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Replying To Freethinker: "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." I have huge admiration for Rathnew. Yes, sometimes in the past their players have gone too far with their on-field behaviour but personally I admire their 'never say die' attitude and how they believe in themselves even when they have less talented teams. Equally the fact that ex senior players are involved with their under age teams is something that I wish was mirrored at intercounty level with underage teams. Rathnew will be hard to beat this year as they are every year. I don't believe any other club with the Rathnew players have would 've reach last years county final as there were other teams with more talent but once again Rathnew proved that spirit and hard work goes a long way. There are some teams such as AGB, Eire Og and Tinahely who would probably win a championship if they possessed some of Rathnew's self belief. wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1977 - 10/07/2024 11:33:37 2558179 Link
Replying To wicklowsupport: "I have huge admiration for Rathnew. Yes, sometimes in the past their players have gone too far with their on-field behaviour but personally I admire their 'never say die' attitude and how they believe in themselves even when they have less talented teams. Equally the fact that ex senior players are involved with their under age teams is something that I wish was mirrored at intercounty level with underage teams. Rathnew will be hard to beat this year as they are every year. I don't believe any other club with the Rathnew players have would 've reach last years county final as there were other teams with more talent but once again Rathnew proved that spirit and hard work goes a long way. There are some teams such as AGB, Eire Og and Tinahely who would probably win a championship if they possessed some of Rathnew's self belief." There is never say die and then going past that though. Iv seen a match where a player threatened to punch a supporter in the face, only 3 years ago... all due to the supporter trying to draw the attention of the referee to an incident.... "come on, come out here and il batter ya". Like any club who never gives up, should always be commended. But let's be honest here........ Localfollower (Wicklow) - Posts: 8 - 10/07/2024 13:09:27 2558205 Link
I've been involved in many a "spirited" encounter with Rathnew over the years but I'll say this about them, if we could only bottle and share whatever they have in their DNA in terms of self-belief & commitment and spread this across the county as a whole then we might have some silverware to show for our efforts on the intercounty scene. I travelled way more times than I care to remember over the last 30+ years to Croke Park, Newbridge, Dr Cullen, Portlaoise etc to follow various Wicklow teams of all ages where you're thinking, "Jaysus, on paper we have a right good squad here, this could be the day" and then the very slightest knock back - bad decision, unlucky break etc and you can nearly see lads being paralyzed with that inferiority complex before your eyes. Lads who you've seen well able to stick their chest out and do the business , wilting & shrinking away into themselves. You could pick any 15 lads out of Rathnew on any given day and put them out against any team from any county and they'll not be awestruck, they'll not pay any respect for reputations or what this lad has won or that lad has achieved, they'll go to try and win and believe that they can win. That's something you can't coach in my opinion. It's either in you or it isn't. Some say that there is a line that shouldn't be crossed and Rathnew are often accused of maybe being too eager to cross it. There may be some truth to that, but at the same time there are plenty of other clubs in Wicklow that are well able to engage in the dark arts as they say. The county board have created a disciplinary environment where the dogs on the street know you can play on the edge and often go way over the edge , knowing there'll be little or no repercussions. So it's little surprise that clubs continually exploit this to their advantage. Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 129 - 10/07/2024 16:50:01 2558242 Link
Replying To Hawkeye2: "I've been involved in many a "spirited" encounter with Rathnew over the years but I'll say this about them, if we could only bottle and share whatever they have in their DNA in terms of self-belief & commitment and spread this across the county as a whole then we might have some silverware to show for our efforts on the intercounty scene. I travelled way more times than I care to remember over the last 30+ years to Croke Park, Newbridge, Dr Cullen, Portlaoise etc to follow various Wicklow teams of all ages where you're thinking, "Jaysus, on paper we have a right good squad here, this could be the day" and then the very slightest knock back - bad decision, unlucky break etc and you can nearly see lads being paralyzed with that inferiority complex before your eyes. Lads who you've seen well able to stick their chest out and do the business , wilting & shrinking away into themselves. You could pick any 15 lads out of Rathnew on any given day and put them out against any team from any county and they'll not be awestruck, they'll not pay any respect for reputations or what this lad has won or that lad has achieved, they'll go to try and win and believe that they can win. That's something you can't coach in my opinion. It's either in you or it isn't. Some say that there is a line that shouldn't be crossed and Rathnew are often accused of maybe being too eager to cross it. There may be some truth to that, but at the same time there are plenty of other clubs in Wicklow that are well able to engage in the dark arts as they say. The county board have created a disciplinary environment where the dogs on the street know you can play on the edge and often go way over the edge , knowing there'll be little or no repercussions. So it's little surprise that clubs continually exploit this to their advantage." Very well written piece - none of which can be argued with Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1148 - 10/07/2024 21:31:05 2558277 Link
Replying To Hawkeye2: "I've been involved in many a "spirited" encounter with Rathnew over the years but I'll say this about them, if we could only bottle and share whatever they have in their DNA in terms of self-belief & commitment and spread this across the county as a whole then we might have some silverware to show for our efforts on the intercounty scene. I travelled way more times than I care to remember over the last 30+ years to Croke Park, Newbridge, Dr Cullen, Portlaoise etc to follow various Wicklow teams of all ages where you're thinking, "Jaysus, on paper we have a right good squad here, this could be the day" and then the very slightest knock back - bad decision, unlucky break etc and you can nearly see lads being paralyzed with that inferiority complex before your eyes. Lads who you've seen well able to stick their chest out and do the business , wilting & shrinking away into themselves. You could pick any 15 lads out of Rathnew on any given day and put them out against any team from any county and they'll not be awestruck, they'll not pay any respect for reputations or what this lad has won or that lad has achieved, they'll go to try and win and believe that they can win. That's something you can't coach in my opinion. It's either in you or it isn't. Some say that there is a line that shouldn't be crossed and Rathnew are often accused of maybe being too eager to cross it. There may be some truth to that, but at the same time there are plenty of other clubs in Wicklow that are well able to engage in the dark arts as they say. The county board have created a disciplinary environment where the dogs on the street know you can play on the edge and often go way over the edge , knowing there'll be little or no repercussions. So it's little surprise that clubs continually exploit this to their advantage." "The county board have created a disciplinary environment where the dogs on the street know you can play on the edge and often go way over the edge". This to me shows the attitude in Wicklow around some clubs and the "Ah sure it's not individual or clubs fault it's the county board theyve allowed us to get away with this for years" from spectators. The county board absolutely need to step up on discipline and protecting referrees, match officials and players safety from deliberate acts of injury....but unfortunately it's regarded by some people as a team showing "Spirit" or doing the usual "Dark Arts". It's not.... let's call a spade a spade. Regardless of the club.... Hopefully the weekend matches are tough, skillful and with lots of spirit from all clubs (the type that doesn't get someone a red card trying to take someone out..... spirit). Localfollower (Wicklow) - Posts: 8 - 10/07/2024 22:25:17 2558287 Link
Replying To Freethinker: "Very well written piece - none of which can be argued with" Can be easily argued with. Don't worry. I'm disagreeing with you in a non twitter toxic manner ha Localfollower (Wicklow) - Posts: 8 - 10/07/2024 22:37:54 2558288 Link
Replying To Localfollower: ""The county board have created a disciplinary environment where the dogs on the street know you can play on the edge and often go way over the edge". This to me shows the attitude in Wicklow around some clubs and the "Ah sure it's not individual or clubs fault it's the county board theyve allowed us to get away with this for years" from spectators. The county board absolutely need to step up on discipline and protecting referrees, match officials and players safety from deliberate acts of injury....but unfortunately it's regarded by some people as a team showing "Spirit" or doing the usual "Dark Arts". It's not.... let's call a spade a spade. Regardless of the club.... Hopefully the weekend matches are tough, skillful and with lots of spirit from all clubs (the type that doesn't get someone a red card trying to take someone out..... spirit)." Team spirit, confidence in yourself going into a game or never say die spirit is not to be mixed up with assaulting an opposing player or threatening a referee or intimidating a member of the opposition's management team. These are two distinct different things and I for one believe that if a player from any club at any level is found to be guilty of any of the above then they should be dealt with, with the right level of punishment and should serve whatever ban is appropriate. Unfortunately, Wicklow are perceived as allowing unsavoury behaviour to go unpunished at local level. This might be unfair but that is the perception that is out in the public domain and until the relevant committee on disciplinary committee communicate or prove otherwise, that perception will persist. I agree with another poster who quite rightly points out how various wicklow teams, on paper are a match for other counties wilt when the slightest decision or bit of bad luck go against them - this is one of the main reasons why as a county we have failed to get over the line, over the years. wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1977 - 11/07/2024 09:13:41 2558320 Link
Replying To Localfollower: "Can be easily argued with. Don't worry. I'm disagreeing with you in a non twitter toxic manner ha" That's fine. No offence taken here. It's just that I agree entirely with all the points raised. I also know that over the years I don't ever remember a club discipline a player or club member or supporter for acts of violence committed either on the field or sidelines. It just doesn't happen. That incident in a junior match last was a classic case in point. That player, when he wasn't sanctioned by the county board, was free to play away. Maybe there should be sanctions on clubs for condoning such behaviour. I would like to know if it's the same countrywide. It's easy to blame the county board for all our ills but, in my opinion, clubs need to play a part too. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1148 - 11/07/2024 10:07:42 2558337 Link
Replying To wicklowsupport: "Team spirit, confidence in yourself going into a game or never say die spirit is not to be mixed up with assaulting an opposing player or threatening a referee or intimidating a member of the opposition's management team. These are two distinct different things and I for one believe that if a player from any club at any level is found to be guilty of any of the above then they should be dealt with, with the right level of punishment and should serve whatever ban is appropriate. Unfortunately, Wicklow are perceived as allowing unsavoury behaviour to go unpunished at local level. This might be unfair but that is the perception that is out in the public domain and until the relevant committee on disciplinary committee communicate or prove otherwise, that perception will persist. I agree with another poster who quite rightly points out how various wicklow teams, on paper are a match for other counties wilt when the slightest decision or bit of bad luck go against them - this is one of the main reasons why as a county we have failed to get over the line, over the years." I'd agree on aspects but also clubs have their own responsibility to outline codes of conduct for their players when representing the club. Just on one point...."wilt when the slightest decision or bit of bad luck go against them". I think that's resilence not anything around "Dark Arts" ( which the poster mentions originaly). Being 7 points down and coming back, normally occurs from a team who roll their sleeves up and decide to throw everything at it in the pursuit of making the opposition doubt itself in the home straight. In Wicklow I have seen clubs who were 6,7 points down and then started getting multiple players sent/ late tackles/ off the ball punches....off out of frustration. I have also seen that being justified by club/s "Sure that's our lads showing they won't go down without a fight" (not aiming it at one particular club). Going down without a fight is getting a player or 2 sent off..... keeping your head and trying to unravel a lead through tough legal hard hitting is fight. Anyways. Il stop banging on about this topic. Chat after the weekend and hopefully some eventful matches happen. Localfollower (Wicklow) - Posts: 8 - 11/07/2024 11:10:40 2558348 Link
Great to see the Garden County Sport lads back up & running. This type of content is badly needed on the local scene to lift the profile and get people engaged. Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 129 - 12/07/2024 16:56:55 2558597 Link
Replying To Hawkeye2: "Great to see the Garden County Sport lads back up & running. This type of content is badly needed on the local scene to lift the profile and get people engaged." Absolutely delighted to see this back up and running. Great to have a live insight to games and hearsay not given too much thought from various spectators repeating back to non attending so called GAA die hard fans. Juvenile is where the county should be focusing on, having a dedicated management team from u13 to minor is key. Picking a team at u13 level should not mean they are entitled to be part of a minor team. The county should be out watching all minor levels and see them play a match. Just cause they pass a fitness test, shouldn't qualify them as a county player. Match fitness and experience is a vital component. Sick to the death also about the same club being mentioned about on and off the ball incidents, where players have got involved with supporters and vice versa. Every club is the same, I was at game in the county ground, where a player spat on a supporter, this happened before the game I there to watch, so club or supporter can throw stones. Hoggie10 (Wicklow) - Posts: 9 - 13/07/2024 02:27:58 2558649 Link
Have they uploaded a show yet? I haven't been able to find it anywhere. FrankieJoe (Wicklow) - Posts: 83 - 14/07/2024 16:43:45 2558993 Link
Replying To FrankieJoe: "Have they uploaded a show yet? I haven't been able to find it anywhere." It's on spotify I don't think it's on apple podcast. It's great to have it back and it's much better. I listened to a couple of games the weekend. Well done to the organisers StrandedinWW (Wicklow) - Posts: 30 - 14/07/2024 18:30:12 2559039 Link
My predictions gone by, bloody Tinahely and a last minute penalty!!... Rathnew Bray Eire Og An Tochar Tinahely Draw in Pats Kiltegan As I unfortunately expected on the latter game.... Pats will struggle this year but also Kiltegan didn't seem to have any real purpose today. Furlong isolated at full forward but never actually tried to find him. Pats struggled in putting away Kiltegan and by the looks of it they will have 2 players suspended after the game for verbals. Long road ahead for both these teams, I'd struggle to see where they will pick up points in the rest of the fixtures. Only saving grace.... can't see either loosing to Barrindarrig in a relegation play off. Localfollower (Wicklow) - Posts: 8 - 14/07/2024 19:43:26 2559075 Link
One I didn't see coming was Dunlavin taking Eire Og. Also I thought recent shenanigans in Roundwood might reflect on the pitch. Not so. Didn't see Tinahely holding Blesso either. Rathnew and An Tochair early pacesetters? Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1148 - 14/07/2024 20:58:59 2559113 Link
Replying To Freethinker: "One I didn't see coming was Dunlavin taking Eire Og. Also I thought recent shenanigans in Roundwood might reflect on the pitch. Not so. Didn't see Tinahely holding Blesso either. Rathnew and An Tochair early pacesetters?" A lot of folk wrote off Dunlavin before anything kicked off. Based on yesterday's performance they could make a knockouts if they keep doing well Dunlavin4Miley (Wicklow) - Posts: 6 - 15/07/2024 09:07:37 2559192 Link
Dunlavin result definitely reinforces the old adage of not to be paying too much attention to what happens in the league as a marker for championship form. Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 129 - 15/07/2024 15:24:33 2559319 Link
Replying To Hawkeye2: "Dunlavin result definitely reinforces the old adage of not to be paying too much attention to what happens in the league as a marker for championship form." Definitely wisdom in that. Although I heard a rumour earlier saying that Eire Og may have had up to 9 panel members on hols or unavailable for whatever reason. Only time will tell that story. . Personally I'd love to see Dunlavin become strong again. They have contributed many fine footballers for inter county over the years. Mostly when the county has been strong there would be a Dunlavin player or two around. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1148 - 15/07/2024 16:38:27 2559345 Link
Replying To Freethinker: "Definitely wisdom in that. Although I heard a rumour earlier saying that Eire Og may have had up to 9 panel members on hols or unavailable for whatever reason. Only time will tell that story. . Personally I'd love to see Dunlavin become strong again. They have contributed many fine footballers for inter county over the years. Mostly when the county has been strong there would be a Dunlavin player or two around." Would be interesting if that's true about Eire Og missing so many. With the split season in place, everyone has good visibility at the start of the year on when Championship will kick off (compared to previous times when you might be lucky to get a weeks notice sometimes). So to still be missing so many due to holiday's etc and not injuries would be strange. Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 129 - 15/07/2024 18:27:53 2559372 Link
Replying To Hawkeye2: "Would be interesting if that's true about Eire Og missing so many. With the split season in place, everyone has good visibility at the start of the year on when Championship will kick off (compared to previous times when you might be lucky to get a weeks notice sometimes). So to still be missing so many due to holiday's etc and not injuries would be strange." Wasn't that the whole point of the split season - that you could plan your life around football. Maybe a wedding or something out of their control. TopDrawer (Wicklow) - Posts: 60 - 16/07/2024 13:03:16 2559504 Link