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I think there is a problem with clubs in the county. Clubs aren't producing players properly in terms of strength and conditioning plus producing players in the relevant ball skills which is needed to play at the highest level. My reason for saying what I've just said is evident during the county club championship and particularly when our club champions play in the provincial championship. Results in the Leinster club championship proves Wicklow club are regressing. Our senior and intermediate champions in 2026 were hammered by clubs who didn't even win the provincial title. Also, I think there is a problem within the current setup at intercounty level. The county board are paying for a forwards coach, yet we don't seem to have one forward capable of scoring two pointers, we are dependent on our goalkeeper to be competitive. While this is a problem, it is hard to blame an intercounty manager when the players the clubs are supplying to him lack in a number of different departments. Other counties are operating a secondary intercounty team. I assume this is designed to help players make a successful transition from playing club to playing intercounty. These secondary intercounty teams play against other county teams. I suppose it is similar to a reserve team. The way our county team currently operates isn't working so something needs to change otherwise we'll be stuck in division four for decades to come.
wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2166 - 09/02/2026 19:26:31 2655716 Link 0 |
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Personally, I'd be slow to point the finger at forwards coaching within the Senior Management set up on the basis that I don't believe the raw material is there in abundance to work with. We've seen in the club championship that the quality & depth of attacking firepower is not there, compared to previous eras where we'd the likes of Tommy Gill, Seanie Furlong, Leighton Glynn, Keith Byrne etc who would terrorize defenses in the club scene, racking up big personal scores and would carry that quality into the County Scene. I know the game has changed but we clearly do not have operators at this level with the current generation. Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 186 - 10/02/2026 07:58:10 2655751 Link 0 |
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Great to see the draws for the championships done last night, some tasty fixtures especially in group 1 of the senior. Bad form that the county board have managed to do the championship draw before releasing the league fixtures though Dunlavin4Miley (Wicklow) - Posts: 40 - 11/02/2026 11:06:09 2655904 Link 1 |
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What are they at with this Socialites rubbish? Can't be worth much money is it? FrankieJoe (Wicklow) - Posts: 106 - 11/02/2026 20:48:03 2655992 Link 0 |
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I cant understand it. Teams trying to prepare during pre season, plan friendlies in absence of league games in Feb, and left completely in the dark. Meanwhile the co board are planning the championship six months out.. the mind boggles! No doubt there'll be a few postponed games or walkovers given, particularly smaller clubs. Very unfair on clubs and players.9
calves (Wicklow) - Posts: 5 - 11/02/2026 21:00:05 2655997 Link 0 |
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Why didn't the championship return to the two groups of six teams format? It only changed to three groups of four last year because of TC. Does anyone know when the league is starting? Also, does anyone have a clear idea of what the full senior and U20 panels look like, given the number of players who seem to be missing for the league? StrandedinWW (Wicklow) - Posts: 57 - 12/02/2026 09:43:26 2656035 Link 0 |
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League is kicking off the week of the 6/7/8th of March, or at least that's what we've been told
Dunlavin4Miley (Wicklow) - Posts: 40 - 12/02/2026 16:51:17 2656095 Link 0 |
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Another 2 points on the road. Tough matches to come. Finished strong this evening which was reassuring Jack L (None) - Posts: 3193 - 14/02/2026 20:17:58 2656403 Link 0 |
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Well done to the footballers on getting the win tonight awful weather so was never going to be a big win but they dug it out stringfellohawk (Wicklow) - Posts: 148 - 14/02/2026 20:47:07 2656408 Link 0 |
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One of the most pleasing aspects of the win was, for me, the spread of scorers. I think it's London next ? That will be no cake walk either. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2076 - 14/02/2026 21:49:30 2656420 Link 0 |
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A much better display last night in horrible conditions. Tenacious tackling, good on the breaking ball,8 players scored and a more concerted effort overall. Our subs made an impact also especially Jack Kirwan who greatly helped a tiring midfield while Joe Prendergasts 2 points and his óverall tackling , positional pĺay and running pushed uš over the line. Well done evéryoné Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - Posts: 146 - 15/02/2026 16:21:33 2656572 Link 0 |
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Good performance in Waterford, young lads like Joe prendergast , Darragh fee and JP Nolan doing well , good to see TeamActimel (Wicklow) - Posts: 17 - 15/02/2026 18:30:45 2656628 Link 0 |
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Good win last night. It was important to win after recent defeat to Carlow and it keeps promotion hopes alive. It is good to see scores were shared amongst a number of different players. Further improvement will be required when the team takes on London in a couple of weeks. Last night's conditions were abysmal and didn't facility good football. This squad has some areas that needs improving but one thing it doesn't lack is spirit. The squad seems to have a good bond and they keep going till the end which is a great trait for a squad to have.
wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2166 - 15/02/2026 19:18:33 2656646 Link 0 |
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Does anyone else have an issue with the composition of our team. We are now in our 4th season with current management and has anyone any idea of what our best side is. Is it longer important to settle lads in a position, leave him there and see how they develop ? The only positions constant in our side are Dean and Mark, the goalie. Someone from the west remarked to me today that 3 of our defenders are from a relegated club last year and they would be more familiar with roles in the forwards with their clubs. If we have defenders whose instincts are to attack, maybe it's no wonder that we can be cut open. This would be fine if we were winning convincingly and improving, but can anyone really say that we have improved since last season. Maybe it doesn't matter and all will come good, but the signs aren't great. Looking at yesterday's results, we have 4 tough games ahead, arguably each one tougher than yesterday's opposition. Carlow look nailed on for Div 3, but the runner up position could be a 5 way race. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2076 - 16/02/2026 16:44:43 2656843 Link 0 |
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I'm trying to reserve judgement on the team till end of the league campaign. I'm out of the country at the moment, when I return I'd like to see some matches live. It seems the team has regressed since last season but there is a long way to go in the season between league, Leinster championship and Tailteann cup. After losing to London in the first round of last year's league campaign, the team went unbeaten for the rest of the campaign and narrowly missed out on promotion. I think last year's division four had better teams in Wexford and Limerick. The team acquitted themselves well in the Leinster championship before beating Westmeath amongst other counties to reach Tailteann cup semi-final; a game we could've won if our forwards had taken their chances. In terms of the makeup of the team, I'm not sure there are many players who would definitely improve this team. Malachy Stone and Patrick O'Keane would be in the defence if available. When the weather improves and the ground gets faster, I think Padraig O'Toole will return to partner Dean Healy at midfield. I think this is our better combination. It could be argued that two players: one from Baltinglass and one from Carnew is a poor representation from thirty players who started last year's county final but have players been invited into the county setup but don't want to commit to intercounty football? The team's big weakness is in attack. I'm surprised Ging from Tinahely isn't in the squad. Watching the recent club championship, a number of the best players aren't going to play for the county, for example, John McGrath is probably the leader in Baltinglass's attacking division. The lack of quality forwards in the club scene is a worrying sign when considering players who can step up and make an impact at intercounty level. In reference to Dunlavin having three players in the starting team despite being relegated to intermediate ranks - two of the players: Tom Moran and Eoin Murtagh are part of the squad since Oisin became our manager and Cian Deering was promoted from last year's U-20 team. Maybe there are better defenders in the county but I think our forward division is where we need to improve. wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2166 - 16/02/2026 20:33:28 2656897 Link 0 |
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Yes i really don't think its fair to single out a club. As we know you could throw a blanket over the senior clubs. You have to take each player on there merits. Murtagh been one of Wicklows best players for the last few years, the other 2 are good young lads with Sigerson cup pedigree. I really think Mcconville just tyring to pick the best players as he sees it and if its 50/50 he is backing the younger player. Like he could well be wrong but I don't think he is doing anything other than tyring to pick the best team he can.
Groundskeeper5 (Wicklow) - Posts: 46 - 17/02/2026 09:33:20 2656945 Link 0 |