town) – Christy Ring Cup winner 2009 2008 and Minor 2002.
- Des Murphy (Naomh Eoin, Myshall) – Christy Ring Cup SH 2008, all-time most SH appearances.
- Jim English (Erin's Own, Bagenalstown) – All-Ireland SHC 1947 (with Wexford), Railway Cup SH.
- Mark Mullins (Erin's Own, Bagenalstown) – All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship 1992, Cork SH captain 1995.
- Jim Treacy (St Mullins) – All-Ireland IHC 1961.
- Jamie McGrath (St Mullins) – County Championship 2001. Scored four goals to win game.
- Niall English (O'Hanrahan's GFC/Carlow Town HC) – All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship 1992.
- Shane Kavanagh (Naomh Eoin, Myshall) – Christy Ring Cup 2008, Railway Cup SH.
- Stephen Sheil (Kildavin/Clonegal) – Intermediate Hurling of the Year 1997 – played with the county from the age of 13 (1996 until 2004) He was rated one of the top defenders in the county and in all of Leinster. He won titles not only for County Carlow but also for County Wexford. He is the youngest of three boys, with Thomas and Derek also togging out in the county colours. Stephen's father Stephen Snr also played for Carlow in both hurling and football. After retiring from play, Sheil became involved in team management around Ireland.[8]
Top scorers
Awards
2005: Pat Coady, Robert Foley
2006: Pat Coady2nd, Des Murphy
2007: Andrew Gaul, Edward Coady
2008: Mark Brennan, John Rogers, Shane Kavanagh
2009: Andrew Gaul2nd, Shane Kavanagh2nd, John Rogers2nd, James Hickey
2017: Alan Corcoran, John Michael Nolan, James Doyle, Richard Coady
2020: Brian Tracey, Chris Nolan
2021: Chris Nolan2nd
2022: Martin Kavanagh, Chris Nolan3rd
2023: Brian Tracey2nd, Jack McCullagh, Diarmuid Byrne, James Doyle2nd, Chris Nolan4th, Paddy Boland, Martin Kavanagh2nd
2025: Paul Doyle, Chris Nolan5th, Martin Kavanagh3rd
Honours
National
- All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
- All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship
- Joe McDonagh Cup
- All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship
Winners (1): 1962
- Christy Ring Cup
- National Hurling League Division 1B
Win vs Waterford (1): 2025
- National Hurling League Division 2A
- All-Ireland Under-21 B Championship
Winners (1): 2008
- All Ireland Minor B Hurling Championship
Winners (5): 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
Provincial
- Leinster Intermediate Hurling Championship
Winners (1): 1962
- Leinster Junior Hurling Championship
Winners (2): 1906, 1970
- Leinster Minor B Hurling Championship
Winners (1): 1998
- Kehoe Cup Championship
Winners (6): 1986, 1990, 1992, 1999, 2005, 2006
References
- ^ "Team news: Carlow boss Carew rings changes ahead of derby". Hogan Stand. 29 May 2021.
The Barrowsiders scored a 16-point victory over Waterford two weeks ago and return to duty this weekend with a host of changes to their team-sheet.
- ^ Murphy, Kieran (11 May 2024). "Leinster SHC: Courageous Carlow draw with Kilkenny".
- ^ "History for Carlow as they down the Déise". RTÉ. 2 February 2025.
- ^ "Kilkenny All-Ireland winner Paddy Mullally part of his brother Tom's Carlow backroom team". Hogan Stand. 3 February 2021.
- ^ "Kilkenny native Mullally takes the reins in Carlow". RTÉ. 22 January 2021.
- ^ "Kilkenny native and Mount Leinster Rangers mastermind named Carlow hurling manager". The42.ie. 22 January 2021.
- ^ "Johnny Nevin's amazing record". Hogan Stand. 8 August 2003.
- ^ "Stephen Sheil appointed Sligo hurling manager". RTÉ. 6 October 2023.
- ^ Rooney, Declan (7 July 2018). "Limerick sweep Carlow aside to cruise in to All-Ireland SHC quarters". RTÉ.
- ^ Scully, Niall (17 June 2023). "Dublin set up All-Ireland quarter-final clash with Clare following victory over Carlow". Irish Independent.
- ^ Gallagher, Ciarán (1 July 2018). "Doyle and Nolan goals help Carlow see off Westmeath to claim McDonagh Cup". The42.ie.
- ^ "Carlow dig deep to snatch Joe McDonagh Cup from Offaly after extra time". Irish Independent. 27 May 2023.
- ^ "Carlow find something extra to foil three-in-a-row bid". The Irish Times. 4 August 2008.
- ^ "Carlow retain Christy Ring Cup". RTÉ. 11 July 2009. Archived from the original on 16 July 2009.
- ^ "Carlow too strong for Antrim as Christy Ring Cup final produces nine-goal thriller". Irish Independent. 10 June 2017.