2021 Carlow Senior Football Championship Explained

Competition:Carlow S.F.C.
Sponsor:Michael Lyng Motors
Season:2021
Relegated:O'Hanrahans
Continentalcup5:Leinster SCFC
Continentalcup5 Qualifiers:???
Continentalcup1:All Ireland SCFC
Continentalcup1 Qualifiers:???
Continentalcup2:Winning Captain
Continentalcup2 Qualifiers:Brian Murphy
Continentalcup3:Man of the Match
Continentalcup3 Qualifiers:Brian Murphy
Continentalcup4:Winning Manager
Continentalcup4 Qualifiers:Pat Ryan
Matches:17
Prevseason:2020
Nextseason:2022

The 2021 Carlow Senior Football Championship was the 121st edition of the Carlow GAA's premier club Gaelic football tournament for senior graded clubs in County Carlow, Ireland. The tournament consisted of eight teams, with the winner going on to represent Carlow in the Leinster Senior Club Football Championship. The championship began with a group stage and then progressed to a knock-out stage.

Éire Óg were the defending champions after they defeated Rathvilly in the previous year's final.

This was Ballinabranna's return to the senior grade after claiming the 2020 Carlow Intermediate Football Championship title, thus ending a two-year exodus since being relegated in 2018. O'Hanrahans were relegated to the 2022 Carlow Intermediate Football Championship.

Team changes

The following teams have changed division since the 2020 championship season.

To S.F.C.

Promoted from 2020 Carlow Intermediate Football Championship

From S.F.C.

Relegated to 2022 Carlow Intermediate Football Championship

Group stage

There was one group of four teams and one group of five teams in 2021. The top two teams in each group competed in the semi-finals. The bottom team in each group competed in the relegation Final.

Group A

Team
Rathvilly44006035+258
Bagenalstown Gaels43106043+176
Mt. Leinster Rangers4220444404
Old Leighlin 41304760-132
Ballinabranna40405675-190

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Group B

Team
Éire Óg33007626+506
Palatine32104741+64
Tinryland 31203144-132
O'Hanrahans30302468-440

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Knock-out stages

Finals

The winners and runners up of each group qualify for the quarter finals.

Quarter-finals

Bagenalstown Gaels and Mt. Leinster Rangers advanced to the 2021 semi finals.

Semi-finals

Rathvilly and Eire Og advanced to the 2021 final.[7]

Final

Rathvilly won a first title since 2014 and prevented finalist Éire Óg from winning five consecutive titles.[8] [9] [10]

Leinster Senior Club Football Championship

There was no Leinster Club Championship in 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games.

References

Notes and References

  1. News: Ken McGuire . 24 October 2021 . Listen again: Rathvilly v Bagenalstown Gaels, Carlow SFC (24/10/21) . Scoreline .
  2. News: Sunday's results as they happen. Hogan Stand. 20 September 2020.
  3. News: Bambrick and Dowling goals help guide Old Leighlin to opening SFC win. 29 September 2021. Carlow Nationalist.
  4. News: Amond kicks winner after a battle between an irresistible force and an immovable object.
  5. News: Saturday's club results round-up. Hogan Stand. 12 September 2020.
  6. News: Sunday's results as they happen. Hogan Stand. 20 September 2020.
  7. News: Carlow SFC: Éire Óg and Rathvilly set for final showdown. Irish Examiner. 7 November 2021. Both sides enjoyed relatively easy victories over Mount Leinster Rangers and Bagenalstown Gaels respectively at Netwatch Cullen Park yesterday..
  8. News: Rathvilly end Éire Óg drive for five to win Carlow SFC. RTÉ. 14 November 2021.
  9. News: Eire Og crowned Carlow SFC champions for 30th time. Hogan Stand. 8 August 2021.
  10. News: Éire Óg win 30th Carlow SFC title with victory over Rathvilly. Irish Examiner. Carlie. Keegan. 8 August 2021.