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Wicklow GAA thread

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Replying To Onlywayiswicklow:  "I know this wasn't Tinahely's only doubter this weekend but I feel the reference to them being the worst champions in the last 10 years with the footballers they have at their disposal is crazy and now proven to be massively untrue. Well done Tinahely from a proud Wicklow man this evening."
Tinahely are showing a never say die attitude that has been lacking in Wicklow club teams since - well, since the good Rathnew team of the 90s and early noughties. Let's hope other Wicklow sides learn from, particularly young teams like the Roundwood lads. Next week will be another step up for these guys and I hope they are able for it, I think they will.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1265 - 03/11/2024 21:58:17    2578232

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Fair play to Tinahely . Seen a lot of excuses this evening being thrown around online for Portarlington , this lad misssing , another lad injured , someone gone back to Oz etc etc

Nonsense. Winning a championship is no novelty to Portarlington, they had a couple of weeks to prepare and were playing at home. Tinahely hadn't won one in 40 years and the easiest thing for them to do would have been to say , to hell with it, let's enjoy the week and we'll try and keep the score respectable next Sunday.

However they came meaning business and you could see them growing into the game from about 15 mins in when they could see Portarlington were no great shakes.

Best of luck to them next week against Tullamore.

Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 138 - 03/11/2024 23:48:36    2578245

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Replying To Freethinker:  "Congrats to Tinahely on a great win today. Let's hope they can keep this up. If memory serves, the last time Tinahely were in Leinster, they also themselves well."
They got to the Leinster Final in 1984/85

LilywhiteGael (Kildare) - Posts: 113 - 03/11/2024 23:53:23    2578246

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Replying To Hawkeye2:  "Fair play to Tinahely . Seen a lot of excuses this evening being thrown around online for Portarlington , this lad misssing , another lad injured , someone gone back to Oz etc etc

Nonsense. Winning a championship is no novelty to Portarlington, they had a couple of weeks to prepare and were playing at home. Tinahely hadn't won one in 40 years and the easiest thing for them to do would have been to say , to hell with it, let's enjoy the week and we'll try and keep the score respectable next Sunday.

However they came meaning business and you could see them growing into the game from about 15 mins in when they could see Portarlington were no great shakes.

Best of luck to them next week against Tullamore."
It just goes to show how low the standard of our championship winners have dropped in other counties eyes, it's as if when their guys get beaten, it has to be something wrong on their side - not that they were just beaten by a better side. This wasn't always the case. There was a time, not too long ago, when no team in Leinster fancied facing the Wicklow champs in a Leinster first round. Hopefully we can get back to that standard.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1265 - 04/11/2024 08:40:38    2578263

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Replying To Freethinker:  "It just goes to show how low the standard of our championship winners have dropped in other counties eyes, it's as if when their guys get beaten, it has to be something wrong on their side - not that they were just beaten by a better side. This wasn't always the case. There was a time, not too long ago, when no team in Leinster fancied facing the Wicklow champs in a Leinster first round. Hopefully we can get back to that standard."
The only way to reverse the media apathy is to do what TInahely did well yesterday; beat these teams. I agree with another poster, there seems to be a lot of excuses emitting from Portalington regarding who they were missing - Tinahely or any team can only beat the opposition that is put in front of them. Portalington seem to be missing one main player who scored 1-6 in the county final. The biggest disappointment from Portalington's perspective is the late free that they decided to go short with and the referee blew for full time. I assume that they thought there was more time otherwise he would have taken a shot for goal. Anyway, it is all in the history books now - I hope that Tinahely can give it a good lash against Tullamore especially with being at home. They have a good bit of momentum now so I wouldn't be too concerned about playing week after week. Best of luck to them and hopefully they can progress.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2023 - 04/11/2024 09:30:46    2578276

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Replying To Sinbin:  "Definitely should be a split club season in wicklow intermediate and senior hurling championships could be played off in 6-7 weeks would give intercounty footballers a good chance to have a break and get back going with club also would give more dual players or footballers who find it hard to commit to playing hurling time to play with their own club or on permission with a neighbouring club that hurls a no brainer I think from someone from a dual club"
Nonsense. Avondale played 6 games on their way to winning the intermediate hurling championship this year. It wouldn't be possible to run the intermediate hurling championship off within a 6-7 week time frame unless the group games, semi-finals and final are played week after week which is very unfair just to accommodate the football championship. There may be fewer hurling clubs in Wicklow compared to football clubs, but they deserve equal respect. On that point, the county board should be doing more to promote hurling among Wicklow clubs anyway.

TheChampion (Wicklow) - Posts: 11 - 04/11/2024 23:07:57    2578411

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Replying To TheChampion:  "Nonsense. Avondale played 6 games on their way to winning the intermediate hurling championship this year. It wouldn't be possible to run the intermediate hurling championship off within a 6-7 week time frame unless the group games, semi-finals and final are played week after week which is very unfair just to accommodate the football championship. There may be fewer hurling clubs in Wicklow compared to football clubs, but they deserve equal respect. On that point, the county board should be doing more to promote hurling among Wicklow clubs anyway."
A split season would promote hurling by giving players a clear window to play in. In regards players playing week after week they are already doing that anyway with alternating weeks between football and hurling a split season would give players who focus more on football the space to hurl and also may perhaps encourage clubs who have previously hurled to field teams again in perhaps something like a hurling development championship for new teams off the top of my head I can think of a good few clubs that hurled in the recent past but now just let players out on permissions
Newcastle
Kilmac
Rathnew
Shillelagh
Avoca
There's plenty more too

Sinbin (Wicklow) - Posts: 18 - 05/11/2024 21:48:57    2578515

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Replying To Sinbin:  "A split season would promote hurling by giving players a clear window to play in. In regards players playing week after week they are already doing that anyway with alternating weeks between football and hurling a split season would give players who focus more on football the space to hurl and also may perhaps encourage clubs who have previously hurled to field teams again in perhaps something like a hurling development championship for new teams off the top of my head I can think of a good few clubs that hurled in the recent past but now just let players out on permissions
Newcastle
Kilmac
Rathnew
Shillelagh
Avoca
There's plenty more too"
I'm no expert on Wicklow hurling. Over the last 15 years or so on this forum, I have read what posters have written about hurling in the county and the general impression I form based upon people who know a lot more than me about the hurling landscape in Wicklow is that hurling is struggling - are hurling numbers and club declining? I believe that hurling and football can be accommodated within a championship structure. I live in Kildare and both hurling and football are thriving at club level. Clubs such as Moorefield and Sarsfield have hurling teams. These clubs are predominately football and probably always will be but they play both codes. In order to work out the optimum structure both league and championship, the county board must form an accurate picture of what clubs are playing hurling and football, what levels these clubs are at; would amalgamating clubs in either code help. From this picture, a proper league and championship structure that facilitates both codes can be drawn up. From my own perspective, there doesn't seem to be much wrong with the structure this summer. It might need a few tweaks but that is something that is done in every county.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2023 - 06/11/2024 12:55:47    2578577

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "I'm no expert on Wicklow hurling. Over the last 15 years or so on this forum, I have read what posters have written about hurling in the county and the general impression I form based upon people who know a lot more than me about the hurling landscape in Wicklow is that hurling is struggling - are hurling numbers and club declining? I believe that hurling and football can be accommodated within a championship structure. I live in Kildare and both hurling and football are thriving at club level. Clubs such as Moorefield and Sarsfield have hurling teams. These clubs are predominately football and probably always will be but they play both codes. In order to work out the optimum structure both league and championship, the county board must form an accurate picture of what clubs are playing hurling and football, what levels these clubs are at; would amalgamating clubs in either code help. From this picture, a proper league and championship structure that facilitates both codes can be drawn up. From my own perspective, there doesn't seem to be much wrong with the structure this summer. It might need a few tweaks but that is something that is done in every county."
Good luck to Tinahely tomorrow . I would love to see a decent following get behind this team. They certainly have done their own club and county proud.

roseyinthegarden (Wicklow) - Posts: 115 - 09/11/2024 09:54:11    2579013

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Best of luck to Tinahely. These lads can certainly see off Tullamore tomorrow and put Wicklow Gaa into a Leinster semifinal

kodak13 (Wicklow) - Posts: 77 - 09/11/2024 13:02:30    2579028

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Big congrats to the Dales on their good victory today. Keep it up lads.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1265 - 09/11/2024 16:45:37    2579041

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Hope Tinahely keep the run going.

heavyheart19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 142 - 09/11/2024 22:32:14    2579066

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Replying To heavyheart19:  "Hope Tinahely keep the run going."
I couldn't make it to the game today. I was reduced to following score updates on twitter. It seems that the final result may flatter Tullamore as the game was score for score and level until mid way through the second half. It was 1-7 to 1-10 into injury time. when Tullamore got their second goal. While disappointed, I'd imagine that Tinahely are happy with their lot this year - to win a senior county title and to win a game in Leinster. It will be interesting to see if they can build on this year's progress next year and progress further in Leinster. Tullamore have won a couple of Offaly titles in recent years and have designs on Leinster themselves although I don't see them winning against Cuala whom I saw live last night. Maybe playing three weeks in a row caught up on Tinahely or maybe Wicklow teams aren't as well conditioned as other counties' teams? A discussion for another day. As I say I saw the Naas vs Cuala game last night in Newbridge. It was an thoroughly enjoyable game; Cuala will take some beating in Leinster as Naas were second best and Naas fancied their chances of winning Leinster prior to the game. I didn't realise until last night that Austin O'Malley was a manager/coach of some reputation - he is manager of Cuala. It begs the question, why is he not involved with a club in Wicklow considering he played for St. Pats and Wicklow during his playing day. I'd be interested in getting other peoples' opinions/feedback on why he isn't involved in Wicklow football.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2023 - 10/11/2024 17:39:54    2579119

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "I couldn't make it to the game today. I was reduced to following score updates on twitter. It seems that the final result may flatter Tullamore as the game was score for score and level until mid way through the second half. It was 1-7 to 1-10 into injury time. when Tullamore got their second goal. While disappointed, I'd imagine that Tinahely are happy with their lot this year - to win a senior county title and to win a game in Leinster. It will be interesting to see if they can build on this year's progress next year and progress further in Leinster. Tullamore have won a couple of Offaly titles in recent years and have designs on Leinster themselves although I don't see them winning against Cuala whom I saw live last night. Maybe playing three weeks in a row caught up on Tinahely or maybe Wicklow teams aren't as well conditioned as other counties' teams? A discussion for another day. As I say I saw the Naas vs Cuala game last night in Newbridge. It was an thoroughly enjoyable game; Cuala will take some beating in Leinster as Naas were second best and Naas fancied their chances of winning Leinster prior to the game. I didn't realise until last night that Austin O'Malley was a manager/coach of some reputation - he is manager of Cuala. It begs the question, why is he not involved with a club in Wicklow considering he played for St. Pats and Wicklow during his playing day. I'd be interested in getting other peoples' opinions/feedback on why he isn't involved in Wicklow football."
Hmmmmmm. Coach/manage Cuala with a huge population of players (some of Dublins best), limitless funding and also in Dublin where his own company is based. To not do that and come manage a team in Wicklow in a very average championship. Do I need to say more?

Gaa_supporter (Wicklow) - Posts: 20 - 11/11/2024 00:01:30    2579165

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Replying To Gaa_supporter:  "Hmmmmmm. Coach/manage Cuala with a huge population of players (some of Dublins best), limitless funding and also in Dublin where his own company is based. To not do that and come manage a team in Wicklow in a very average championship. Do I need to say more?"
Scratching my head here to try remembering him playing for either Pats or the county. Certainly isn't an instantly recognisable name or one that stands out. No doubt I will be enlightened shortly.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1265 - 11/11/2024 08:46:55    2579183

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Tinahely fell short yesterday. As I say, I thought the final score flattered Tullamore. On the negative side, I see Carnew and Aughrim was soundly beaten in the intermediate and junior championship. I would have expected Carnew to give a better account of themselves especially if they are hoping to be competitive in the senior ranks next season. Tinahely had a good win against Portalington especially away. I think I'm right in saying that Carnew and Aughrim lost in their first match even if it is a quarter final.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2023 - 11/11/2024 09:19:05    2579186

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Replying To Freethinker:  "Scratching my head here to try remembering him playing for either Pats or the county. Certainly isn't an instantly recognisable name or one that stands out. No doubt I will be enlightened shortly."
Austin O'Malley played for Wicklow during the latter stages of Mick O'Dwyer's reign. He previously played senior football and win provincial honours with his native county: Mayo. He played his club football for St. Pats, I think he may have a championship with them when they made the breakthrough. The reason I bring him up is that he is seems to be very well regarded in coaching and management circles. I'm not naive enough to think that Dublin clubs don't have serious resources at their disposal. At the same time, I believe that Wicklow clubs need to improve their player development. Not once in the last 10 years did he hear Austin O'Malley's name mentioned in connection with a club in Wicklow even though he is an outstanding coach. Why is this the case? With all due respect, it isn't like Wicklow managers are in huge demand in other counties. It begs the question: how ambitious are Wicklow clubs? If someone knows the answer and can set me straight, I'm all ears.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2023 - 11/11/2024 10:47:14    2579197

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "Tinahely fell short yesterday. As I say, I thought the final score flattered Tullamore. On the negative side, I see Carnew and Aughrim was soundly beaten in the intermediate and junior championship. I would have expected Carnew to give a better account of themselves especially if they are hoping to be competitive in the senior ranks next season. Tinahely had a good win against Portalington especially away. I think I'm right in saying that Carnew and Aughrim lost in their first match even if it is a quarter final."
Both Carnew and Aughrim lost on their 1st day out in Leinster. Tinahely also lost on the same weekend albeit their 2nd game. Both Aughrim and Tinahely lost by 6 point and Carnew by 9 points. All beaten convincingly enough by all accounts. Each one of the winners had enough in reserve after talking to people from the Carnew game and the Aughrim game. Tinahely were in the game for a long period but the Tullamore had enough to get ahead and build the lead. We will struggle for a long time to come when our teams go into Leinster in the football as the standard is not there. We will be more competitive in hurling in Leinster as we are playing a level below the actual level of the winners of the Senior and Intermediate championship. Bray have won 7 or 8 Senior Championships in Wicklow, winning a Leinster Intermediate somewhere in that run but still only ever play in the Leinster Intermediate Hurling championship. So they will obviously be competitive. Again, Avondale were way too strong for Intermediate Hurling in Wicklow this year. They won it easily so are now a Senior Hurling club in Wicklow Hurling in a Leinster Junior Hurling Championship. This is not a dig at any of the above mentioned clubs, just an insight into what I believe is a significant drop in football levels in the County going on 15 years now. And Bray the only real light in the County hurling but still not competing at the top table in Leinster.

Gaa_supporter (Wicklow) - Posts: 20 - 12/11/2024 00:27:16    2579310

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Replying To Gaa_supporter:  "Both Carnew and Aughrim lost on their 1st day out in Leinster. Tinahely also lost on the same weekend albeit their 2nd game. Both Aughrim and Tinahely lost by 6 point and Carnew by 9 points. All beaten convincingly enough by all accounts. Each one of the winners had enough in reserve after talking to people from the Carnew game and the Aughrim game. Tinahely were in the game for a long period but the Tullamore had enough to get ahead and build the lead. We will struggle for a long time to come when our teams go into Leinster in the football as the standard is not there. We will be more competitive in hurling in Leinster as we are playing a level below the actual level of the winners of the Senior and Intermediate championship. Bray have won 7 or 8 Senior Championships in Wicklow, winning a Leinster Intermediate somewhere in that run but still only ever play in the Leinster Intermediate Hurling championship. So they will obviously be competitive. Again, Avondale were way too strong for Intermediate Hurling in Wicklow this year. They won it easily so are now a Senior Hurling club in Wicklow Hurling in a Leinster Junior Hurling Championship. This is not a dig at any of the above mentioned clubs, just an insight into what I believe is a significant drop in football levels in the County going on 15 years now. And Bray the only real light in the County hurling but still not competing at the top table in Leinster."
Agree with all the above. Our standards are low, in both codes. To be a Wicklow GAA supporter you have to be one of two types. Either an eternal optimist or be happy with the status quo - by this I mean happy with small returns after 140 yrs or so of Gaelic games. I am of the former but, too many of our clubs, in my opinion, belong to the latter. Again, this is no reflection on the clubs named in your post. Some of our clubs just can't seem to get it right on the big days. Our football championships this year were an example. Arguably the most exciting team through the league stages didn't even make the semis. Avondale, on paper, have a great foot ball team, with a good number of inter county standard players and belong in senior ranks. To me, Carnew benefitted from Ben Brosnan joining them and maybe punched above their weight as a result. Anyway, there is always next year.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1265 - 12/11/2024 08:04:58    2579315

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If we are to take it that there will be a place for players of the M Murphy calibre in the re-invented full forward position under the new "Galvin" rules, can a case be made for the return of still one of our best inside forwards - yes, the one and only Seanie - to the county panel ??

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1265 - 12/11/2024 09:00:53    2579318

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