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Wicklow GAA thread

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Replying To Hoggie10:  "What are the county board and indeed most of those who contributed to the vote, to remain with U17's as minors?? My 1st son gave up GAA following his 1st year in adult football. He got hurt by a 32 year old in one of the first couple of games after the winter. It was a deliberate attack which apparently no one saw and he never went again after that. I've another 2 sons coming through, one who has to start adult football next year. Physically he has another year or so to build himself up. But mentally he is definitely not ready. A whole year makes a difference. Why are there 27 counties who have adopted the even numbers? Why can't Croke Park make the decision nationwide??"
Unfortunately, it's a number of clubs - mostly smaller ones - that are holding this back by failing to see the bigger picture. They believe this approach will increase numbers for their adult teams, but the reality is very different. This isn't an isolated example; I've seen it happen repeatedly.

Young lads are being forced to play Junior B, C and D, where the standard is poor and games are poorly controlled. A young, fit player gains nothing from that environment and is far more likely to be injured by out-of-shape, old-school players who rely on physicality and often get away with it.

Instead of retaining players, this approach risks driving them away from the game entirely and ultimately damages clubs in the longer term.

Croke park should step in and regularise all minor back to u18- I think there are only now 4 counties at u17 and we are one

StrandedinWW (Wicklow) - Posts: 55 - 15/12/2025 12:19:06    2648398

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Is it 1 club, 1 vote? Or do bigger clubs get more votes?

liam500 (Wicklow) - Posts: 221 - 15/12/2025 14:37:20    2648420

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Replying To liam500:  "Is it 1 club, 1 vote? Or do bigger clubs get more votes?"
I think it's two delegates - that's 2 votes per club, big or small

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1972 - 15/12/2025 22:03:56    2648469

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Pure short term thinking by clubs with this vote. Getting young players up to adult early is no use if they fall away then before they are 21. Give them the extra year to develop and then watch them thrive and play adult for 10-15 years. We are where we are as a county because of who we are and we don't look like changing anytime soon.

wondershorts (Wicklow) - Posts: 292 - 16/12/2025 09:23:16    2648495

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