Stephen Glennon (Sports reporter with The Nationalist, Carlow edition)

Expectations in the county: "Expectations are fairly mixed. The mood was hopeful early on in the year, but it's more cautious now. People feel that the individual players mightn't be as strong, but as a team they are more capable of grinding out results."

The club scene: "I think the club rivalry thing is subsiding a little now. After O'Hanrahan's won the Leinster club championship, I think there's more respect there, especially between Eire Og and O'Hanrahan's."

How supporters view the manager: "A lot of people couldn't understand the closed panel, but Pat Roe said early on he wanted to put a structure in place and stick with it. As for the O'Hanrahan's issue (the Leinster club champions have only two representatives on the team), well if they win Pat Roe will be a great manager but if they lose the issue might come up again."

How supporters view the county board: "Earlier in the year the board was in the spotlight and there was a lot of debate after the county side only turned up with 14 players for a B Championship match against Wexford. I think there's a realisation now that things have to be done properly. Liam Griffin and John O'Mahony, who you would say believe in player power, were invited to talk to the panel recently. O'Mahony told them that you needed five-star preparation if you wanted five-star players."