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Wicklow GAA thread

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "Listening to interviews by Donegal players and backroom team yesterday, one thing struck me - how many times that players and management talked about the relationship between the players/team and the supporters/people of Donegal. In an interview after the Derry game, Ryan McHugh talked about conscious the players were when playing for Donegal and how sorry the players were for letting the supporters/people of Donegal down last year by their performances. There is a lot of talk these days about tactics, conditioning etc but this is the first time I've heard a team talk about probably the most important part of the GAA in terms of county teams and it is a desire to represent the county in a positive light. Is this something that is missing in Wicklow or would that be unfair to say?"
I'd say that there is probably a little disconnect between supporters and county team here at the minute . This is probably due, in my opinion, to the yo - yo performances in latter years. Covid, and this prepay have had an impact too, but it's really down to performances and results. People won't go if they think they might be treated to a spectacle like Brewster Park. You can see from the activity on here on this forum, how interest is waning. Any of the players that I know of, or their friends - at this stage it's mostly their grandparents I would be speaking to) are really prepared to give the "county" a go. Look at Pats, Avondale, Barndarrig, An Tochair. Tinahely and Westetn clubs seem keen. Not sure of the other main hubs on the east coast - AGB, Eire Og - they are flying at club level but I'm unsure of their participation at senior county. Bray, I again am not sure. Rathnrw probably have their poorest representation for years at county level but it's possible that they feel they don't have the players presently.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1325 - 13/05/2024 10:50:16    2544432

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "Bad day at the office today. Listening to the commentary, seems that the team reverted to what they were doing in the league, porous at the back, conceding multiple goals and generally not being at the races. They can still qualify but will need to improve significantly in order to get a result against Laois and Carlow now. It seemed that there was a lot of changes before the game and during the first half - were they all injuries? Hopefully they can put this result behind them and get a result next Sunday at home to Laois but a massive improvement in performance will be required or it will be the end of the summer at intercounty level."
Where were you able to get commentary? I couldn't find anything from Wicklow or Fermanagh.

TopDrawer (Wicklow) - Posts: 65 - 14/05/2024 11:55:12    2544681

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Replying To TopDrawer:  "Where were you able to get commentary? I couldn't find anything from Wicklow or Fermanagh."
I found commentary on bbc radio ulster. There is a bbc radio ulster app which you can download.

Why wasn't east coast radio commentating the match?

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2037 - 14/05/2024 16:37:22    2544781

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "I found commentary on bbc radio ulster. There is a bbc radio ulster app which you can download.

Why wasn't east coast radio commentating the match?"
East coast coverage of games is a bit of a non event really. They prefer playing to the north Wicklow south Dublin younger age groups. Their sports coverage on Sunday nights are pretty good but Sunday afternoons are mostly music. Possibly something to do with sponsorship ??

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1325 - 14/05/2024 20:38:48    2544828

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "I found commentary on bbc radio ulster. There is a bbc radio ulster app which you can download.

Why wasn't east coast radio commentating the match?"
Ah never thought of BBC. Local radio across the border seems to be a bit of a minefield.

I don't think east coast have had any game this year - even on the sports channel on their app. Had to listen to a few games on the opposition local radio. The Offaly lads weren't too complimentary I remember - not that we did much to disprove them that day.

TopDrawer (Wicklow) - Posts: 65 - 15/05/2024 09:29:46    2544851

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Replying To TopDrawer:  "Ah never thought of BBC. Local radio across the border seems to be a bit of a minefield.

I don't think east coast have had any game this year - even on the sports channel on their app. Had to listen to a few games on the opposition local radio. The Offaly lads weren't too complimentary I remember - not that we did much to disprove them that day."
I wonder what they were saying when London were kicking the stuffing out of them last Sunday.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1325 - 15/05/2024 12:52:37    2544910

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Replying To Freethinker:  "I wonder what they were saying when London were kicking the stuffing out of them last Sunday."
It is always a dangerous game to slag off any other county regardless of how well as a county, a team is doing. I'm hoping to make it to the game on Sunday. I'll be interested to see what kind of team starts the game; I pay no attention anymore to the team(s) selected as there are nearly always changes prior to throw-in. I'm hoping that there will be positive reaction to the defeat away to Fermanagh. I was very disappointed with the performance at the weekend, it resembled what the team had produced in the league which is not near good enough. Fermanagh away was their toughest game of the three as they operated in division 2 of the league whereas Laois and Carlow operated in division 4, having said that, if they perform like they did last weekend then Division 4 or not, they will be beaten by Laois and then the Carlow game is irrelevant. As I say, I'm hoping that they can learn from last weekend and return to the sort of form they displayed against Westmeath. Time will tell.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2037 - 15/05/2024 17:42:57    2544976

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Will anybody get near the Bray senior hurlers this year ?

Mileythedog (Wicklow) - Posts: 57 - 17/05/2024 13:18:37    2545266

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Replying To Mileythedog:  "Will anybody get near the Bray senior hurlers this year ?"
Short answer - no. I think there is a year or two in them still. And that's not all down to them. While they are a pretty decent outfit, other clubs just have fallen away. Kiltegan, after looking as if they were making headway they possibly have regressed. Carnew looked like they were nearly there last year but whether they have improved enough or at all is open to question and Glenealy are - well, Glenealy. I don't think their younger guns possibly have the dedication and bite necessary to make an impact. St Pats are the best of the rest but I really can't see them making an impact.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1325 - 17/05/2024 13:46:50    2545275

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Replying To Freethinker:  "I wonder what they were saying when London were kicking the stuffing out of them last Sunday."
A bad day for Offaly. The best team won the hat day, a lot of anger with our show v London.

thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1879 - 18/05/2024 13:44:58    2545382

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Replying To thelongridge:  "A bad day for Offaly. The best team won the hat day, a lot of anger with our show v London."
My post was in no way meant to disparage the Offaly team or players. When you come from a county with a record like ours you are always inclined to support and admire a team which makes the "breakthrough". And Offaly certainly did, in both codes back in the day. I was lucky enough to be on the Canal End amongst the Offaly crowd the day that Offaly put paid to Kerry's 5 in a row dream. That was an unforgettable experience. I admire all players who line out to represent their county. If things go wrong - as they often do with us, it isn't always down to the players. My comment was aimed at some remarks reportedly said about the Wicklow team which was routed by yourselves a few months back. These remarks were allegedly made by some commentators on your local radio.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1325 - 18/05/2024 14:19:17    2545391

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Do 1 or 2 go down to the Rackard, or is there a relegation playoff?

FrankieJoe (Wicklow) - Posts: 87 - 19/05/2024 10:15:30    2545505

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I attend the game today against Laois. Both teams had a very defensive setup which might explain the low scoring game. Wicklow conceded the kickout and had lots of defenders packing the middle of the defence; they definitely didn't want to concede a goal. Unfortunately this contributed to them being only two points up at half time having played with the wind in the first half. Kevin Quinn and Oisin McGaynor were the only players in the Laois half for most of the first half. The incident involving Kevin Quinn; I saw the initial collision. I don't know if anything happened afterwards as I was following the ball. I was surprised when the referee produced a red card but there was no complaint from the player. After this incident, unless you knew, you wouldn't have thought that Wicklow were playing with only fourteen players which is a great testament to this team's character. The team has lots of character but sadly, in my opinion, the team lacks quality. Ten points won't win too many games. We didn't really function in attack. Dean Healy provided great leadership as normal and I thought Mark Jackson's goal kicks were very accurate especially as Laois were pressing our kickouts. I don't like defensive football but I understand why the manager chose to imply the tactics he did. I think both teams are average, I don't see Laois frightening too many teams in the rest of this competition nor in division three. In terms of promotion, we are limited. We might gaining promotion but I'd see us struggling to stay in division three. I can see why we were relegated back to division four. Based upon what I have seen of our underage teams and club football, I can't see other players coming in and improving the team but we'll have to wait and see. One more observation, our players seem very light and small compare to some other teams. As I say, I think the players are giving it everything they've got but I really question the quality of the squad at this level. I'd be interested in other peoples' perspective, not just on today but looking ahead.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2037 - 19/05/2024 19:32:13    2545665

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "I attend the game today against Laois. Both teams had a very defensive setup which might explain the low scoring game. Wicklow conceded the kickout and had lots of defenders packing the middle of the defence; they definitely didn't want to concede a goal. Unfortunately this contributed to them being only two points up at half time having played with the wind in the first half. Kevin Quinn and Oisin McGaynor were the only players in the Laois half for most of the first half. The incident involving Kevin Quinn; I saw the initial collision. I don't know if anything happened afterwards as I was following the ball. I was surprised when the referee produced a red card but there was no complaint from the player. After this incident, unless you knew, you wouldn't have thought that Wicklow were playing with only fourteen players which is a great testament to this team's character. The team has lots of character but sadly, in my opinion, the team lacks quality. Ten points won't win too many games. We didn't really function in attack. Dean Healy provided great leadership as normal and I thought Mark Jackson's goal kicks were very accurate especially as Laois were pressing our kickouts. I don't like defensive football but I understand why the manager chose to imply the tactics he did. I think both teams are average, I don't see Laois frightening too many teams in the rest of this competition nor in division three. In terms of promotion, we are limited. We might gaining promotion but I'd see us struggling to stay in division three. I can see why we were relegated back to division four. Based upon what I have seen of our underage teams and club football, I can't see other players coming in and improving the team but we'll have to wait and see. One more observation, our players seem very light and small compare to some other teams. As I say, I think the players are giving it everything they've got but I really question the quality of the squad at this level. I'd be interested in other peoples' perspective, not just on today but looking ahead."
I broke a promise to myself for the umpteenth time today and went to see the game. I thought that we should or could have won, but can't complain about being beaten. We weren't robbed or anything like that. Again, I am not a fan of this "new" style football. Small margins. We could have snuck a draw with the last kick of the game. Mark Jackson won't be happy with those 2 misses in the first half. For the sending off there was definite contact to the facial area and Kevin didn't protest. Going forward ? We lack physical bulk compared to other teams. We have height but no physical presence with which to break tackles etc. Several times today some of ours were decked with shoulder charges but I struggle to remember us dumping any player with one. We had several chances of scoring from play from say middle distance with disappointing results. Laois scored a few beauties from similar positions . I must admit that I can't see this team evolving into a scoring machine anytime soon and will struggle for results at whatever grade they play.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1325 - 19/05/2024 21:04:44    2545701

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Today whoever won would be the less worse team.

sponger (Wicklow) - Posts: 2913 - 19/05/2024 21:41:40    2545713

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Replying To Freethinker:  "I broke a promise to myself for the umpteenth time today and went to see the game. I thought that we should or could have won, but can't complain about being beaten. We weren't robbed or anything like that. Again, I am not a fan of this "new" style football. Small margins. We could have snuck a draw with the last kick of the game. Mark Jackson won't be happy with those 2 misses in the first half. For the sending off there was definite contact to the facial area and Kevin didn't protest. Going forward ? We lack physical bulk compared to other teams. We have height but no physical presence with which to break tackles etc. Several times today some of ours were decked with shoulder charges but I struggle to remember us dumping any player with one. We had several chances of scoring from play from say middle distance with disappointing results. Laois scored a few beauties from similar positions . I must admit that I can't see this team evolving into a scoring machine anytime soon and will struggle for results at whatever grade they play."
Like yourself I hate the modern playing style, there's little or no opportunity for spectators to become involved. Too much playing from sideline to sideline. In fairness to Jackson's missed frees, they were a good distance out and on the wrong side of the pitch for a right footed kicker. If what you say about Kevin is accurate, i'd say in his defence that it is out of character. I agree with you about our lack of physical prowess which is a big part of the modern game. Best of luck to Laois but i wasn't impress by them and they'll need to improve massively in the forward division to make an impact on the competition.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2037 - 19/05/2024 21:45:42    2545715

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "Like yourself I hate the modern playing style, there's little or no opportunity for spectators to become involved. Too much playing from sideline to sideline. In fairness to Jackson's missed frees, they were a good distance out and on the wrong side of the pitch for a right footed kicker. If what you say about Kevin is accurate, i'd say in his defence that it is out of character. I agree with you about our lack of physical prowess which is a big part of the modern game. Best of luck to Laois but i wasn't impress by them and they'll need to improve massively in the forward division to make an impact on the competition."
Ironically, Mark had put a few that he tried from the same position prior to the match over in style. Also, I don't think there was any much in the way of deliberation in the red card incident. Laois"s "press" on our kick outs was much closer to our line than we pressed on theirs. As a consequence there wasn't much point on any of ours trying a breakout as there was no support. This happened few times in the first half. Again, even our taller players struggled under 50/50 dropping balls against physically stronger opponents who just punched the ball into the path of one of their own. We only had two or 3 "bulky players". Laois had many more. Like I said earlier, a game we could have won but can't be too upset over losing as we had chances.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1325 - 20/05/2024 08:28:46    2545730

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Replying To Freethinker:  "Ironically, Mark had put a few that he tried from the same position prior to the match over in style. Also, I don't think there was any much in the way of deliberation in the red card incident. Laois"s "press" on our kick outs was much closer to our line than we pressed on theirs. As a consequence there wasn't much point on any of ours trying a breakout as there was no support. This happened few times in the first half. Again, even our taller players struggled under 50/50 dropping balls against physically stronger opponents who just punched the ball into the path of one of their own. We only had two or 3 "bulky players". Laois had many more. Like I said earlier, a game we could have won but can't be too upset over losing as we had chances."
Unfortunately, this team is developing a reputation of losing games with chances of getting a result. Great chance to get a win/draw against Kildare; didn't take the chance. Great chance to get a draw against Laois; didn't take the chance. This has to have an effect on confidence; what will happen when they are in a similar position again, maybe against Carlow. It is one thing kick a ball over the bar before a game; it is a complete different scenario when the game is on the line. I accept your point about high 50:50 balls. I can't understand why Wicklow players don't anticipate the knock downs.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2037 - 20/05/2024 11:46:15    2545818

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Longford won Leinster minor last night. A population that would be significantly less than Bray/Greystones combined. I wrote a post a few months ago (January I think) noting that statistically Longford, Wicklow and Leitrim would be the worst GAA counties in Ireland currently. I think we are out on our own now - Leitrim (population the same as Bray) got promoted to division 3. Longford won Leinster minor football championship..

Some more stats:
Leinster minor football championship - every team in Leinster apart from Wicklow have reached a Leinster final in the past 25 years.
Leinster U-20/21 football championship - every team in Leinster apart from Wicklow and Carlow have reached a Leinster final in the past 20 years.

I seen our Minors against Louth, the score line was generous - transition was unbelievable slow. Took about 10 seconds to get to Louth 45m line. We then kept possession for a few minutes hand passing sideline backwards to midfield to sideline. I'd say the possession stats were 70% Wicklow 30% Louth (I think that's why score line was so close). Louth were getting up in about 3 seconds and taking a shot. Not many will make the step up to senior (maybe 3, one of those is from Dublin..).

Seniors have done a lot better than I expected, but my expectations were extremely low. Although they will probably come bottom of their group in the easiest group in the TC, it might be seen as a reasonable season as they played well against Westmeath and Kildare.

Hurling - underage - It would not be fair to comment, I'll leave it at that. Senior very lucky to have drawn Sligo at home.. Got a one point victory, I don't think we win if that's in Sligo. In the past 30 years I have never remembered Wicklow even playing Sligo as we would have been so far ahead of them. Look at our previous main rivals Carlow - drew with Kilkenny last week. There are 3 divisions between us now..

Anyway we bet Westmeath and nearly bet Kildare so everything is fine. Money well spent..
We should go all out to get to a Leinster minor semi-final. We should start from now with u-13 team and go all out with them. A final or win is a long way off unfortunately.

Last match of the senior leagues this week, championship starts in 7 weeks. Brilliant weather now - lets play no matches for the next 7 weeks… Lets play our county finals at end of October. We start leagues way too early. *I know there is some rational with these fixtures but looking at it from a high level it does appears ridiculous.

Tank (Wicklow) - Posts: 12 - 21/05/2024 08:00:18    2546027

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Great win for the little guy last night by Longford. This is further proof if it ever was needed that it can be done. These mountains can be climbed. One thing that jumped out to me on listening to a report in the news was that their trainer has had them since u14. Would we be brave enough to try that ?

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1325 - 21/05/2024 09:14:23    2546050

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