Carlow will have a new man in charge for 2025, with ex-Roscommon goalkeeper Shane Curran taking over in charge.
Cult hero Curran was officially ratified as the new manager at a county board meeting in Cullen Park on Wednesday. Curran lined out with Roscommon for 14 years during his playing career and has previous managerial experience with Padraig Pearses, Durrow, Caulry and the Roscommon U20s.
Speaking after he was ratified as Carlow manager, Curran thanked the county board for trusting him with the job, saying, "Any county can perform if they play with ambition to go with a mission."
Curran also confirmed that he had spoken with outgoing boss Niall Carew to get his advice on settling into his new role.
Carew himself this week spoke to the Irish Sun, and shared one difficulty he foresees for Curran in getting Carlow up and running in 2025.
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Niall Carew thinks Carlow successor will struggle without O'Byrne Cup
3 January 2024; Carlow manager Niall Carew during the Dioralyte O'Byrne Cup Round 1 match between Carlow and Kildare at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
The cancellation of pre-season tournaments for 2025 was announced this week, taking some by surprise in GAA spheres.
Much of the criticism has come from Ulster counties, with the Ulster council even suggesting there would be a knock-on effect on GAA programmes outside of pre-season tournaments.
The absence of pre-season competition is likely to be more keenly felt by the minnows of the game than the established contenders for Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy. Speaking to the Irish Sun this week, ex-Carlow manager Niall Carew shared his concern that the cancellation of the O'Byrne Cup would impact Shane Curran's introduction as Carlow manager.
Shane is now going to have to go out looking for challenge games, whereas you always had the O’Byrne Cup set in stone.
It was an ideal part of getting things in place for the new year and not having it will be a big hindrance for new managers in particular.
They’re trying to unearth a few lads and the only way to do that is to see them in competitive games. That opportunity is gone now, which won’t help new managers like Shane at all.
It will be fascinating to see what kind of impact the removal of pre-season competition has on counties such as Carlow.
For now, Shane Curran will be grateful of the support network helping him to settle into his new role.
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