Dempsey fast tracks Carlow's game plan

Leinster SF ChampionshipLittle is expected from them but Carlow's summer will nevertheless be defined on Sunday when they launch the Leinster Football Championship against Longford in Tullamore. After a forgettable couple of weeks some good fortune is long overdue.

It's tough being a Carlow player. Their manager Mick Condon departed the scene three weeks ago, when he fell out with the panel after their 19-point walloping in Donegal. All this amid rumours that the players went on a drink-fuelled session the night before the humiliating defeat. The players subsequently denied the initial spin on events. However, by that stage they had been labelled.

Carlow have long been tagged as championship also-rans. They live up to it due to a lack of organisation within the county.

There's no free gym membership from the county board, conditioning schedules are just a rumour to the players, while a couple of days in La Manga in preparation for the summer is a dream.

Donegal was their La Manga this year but it did not go exactly to plan. In contrast, Longford went to Cyprus.

Two weeks ago they turned to Luke Dempsey for redemption. Since Dempsey parted ways with Westmeath last year he has returned to his native Kildare, where he now trains Leixlip.

This current role has prevented him making a full commitment to Carlow; instead he is there as an "adviser" to the senior panel. Call it what you want, but along with selectors Dr Tom Foley and Declan McCarthy he picks the team.

It's not unfamiliar territory. He was a Carlow minor and under-21 and played in the O'Byrne Cup final defeat to Laois in 1979 before eventually moving to Kildare, were he played alongside Mick Condon of all people.

"They're great lads who just need some leadership," said Dempsey of his new charges. "What went on that weekend in Donegal is forgotten. Anyway the actual events were far different from the picture painted."

He arrived on a Sunday morning at Dr Cullen Park to realise there was no challenge match to prepare for that day. He duly got to work and by the Wednesday they had played Wexford, and won, while their preparations reached an acceptable level with another victory over Leitrim in Tullamore last Sunday.

Now the players have the confidence and knowledge of their surroundings come this weekend. At least there can't be as many excuses.

"The players are eager to play. There is a sheer determination to show people that they are not what they have been portrayed as."

All well and good, but what do they have to do to make the step out of the dark ages?

"For starters Carlow have to win on Sunday. They must stay in touch against Laois in the next round and then give a good showing in the qualifiers. They need back-to-back victories before they can get up to the level of say Westmeath in 2000."

Longford's quality players like Paul Barden and Niall Sheridan, if fit, may have something to say about that but all Dempsey can do in such a short space of time is attempt to bring his expertise into play.

"It's largely the same personnel but I have attempted to put my own stamp and bring my own style to the set-up."