Carlow Hurling Manager Pat Bennett Criticizes Croke Park’s Support for Smaller Counties
Carlow Senior Hurling Manager Pat Bennett has voiced strong criticism of Croke Park, alleging a lack of support for developing hurling standards in counties outside of the traditional strongholds. The comments came after Carlow suffered a nine-point defeat to Kildare, putting their chances of avoiding relegation from Allianz Hurling League Division 1B in serious jeopardy.
Bennett’s Concerns After Kildare Defeat
Following the weekend’s loss to Kildare, Bennett expressed his frustration with the perceived indifference from the GAA’s governing body. “They don’t really care in Croke Park. It doesn’t really create a difference what we do, or what we strive to do,” Bennett stated to RTÉ Sport. [Source: RTÉ] He specifically questioned whether Croke Park considers the development of teams like Carlow and Kildare a priority, even if Kildare were to be relegated from the Leinster Championship.
Challenges Facing Carlow Hurling
Bennett highlighted the difficulties in building a competitive hurling team in Carlow, citing a limited player pool. The Carlow hurling championship consists of only six teams, which restricts the number of players available for selection. During his first season in charge, Bennett has utilized 29 players across five league games, giving opportunities to seven Under-20 players. [Source: RTÉ] He noted that Mount Leinster Rangers provided eight players for the match-day 26, and 19 players on his 32-man panel are drawn from just two clubs.
Kildare’s Strong Performance
The match against Kildare saw the latter dominate, scoring 12 points before registering their first wide. [Source: GAA.ie] Kildare secured their place in Division 1B for next season, demonstrating the success of their promotion and performance in the Joe McDonagh Cup last year. Muiris Curtin and Daire Guerin were key players in Kildare’s attack, contributing to their 3-22 to 1-19 victory. [Source: GAA.ie]
Bennett’s Appointment and Background
Pat Bennett was appointed as the Carlow Senior Hurling Manager for 2026. [Source: MSN] He is the father of Waterford hurling stars, and previously managed at the senior level.
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges, Bennett remains committed to improving Carlow hurling. He believes that greater support is needed for counties outside the established elite to assist them compete at the highest level. The situation highlights the ongoing debate about resource allocation and development within the GAA, and the necessitate to ensure a more level playing field for all counties.