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Wicklow GAA thread

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Replying To Viking66:  "I don't think there's any difference in standard between the bottom 5 or 6 in div3 and the top 5 or 6 in div4 tbh. Tailtean Cup and Leinster Championship results in recent years would pretty much back that up too."
Have to agree with you on this , definitely very little between the teams in Leinster if you take Dublin out of it.

Albundy19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 71 - 20/09/2024 09:13:00    2570899

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Replying To Viking66:  "I don't think there's any difference in standard between the bottom 5 or 6 in div3 and the top 5 or 6 in div4 tbh. Tailtean Cup and Leinster Championship results in recent years would pretty much back that up too."
I think it depends on what a county's aspirations are in the medium to long term. I think the best example in Leinster, in recent years is Louth. Would Louth be contesting Leinster finals and competing on an equal footing in the All Ireland championship if they were operating in division 3 and 4? No, they wouldn't. Equally, if a county like Wicklow or Wexford want to win the Tailteann cup; based upon past results, they'd either need to be in Division 2 or contesting promotion to Division 2. As a Wicklow supporter, I want Wicklow competing and winning the Tailteann cup and pushing for promotion to Division 2. There is no benefit and never has been, to being in Division 3 one year and Division 4 the next. A county like this is going nowhere in the medium to long term.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2028 - 20/09/2024 09:43:10    2570902

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Replying To Freethinker:  "Agreed. But, if a team can stay in Div 3, they are at least testing themselves against recent and aspiring Div 2 teams which is bound to improve them. The odd stay in Div 2 would be advantageous also to build confidence and skills."
That's true too. They have a couple games that would be against higher standard opponents for sure. I know down here we have been stuck in 4 for what seems like ages. I don't think we were ever in 4 so long, certainly not in my time anyway. Promotion's a massive target for us the last 2 years, and will be again next year.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 14044 - 20/09/2024 10:15:14    2570912

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "I think it depends on what a county's aspirations are in the medium to long term. I think the best example in Leinster, in recent years is Louth. Would Louth be contesting Leinster finals and competing on an equal footing in the All Ireland championship if they were operating in division 3 and 4? No, they wouldn't. Equally, if a county like Wicklow or Wexford want to win the Tailteann cup; based upon past results, they'd either need to be in Division 2 or contesting promotion to Division 2. As a Wicklow supporter, I want Wicklow competing and winning the Tailteann cup and pushing for promotion to Division 2. There is no benefit and never has been, to being in Division 3 one year and Division 4 the next. A county like this is going nowhere in the medium to long term."
Think we have the same aspirations in Football as yourselves.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 14044 - 20/09/2024 10:16:10    2570914

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AGB should be winning that championship easy. They have by far the best players, best squad and most amount of county standard players by a long distance. They just don't have it, they just cant perform when the pressure is on. The free at the end, I have seen this before from him a number of years ago. Doesn't have it.

Baltinglass just know how to win. They don't have any standout players apart from Jackson, McGrath is second best but he is nearly 40.. On paper they are not very good, but they just have it. So hard to beat such a good team to win.

Kiltegan they have 4 very good players. They are carrying about 4+ also. But their big players perform when it matters and continuously perform regardless of pressure - Seanie, Finn and POT. Bolland and one or two others might be joining them.

Roundwood. Second best team after AGB. A lot of Wicklow county standard players and a large panel. Not at the same level of bottling as AGB yet but could join them. But in fairness they are young.

Rathnew - they get so far every year because they train hard and start their training very early. They appear to place a huge emphasis on the league. They have no county players and appear to get everyone training from the start of the season so are way ahead of everyone else, but then the others catch up and end up being way better come championship. Why are the two E Doyles not playing? Why was Adam Byrne not starting? They have very few county standard players, JT definitely is and maybe only 1/2 others.

Dunlavin - fair play to them. They should only be an intermediate team.

Tinahely best team on paper left. They are a decent side when they want to be. Good age profile, good squad.

Blesso - will let them off this year a lot of injuries and they won it last year. They should be one of favourites again next year. They have decent players and know how to win.

Pats - they weren't actually that bad. They were very unlucky and only lost matches by the bare minimum. Few suspensions early on and injuries. They are nowhere near as good as they have been but are not that bad. They wont be winning it any time soon but they will be around semi-finals still.

Barndarrig - They are intermediate. They done a lot better than I expected. However, at the end of the day they still lost every match they played..

Eire Og - can't see them winning it any time soon. They would be very like AGB without the quantity of star players. They have a decent panel and a lot of good players. They should be beating Kiltegan..

Bray - good enough for senior. Didn't do much. Poor to let Dunlavin beat them.

Tank (Wicklow) - Posts: 12 - 20/09/2024 10:36:25    2570921

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Replying To Tank:  "AGB should be winning that championship easy. They have by far the best players, best squad and most amount of county standard players by a long distance. They just don't have it, they just cant perform when the pressure is on. The free at the end, I have seen this before from him a number of years ago. Doesn't have it.

Baltinglass just know how to win. They don't have any standout players apart from Jackson, McGrath is second best but he is nearly 40.. On paper they are not very good, but they just have it. So hard to beat such a good team to win.

Kiltegan they have 4 very good players. They are carrying about 4+ also. But their big players perform when it matters and continuously perform regardless of pressure - Seanie, Finn and POT. Bolland and one or two others might be joining them.

Roundwood. Second best team after AGB. A lot of Wicklow county standard players and a large panel. Not at the same level of bottling as AGB yet but could join them. But in fairness they are young.

Rathnew - they get so far every year because they train hard and start their training very early. They appear to place a huge emphasis on the league. They have no county players and appear to get everyone training from the start of the season so are way ahead of everyone else, but then the others catch up and end up being way better come championship. Why are the two E Doyles not playing? Why was Adam Byrne not starting? They have very few county standard players, JT definitely is and maybe only 1/2 others.

Dunlavin - fair play to them. They should only be an intermediate team.

Tinahely best team on paper left. They are a decent side when they want to be. Good age profile, good squad.

Blesso - will let them off this year a lot of injuries and they won it last year. They should be one of favourites again next year. They have decent players and know how to win.

Pats - they weren't actually that bad. They were very unlucky and only lost matches by the bare minimum. Few suspensions early on and injuries. They are nowhere near as good as they have been but are not that bad. They wont be winning it any time soon but they will be around semi-finals still.

Barndarrig - They are intermediate. They done a lot better than I expected. However, at the end of the day they still lost every match they played..

Eire Og - can't see them winning it any time soon. They would be very like AGB without the quantity of star players. They have a decent panel and a lot of good players. They should be beating Kiltegan..

Bray - good enough for senior. Didn't do much. Poor to let Dunlavin beat them."
A very good analysis of where the various teams are at and one I would totally agree with. I don't know what is the story with Rathnew' lads but I think might have been a breach of internal rules. I had thought that Avondale would sail back to senior but they are finding it tough. Still, they should have enough class players to get back.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1287 - 20/09/2024 11:32:05    2570946

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Any word on if McConville is staying on?

TopDrawer (Wicklow) - Posts: 63 - 20/09/2024 11:59:55    2570953

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Replying To TopDrawer:  "Any word on if McConville is staying on?"
If memory serves me correctly, he signed up for a three year term. If I'm correct in this regard, he is now entering the final year in 2025. I assume he will see out his term at this stage. A lot of talk in various media outlets about clubs and counties having internal managers in order to curb escalating costs. I can't name one person from Wicklow that I could envisage taking over managing the senior football team - has any one else got an opinions on who internally could manage Wicklow in 2-3 years time? And who could get us into Division 3 and keep us there?

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2028 - 20/09/2024 12:34:57    2570959

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "If memory serves me correctly, he signed up for a three year term. If I'm correct in this regard, he is now entering the final year in 2025. I assume he will see out his term at this stage. A lot of talk in various media outlets about clubs and counties having internal managers in order to curb escalating costs. I can't name one person from Wicklow that I could envisage taking over managing the senior football team - has any one else got an opinions on who internally could manage Wicklow in 2-3 years time? And who could get us into Division 3 and keep us there?"
After the championship he said he would like to stay on but that it was up to the county board so he must need to be ratified to get year 3

TopDrawer (Wicklow) - Posts: 63 - 20/09/2024 13:48:24    2570979

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Replying To Tank:  "AGB should be winning that championship easy. They have by far the best players, best squad and most amount of county standard players by a long distance. They just don't have it, they just cant perform when the pressure is on. The free at the end, I have seen this before from him a number of years ago. Doesn't have it.

Baltinglass just know how to win. They don't have any standout players apart from Jackson, McGrath is second best but he is nearly 40.. On paper they are not very good, but they just have it. So hard to beat such a good team to win.

Kiltegan they have 4 very good players. They are carrying about 4+ also. But their big players perform when it matters and continuously perform regardless of pressure - Seanie, Finn and POT. Bolland and one or two others might be joining them.

Roundwood. Second best team after AGB. A lot of Wicklow county standard players and a large panel. Not at the same level of bottling as AGB yet but could join them. But in fairness they are young.

Rathnew - they get so far every year because they train hard and start their training very early. They appear to place a huge emphasis on the league. They have no county players and appear to get everyone training from the start of the season so are way ahead of everyone else, but then the others catch up and end up being way better come championship. Why are the two E Doyles not playing? Why was Adam Byrne not starting? They have very few county standard players, JT definitely is and maybe only 1/2 others.

Dunlavin - fair play to them. They should only be an intermediate team.

Tinahely best team on paper left. They are a decent side when they want to be. Good age profile, good squad.

Blesso - will let them off this year a lot of injuries and they won it last year. They should be one of favourites again next year. They have decent players and know how to win.

Pats - they weren't actually that bad. They were very unlucky and only lost matches by the bare minimum. Few suspensions early on and injuries. They are nowhere near as good as they have been but are not that bad. They wont be winning it any time soon but they will be around semi-finals still.

Barndarrig - They are intermediate. They done a lot better than I expected. However, at the end of the day they still lost every match they played..

Eire Og - can't see them winning it any time soon. They would be very like AGB without the quantity of star players. They have a decent panel and a lot of good players. They should be beating Kiltegan..

Bray - good enough for senior. Didn't do much. Poor to let Dunlavin beat them."
AGB so called should be winning championship due to population, but may just have that mental block over them.

Baltinglass - I see so many people on here calling them average, that they rely on two players. How could this team have made 3 county finals in 3 years, one bad year and now are favorites to win it according to bookmakers. Best all round team by far, dont need the showstoppers

Kiltegan - Have superb footballers old and young with a good amount of players who just get the job done. Well set up team who work hard for each other, with podge/seanie/finn doing the business.

Roundwood - Too young of a team with no experience there to see out games in the business end. Unfortunately talent doesn't just win you games in which it shows with this young group. Stick together and id be shocked to see miley not going up there soon

Rathnew- Very simple in my opinion, just dont have the scoring forwards needed to win a championship

Dunlavin - Would absolutely die for the crest, still shocked by there result. Extraordinary from them who wouldnt have even be tipped to make it out of the group nevermind a county semi. Great for them and Mick Murtagh

Tinahely - Interesting side, good young squad profile with electric footballers but will they be tactically aware to get the job done...

Blesso - Just a lack of conviction and a want to win, complacent but will be back next year

St Pats - 3 good players and the rest are doing a job or lacking alot for senior level, will struggle for years to come. Will make a few qtr finals and that, thats all from them.

Barndarrig - Punching above there weight big time, lucky to beat annacurra last year in the inter final. Strong rise from the club being only promoted to inter in 2022

Eire Og - League form doesnt matter and never has but this is prime example, will be back next year with the usual stuff, again no prolific forward

Bray - Will stick around for years to come but like Pats just dont have it unless there huge population sorts itself out

WicklowB1973 (Wicklow) - Posts: 23 - 20/09/2024 14:27:51    2570996

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Haven't seen anyone mention the decision to award a penalty to Kiltegan at the weekend. Quite a blatant free out. Hate seeing games decided like that.

OldSchoolRules (Australia) - Posts: 30 - 20/09/2024 14:41:37    2570998

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Replying To TopDrawer:  "After the championship he said he would like to stay on but that it was up to the county board so he must need to be ratified to get year 3"
I thought it was three year but maybe it was two years with the option of a third. With the split season it is difficult to know when these decisions are made. I assume; always dangerous that if they were planning to make a change or he was moving on that we'd have heard before the club championship begun but time will tell.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2028 - 20/09/2024 19:56:45    2571058

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "I thought it was three year but maybe it was two years with the option of a third. With the split season it is difficult to know when these decisions are made. I assume; always dangerous that if they were planning to make a change or he was moving on that we'd have heard before the club championship begun but time will tell."
I'd like to think it's a done deal that he stays. It wouldn't make sense to not ratify him, go through all the jiggery pokery again when the club championships were over. Our great and good wouldn't do that ……… or would they ??

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1287 - 20/09/2024 21:56:04    2571067

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Replying To OldSchoolRules:  "Haven't seen anyone mention the decision to award a penalty to Kiltegan at the weekend. Quite a blatant free out. Hate seeing games decided like that."
stayed for that game Saturday. Didnt see much fuss about penalty. Will admit I was still sick after Arklow being robbed. Just read Wicklow paper at breakfast this morning and mentioned twice as a penalty with no question but maybe reporter missed something. Greystones looked good against us in second half of group game but did lose to Bray and Dunlavin.

heavyheart19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 142 - 20/09/2024 22:56:17    2571072

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Replying To heavyheart19:  "stayed for that game Saturday. Didnt see much fuss about penalty. Will admit I was still sick after Arklow being robbed. Just read Wicklow paper at breakfast this morning and mentioned twice as a penalty with no question but maybe reporter missed something. Greystones looked good against us in second half of group game but did lose to Bray and Dunlavin."
Greystone made a fuss at the time anyway. Video of the incident doing the rounds on whatsapp. I believe in soccer they call it "simulation". I found it strange that the umpire wasn't consulted as he was right beside it.

OldSchoolRules (Australia) - Posts: 30 - 21/09/2024 16:25:26    2571177

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "If memory serves me correctly, he signed up for a three year term. If I'm correct in this regard, he is now entering the final year in 2025. I assume he will see out his term at this stage. A lot of talk in various media outlets about clubs and counties having internal managers in order to curb escalating costs. I can't name one person from Wicklow that I could envisage taking over managing the senior football team - has any one else got an opinions on who internally could manage Wicklow in 2-3 years time? And who could get us into Division 3 and keep us there?"
I think McConville has done reasonably well but you ask a very interesting question. If we want to improve as a county then you'd imagine that top quality coaches scattered across the different senior clubs would be a must. Do we have any homegrown modern coaches managers that could be drafted into a setup in the next year or so? You could argue Paul Garrigan has enough Wicklow in him. Have we any Wicklow coaches learning their trade in Dublin or Kildare? Would love to see a shortlist.

Dreamer (Wicklow) - Posts: 41 - 21/09/2024 21:39:26    2571212

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Replying To Dreamer:  "I think McConville has done reasonably well but you ask a very interesting question. If we want to improve as a county then you'd imagine that top quality coaches scattered across the different senior clubs would be a must. Do we have any homegrown modern coaches managers that could be drafted into a setup in the next year or so? You could argue Paul Garrigan has enough Wicklow in him. Have we any Wicklow coaches learning their trade in Dublin or Kildare? Would love to see a shortlist."
The drop back to Div 4 was the only blot on Oisins copybook - albeit a pretty big one. As regards coaches and management material internally, there aren't many if any standing out. K O'Brien looked as if he might have "it" after his first sojourn with the minors but subsequent attempts petered out. I don't think P Garrigan has ever put himself forward and perhaps that tells its own story. I personally don't think that we have the material at any level presently to take any of our teams to a Leinster semi or final. I would love to be proved wrong in this. Neither have I heard of any Wicklow men performing in any capacity outside the county. Wicklow men had some involvement with Tipperary last year but that didn't go too well.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1287 - 22/09/2024 08:53:48    2571240

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Replying To OldSchoolRules:  "Greystone made a fuss at the time anyway. Video of the incident doing the rounds on whatsapp. I believe in soccer they call it "simulation". I found it strange that the umpire wasn't consulted as he was right beside it."
We may just accept that we Arklow and Ere og just havent got it when it matters. We moaned and moaned bout ref too but like yerselves we arent good enough and bottle it when it matters. 2025 might bring change but im disillusioned

heavyheart19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 142 - 22/09/2024 12:23:20    2571249

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Replying To heavyheart19:  "We may just accept that we Arklow and Ere og just havent got it when it matters. We moaned and moaned bout ref too but like yerselves we arent good enough and bottle it when it matters. 2025 might bring change but im disillusioned"
Just an independent observer. Arklow probably did bottle it, but that penalty did the damage to Greystones. Not in support of any club over any other. Although I had a fancy for Tinahely before it all started, a lot of talent there.

OldSchoolRules (Australia) - Posts: 30 - 22/09/2024 19:17:29    2571296

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Bray look nailed on for their 6? in a row. I know that Carnew gave them a scare last year but I'm not sure they have improved enough to scare the current aristocrats of Wicklow hurling.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1287 - 22/09/2024 19:24:55    2571298

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