County Football - 2 Like(s)
Like all the other posters i was very disappointed with the teams performance today. The players looked very tired and lethargic. They lacked intensity and hard running. Playing at half pace and slow build ups might work against teams in the 4th division but not against a team like Meath. We spent most of the game in our own half without threatening the Meaths goal. Our full forward line never received any direct ball where the Meath full back line could be threatened. I can never understand if there are 12 players behind the ball why the long ball is not delivered quickly into the inside forwards. It was only going to be a matter of time by playing a slow build up before Meath imposed their physical presence and enforced our players to make mistakes in the wet conditions . What disappointed me most was the apparent lack of spirit by the players. It was a steep learning curve for the players and hopefully one they will bounce back from. They need to put it quickly behind them and concentrate on the positives of gaining promotion t to division 3. It just shows how important it is to be playing at a higher level regularly to improve the quality , intensity and tactical awareness in games. This is why it will be vital to prepare properly for division 3 so we can hold on to division 3 status and build on that experience going forward with additional players added to the present team. Otherwise we will just drop back down again as we did before. The league is our real championship . To be truthful how could anyone argue against a 2 tier championship after a result like today. It did nothing for Meath building for a tilt at a Leinster championship and humiliated a great group of Wicklow players after gaining promotion.

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - 08/11/2020 19:24:34

Under 20 - 2 Like(s)
Well done to the team today.. They battled on from beginning to end even when it appeared that Clare were about to stamp their authority on the game. This never say die attitude carried them to victoty in the end. Still very disappointing to see 5 of our stronger players not available. Getting promotion in the league is everyones desire but robbing the under 20 panel and throwing in five 19year olds at senior level who are very talented players but physically still developing is one sure way of cutting a players career short. It is a great honour to play at senior level but people must remember that these young men are now entering a far different arena on a purely physical and cynical level. Even the very young talented Kerry forwards found that out last season. I just hope that they will not be injured physically or soured by their senior experiences. I would prefer to see them develop at their own level first as they have many years of football left if they are allowed to develop properly. Again it is only my view but why not try to win as much as possible at underage to bond with their own age group and gain a winning mentality instead of trying a quick fix as we so often try to do in Wicklow.

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - 18/01/2020 19:53:25

Wicklow Ladies - 1 Like(s)
The match is at 4pm in Parnell Park against Fermanagh. It will be televised live on TG4. Best wishes to the management and a wonderful squad of girls on a fabulous year. Now is the opportunity to finish the year off by bringing back the title and a return to intermediate ranks in 2021

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - 01/12/2020 14:12:50

Club Football - 1 Like(s)
I see dressing rooms won't be open either so I guess we are back to the good old days of changing in the car or behind a tree. Perhaps delaying the start of the championship for another week might have reduced the potential chaos that is looming. I pity the job the stewards will have in refusing admission once the quota has been reached

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - 14/07/2020 18:10:23

Wicklow GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Many positives to be taken from the match against Laois. The team played with much more cohesion and fluidity than in previous games. They held their shape and each player gave his all in tackling and covering back. A real encouraging sign was the spread of scores over 8 players . This has been a major problem for many Wicklow teams so when the one or two scoring threats have been contained the scores have dried up. Despite being 5 to 1 outsiders and despite being behind for the first half the team battled on and hung in there making it difficult for Laois until they turned it around in the second half. There are many areas to work on but the signs are encouraging. The win last night throws the fight for second spot wide open but it will be meaningless unless we can win all our remaing games and develop a consistency which we have been lacking over the decades. How many times have we seen a terrific performance followed by a lacklustre display over the years. We have to maintain our focus in games right up to the end of matches. I just hope that the gifting of goals and an easy penalty at the end of the game last night doesn't come back to haunt us as the 2nd place could yet be decided on score difference Well done to players and management and let this be the beginning of great things to come

Optimisticobserver (National) - 26/02/2023 10:16:53

Senior Footballers - 1 Like(s)
A disappointing result after an absorbing sporting game. The loss of Anto McLoughlin early on took a real threat from the attack. I would have to agree with the above poster that fresh legs were needed earlier as the pace and energy shown was extraordinary for this time of the year. The players and management despite the disappointment must have been impressed with the committment and efforts shown by all the players. It has to be a concern however that we still lack natural scoring forwards and that we had to rely upon the magical Jackson for five scores. Without him we would still have a poor scoring average as in the last few years. We must remember that this is a very young crop of mostly inexperienced county players but they did all they could to win the points today and left everthing on the field of play. A sharp learning curve but this group have to be admired for their fitness levels ,committment and never say die attitude. Well done despite the result.

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - 03/02/2019 20:30:36

National League 2021 - 1 Like(s)
Any news on the team selection for the match against Offaly. Best wishes to all the panel and management . The main priority will be to maintain our division 3 status and gain valuable experience playing at a higher standard.

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - 14/05/2021 16:21:10

Wicklow GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Well done to the team and management today on their win. The rumours before the game were spread by the usual knockers of the team and I'm glad they were untrue. This is a very young team with plenty to learn but it is only by playing plenty of games that this will improve. If you look at the post primary schools team of 2019 there are at least 5 or six from that team. I can see a big improvement in recent games. They are driving forward looking for scores instead of playing defensively and inviting the other team onto us, something which previous managers encouraged. Our scoring rates have vastly improved in the last 4 games and the forwards are getting a chance to show their skills while their confidence is growing and they are supporting each other. The overall height of our team is also a factor as I feel this is an important aspect at county level. When these young fellows fill out and mature they will be better able to break tackles and carry the ball without many turnovers. I know people will point out how weak Waterford were but every win will benefit this group and I feel if this type of football had been played earlier in the year we would not have been relegated

Optimisticobserver (National) - 21/05/2022 21:27:42

National League 2021 - 1 Like(s)
Bitterly disappointing....a whole lack of urgency about the team...a build up at just above walking pace. Disheartening that we will be back in the basement division again but our performances this year don't deserve division 3 status. I'm not sure if there is any answer to the issues and it must be very frustrating for the players.We may pin our hopes on the ù20 squad and a style of play that may change our dismal performances.

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - 29/05/2021 17:34:56

Minor Footballers - 1 Like(s)
I hear the quarter final is on a saturday which if true should allow more supporters to attend. I know that there are home venues in place for the present competition but I thought the system years ago of having the minor game on before a senior championship clash was great as it gave the young players the chance to play before big crowds and created a great atmosphere. It also got over the parental issue of having to take players out of school during midweek. I wonder why the old system was abolished as instead of showcasing a minor team before the senior game they are left to play before a handful of spectators midweek. The whole spectacle has been diluted. A great pity considering the quality and honesty of the football played by these outstanding young players .

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - 17/05/2019 09:57:40

Wicklow Ladies - 1 Like(s)
Congratulations to the Wicklow girls and management on a wonderful display against Antrim to book a place in the All Ireland against Fermanagh in Parneĺ park in a few weeks time. They executed some marvelous scores with all the players showing great skill and fitness. They never really looked in trouble after the first half scoring spree but will be a little disapointed in leaking goals in the second half. Nevertheless a great performance from a team of seasoned and many new players. They need to push on now with a victory in Parnell park and regain their intermediate status.

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - 23/11/2020 01:41:19

Wicklow GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Another embarrasing defeat. After 60 years of following our seniors I now finally relaise that it is time to pull the plug. Despite a great sponship deal and a high profile personality in charge the performances have gone from bad to worse and our presence in division 3 will be a short one if today's display is anything to go on. Let's put the sponsorship money into the juveniles and hire the best coaches possible to build some sort of reputation from the ground up. The under 20s this year the under 16s and our minors have given us very respectful performances this year and play to a plan and play as a team.They have held their own with stronger counties and have shown commitment and a desire to win. A lot of soul searching needs to be done before such valuable resources and sponsorship are thrown to the wind and we end up with nothing to show for it only results like today. Where has it all gone wrong? Club division's and personality conflicts within the team? Poor management strategies. ? Too many players not up to county football standard ? Missing important club players who won't commit? What do other posters feel as I as one supporter feel totally frustrated at the present performances.

Optimisticobserver (National) - 20/05/2023 19:24:40

Club Football - 1 Like(s)
Many supporters are very unclear about how the present restrictions will operate for the weekend championship games. Answers to the following questions from posters may make the situation clearer. Will only 200 be allowed to attend each game ? Ďoed this number include players official srewards etc? Do supporters have to purchase allocated tickets from clubs or is it a first come first serveď basis àt the grounds? Will supporters who purchased a years pass be included in this 200? All this may mean that onl about 40 supporters for each team may be allowed to attend. Looking forward to posters replies to clear up these issues

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - 13/07/2020 19:10:37

Senior Football Predictions - 1 Like(s)
I think the late start was to allow the hurling championship to be completed first. Nevertheless the football championship is dragged out over too long a period. Who in their right minds want to be playing a County final in wintertime and I'm sure spectators don't appreciate sitting in the cold either. Players want to be playing championship football during the best ground conditions.No wonder so many young players are walking away from club football in Wicklow. They are not going to put their lives on hold while the powers that be decide to run off their prime competition s at the tail end of the year. If we ever do reach even a leinster semi final we won't have time to run our local championship.

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - 27/07/2021 11:44:24

National League 2021 - 1 Like(s)
I sincerely hope this is a real turning point for Wicklow footbaaĺ and not another one of these against the odds victories that Wicklow teams have achieved in the past ònly to continue our losing habit afterwards. . There are many encouraging signs.The team are relatively young and we have a good management in place . The objective at the beginning of the year was to retain our division 3 status and that has been achieved. The players look fitter and more composed on the ball and have learned a lot in this campaign. Winning is a habit but so too is losing. On another occasion the team would have folded when Cavan went ahead but instead the players dug deep and ran themselves ragged to forge a memorable victory. What is the position with young Quinn and Darcy regarding the under 20s. Will they be eligible to play? This under 20 squad could give Leinster a right go but they need these 2 players to be available. Let's hope O Briens panel can provide another few players for the senior squad next year

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - 14/06/2021 14:45:55

Wicklow Versus Wexford - 1 Like(s)
I agree with what has been posted. A terrible performance especially in the second half. The players went back to the old habits of passing back and laterally across the pitch with no idea of feeding the inside line with accurate ball. It was only a matter of time before Wexford overhauled us with our style of play. Again tons of energy used doing absolutely nothing positive. No scoring threat whatsoever. It seems nothing was learned over the last year or 2 and we are back to the same old scenario of causing one upset maybe every decade. It is just as well as we were facing another 25 plus points beating next weekend. it was wise for the under 20s to be kept for their own age group. I feel that the future of Wicklow football does rest with this younger group but I only hope that our hopes don't put a jinx on their efforts. O Brien has lost a few from his under 17 panel but he has them playing as a unit with skill and purpose. I sincerely hope they show their true worth this week against Laois but this is a good Laois team too and we all know how unpredictable under age games can be. My best wishes to O Brien his selectors and players. I hope their performance will dispell the gloom of today's horrible performance.

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - 27/06/2021 19:56:17

Wicklow GAA thread - 1 Like(s)

Optimisticobserver (National) - 28/02/2023 11:44:51

NFL 2020 - 1 Like(s)
Very disappointing to say the least. I was expecting a fresh approach from our new management team but it appears little has changed.We still have no consistent free taker. We still have no plan .We still run into cul de sacs until we are turned over. We didnt know what to do with the extra man. We suited Carlows defensive setup by continuously running down the centre into traffic and eventually losing the ball. The wings and corners were totally ignored which suited Carlow perfectly.The lateral handpassing and turning back when confronted by an opponent continued right through the match which operated under the previous managements. We complain about no scoring forwards but what chance have they of displaying their talents when the direct ball is not delivered into them quickly. Instead we wait until they are smothered out by the defensive setup of having everyone behind the ball.. The most disappointing aspect from a management point of view was I expected a new approach after half time when the Carlow defensive was analyised and how to alter our game plan and how to deploy our extra man.However the same approach continued unabated I know the players tried their best and nobody goes out to lose but unless management see the mistakes of their strategy I'm sure the players will become disillusioned. I just hope the younger players are not impacted by such a poor strategy

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - 27/01/2020 21:00:27