By Cian O’Connell

Brian Tracey appreciates that this is an exciting time for Carlow hurling. A second Joe McDonagh Cup title in six years has been earned to underline the hard work carried out in the county during the past couple of decades.

Tom Mullaly’s charges were primed to make an impact in the summer. Now an All-Ireland SHC Preliminary Quarter-Final against Dublin beckons at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday. Delivering in the Joe McDonagh Cup mattered hugely to Carlow.

“We targeted the competition from early on in the year, we said at the start of the year we had three competitions,” Tracey remarks. “We were developing a panel. We are a small county with limited numbers, we are trying to bring as many through in the early competitions, to get as many numbers on the field as possible. It paid off.

“There is no point in complaining about it, we have what we have. That is it, we try to do the very best with what we have. We have had some very good years, some bad years, as in sport as in all walks of life you'll have more bad than good.”

It is precisely why Tracey is relishing these days. “It has been a good year,” the Carlow custodian adds. “

“Any year you get to Croke Park, to win your final in the Joe McDonagh. The Joe McDonagh was our All-Ireland final, we have achieved that. So we can tick that off the box and put it down as 2023 being a good year so far.”

The Dublin fixture will be demanding. Laois illustrated what can be achieved after capturing the Joe McDonagh Cup when beating Dublin four years ago.

“We are looking forward to playing Dublin on Saturday, hopefully there will be a big crowd, just to add to the occasion,” Tracey says. “We are no under illusions, Dublin have never played in the Joe McDonagh; Dublin are a top, top team.

“You saw the spectacle Galway and Kilkenny put on at the weekend, Dublin went toe to toe with both teams for 70 plus minutes in both games in the Leinster Championship.

“Even in the League they went very well, they got some great results. They are playing at a higher level for the last couple of years, it is up to us to get to that level.”

Maintaining high standards is what every goalkeeper craves. Tracey thoroughly enjoys the planning and preparation. The requirements have changed somewhat throughout Tracey’s career with Carlow. “It is the changing of the game, it is the development of it over the last few years,” Tracey says.

“Maybe years ago it was hoof the ball as far as you can, you see over the last decade how it has changed in stages. In the last few years how much more important possession is now, that is a huge part of it. I enjoy it, if you didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't be there.”

Conversations with coaches take place, advice is always available. There is a constant thirst for knowledge.

“You always have guys to help you, in fairness,” Tracey states. “Any manager that I've had be it club level or county level they've had a lot of advice and little niches for the goal.

“Everyone has a different view on it. When you are as long in the tooth as I am, you learn them. That is the key thing, that you are still learning, whether you win, lose or draw. That you are learning from game to game, year to year, and you still keep moving forward with the game.”

Mullaly has connected with the Carlow team. The manner in which the Joe McDonagh Cup was won highlighted the passion that exists in Carlow. “You just look at Tom's CV, it speaks for itself,” Tracey says.

“He has done great work in Carlow back in the early teens with Mount Leinster Rangers. Even at the minute he is managing ourselves and Naas, he is juggling two big jobs, and is thriving with both of them, in fairness to him.”

One of Tracey’s former bosses, Colm Bonnar, is another important figure in the Carlow hurling story. “He put a very good group of hurlers together, he was an excellent manager,” Tracey responds.

“He brought excellent camaraderie into the group, in 2017 when he started off and from then until 2020 we had some very good years. We had some great success, some good days and bad days. We have been lucky enough to have a good group of hurlers come through over the last few years.”

One important factor in the development is the increasing number of Carlow players figuring in the Fitzgibbon Cup. “Carlow IT (SETU Carlow) in the last few years and in that similar era of those few years from 2015 on, even up to today, they have been very competitive,” Tracey says.

“That has added to Carlow's hurling too. The higher competition and level you play, of course it is going to make you that bit better. It is why everyone strives to be at the top of their game for as long as they can.”

Carlow are embracing this productive stint. Tracey continues to provide plenty of inspiration.