Joe Murphy hoping Carlow rises on night of firsts

'First' was certainly the word of choice for Carlow’s thrilling extra-time Allianz Football League triumph over Longford – and manager Joe Murphy is hoping that the impact can be felt when the championship season kicks into gear next month. A first senior men’s football title won at Croke Park ever. A first win on Jones’ Road since 1971 when they beat Wicklow in a league match played at HQ as a curtain-raiser for the Garden County’s All-Ireland JHC final win over Hertfordshire, having beaten Roscommon in the ‘home’ final. A first piece of silverware since their 2002 O’Byrne success, Wicklow again the opposition, and a first national title...