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Class comes to the top as usual, Baltinglass with the W.

Albundy19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 68 - 29/09/2024 19:04:02    2572394

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I was in Aughrim today as a neutral, what a cracking game of pure championship football, end to end stuff, one of the best games of the championship. Both teams went hell for leather. Baltinglass were the slight better team, clever team, the experience got them over the line IMHO. Kiltegan didn't take their chances. Has the potential to be a cracking final v Tinahely.

standview (Wicklow) - Posts: 22 - 29/09/2024 19:44:11    2572403

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Replying To Albundy19:  "Class comes to the top as usual, Baltinglass with the W."
Just about. Biggest influence was a Rathnew man. Really believe we left a title behind us this year. Awful day in Aughrim but the stand was almost full

heavyheart19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 142 - 29/09/2024 21:08:58    2572415

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Replying To heavyheart19:  "Just about. Biggest influence was a Rathnew man. Really believe we left a title behind us this year. Awful day in Aughrim but the stand was almost full"
Would have to disagree with you, the difference was Baltinglass took their scores. Last 5 minutes Kiltegan didn't take their chances, ball just kept getting recycled back and forth along the 45, three free takers for them all had possession and didn't take their scorable chances simple as, I don't see how you thought anyone other than the 30 players had any influence on the game, it was a fair enough free flowing game. Last play of the game and a Kiltegan player fouls a Baltinglass player needlessly on the 21 for a handy free! Again, I suppose we all have our view on it, I thought it was a good hard game of championship fooball, both teams went toe to toe and unfortunately Kiltegan came up short, we can only hope we see more of this kind of football in the future.

standview (Wicklow) - Posts: 22 - 29/09/2024 23:08:40    2572428

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With the change of time, I couldn't make it to the Baltinglass - Kiltegan game. The Tinahely vs Dunlavin game was a good open game of football. Dunlavin were a bit unlucky; they very nearly pulled it off again. While they'll be disappointed, I am sure, on reflection that they are happy with their season overall. When Tinahely opened up they were good but they went into their shell and were hanging on at the end. Fair play to Baltinglass for reaching the final. I wrote them off and didn't see them getting to the final but history should inform me, just like Rathnew, they are in the business of winning county championship. Nothing against Baltinglass but forty years is a long time to wait to win a county championship; for this reason I'd like to see Tinahely win. I'll also be interested to see how the county champions fare in the leinster club championship. I've enjoyed the football championship even though the standard of football is mediocre. I have a theory that open football won't win anything at provincial level; I'd love if I was proven wrong as for me it is the way to play the game.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2023 - 30/09/2024 09:35:01    2572467

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Fantastic game of football yesterday between two local rivals in tough conditions - 4 county finals in 5 years for Baltinglass is some achievement for them. Kiltegan fought well and have superb footballers but as mentioned i feel experience got Baltinglass over the line.

Tinahely scrapped past Dunlavin who nearly done it again with there comeback. Happy for tinahely who have been there abouts for the last few years and will be hoping to go one step further than 2020. Dunlavin will feel that was there time and should in the final come three weeks.

Carnew with a big victory against the favourites avondale. No shock for me there Carnew look very good

Hollywood with no surprise there either.

Kilmac very poor who were fancied to return to intermediate - Great wine for Aughrim

Shillelagh second final in two years hopefully go one more this year.

WicklowB1973 (Wicklow) - Posts: 23 - 30/09/2024 10:58:35    2572491

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Replying To WicklowB1973:  "Fantastic game of football yesterday between two local rivals in tough conditions - 4 county finals in 5 years for Baltinglass is some achievement for them. Kiltegan fought well and have superb footballers but as mentioned i feel experience got Baltinglass over the line.

Tinahely scrapped past Dunlavin who nearly done it again with there comeback. Happy for tinahely who have been there abouts for the last few years and will be hoping to go one step further than 2020. Dunlavin will feel that was there time and should in the final come three weeks.

Carnew with a big victory against the favourites avondale. No shock for me there Carnew look very good

Hollywood with no surprise there either.

Kilmac very poor who were fancied to return to intermediate - Great wine for Aughrim

Shillelagh second final in two years hopefully go one more this year."
Baltinglass into their fourth county final in five years - so much for not being the force they once were!!! Carnew with the Ben Brosnan x factor were favourites against Avondale for me. I can see them accounting for Hollywood in the final. The senior final will be an interesting affair - can Tinahely overcome Baltinglass's experience and know how in getting the job done? As I said on another post - I have a huge amount of admiration for Baltinglass as a club and what they continue to do but forty years; it would be great for Tinahely to win one. It will be interesting to see if Dunlavin can build on what they achieved this year. They have some good young players particularly Sean Doyle who should catch the eye of the county selectors - time will tell if they can overcome second year syndrome which seems to affect so many young teams.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2023 - 30/09/2024 12:51:22    2572525

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "Baltinglass into their fourth county final in five years - so much for not being the force they once were!!! Carnew with the Ben Brosnan x factor were favourites against Avondale for me. I can see them accounting for Hollywood in the final. The senior final will be an interesting affair - can Tinahely overcome Baltinglass's experience and know how in getting the job done? As I said on another post - I have a huge amount of admiration for Baltinglass as a club and what they continue to do but forty years; it would be great for Tinahely to win one. It will be interesting to see if Dunlavin can build on what they achieved this year. They have some good young players particularly Sean Doyle who should catch the eye of the county selectors - time will tell if they can overcome second year syndrome which seems to affect so many young teams."
Early in the year, Balto were one of my favourites to lift Miley. Blessington possibly the disappointment, but they will feel that more than anyone and rebound in 25. Dunlavin have proved they are a test for anyone with their never say die attitude and I have to admit I didn't see that coming. Kiltegan are always a handful and AGB and Eire Og the great enigmas. They have the players to go further but …,,, an Tochair will have to learn to handle teams when they throw caution to the wind and attack them through route one - straight down the middle. Having watched them a few times and their u17s, they will be a major force but maybe not for another few years. Bray and Rathnew will always be there or thereabouts, Bray due to their numbers and Rathnew due to their attitude and spirit. It will be interesting to see what Hollywood or Carnew would bring to the senior scene. Avondale have become the great underachievers. Their lineout bristling with good, young players. Kilmac disappointed but do they rely too much on young Fox ?

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1265 - 01/10/2024 09:02:55    2572646

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Replying To Freethinker:  "Early in the year, Balto were one of my favourites to lift Miley. Blessington possibly the disappointment, but they will feel that more than anyone and rebound in 25. Dunlavin have proved they are a test for anyone with their never say die attitude and I have to admit I didn't see that coming. Kiltegan are always a handful and AGB and Eire Og the great enigmas. They have the players to go further but …,,, an Tochair will have to learn to handle teams when they throw caution to the wind and attack them through route one - straight down the middle. Having watched them a few times and their u17s, they will be a major force but maybe not for another few years. Bray and Rathnew will always be there or thereabouts, Bray due to their numbers and Rathnew due to their attitude and spirit. It will be interesting to see what Hollywood or Carnew would bring to the senior scene. Avondale have become the great underachievers. Their lineout bristling with good, young players. Kilmac disappointed but do they rely too much on young Fox ?"
No disrespect that I didn't mention Pats. They too will never be far away. They haven't had a good enough supply of juveniles coming through in recent years like Rathnew, but still seem to be able to field a decent senior team. They were only a suspension and a few losses by the minimum away from making the quarters and when they get into the knockouts anything can happen.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1265 - 01/10/2024 09:44:53    2572652

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Replying To Freethinker:  "Early in the year, Balto were one of my favourites to lift Miley. Blessington possibly the disappointment, but they will feel that more than anyone and rebound in 25. Dunlavin have proved they are a test for anyone with their never say die attitude and I have to admit I didn't see that coming. Kiltegan are always a handful and AGB and Eire Og the great enigmas. They have the players to go further but …,,, an Tochair will have to learn to handle teams when they throw caution to the wind and attack them through route one - straight down the middle. Having watched them a few times and their u17s, they will be a major force but maybe not for another few years. Bray and Rathnew will always be there or thereabouts, Bray due to their numbers and Rathnew due to their attitude and spirit. It will be interesting to see what Hollywood or Carnew would bring to the senior scene. Avondale have become the great underachievers. Their lineout bristling with good, young players. Kilmac disappointed but do they rely too much on young Fox ?"
I agree, Kilmac who battled in Div 1a this year against 3 county semi finalists would have been fancied to return to intermediate. Maybe they relied on one player too much.

I personally feel Carnew and Hollywood would bring a lot more to senior than Barndarrig did this year.

Avondale is a strange one, Intermediate is one tough place to get out of!

WicklowB1973 (Wicklow) - Posts: 23 - 01/10/2024 13:52:27    2572694

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Replying To WicklowB1973:  "I agree, Kilmac who battled in Div 1a this year against 3 county semi finalists would have been fancied to return to intermediate. Maybe they relied on one player too much.

I personally feel Carnew and Hollywood would bring a lot more to senior than Barndarrig did this year.

Avondale is a strange one, Intermediate is one tough place to get out of!"
Is it the format of the championship, do clubs have to learn don't peak too early, am I right in saying carnew are only one to win group in a final. Should there more incentive to win the group in this format I.e winner of group in semi finals. Second and third in quarter final, fourth out. Fifth out. Six relegation playoff. I just think in this formats the group games there's to many back doors.

StrandedinWW (Wicklow) - Posts: 38 - 01/10/2024 14:20:22    2572697

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Disappointed with Avondale. Really thought they had the potential to really add something to senior if they came up this year. I suppose though it's no good looking good on paper, you have to go out and do it on the day. The Intermediate championship takes no prisoners. If you don't turn up on a given day then you'll be dumped out.

Would like to see Tinahely go on and take senior now. As I mentioned on a previous post, apart from the St Mary's amalgamation in the Mid 2000s, Miley has not made the journey down south too often in the last 40 years.

Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 138 - 01/10/2024 15:50:28    2572712

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Replying To StrandedinWW:  "Is it the format of the championship, do clubs have to learn don't peak too early, am I right in saying carnew are only one to win group in a final. Should there more incentive to win the group in this format I.e winner of group in semi finals. Second and third in quarter final, fourth out. Fifth out. Six relegation playoff. I just think in this formats the group games there's to many back doors."
It's a funny old system and a funny old year alright. And timing your run, fitness wise seems wise. I'm not too sure if that was what Balto actually did but they have made their way into the county final. That night in Baltinglass after the Roundwood game, Tinahely thought they were out for a few minutes, then word came through that they had scraped into the quarters, almost by default, and now they are also in the final. Then we have the ridiculous situation that whoever wins the relegation playoff gets a trophy ?? Really ??

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1265 - 01/10/2024 17:30:05    2572720

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The semi final between Baltinglass and Kiltegan was an honest open game of football. Both teams played attacking football in trying condition and the game could have gone either way. Perhapss Kiltegan wth time almost up committed too many players forward with the possibly of a Balto breakaway if a movement broke down and only a few defenders left to face the threat especially as Balto had introduced fresh legs into the forwawd line. Maybe Kitegan felt extra time might have been a bridge too far for aging legs and decided to try and finish the game off.
Balto had their homework done ant the 3 big units of Kirwan , Whelan and Danne got a stranglehold around the middle and worked tirelessly up and down the field. Podges usual devastating runs were blunted as he was forced to head to the sidelines or release the ball early. Rory worked tirelessly but the Balto backs forced hin to take a peripheral route to goal which gave them time to reorganise. Rory must be admired for his work rate ,and committment in this game but also for his service to club and county over the years. Seanie didnt get the high dropping ball he likes with many passes arriving too low or too short and Balto double marking him. The extra man for Kiltegan didnt avail of the freedom given to him.
The lack of scores from play must have struck McConvillle too as the age old problem persists.
As well as the players mentioned Baltinglass had very impressive players in the 2 Burkes, young Fleming and the rock solid Grimes upon which many of the Kiltegans attacks perished.
The final will be an intriguing game. Baltinglass know how to win but Tinahely posses a formidable scoring threat in Darcy Ging and the rapidly improving Stokes who looks the fittest ive seen. They have many players who have inter county experience at under age and the return of young Byrne gives them a real presence they lacked before. Keogh willl be much fitter for Baltinglass in another 3 weeks and will probably start.If Baltinglass dominate aruond the centre with their big men then the Tinahely forwards may be starved of possession. Will Tinahely lose concentration as they did against Dunlavin,. If they do their title hopes are gone. All to look forward to.

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - Posts: 133 - 01/10/2024 17:35:00    2572721

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No double for Avondale this year. The intermediate championship is competitive and many teams have found it difficult to make the climb back up to senior so quickly. Their hurlers will be delighted with their win today. Their confidence should be back up now after their request to drop down from the senior ranks two years ago. The stint in the intermediate grade seemed to invigorate St. Patrick's who competed well at senior level this year. Hopefully, Avondale can do the same next year as a competitive senior grade in Wicklow hurling is important. Well done to Bray who bagged the 6 in a row today. The gap seems to be closing between them and the chasing pack but they remain the team to beat. Carnew are a club that seem to be flying in both codes - men and ladies. Would like to see them get over the line in the intermediate football final.

TheChampion (Wicklow) - Posts: 11 - 06/10/2024 20:48:48    2573345

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No double for Avondale this year. The intermediate championship is competitive and many teams have found it difficult to make the climb back up to senior so quickly. Their hurlers will be delighted with their win today. Their confidence should be back up now after their request to drop down from the senior ranks two years ago. The stint in the intermediate grade seemed to invigorate St. Patrick's who competed well at senior level this year. Hopefully, Avondale can do the same next year as a competitive senior grade in Wicklow hurling is important. Well done to Bray who bagged the 6 in a row today. The gap seems to be closing between them and the chasing pack but they remain the team to beat. Carnew are a club that seem to be flying in both codes - men and ladies. Would like to see them get over the line in the intermediate football final.

TheChampion (Wicklow) - Posts: 11 - 06/10/2024 20:49:34    2573346

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Close enough hurling final but Bray seemed the much stronger side and kept popping over the points. Goals against the run of play keeping Carnew in it. A repeat of this pairing on Saturday for the minor hurling final. My money again would be on Bray but its all on the day. Pity it wasn't played yesterday, would have been a great experience for the boys.

liam500 (Wicklow) - Posts: 187 - 07/10/2024 12:02:22    2573447

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On the evidence of yesterday, Avondale should be able to acquit themselves well at senior hurling next year and add more competitiveness in the Senior championship. They seem to have good strength in depth of capable young hurlers albeit their major performers yesterday were the old guard of Eugene Dunne and Eamon Kearns .

What is the situation with relegation from Senior Hurling this year?

Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 138 - 07/10/2024 17:39:34    2573513

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Generally there is no relegation unless a team requests it. I presume if we ever got back to 8 senior teams then relegation would be introduced.

liam500 (Wicklow) - Posts: 187 - 07/10/2024 19:03:21    2573526

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Replying To Hawkeye2:  "On the evidence of yesterday, Avondale should be able to acquit themselves well at senior hurling next year and add more competitiveness in the Senior championship. They seem to have good strength in depth of capable young hurlers albeit their major performers yesterday were the old guard of Eugene Dunne and Eamon Kearns .

What is the situation with relegation from Senior Hurling this year?"
I don't think there has been relegation from the senior ranks for years now. Problem has been trying to keep senior clubs senior. The only 2 who went down in recent years were St Pats and Avondale - and they had to apply to county board for permission. For years Intermediate winners, Carnew, Kilcoole, Bray etc didn't go up as with Bray and Carnew, they already had senior teams and if memory serves, Kilcoole opted to stay at inter.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1265 - 07/10/2024 19:04:09    2573527

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