IT’S 29 YEARS since Carlow last played Dublin in the Leinster senior football championship.
That gap will come to an end on Saturday evening, when they face the daunting challenge of taking on a side that have claimed four All-Ireland titles over the past six seasons.
Dublin’s dominance is more pronounced in Leinster with 11 final victories in the past 12 years and it all contributes to the considerable task facing Carlow.
But Carlow boss Turlough O’Brien passionately objects to that line of thinking.
He believes too many counties in the province are over-awed by Dublin, with ‘traditionally strong powerhouses’ having ‘rolled over’ in recent years.
And he has also branded ‘a load of nonsense’, pundits wondering why teams like Carlow would give the commitment required at inter-county level.
After seeing off Wexford at the first round stage, O’Brien has lavished praise on Jim Gavin’s side ahead of their meeting at O’Moore Park.
He doesn’t agree that their success is solely down to resources and has paid tribute to their management, their scouting of opponents and the attitude of the players in the Dublin squad.
“Their players are very grounded, really they’re a great model to follow.”
“For all the success they’ve had, I don’t think they’ve bought into the hype at all.”
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