CARLOW FOOTBALLERS came under unfavourable scrutiny when whacked by a bunch of students in the O'Byrne Cup; but then hardly any reason to tremble so early in the year. It was probably seen as just a collection of hardly academics having the temerity to bring down a county selection and so beef up their Sigerson image.

Board delegates scratched temples, but then they didn't have an answer to the result, nor the twelve clubs which we're told had not contributed a player to the senior squad. But then they'll be all the stronger come the leagues with county players prevented from county duties.

Yet no-one asked those clubs why they had no representation on the panel, not indeed did any of the indicted venture if any of their corps had been invited.

O'Byrne results are insignificant, yet can often indicate the route a squad is likely to take, and Carlow's following match against Wicklow must be a ray of hope that at least this collection of players have the ability to banish poor form and lift their game to a higher level, even if at the moment it would not crack too many eggs.

What a pity so many clubs adopt such an indifference towards the tri-colour, at least in football. If what many consider far from the county's best team can snub Micko's lot a second time in DCP when what could a full assembly achieve?

Crib at results, sure, but consider the efforts of those who have volunteered, and they realising they are joining an initiative which hasn't succeeded for many, many years, and I for one don't count the all-Ireland B title or an O'Byrne Cup for that matter as achievement.

It is moot point as to the penetration possibility of a full Carlow team, but do club delegates, who wax so lyrical (if at all) on a range of subjects which effect their own patch, not feel any tinge of guilt when sharing the same administrative platform as those whose clubs forward their best to county training.

Would those clubs 'mentioned' at the last board meeting not see breaking free of a Division 4 address as an achievement, and if so would they not be slightly embarrassed if they had players on the same level, or perhaps even better than those who fashioned the feat? It's a selfishness which would hardly be found in Kilkenny or Kerry or indeed other counties where players do not have to be invited for county service but put themselves in line. It is that insular attitude which has held Carlow senior football in chains for decades, indeed back to the '60s when they last traded with the heavyweights. Shedding the shackles of such a long innings of frustrating defeat will not come overnight, and not with the current crop which may not have the necessary years of heavy training to make a breakthrough, but they could point the way by a decent league run and encourage the next wave to take it a rung further.

Carlow is too small a county to even think of facing the outside world without every body on board, and clubs should feel some guilt if they prevent or dissuade their own from aiding the cause. Indeed, they should take some pride in encouraging candidates for county teams if they are to consider themselves part of the community.

It is also frustrating for the fans, who wish for a team worth following, to turn up to halfhearted effort. But then they too are choosy and only want to be heard on sunny days. How many of those who will turn up in Wexford Park on May 16 will have seen a league game? Micko didn't display riches recently here, yet Wicklow enjoyed their greatest number of championship matches last season and they'll stand shoulder to shoulder on May 16. Is it the man, or the belly of the players? We'll soon find out, but come that day will Carlow have developed the edge for the ultimate battle? The last time the counties met on that ground the Garden was hosed. What is preventing a repeat? The belief that Micko seemingly instils, but when neither he or Luke Dempsey have hypodermics to inject bottle, that comes from within, and long before May we'll just how much Carlow have, with or without those who stand and watch.

- Paul Donaghy