Róisín Bailey hopeful Carlow can continue winning streak in finals

Michael Bolton

Two finals in a matter of weeks for Carlow, as ladies football captain Róisín Bailey hopes to bring silverware back to the county once again.

After the men's side defeated Longford in the Division Four final in March, the ladies' footballers take on Leitrim in Sunday's Division Four final.

We are only in April, but Carlow fans could have a second reason to celebrate in a matter of weeks, as Bailey feels the excitement building across the county.

"There has been a buzz around the county and around football in general. With the hurlers winning the Joe McDonagh a couple of years ago, there was a great buzz around hurling in the county.

"It feels like football has taken centre stage a small bit, so it is nice for that. The lads have done brilliantly this year, getting promoted to Division Three, and they are on a real high.

"It would be great for us to mirror what they have done and bring home silverware to the county as well and add to the excitement around Carlow football at the minute."

It will be Leitrim standing in the way of silverware on Sunday, who won the 2024 All-Ireland Intermediate title.

Another county which does not have the biggest population and resources, Leitrim have shown what can be achieved as Bailey is happy to see the progress teams are making across the country.

"There are loads of teams following that pattern. Louth are in a Division Three final, Cavan are in a Division Two final; it is unbelievable to see teams like that progressing so well.

"Leitrim are an excellent team, and they have achieved so much. As a Division four team, that they are able to win an All-Ireland, it is something that we will strive for.

"Division four is so competitive. It doesn't get enough recognition, teams that are in Division four are then going on to compete in All-Irelands.

"Obviously you want to be playing in the higher divisions, but just because you are playing in Division four, it doesn't mean you are one of the weaker teams in the country."

In the championship last season, Carlow's season ended in the group stages, while also losing the Leinster final to Louth.

Now that promotion is secured, silverware into the championship is the next step.

"It would mean a lot to us.

"Winning is a habit, you gather that momentum. Bringing that with us into a really competitive Leinster championship would be massive.

"Whatever happens on Sunday happens, win or lose we would have to reset ourselves for Leinster, but winning is a habit we would like to continue."