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Wicklow GAA thread

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Replying To supersub15:  "At least 6 if not all teams in div 4 are capable individually of gaining promotion as of now."
It's all in everyone's hands still, there's only 2 rounds played.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 14843 - 02/02/2025 22:43:06    2589089

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Replying To supersub15:  "At least 6 if not all teams in div 4 are capable individually of gaining promotion as of now."
At this point it would be too early to say, or predict. This group is so close that any team could take points off any other. We are probably on or near the bottom but we have what - 7 more games to go. So, technically you are more correct in saying all are "capable" of going up but I do think that we are better than todays result. How much better remains to be seen. We scored 21 pts which would win most games, at least under the old rules, and if it's not wishful thinking, as today was our first competitive outing under the new rules, we might reasonably expect to improve. A worrying aspect from our point of view was that year we got demoted by leaking goals, and that London goal today proved costly.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1414 - 02/02/2025 22:49:15    2589092

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Wicklow are not as bad as yesterday's result. The new rules will take getting used to. London had the advantage of having a game under their belt. Promotion is still in our hands. Don't lose the faith just yet.

roseyinthegarden (Wicklow) - Posts: 125 - 03/02/2025 07:43:52    2589126

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Hearing that the hotel Wicklow players were put up in was closer to "hostel" then hotel.. music pumping all night and some rooms with couch beds or no bed sheets. Wicklow county board for you ….

Onlywayiswicklow (Wicklow) - Posts: 10 - 03/02/2025 08:19:30    2589131

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Replying To Onlywayiswicklow:  "Hearing that the hotel Wicklow players were put up in was closer to "hostel" then hotel.. music pumping all night and some rooms with couch beds or no bed sheets. Wicklow county board for you …."
You won't be popular on here if you criticise the suits. That's a " mortler" with some, to use a Brendan Grace phrase. It wouldn't surprise though. There was a time when that kind of thing was common. I remember chatting with the great Brian McNiff once and he was laughing at the state of the accomodation that our co Board had booked for the visiting Dinegal team. No hot water, few washing facilities etc. Donegal still won.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1414 - 03/02/2025 10:33:04    2589157

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Replying To Onlywayiswicklow:  "Hearing that the hotel Wicklow players were put up in was closer to "hostel" then hotel.. music pumping all night and some rooms with couch beds or no bed sheets. Wicklow county board for you …."
Our manager stated that his primary objective for 2025 was promotion to Division 3. This objective is still mathematically possible but there are serious question marks about a promotion push if you can't get a result against London. There are major concerns after yesterday result. Firstly, the team got off to a great start against London but once again failed to get a result. This is happening repeatedly. The team should've beaten Kildare in the championship last year but failed to close out the game. This sounds blunt but this is the difference between winners and losers. The team drew level with London yesterday in injury time at the end of the match. A team in this situation has to ensure they get a draw at least.

In attack, it appears that Kevin Quinn and Dean Healy were the primary scorers. It does surprise me that Eoin Darcy and Matthew Ging are behind Mark Kenny and Conor Fee in the pecking order based upon what the recent championship?

In the past I've defended the county board on this forum as I felt they are blamed for shortcomings that the clubs are responsible for but I do think that the county board don't have much ambition. Everything is done on a shoestring. Before anyone takes a pop at me, I understand about balancing budgets but there has to be a standard for operating.

There isn't much wiggle room now if the team is to be promoted. Yesterday's opponent were one of the easier away games in this campaign. Tougher tests lie ahead. I think the management need to have a serious think about their forward line as scoring is the name of the game with these new rules. We can't win games with only one forward being up to the standard required.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2057 - 03/02/2025 12:27:03    2589184

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With Limerick having already dropped 3 points Wexford are out and out favourites for promotion. Wicklow have 2 handy enough matches now in Aughrim over the next 2 weekends to get promotion back on track.
All is not lost yet. With a lot of poorteams capable of beating each other, there is a chance for Wicklow to put a run of results together and gain second promotion spot.

Jack L (None) - Posts: 3143 - 03/02/2025 19:46:17    2589290

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Replying To Freethinker:  "At this point it would be too early to say, or predict. This group is so close that any team could take points off any other. We are probably on or near the bottom but we have what - 7 more games to go. So, technically you are more correct in saying all are "capable" of going up but I do think that we are better than todays result. How much better remains to be seen. We scored 21 pts which would win most games, at least under the old rules, and if it's not wishful thinking, as today was our first competitive outing under the new rules, we might reasonably expect to improve. A worrying aspect from our point of view was that year we got demoted by leaking goals, and that London goal today proved costly."
At this point it would be too early to say, or predict. absolutely you are correct you are also correct when you say, This group is so close that any team could take points off any other. It doesn't matter who is at the bottom of the table now because that will change and change again before the remaining games are played.

London are not a soft touch for any county team they meet, at any time. Didn't Kerry score 5-15 against Derry and came away only by winning by 0-03.

The new rules are playing a big part in results since they came into play.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3113 - 03/02/2025 19:54:22    2589291

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That was a disappointing result. Just following online, going 5 up to no score it looked like it was going to be our day. But from the point when they got the goal it had feel of an upset. They seemed to make good use of the 2 pointers and getting them when ever we looked like pulling clear. I am as positive as i have been about a Wicklow team for a number of years, based on the age profile and being pretty completive in Div 3 last year, a good performance in the champions and I thinking playing a hand in Andy Moran not seeing a Leitrim future. But on the weekends results i could well eb wrong,, lets hope not. As the old saying goes, "goals and two pointers win games".

Groundskeeper5 (Wicklow) - Posts: 31 - 04/02/2025 08:56:20    2589342

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Replying To supersub15:  "At least 6 if not all teams in div 4 are capable individually of gaining promotion as of now."
Precisely. it is the most competitive division with noone to be feared and everyone to be respected. Thought Wicklow would be promoted at a canter but you just need a bit of luck too, like Leitrim had last year. Wexford should top table after last years disappointment but it is wide open now, would love to see London or Carlow do it either, they would need even more luck, but luck will not cut it in division 3 next year

gaelsboy (Leitrim) - Posts: 599 - 04/02/2025 10:58:51    2589378

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What is the general feeling about these new rules after 2 rounds ?? Anyone I have spoken to think that the games have become interesting and watchable again. I'm not too sure about the keeper being able to get involved so far up. The lads on "Off the Ball" seemed to think that Derry played an outfield player in goals against Kerry. Will the art of shot stopping and kick outs become redundant ?? And by the way, I got chastised here a week or two ago when I mentioned 3 up and 3 back. One lad said I was showing how I knew nothing about football, well, the ould Freethinker got that one right anyway - when you are attacking you have to leave 3 back and when you are defending you have to leave 3 up. At least that is the general consensus among people who know a lot more about this new game than I do.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1414 - 04/02/2025 20:52:15    2589515

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Replying To Freethinker:  "What is the general feeling about these new rules after 2 rounds ?? Anyone I have spoken to think that the games have become interesting and watchable again. I'm not too sure about the keeper being able to get involved so far up. The lads on "Off the Ball" seemed to think that Derry played an outfield player in goals against Kerry. Will the art of shot stopping and kick outs become redundant ?? And by the way, I got chastised here a week or two ago when I mentioned 3 up and 3 back. One lad said I was showing how I knew nothing about football, well, the ould Freethinker got that one right anyway - when you are attacking you have to leave 3 back and when you are defending you have to leave 3 up. At least that is the general consensus among people who know a lot more about this new game than I do."
The new rules are changing how football is being played. It also places an emphasis on man marking and on long range points. I think the review committee will need to review the goalkeeper as I think it is an unfair advantage especially if as you say a manager decides to play a forward in goals. Of course, the downside to this is can they do the basic and stop shots from the opposition. They'll either stop the goalkeeper leaving goals or they may compromise and say that the goalkeeper can't score from play. From a Wicklow perspective we need to get players on the pitch who can score two-pointers. I think this is the most fundamental change as it affects the scoreboard. For example, if a team get five scores from inside the arc, this is five points but if a team gets five scores outside the arc, this is equivalent to ten points; double the scoring. This is a massive difference. Equally on the flipside, a team doesn't want to concede frees outside the arc as most intercounty free takers will score two-pointers all day long. This is why it is so important to have defenders who can stand up a player without conceding a free. I'll be interested to see what half forwards Oisin picks for our next game. I think Kevin Quinn did well on Sunday but we need more forwards who can score from beyond the arc or inside forwards who can score goals.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2057 - 05/02/2025 09:08:44    2589541

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "The new rules are changing how football is being played. It also places an emphasis on man marking and on long range points. I think the review committee will need to review the goalkeeper as I think it is an unfair advantage especially if as you say a manager decides to play a forward in goals. Of course, the downside to this is can they do the basic and stop shots from the opposition. They'll either stop the goalkeeper leaving goals or they may compromise and say that the goalkeeper can't score from play. From a Wicklow perspective we need to get players on the pitch who can score two-pointers. I think this is the most fundamental change as it affects the scoreboard. For example, if a team get five scores from inside the arc, this is five points but if a team gets five scores outside the arc, this is equivalent to ten points; double the scoring. This is a massive difference. Equally on the flipside, a team doesn't want to concede frees outside the arc as most intercounty free takers will score two-pointers all day long. This is why it is so important to have defenders who can stand up a player without conceding a free. I'll be interested to see what half forwards Oisin picks for our next game. I think Kevin Quinn did well on Sunday but we need more forwards who can score from beyond the arc or inside forwards who can score goals."
JP Nolan actually scored more from play than Kevin. 5 of his 7 were frees. Healy was immense. 2 or 3 more like him and we would be in business. I would have thought that Gavin Fogarty is much better attacking half back that Darragh Fee. He was named on the team on Friday but didn't feature at all - unless he is injured. I'm not sure why Darcy and Ging don't feature more.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1414 - 05/02/2025 10:39:10    2589567

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Replying To Freethinker:  "JP Nolan actually scored more from play than Kevin. 5 of his 7 were frees. Healy was immense. 2 or 3 more like him and we would be in business. I would have thought that Gavin Fogarty is much better attacking half back that Darragh Fee. He was named on the team on Friday but didn't feature at all - unless he is injured. I'm not sure why Darcy and Ging don't feature more."
The point is that based on last Sunday, we don't have enough players who are capable of scoring points from outside the arc. I take your correction on JP Nolan and I agree Dean Healy is and has been immense for the last few years. Equally I agree that Division 4 is open but unless we can score two-pointers or goals we won't have to worry about promotion as we won't be in contention for promotion Our next game has become increasingly important to win as I can't see a team losing two matches being promoted unless there are some freakish results along the way.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2057 - 05/02/2025 14:44:33    2589606

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Matthew ging and Eoin Darcy can score goals and could go for 2 pointers in matches

lor12 (Wicklow) - Posts: 246 - 05/02/2025 14:49:41    2589609

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Replying To lor12:  "Matthew ging and Eoin Darcy can score goals and could go for 2 pointers in matches"
That's why it puzzles me that more use isn't made of them. We will see what happens on Saturday.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1414 - 05/02/2025 15:12:37    2589611

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I would be curious to know when the last time a player from either team in our senior county final didn't start a competitive game for Wicklow. Understandable in the bigger counties but unusual for ourselves who wouldn't have the most talented club players in the country… especially unusual when I felt it was one of the higher standard county finals I had been to throughout the years

Onlywayiswicklow (Wicklow) - Posts: 10 - 05/02/2025 16:02:11    2589622

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Replying To Onlywayiswicklow:  "I would be curious to know when the last time a player from either team in our senior county final didn't start a competitive game for Wicklow. Understandable in the bigger counties but unusual for ourselves who wouldn't have the most talented club players in the country… especially unusual when I felt it was one of the higher standard county finals I had been to throughout the years"
It is very unusual that not one player out of thirty from the county final weren't playing on Sunday. I suppose the obvious question to ask is - were they asked and turned down the opportunity to be involved I don't know. This doesn't explain the Ging-Darcy question as they are on the panel but weren't picked to start. I'd imagine they'll have to be changes made after defeat to London which is very damaging to our campaign. I certainly think we need a forward line that contributes more scores as I've outlined below. Watching any match, the teams with the ability to score goals and kick two pointers are winning the games. For example, Kerry were four points down to Derry with time almost up on Sunday and score three goals to win. This would be unheard of under the old rules.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2057 - 05/02/2025 16:52:44    2589631

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Replying To Freethinker:  "What is the general feeling about these new rules after 2 rounds ?? Anyone I have spoken to think that the games have become interesting and watchable again. I'm not too sure about the keeper being able to get involved so far up. The lads on "Off the Ball" seemed to think that Derry played an outfield player in goals against Kerry. Will the art of shot stopping and kick outs become redundant ?? And by the way, I got chastised here a week or two ago when I mentioned 3 up and 3 back. One lad said I was showing how I knew nothing about football, well, the ould Freethinker got that one right anyway - when you are attacking you have to leave 3 back and when you are defending you have to leave 3 up. At least that is the general consensus among people who know a lot more about this new game than I do."
Overall, new rules seem to be having a positive effect. After the second round of national league games , the participation of the goalkeeper up the pitch definitely seems to be the one that needs to be looked at as it's causing the very thing they were trying to remove with the over & back hand passing as the defending team tries to counteract being a man down by dropping in deep.

The solo & go looks really valuable to attacking teams in keeping the momentum of the attack moving,

For me, the two man only throw up doesn't offer much and seems like a change for the sake of change, as it's not really solving any great problem in my eyes.

As I said before on this, real test of the rules will come when club games start and a single official is responsible for managing all of this as opposed to the 8 officials officiating county games.

Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 152 - 05/02/2025 17:00:51    2589636

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The Wicklow players , Matt Nolan, Conor and Darren Fee had good games in the Sigerson semi final while Joe Prendegast was outstanding throughout. I just hope it doesn't affect their performance the weekend as the game had to go to extra time so an energy sapping game. Great to see Wicklow players playing so well at the top level in colleges football. Well done.

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - Posts: 136 - 05/02/2025 20:53:03    2589677

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