Brian Barry
GAA Editor @BrianGBarry
Carlow footballer Paul Broderick says they have earned respect
Last Updated: 21/05/19 4:41pm
Carlow footballer Paul Broderick believes the county have earned the respect of opposition sides, ahead of their Leinster Championship opener against Meath on Saturday.
Turlough O'Brien's charges have made major progress in recent years, winning promotion from Division 4 in 2018. They also overcame Kildare last summer en route to reaching the Leinster Championship semi-final.
Broderick says on-field results have ensured teams are beginning to take them seriously.
"We're on the radar for teams where we hadn't been in previous years," said the Sky Sports Super Games Centre ambassador. "Our consistent performances in league and championship over the last number of years have meant that we're a serious opposition and we've earned a bit of respect."
All roads lead to Portlaoise on Saturday, as Carlow face a resurgent Royals side in O'Moore Park.
"A successful summer for Carlow is one where we have built on the steady progress we've made over the last couple of years," added Broderick.
"All we know what lies ahead of us is the Meath game. After that we're not sure what comes, but we'll give it our all."
Carlow enjoyed a positive start to life in Division 3 earlier this year, but their form took a dip and they were relegated after the final round of games.
Their woes were compounded when manager Turlough O'Brien, coach Stephen Poacher and player Brendan Murphy all received lengthy bans.
However, Broderick is focusing on the positives of the year to date.
"The league is always Carlow's number one goal, or has been for the last number of years. We maintained steady progress and got up from Division 4 to Division 3, which for us was a big step," he said.
"I hadn't realised until we reached Division 3 how small the margins are. Had another couple of results gone our way, maybe we would've been going in the other direction.
"But we'll steady the ship for championship and hopefully we can get another couple of wins under our belt and move into 2020 in a better place."
Sky Sports' live GAA coverage continues on Saturday May 25 as Mayo face Roscommon in the Connacht Football Championship on Sky Sports Arena from 7pm, with build-up starting on the red button from 6pm.
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