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Replying To wicklowsupport: "I'm looking forward to the local championship to begin. I agree that it is open with no real clear favourites. I suppose Blessington will be fancied by many as they've won two of the last three championships. I'd like to see either Eire Óg or AGB making the breakthrough - it isn't that I have any allegiance to either club but I would like to see a new name added to the role of honour. Rathnew went close last year. If they can improve their forward unit then they will be hard to beat. Last year, there plan B seem to be based around James Stafford; if that is their plan B this year, I'm not sure that it is enough to get them over the line. I'm not sure league form is a good indicator for the championship. It will be interesting to see how Baltinglass fare this year after underperforming last year. A team that struggled last year after taking the championship by storm the year is Án Tochar - they faltered badly last year but I think with the players they have on various intercounty teams, if they can gel and learn from their experience over the last two years then I think they might go close this year." Here's hoping we get a. It more interest from posters on this site when championship does kick off. I note the u17 kicks off during the week. Some of these games are a better spectacle than some adult ones. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1148 - 06/07/2024 15:28:46 2557212 Link
Replying To wicklowsupport: "I'm looking forward to the local championship to begin. I agree that it is open with no real clear favourites. I suppose Blessington will be fancied by many as they've won two of the last three championships. I'd like to see either Eire Óg or AGB making the breakthrough - it isn't that I have any allegiance to either club but I would like to see a new name added to the role of honour. Rathnew went close last year. If they can improve their forward unit then they will be hard to beat. Last year, there plan B seem to be based around James Stafford; if that is their plan B this year, I'm not sure that it is enough to get them over the line. I'm not sure league form is a good indicator for the championship. It will be interesting to see how Baltinglass fare this year after underperforming last year. A team that struggled last year after taking the championship by storm the year is Án Tochar - they faltered badly last year but I think with the players they have on various intercounty teams, if they can gel and learn from their experience over the last two years then I think they might go close this year." I think An Tochar changed their management team 2 weeks ago...dissent in the camp? minor93 (Wicklow) - Posts: 78 - 08/07/2024 13:52:32 2557698 Link
An Tochar players apparently moved the management on. 2 years was enough to see they weren't improving with their current set up. Right or wrong it puts it on the players now to perform. A Very open Championship in my opinion. Usual teams will be in the mix. Blesso/Village /Agb and pats for the semis. Agb and Pats to crash out leaving last years final up for debate again! Rathnew to take it! willielee (Wicklow) - Posts: 39 - 08/07/2024 15:41:36 2557727 Link
Replying To minor93: "I think An Tochar changed their management team 2 weeks ago...dissent in the camp?" Never seems to be the answer when you look at similar situations down through the years. Has there ever been scenario where changing the manager has worked out better. The only scenario I can think that resulted in success was in 98 when the Offaly hurlers got rid of Babs Keating, brought in Michael Bond and won the All Ireland hurling final against Kilkenny who hammered them in the Leinster final. It will most definitely put pressure on the players to perform now. Win it or people will say they should've kept the existing management team!! fickle as it sounds. wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1977 - 08/07/2024 16:40:56 2557769 Link
Replying To wicklowsupport: "Never seems to be the answer when you look at similar situations down through the years. Has there ever been scenario where changing the manager has worked out better. The only scenario I can think that resulted in success was in 98 when the Offaly hurlers got rid of Babs Keating, brought in Michael Bond and won the All Ireland hurling final against Kilkenny who hammered them in the Leinster final. It will most definitely put pressure on the players to perform now. Win it or people will say they should've kept the existing management team!! fickle as it sounds." According to the rumour mill it was the returning county players who tipped the balance. But, as someone else said, the players may step up now. There is nowhere or nobody to hide behind anymore. If those guys as as good as they think they are, they should get to the semis. That remains to be seen. I went to see them against Bray last year and they disappointed. It was on the players who just didn't perform - particularly the higher profile ones. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1148 - 08/07/2024 19:25:46 2557819 Link
Replying To willielee: "An Tochar players apparently moved the management on. 2 years was enough to see they weren't improving with their current set up. Right or wrong it puts it on the players now to perform. A Very open Championship in my opinion. Usual teams will be in the mix. Blesso/Village /Agb and pats for the semis. Agb and Pats to crash out leaving last years final up for debate again! Rathnew to take it!" Not only do I think Pats won't make the semi. I will boldly predict that whomever looses between them and Kiltegan on Sunday will be in a relegation battle. Ultimately if Pats did loose to Kiltegan, they will stay up as the other group is weaker....but Pats will either finish last or second last in their group. Gives me no satisfaction saying it given they are such a big town and Wicklow needs it big clubs playing at the highest level. Seems the other clubs in their group are ahead of them in transitioning of new squads. Localfollower (Wicklow) - Posts: 8 - 08/07/2024 19:50:33 2557828 Link
Some good matches in the minor last night. Blessington laying down a marker with a big win over eire og. An Tochar doing similar. AGB in the mix too. liam500 (Wicklow) - Posts: 180 - 09/07/2024 07:36:54 2557915 Link
Replying To liam500: "Some good matches in the minor last night. Blessington laying down a marker with a big win over eire og. An Tochar doing similar. AGB in the mix too." I saw An Tochair v Michael Hogans in a league match recently. Both sides were short but Tochair were impressive. I haven't seen Blesso or AGB recently. Tomnafinogue are always pretty strong at this level also. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1148 - 09/07/2024 09:23:33 2557939 Link
It maybe the time of year for it but more rumours of unrest at Rathnew and AGB. Eire Og and Blessington going about their business quietly. Balto very quiet however they have been very poor the last few years. willielee (Wicklow) - Posts: 39 - 09/07/2024 12:06:48 2557995 Link
Weekend predictions Rathnew vs Arklow Bray vs Barndarriag Eire Og vs Dunlavin Baltinglass vs An Tochar Blessington vs Tinahely St Pats vs Kiltegan Redzer99 (Waterford) - Posts: 71 - 09/07/2024 13:33:00 2558017 Link
Replying To Freethinker: "According to the rumour mill it was the returning county players who tipped the balance. But, as someone else said, the players may step up now. There is nowhere or nobody to hide behind anymore. If those guys as as good as they think they are, they should get to the semis. That remains to be seen. I went to see them against Bray last year and they disappointed. It was on the players who just didn't perform - particularly the higher profile ones." Yes rumor mill is all go, I heard it was a more a one off bust up rather than anything that built up. Kind of a surpise as names of management team mentioned are well known across the county from playing days, and very decent GAA men. Funny they were my tip for the championship based off the league form , minus the players with county panel they done well. But hard to know where they are now. Groundskeeper5 (Wicklow) - Posts: 17 - 09/07/2024 14:23:10 2558037 Link
Replying To willielee: "It maybe the time of year for it but more rumours of unrest at Rathnew and AGB. Eire Og and Blessington going about their business quietly. Balto very quiet however they have been very poor the last few years." Over the years rumours about unrest in The Village have never affected their performance on the field. Seems to make them stronger. In my opinion they are masters of the "siege mentality". Nobody likes us, they think we are finished but we will show them. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1148 - 09/07/2024 14:30:06 2558042 Link
Replying To Localfollower: "Not only do I think Pats won't make the semi. I will boldly predict that whomever looses between them and Kiltegan on Sunday will be in a relegation battle. Ultimately if Pats did loose to Kiltegan, they will stay up as the other group is weaker....but Pats will either finish last or second last in their group. Gives me no satisfaction saying it given they are such a big town and Wicklow needs it big clubs playing at the highest level. Seems the other clubs in their group are ahead of them in transitioning of new squads." Yes Wicklow football needs a strong Pats, Rathnew and Baltinglass. Not a good sign for Wicklow football that they are being talked about as struggling. I noted all 3 (+ Bray) are in the minor B championship while populations centre of Annacurra is in the A as standalone. I do hear they are improving at younger ages so hopefully good signs there. I hear Rathnew and Pats have good u13's. On pats struggles this year, i have heard they have lost a lot of players even from last year, but on the other side they have Dean Healy who i think gives them a chance in most games. Groundskeeper5 (Wicklow) - Posts: 17 - 09/07/2024 14:34:06 2558046 Link
Replying To Redzer99: "Weekend predictions Rathnew vs Arklow Bray vs Barndarriag Eire Og vs Dunlavin Baltinglass vs An Tochar Blessington vs Tinahely St Pats vs Kiltegan" Rathnew Bray Eire Og An Tochar Tinahely Draw Localfollower (Wicklow) - Posts: 8 - 09/07/2024 15:24:37 2558060 Link
Replying To Redzer99: "Weekend predictions Rathnew vs Arklow Bray vs Barndarriag Eire Og vs Dunlavin Baltinglass vs An Tochar Blessington vs Tinahely St Pats vs Kiltegan" Rathnew-AGB crippled with injuries Bray-only just. Barndarrig 2 of county players away Draw-Dunlavin good champo side Baltinglass-An Tochar not as good as they think they are. Big time Charleys Blessington-Tinahely talk a good game dats all another draw here-both will improve as it goes heavyheart19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 127 - 09/07/2024 22:25:07 2558124 Link
Replying To Groundskeeper5: "Yes rumor mill is all go, I heard it was a more a one off bust up rather than anything that built up. Kind of a surpise as names of management team mentioned are well known across the county from playing days, and very decent GAA men. Funny they were my tip for the championship based off the league form , minus the players with county panel they done well. But hard to know where they are now." Players getting rid of a management team, very rarely has a happy ending. Obviously there are two sides to every disagreement but this development certainly puts the spot light on An Tochar in the championship. If they do well, people will say that the players were right but if they have a poor championship, people will point the finger at the players who were responsible for wanting a change in management. Dean Healy will be a huge player for St. Pats. In the intercounty games I attended this year, I thought his leadership of the team was outstanding. Obviously he is a big player for St. Pats and what they can do in this year's championship. wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1977 - 10/07/2024 09:08:30 2558152 Link
Replying To Groundskeeper5: "Yes Wicklow football needs a strong Pats, Rathnew and Baltinglass. Not a good sign for Wicklow football that they are being talked about as struggling. I noted all 3 (+ Bray) are in the minor B championship while populations centre of Annacurra is in the A as standalone. I do hear they are improving at younger ages so hopefully good signs there. I hear Rathnew and Pats have good u13's. On pats struggles this year, i have heard they have lost a lot of players even from last year, but on the other side they have Dean Healy who i think gives them a chance in most games." I'm from a neighbouring area close to Rathnew and I think you lads needs to do a bit more homework on the village,They are very confident in how their juveniles are preforming and they have a lot of ex senior players involved in their underage teams. The Rathnew 15s did well in feile last year and were beaten in the A championship final by st Nicks group team and they hammered Newtown on Monday in the minor B, The 13s as you mentioned which my son plays against has Tommy Gill as a coach and he has them moving the ball well. I know coaches and parents in my club are envious of the Rathnew club's juvenile setup. Albundy19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 54 - 10/07/2024 09:57:26 2558161 Link
Rathnew - AGB injuries or not. Barndarrig - Bray slow starters each year. Eire Og - possible Miley winners Balto - a few Tochair players need to step up here. Not sure I would agree with that Big Time Charlie's ?? That sounds a bit chip on the shoulder stuff. Blesso- to set out their stall early. Pats - they will be hurting from not getting promoted and have something to prove. Dean is worth several men. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1148 - 10/07/2024 10:02:09 2558162 Link
Replying To Albundy19: "I'm from a neighbouring area close to Rathnew and I think you lads needs to do a bit more homework on the village,They are very confident in how their juveniles are preforming and they have a lot of ex senior players involved in their underage teams. The Rathnew 15s did well in feile last year and were beaten in the A championship final by st Nicks group team and they hammered Newtown on Monday in the minor B, The 13s as you mentioned which my son plays against has Tommy Gill as a coach and he has them moving the ball well. I know coaches and parents in my club are envious of the Rathnew club's juvenile setup." Agree entirely. I never, for many years, dismiss Rathnew. They have something down there which can't be bottled. Gillie, Bruisef and others are putting lots of time into coaching and the club will reap the benefits. Currently they are in transition and are still regarded as capable of lifting Miley. They don't have many of inter county standard presently but that works to their advantage. They had almost full parks throughout the league. They are not always everyone's cup of tea but have to ever be respected if not actually admired. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1148 - 10/07/2024 10:46:05 2558172 Link
Rathnew vs Arklow - Agb by 4 Bray vs Barndarriag - draw Eire Og vs Dunlavin - Eire og by 9 Baltinglass vs An Tochar - balt by 3 Blessington vs Tinahely - bless by 6 St Pats vs Kiltegan" - pats by 2 willielee (Wicklow) - Posts: 39 - 10/07/2024 10:52:14 2558174 Link