PREVIEW: Senior Hurlers Aim To Get Back To Winning Ways Against Unbeaten Carlow

By Conor Martin 

Dublin host Carlow at Parnell Park on Saturday evening, looking for a response after back-to-back defeats (6pm). 

Dublin made a bright start to their 2025 Allianz Hurling League Division 1B campaign with wins over Antrim and Westmeath, but then lost out narrowly to Offaly and then Waterford, with late red cards for Conor Burke and Cian O’Sullivan in those games costing Dublin. 

Niall Ó Ceallacháin's side started the game against Waterford well. Brendan Kenny and Conor Donohoe got us up and running; Dónal Burke and Fergal Whitely would then keep us in touch with the hosts before O’Sullivan’s three-pointer on the stroke of half-time gave us a 1-11 to 0-12 lead.

Burke, Whitely and O’Sullivan helped Dublin into a five-point lead after his second goal in the 56th minute.

Seán Currie would join his teammates on the scoresheet to keep the Dubs in front before O’Sullivan’s sending off disrupted Dublin’s flow and they only scored one more point after being reduced to 14.

Patrick Curran scored Waterford’s goal in the 68th minute and from then on, Waterford went for the kill. Jamie Barron pulled them level in the 71st minute before a free from Stephen Bennett and a Curran point sealed the win for the hosts.

Niall Ó Ceallacháin’s men must keep their discipline against an impressive Carlow outfit this weekend, after letting the last two games escape their grasp. But they can rely on the likes of Dónal Burke, Whitely and Seán & Colin Currie to find scores as the Boys in Blue look to get back to winning ways. 

This weekend’s visitors to the capital, Carlow, have enjoyed a positive start to 2025. They are unbeaten after three games, which has seen them pick up a win against Waterford and share the spoils in their encounters with Offaly and Antrim. They’ve also played a game less than Dublin because their game against Laois was postponed. 

Carlow will have been disappointed they had to settle for just a draw in their last outing against Antrim. Thanks to Chris Nolan finding the net and Martin Kavanagh playing a major part in the Dolmen County’s attacking prowess, they held a 1-11 to 0-8 lead over Antrim at the break.

Jon Nolan and Ciaran Whelan kept the Carlow side of the scoreboard ticking alongside Kavanagh and Nolan, but Antrim had found themselves growing into the game and it was a one-point game when Conor Johnston scored Antrim’s first goal with six on the clock to go.

Nolan, Kavanagh and an injury-time score from Ted Joyce looked to have sealed maximum points for Carlow, but there would be late drama. With the whistle to the referee’s lips, Gerard Walsh was able to grab Antrim a second goal in the 74th minute to ensure the points were shared.

Kavanagh and Nolan will be two key players for Carlow this weekend, with the former scoring 0-09 in Carlow’s draw with Antrim. The pair also put in a massive shift in their win against Waterford in their second game, with Nolan scoring 2-3 that day and Kavanagh 0-10. Kavanagh also scored 0-12 in their tie with Offaly.

Jake Doyle is another asset to the Carlow attack, while Nolan and James Doyle are yet another threat. In defence, Paul Doyle, Dion Wall and Paldí O’Shea will look to frustrate the Dublin forward line as Tony Mullally’s men look to keep their unbeaten record going.

Dublin v Carlow recent Allianz Hurling league meetings:

●15th February 2020, Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow - Carlow 0-9 (9) - 0-20 (20) Dublin

●26th January 2019, Parnell Park, Dublin - Dublin 3-15 (24) - 0-18 (18) Carlow

●31st March 2013, Parnell Park, Dublin - Dublin 3-15 (24) - 0-11 (11) Carlow

You can buy tickets for this weekend’s game here.