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Wicklow GAA thread

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "I agree that certain players are more effective playing underage than senior. I prefer to watch underage games over senior games in recent years. Senior intercounty football is an eye sore; its been ruined by coaching that doesn't place emphasis on the basic skills of the game instead it is about big physical men with lots of stamina and a basic skill for handpassing. Players such as Conor Fee who is a very skilful player is blotted out at senior level by mass defences. He would be best suited to thirty years ago when forwards were allowed to express themselves and skilful players could demonstrate their great skills - players such as Mickey Linden, Colm Cooper etc. With regard to how we should approach our next game, we should try to win it. Play the game on its merit, go out and try to win. Regardless of who we play in the next round, we will have to beat good teams if we want to win this competition regardless of what round it will be in."
I was reading an interesting post from the Carlow site last night. The poster was at last nights game. He noted that Wicklow and Carlow played u17 three years ago. Of those starting teams, Carlow had 3 starters last night and Wicklow had 6. Are they not worrying stats ? Where did the others all go - from both counties ?

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1337 - 03/04/2024 11:47:02    2535351

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Replying To TopDrawer:  "Over the last two games I'd say Conor Fee has gotten 10 kick passes out in front of him. I just don't think there is that space in the senior game - especially against the likes of Westmeath who pack the defence (like we do).

Both evenings have had a greasy ball and I can only think of one time he didn't hold onto the ball. He is a great ball winner.

He took the ball off a Carlow man for his goal so it was more an opportunist one than one you would say you could build a game plan around.

Cathal Baker wasn't named the last day and he was taken off last night so I wonder is there an injury issue there. Him and Fee stood out as the two that look most ready for senior physically.

I actually agree with you on the come-what-may in the next round. Winning builds momentum and it will be tough game regardless."
Great win last night which was a postive. The team play very differant to the senior set up. Couple of things I find strange with the senior team is the amount of the players from non senior clubs which I think has some effect to standard.
Also in relation to Conor Fee. Started for DIT in the sigerson cup this year for a team aiming to win it and playing along inter county players from all over Ireland and then can not start for Wicklow, Very strange.
But overall, Great result last night, lets hope a few lads move up either this year or next year.
Impossible to follow the game on wicklow socials, Says enough when you can;t even have an update score on these.

InterestWicklow (Wicklow) - Posts: 10 - 03/04/2024 12:03:23    2535353

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Replying To Freethinker:  "I was reading an interesting post from the Carlow site last night. The poster was at last nights game. He noted that Wicklow and Carlow played u17 three years ago. Of those starting teams, Carlow had 3 starters last night and Wicklow had 6. Are they not worrying stats ? Where did the others all go - from both counties ?"
I think this is a trend right across the GAA. There is a high percentage of drop out in all counties especially between u20 and senior, at intercounty level. My opinion is that players don't enjoy playing the game in the way previous generations did. Some people think it is due to other interests and they may be right but I think it is down to the lack of enjoyment in playing the game. The workload being forced on these young players by managers and coaches is ridiculous. I think there is a lot of burnout due to excessive strength and conditioning, too many meaningless games, too few players committing which increases the demands on other players, criticism of players due to unrealistic expectations - the list goes on. The strange thing is the lack of discussion around the state of the game of football and the obvious problems that exist especially by the media who seem to be hell bent on telling anyone who is interested that the game is intriguing. It's not.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2041 - 03/04/2024 13:34:13    2535369

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Replying To Freethinker:  "I was reading an interesting post from the Carlow site last night. The poster was at last nights game. He noted that Wicklow and Carlow played u17 three years ago. Of those starting teams, Carlow had 3 starters last night and Wicklow had 6. Are they not worrying stats ? Where did the others all go - from both counties ?"
I went to the game against Wexford in blesso as it was local to me, it was great to have an inter county game close by. We have a decent side, Wexford were very defensive and in my view wicklow dominated apart from the end of the first half. I think wicklow should have won more comfortably. Baker wasn't playing that night as he had played for seniors in Antrim.

Re: minor. That was three years ago most players would have been born 2004, if my math are correct. Most players on the u20 panel this are 2004 with majority 2005, I think from looking at last years minor profile there are even a couple of 2006's (Two lads from An Tochair and the knockanna keeper) . So what I'm saying you can't compare a minor panel to u20 panel. Some lads would be two young at that point to make a minor panel at 14/15 years old. I would take it as positive that we have more strength coming at underage, than lads dropping off.

StrandedinWW (Wicklow) - Posts: 42 - 03/04/2024 15:00:52    2535384

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Replying To StrandedinWW:  "I went to the game against Wexford in blesso as it was local to me, it was great to have an inter county game close by. We have a decent side, Wexford were very defensive and in my view wicklow dominated apart from the end of the first half. I think wicklow should have won more comfortably. Baker wasn't playing that night as he had played for seniors in Antrim.

Re: minor. That was three years ago most players would have been born 2004, if my math are correct. Most players on the u20 panel this are 2004 with majority 2005, I think from looking at last years minor profile there are even a couple of 2006's (Two lads from An Tochair and the knockanna keeper) . So what I'm saying you can't compare a minor panel to u20 panel. Some lads would be two young at that point to make a minor panel at 14/15 years old. I would take it as positive that we have more strength coming at underage, than lads dropping off."
Forgot that about Baker and the Antrim game.

The Laois match is down for Blessington again (Leinster GAA website anyway).

TopDrawer (Wicklow) - Posts: 65 - 04/04/2024 09:40:40    2535503

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What are the thoughts on Sundays game ?? In fairness the performance v WM in the league was one of the better ones - I think. Mark Jackson will be a steadying force at the back. Pity about Cullen and O'Toole. Westmeath were impressive in Croker.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1337 - 04/04/2024 09:43:26    2535506

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Replying To InterestWicklow:  "Great win last night which was a postive. The team play very differant to the senior set up. Couple of things I find strange with the senior team is the amount of the players from non senior clubs which I think has some effect to standard.
Also in relation to Conor Fee. Started for DIT in the sigerson cup this year for a team aiming to win it and playing along inter county players from all over Ireland and then can not start for Wicklow, Very strange.
But overall, Great result last night, lets hope a few lads move up either this year or next year.
Impossible to follow the game on wicklow socials, Says enough when you can;t even have an update score on these."
Away with the wife and kids for a few days during the break. Great to see a double win in the football and a win and good display in the hurling. I have to say that the Wicklow socials has to be the worst bar none. I was on twitter and every other county in the country is miles ahead. If they cant keep supporters informed who may not be able to support what hope have they got of keeping people interested. I would have been at 3 of those 4 games if I was home but have heard lots of complaints about the quality of twitter and FaceBook of Wicklow and decided to look. Couldnt believe how poor. Does anyone care

heavyheart19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 146 - 04/04/2024 10:32:07    2535521

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Replying To heavyheart19:  "Away with the wife and kids for a few days during the break. Great to see a double win in the football and a win and good display in the hurling. I have to say that the Wicklow socials has to be the worst bar none. I was on twitter and every other county in the country is miles ahead. If they cant keep supporters informed who may not be able to support what hope have they got of keeping people interested. I would have been at 3 of those 4 games if I was home but have heard lots of complaints about the quality of twitter and FaceBook of Wicklow and decided to look. Couldnt believe how poor. Does anyone care"
Socials are a disgrace- Says enough really

InterestWicklow (Wicklow) - Posts: 10 - 04/04/2024 11:20:41    2535552

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Replying To InterestWicklow:  "Socials are a disgrace- Says enough really"
I'm no longer able to attend many matches so Twitter or X is the best way. One regular occurrence with the Wicklow X feed is a close match, be it club or county, where it is score for score, the feed disappears with maybe 10 minutes to go and you have no idea who won. After maybe 20 minutes the result might pop up It's like whoever is feeding it gets carried away with excitement and forgets about us poor housebound souls.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1337 - 04/04/2024 12:14:16    2535574

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Replying To Freethinker:  "What are the thoughts on Sundays game ?? In fairness the performance v WM in the league was one of the better ones - I think. Mark Jackson will be a steadying force at the back. Pity about Cullen and O'Toole. Westmeath were impressive in Croker."
I'll be travelling more in hope than expectations. We've had some reoccurring problems throughout the league - issue with our kick out; maybe Mark Jackson if selected can improve this. Although I wouldn't blame our current goal keeper as the goal keeper only plays a certain part in the kick out strategy. I do think Paudge O'Toole is a big loss in this regard. We have to remedy the concession of goals, it is impacting negatively the players confidence plus we aren't scoring many goals ourselves. Westmeath are a good side; they're not unbeatable but their confidence will be high after gaining promotion and winning the division 3 final in Croke park last weekend. In relation to how gaelic games are marketed in Wicklow, it is dreadful. Twitter is good for a period of the game but as someone else alluded to, when it gets to a vital stage, the posts stop and you only get confirmation of the results after about ten minutes. It is ok for people who can attend matches but for people interested in knowing the score, it sure has a way to go to improve.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2041 - 04/04/2024 14:28:10    2535614

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Any team named for Sunday?

TopDrawer (Wicklow) - Posts: 65 - 05/04/2024 10:43:29    2535779

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Replying To TopDrawer:  "Any team named for Sunday?"
Shane Doyle
Tom Moran - Jack Treacy - Eoin Murtagh
Matt Nolan - Patrick O Keane - Gavin Fogarty
Dean Healy - Craig Maguire
Darragh Fee - Chris O Brien - Jack Kirwan
Jonathan Carlin - Kevin Quinn - JP Nolan

Mileythedog (Wicklow) - Posts: 57 - 05/04/2024 13:44:25    2535821

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Replying To TopDrawer:  "Any team named for Sunday?"
RTE website:

Wicklow (v Westmeath): S Doyle; T Moran, J Treacy, E Murtagh; M Nolan, P O'Keane, G Fogarty; D Healy, C Maguire; D Fee, C O'Brien, J Kirwan; J Carlin, K Quinn, JP Nolan

Jackson not on the panel

TopDrawer (Wicklow) - Posts: 65 - 05/04/2024 13:45:20    2535822

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Replying To TopDrawer:  "RTE website:

Wicklow (v Westmeath): S Doyle; T Moran, J Treacy, E Murtagh; M Nolan, P O'Keane, G Fogarty; D Healy, C Maguire; D Fee, C O'Brien, J Kirwan; J Carlin, K Quinn, JP Nolan

Jackson not on the panel"
Not sure what the official situation is with Jackson and the NFL but if he has a realistic chance of getting a contract he would be foolish to be playing football here and risk getting injured until he sees how it's going to play out in the US.

Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 145 - 05/04/2024 17:27:59    2535889

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Replying To Freethinker:  "I suppose anything is possible but I don't recollect seeing Meath collecting too many trophies at underage hurling, anymore than ourselves, so I would take them sending a weakened team to anywhere with a pinch of salt. As you say, time will tell."
Caught the tail end of the Meath v Westmeath minor hurling as I was going in for the U20 match.
Meath got an awful hiding, not as bad as Wicklow but only just. I think the scoreline between Wicklow v Meath was possibly a fair reflection on where these two outfits are, despite being assured that Meath had made a fair few changes.
Westmeath absolutely battered Meath today.

Inaroundthehouse (Wicklow) - Posts: 11 - 06/04/2024 17:14:40    2536070

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Best of luck today to our seniors and management, God knows they will need it. I thought it was a great line from the u20 manager about the prospect of playing Meath or Dublin. "The players need to know - we need to know " just where we are.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1337 - 07/04/2024 11:02:44    2536160

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Congrats on your win. To a man you died out there with your boots on.

Maroon Heaven (Westmeath) - Posts: 38 - 07/04/2024 17:12:18    2536225

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Well done to you on today's victory. Great performance.

Overthebar53 (Carlow) - Posts: 295 - 07/04/2024 17:48:01    2536245

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Well done Wicklow. That's a fine win against Westmeath. I suspect a lot of complacency in the Westmeath camp today.
Unfortunately too many posters reckoned that was in the bag for us.

35OLT (USA) - Posts: 99 - 07/04/2024 17:54:26    2536248

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Days like today are few so i'm going to enjoy this one. Yes, we we're hanging on at the end but the players fought as though their lives depended on it. I'm delighted for the players; there's been criticism of them during the league but they came through with flying colours today. Westmeath will be disappointed after winning the division three final last weekend.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2041 - 07/04/2024 18:05:59    2536260

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