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Replying To TopDrawer: "Any Wicklow players in the Sigerson?" There are some. Not sure of them all but at least 2 were on the TUD team beaten by Queens Wednesday night - Prendergast from Greystones and Fee from Roundwood. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2061 - 30/01/2026 11:18:16 2654025 Link
Replying To TopDrawer: "Any Wicklow players in the Sigerson?" Conor Fee and Joe Prendergast started for TUD the other night, Jack Hardy on the bench for Maynooth. That was it as far as I could see Dunlavin4Miley (Wicklow) - Posts: 38 - 30/01/2026 11:55:38 2654038 Link
i was at match last week no one on here ever chats about condition at match . It was very bad the last day , Handling conditions for both teams were terriable surely match on saturday has to be canceled . There is no supporters bus going on sat for supporters . lor12 (Wicklow) - Posts: 256 - 30/01/2026 16:44:53 2654075 Link
Replying To lor12: "i was at match last week no one on here ever chats about condition at match . It was very bad the last day , Handling conditions for both teams were terriable surely match on saturday has to be canceled . There is no supporters bus going on sat for supporters ." Agreed I put a post up with a positive comment and its tumbleweeds on here,It's a very negative group. I wonder when will they let us know about tomorrow evening? Albundy19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 127 - 30/01/2026 19:14:04 2654089 Link
Replying To Albundy19: "Agreed I put a post up with a positive comment and its tumbleweeds on here,It's a very negative group. I wonder when will they let us know about tomorrow evening?" It's not that anyone disrespects you or your opinions or observations, but the general consensus from the journalists covering the game and even the manager was that we were very lucky to escape with the two points. When your goalkeeper is the leading scorer and a midfielder and 1 forward score from play, that tells its own story. I read that we fluffed 4 goal chances, albeit that the peno came off one of those. I am too old to be going to matches mid winter so I rely on these reporters and people like you for their opinions on games, so please keep it up. . Here's hoping our guys click tomorrow night. We all know that those inside forwards are capable of much more, both those on the pitch and those on the bench. It's good to see young Quinn back in the match day. squad. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2061 - 30/01/2026 21:46:01 2654099 Link
A defining game tonight i feel for both teams. Carlow are on a high after their away win while we struggled but never gave up and came away with a win dominated by our free takers over a young Leitrim side. Carlow seem to be in a better position having an important away win against stronger opposition and now with home advantage and some weaker teams facing them in future games. We have tough games ahead including tonight but i feel its not all doom and gloom. Its a plus to see Quinn and Kirwan back in the subs which will add height, ball catching ability and add more scoring chances in the game. The inclusion of young Nolan is another plus and will add more drive towards goal. Maybe it was good to get that performance out of the way last weekend as we all know that we find it difficult to put two good performances back to back. We tend to lift our game against Carlow and tonight could be such an occasion. I think the players will have a point to prove and there will be more of a spring in their step. However we know that we need to do some basic things correctly. We must win more of the aerial challenges in midfield. We must win more breaking ball around midfield. Ŵe are poviding goal chances but not converting them. I think we will need 2 tonight to win. We must get the ball in early to give our light forwards breathing space , scoring opportunities and keep Carlow pinned back. We have to get more scores across all our forwards and have a greater spread of scoreŕs. We must assign šome markers to the influential carloŵ players and we must stop the Carlow backs from coming out freely with the ball. Í think we can lift our game tonight and come away with the spoils. To our supporters, get to Carlow and give your appreciation to the team for all their effort and training on those dark wet nights in Ballinkill. Best wishes to players and management. Come on Wicklow ! Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - Posts: 142 - 31/01/2026 08:45:53 2654110 Link
Back from Carlow. Very poor performance. Bar the good start. 1-2 to 0-0 up early on. Carlow played with a very direct attacking style. Wicklow recycled and meandered and tediously moved slowly. It was painful to watch. I found myself enjoying Carlow's incisive movement simply because it was so much better to watch! Jackson scored 0-6 of our 1-7 in the 1st half. In the second half we could have been beaten by 10. We barely won a contested kickout. We were so lucky Carlow despite kicking great points kicked so many wides. And yet we almost undeservedly drew the game. Podge O'Toole got a goal from close range with about 10 minutes to go. Then with the last kick of the game, it appeared Wicklow had scored a 3rd goal. It was hard to tell if this was the right call. Either way we deservedly lost. Our slow insipid build up needs to end if we are to improve, it's ineffective and incredibly predictable and I'd imagine quite easy to defend against. Wicklowman (Wicklow) - Posts: 1149 - 31/01/2026 22:30:01 2654226 Link
Very poor performance tonight. As stated in another message unless wicklow play attacking fast football then forget about it. Like last year after 2 rounds we are now under pressure to qualify. It certainly can be done but everything from management to team has to improve kodak13 (Wicklow) - Posts: 116 - 31/01/2026 23:59:48 2654241 Link
Replying To Wicklowman: "Back from Carlow. Very poor performance. Bar the good start. 1-2 to 0-0 up early on. Carlow played with a very direct attacking style. Wicklow recycled and meandered and tediously moved slowly. It was painful to watch. I found myself enjoying Carlow's incisive movement simply because it was so much better to watch! Jackson scored 0-6 of our 1-7 in the 1st half. In the second half we could have been beaten by 10. We barely won a contested kickout. We were so lucky Carlow despite kicking great points kicked so many wides. And yet we almost undeservedly drew the game. Podge O'Toole got a goal from close range with about 10 minutes to go. Then with the last kick of the game, it appeared Wicklow had scored a 3rd goal. It was hard to tell if this was the right call. Either way we deservedly lost. Our slow insipid build up needs to end if we are to improve, it's ineffective and incredibly predictable and I'd imagine quite easy to defend against." I've been saying this about our approach to the game for a few years now and getting slated for my negativity. If our style of play doesn't change, we will be in the basement again next year. There are no easy games in this division. I was always wary of this Carlow team. They are going about their business in a more inventive way while we chop and change but still have too much of that "puke football" mentality to embrace the changes that the "new rules" were supposed to bring. No more time for excuses. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2061 - 01/02/2026 09:51:59 2654260 Link
Replying To Wicklowman: "Back from Carlow. Very poor performance. Bar the good start. 1-2 to 0-0 up early on. Carlow played with a very direct attacking style. Wicklow recycled and meandered and tediously moved slowly. It was painful to watch. I found myself enjoying Carlow's incisive movement simply because it was so much better to watch! Jackson scored 0-6 of our 1-7 in the 1st half. In the second half we could have been beaten by 10. We barely won a contested kickout. We were so lucky Carlow despite kicking great points kicked so many wides. And yet we almost undeservedly drew the game. Podge O'Toole got a goal from close range with about 10 minutes to go. Then with the last kick of the game, it appeared Wicklow had scored a 3rd goal. It was hard to tell if this was the right call. Either way we deservedly lost. Our slow insipid build up needs to end if we are to improve, it's ineffective and incredibly predictable and I'd imagine quite easy to defend against." Thank you for sharing your view on the game. I'm away at the moment so I didn't make it to the game. Following the game on social media, it is obvious as to what the team's main problem is - it is a lack of scoring forwards. Watching club championship games, it seems to me there are a lack of scoring forwards in the county. Mark Jackson is a great asset to the team in terms of his ability to score one and two-point frees but a team needs scores from more than one or two sources. Mark Jackson for Wicklow is equivalent to Rory Beggan is for Monaghan but Monaghan don't rely as heavily on Beggan's scores as Wicklow does on Jackson. This must change if this team is to move up to the next level. I watched the disallowed goal and I think the goal could have stood. The square ball rule is a mess, it is clear what a square ball is; what is unclear is how the rule can be implemented consistently. Of course this team can still win promotion but the scoring rate will need to increase and more players will need to contribute. There is no room for slippage now, the team will need to go unbeaten for the rest of the league to be in with a chance of promotion. Hopefully the team can get back to winning ways in their next game in two weeks. wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2161 - 01/02/2026 10:17:05 2654261 Link
Replying To wicklowsupport: "Thank you for sharing your view on the game. I'm away at the moment so I didn't make it to the game. Following the game on social media, it is obvious as to what the team's main problem is - it is a lack of scoring forwards. Watching club championship games, it seems to me there are a lack of scoring forwards in the county. Mark Jackson is a great asset to the team in terms of his ability to score one and two-point frees but a team needs scores from more than one or two sources. Mark Jackson for Wicklow is equivalent to Rory Beggan is for Monaghan but Monaghan don't rely as heavily on Beggan's scores as Wicklow does on Jackson. This must change if this team is to move up to the next level. I watched the disallowed goal and I think the goal could have stood. The square ball rule is a mess, it is clear what a square ball is; what is unclear is how the rule can be implemented consistently. Of course this team can still win promotion but the scoring rate will need to increase and more players will need to contribute. There is no room for slippage now, the team will need to go unbeaten for the rest of the league to be in with a chance of promotion. Hopefully the team can get back to winning ways in their next game in two weeks." You are correct in pointing out our lack of scoring forwards., whether this is from a lack of ability or a lack of quick ball in before the space becomes filled up with defenders is open to discussion. Another glaring deficiency presently is our defence. Both Leitrim and Carlow cut us open too easily. Now we can really appreciate the job P O'Keane ( who I thought was the stand out candidate for footballer of the year) did for the last few years. He obviously hasn't been replaced. I know that Matt Nolan is injured also so that's your full back and centre back combo from last year gone. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2061 - 01/02/2026 11:24:13 2654269 Link
Replying To wicklowsupport: "Thank you for sharing your view on the game. I'm away at the moment so I didn't make it to the game. Following the game on social media, it is obvious as to what the team's main problem is - it is a lack of scoring forwards. Watching club championship games, it seems to me there are a lack of scoring forwards in the county. Mark Jackson is a great asset to the team in terms of his ability to score one and two-point frees but a team needs scores from more than one or two sources. Mark Jackson for Wicklow is equivalent to Rory Beggan is for Monaghan but Monaghan don't rely as heavily on Beggan's scores as Wicklow does on Jackson. This must change if this team is to move up to the next level. I watched the disallowed goal and I think the goal could have stood. The square ball rule is a mess, it is clear what a square ball is; what is unclear is how the rule can be implemented consistently. Of course this team can still win promotion but the scoring rate will need to increase and more players will need to contribute. There is no room for slippage now, the team will need to go unbeaten for the rest of the league to be in with a chance of promotion. Hopefully the team can get back to winning ways in their next game in two weeks." Yes far too much reliance on Jackson. Podge O'Toole's 2 goals aside that's 0-3 between the rest of them including subs. Carlow's passing was always with purpose. Wicklow always seemed to turn back and recycle even when in range of scoring. That to me says a lack of confidence in one's ability to score and negative coaching. Have a go. You might just score. At least the ball will go dead and you won't be dispossessed on the half forward line leading to a counter. Wicklowman (Wicklow) - Posts: 1149 - 01/02/2026 11:30:56 2654272 Link
Replying To Wicklowman: "Yes far too much reliance on Jackson. Podge O'Toole's 2 goals aside that's 0-3 between the rest of them including subs. Carlow's passing was always with purpose. Wicklow always seemed to turn back and recycle even when in range of scoring. That to me says a lack of confidence in one's ability to score and negative coaching. Have a go. You might just score. At least the ball will go dead and you won't be dispossessed on the half forward line leading to a counter." Good post. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2061 - 01/02/2026 12:07:19 2654278 Link
Replying To Wicklowman: "Yes far too much reliance on Jackson. Podge O'Toole's 2 goals aside that's 0-3 between the rest of them including subs. Carlow's passing was always with purpose. Wicklow always seemed to turn back and recycle even when in range of scoring. That to me says a lack of confidence in one's ability to score and negative coaching. Have a go. You might just score. At least the ball will go dead and you won't be dispossessed on the half forward line leading to a counter." Are the county board paying a forwards coach? In previous couple of seasons Frankie Dolan was involved, not sure if he is part of backroom teacm. Ok, a coach can't play himself but the return from the forwards in our first two games is abysmal even by division four standards. Questions about management's approach needs to be asked. I'm not saying it is the root cause but the current approach is clearly not working so something needs to change. You are correct, if forwards are in a good attacking situation - shoot. I hate this recycling of possession over and over, it makes the opposition's job much easier. No disrespect to Carlow but our team had only a couple of players who could score and Wicklow could've got a draw at the end, Carlow can't be that good. wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2161 - 01/02/2026 14:16:26 2654295 Link
Replying To wicklowsupport: "Are the county board paying a forwards coach? In previous couple of seasons Frankie Dolan was involved, not sure if he is part of backroom teacm. Ok, a coach can't play himself but the return from the forwards in our first two games is abysmal even by division four standards. Questions about management's approach needs to be asked. I'm not saying it is the root cause but the current approach is clearly not working so something needs to change. You are correct, if forwards are in a good attacking situation - shoot. I hate this recycling of possession over and over, it makes the opposition's job much easier. No disrespect to Carlow but our team had only a couple of players who could score and Wicklow could've got a draw at the end, Carlow can't be that good." Clearly carlow were by far best team last night Bimb (Carlow) - Posts: 576 - 01/02/2026 15:08:25 2654301 Link
Replying To Bimb: "Clearly carlow were by far best team last night" Probably but ye still needed the referee to blow his whistle at the end to get your two points. wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2161 - 01/02/2026 16:06:48 2654322 Link
I really think Wicklow should change minor to u18 as should the gaa change it back to u18 county minor do you think there is any chance of this happening. Wicklowwinner67 (Wicklow) - Posts: 6 - 01/02/2026 20:05:06 2654425 Link
I was at last nights game and the Leitrim game. Carlow were deserved winners last night and are a better football team than us, I expect them to win the league. McConville has gone to the media today bemoaning referee decisions, thats worrying. Wicklow did not deserve to get anything from last nights game. To give him his due, his verdict after the Leitrim game was spot on. We were very lucky to get the win. I will also say his half time team talk was impressive last week, as we came out in the second half went 6 up, but coughed that lead up which is a running theme. Strangely I still expect us to be promoted, I feel we have the players to do so. However the favourites tag we received in the run up to the league does not suit us. That will in my opinion be the highlight, as we will not go as far in the Tailteann Cup this year. Once we come up against Division 3 opposition we will be knocked out. So even if promotiom happens this year, we wont last in Division 3. There are those who will call this outlook negative, but if you are going to the games its hard to see otherwise. McConville to his credit has stayed on in the hope of getting us promoted to put on his CV. This is his final year with us, he will not stay a second year promoted or not. Hopefully last nights defeat gives us the jolt we need and we get promotion. Then tear up the script go on a run in the Tailteann, but not going off performances so far. JohnnyBlaze (Wicklow) - Posts: 56 - 01/02/2026 20:10:36 2654429 Link
Replying To Wicklowwinner67: "I really think Wicklow should change minor to u18 as should the gaa change it back to u18 county minor do you think there is any chance of this happening." A motion to do that was defeated at Co Convention just a few weeks ago. There were a fair few opinions expressed on here about that at the time. The finger was pointed at the smaller clubs at the time. I'm not too sure how accurate that might be. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2061 - 01/02/2026 20:36:15 2654437 Link
Replying To Freethinker: "A motion to do that was defeated at Co Convention just a few weeks ago. There were a fair few opinions expressed on here about that at the time. The finger was pointed at the smaller clubs at the time. I'm not too sure how accurate that might be." I've heard a lot recently that it might be changing at inter county level in 2027 and it will be voted on in spring 2026 Wicklowwinner67 (Wicklow) - Posts: 6 - 01/02/2026 21:09:30 2654455 Link