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I'm not too worried if we get promoted this year or not. Ok, I would prefer we get promoted but if we don't, it is not the end of the world. I would prefer to stay another year in Division 4 and let players develop than to be promoted and come straight back down to Division 4 which is what has happened to us a couple of times in the last six years. I am encouraged by the way that the team are developing. I agree that the ultimate goal is to be more consistent. Without sounding too obvious, being consistent in the league leads to promotion and carries over into the championship as consistent winning boosts confidence. It is too early to say if we are becoming more consistent; I will reserve judgement till the end of the year; not just the league. The spread of scores is a good sign as we were too dependent on Kevin Quinn last year so the fact that we are spreading the scores around makes it harder for other teams to counter us. Conceding the late penalty is disappointing but again, if we learn from these type of mistakes and eliminate them then I will tolerate mistakes at our stage of development. It was important to win last night so that we have something to play for, in every game. We don't want to be playing dead rubbers as we don't learn anything. This is a project that will take 3-5 years or maybe even longer depending on how much other teams develop in that timeframe. We have some good players but they do need guidance and to continue developing especially if we want to climb the divisions and compete at a higher level.
wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1909 - 26/02/2023 18:31:13 2460393 Link 1 |
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It's so easy to get carried away when Wicklow seem to be in with a sniff of promotion but I have to agree with all your points Wicklowsupport. They have been my thoughts since Oisin was appointed. The Carlow and Sligo performances have to be looked at in their totality. We had two good wins since but have two major tests coming up and Waterford can sometimes have a sting in the tail. Bearing the first 2 results in mind, we would be a bit off Div 3 standard yet This whole thing needs to be, as you say, a 3 to 5 yr project. I also have said this for a few yrs now. Yo - yo promotions and managerial merry go rounds do nothing to build consistence, never mind a team fit to challenge for major honours. I know that some will disagree with this but promotion this year and a possible relegation next year would be a sure guarantee that Oisin would be headed northwards on the M11, with P45 in his rear pocket whether requested or given. That would put us back another 2/3 yrs. according to accounts, the lads are starting to play to a plan, there are a fair few promising players at U20 this year with more coming through, so, like the song, one day (or game) at a time.
Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 990 - 27/02/2023 09:13:35 2460536 Link 0 |
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For the county board to get rid of Oisin at the end of 2023 would be pure madness. We need continuity, not a manager to come in and start afresh every 1-2 years. If we are asking young players or any players to commit then the county board and the manager need to commit. Regardless of what happens this year, we need to stick with the current management setup. We are a behind a lot of the top counties but the gap is not as big as people think. Looking at several matches over the weekend and particularly in the context of Leinster, the province has a lot of mediocre teams so this should offer counties like Wicklow encouragement. Dublin and Kildare have regressed. Meath and Westmeath are next in the pecking order and both are struggling in divisions 2 and 3 respectively. Bringing in Oisin was a good move as he will have a plan, this plan will take time to embed and for players to get up to the standard of S&C etc; we need to stick with the current setup and concentrate on bringing through young players who can slot into the system/plan in the next 2-3 years. There are no shortcuts, it is a continuous progress. Patience is needed. On a related note; I don't know what the draw for Leinster is but I think our current under20 team could give Leinster a shot based upon their performances so far. I would love to see them play a county like Kildare or Dublin to find out where they are. No disrespect to Carlow and Wexford but they are probably not at the standard of Kildare and Dublin at the moment.
wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1909 - 27/02/2023 11:38:21 2460607 Link 0 |
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Wonder no more my friend. We have Dublin at home first followed by Offaly and Louth away in that order.
Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 990 - 27/02/2023 13:23:20 2460650 Link 0 |
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Any dates for those matches?
TopDrawer (Wicklow) - Posts: 51 - 27/02/2023 15:32:18 2460716 Link 0 |
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According to the listing - Dubs 21st March. Offaly 28th March and Louth 4th April.
Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 990 - 27/02/2023 16:50:18 2460763 Link 1 |
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Thank you. I'll be hoping that my hopes for this under20 is fulfilled in those fixture. Those three matches will be a true test.
wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1909 - 27/02/2023 17:10:23 2460771 Link 0 |
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That is one tough draw...best of luck to the players and management!
stringfellohawk (Wicklow) - Posts: 124 - 27/02/2023 17:13:56 2460772 Link 0 |
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Sure is. Dubs are always tough. Offaly have been improving at underage the last few years and Louth are always capable of a shock. It will be interesting to see if the "Mickey Harte" effect is filtering down.
Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 990 - 27/02/2023 17:33:52 2460780 Link 0 |
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Why do the gaa persist in having the under 20 championship games midweek. I think it is very unfair to many of the players who are attending college and have their lectures and studied disrupted. For working parents and supporters it means leaving work early or missing out on going. Surely there are enough Saturdays and Sundays to accommodate these fixtures allowing everybody to attend. These matches are in many cases the showpiece of how gaelic football should be played at a fast attacking pace with less of the negativity we associate with senior football.
Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - Posts: 125 - 28/02/2023 11:44:51 2460917 Link 1 |
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I agree wholeheartedly with you. I much prefer attending underage games these days as there is more pure football and less tactics involved in the game. I find it hard to finish work and get to a game in Aughrim mid week. My understanding is that these guys can't play in the under20 and senior championship in the same calendar to help prevent burnout. If this the case then could these championship matches not be played during the senior championship as there is no cross over permitted. Another baffling decision by the GAA. Maybe someone in authority reading this thread could enlighten us!!!!
wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1909 - 28/02/2023 14:41:10 2460977 Link 0 |
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That u20/Senior rule got threw out and replaced with a 7 day window
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11734 - 28/02/2023 15:41:20 2461001 Link 0 |
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Best of luck to the team and management against Leitrim on Sunday. A big test as Leitrim are top of the table currently, enjoyed a good run in the Tailteann cup last season and are building nicely under Andy Moran. Having said that: we are at home and we are building some momentum ourselves as the league campaign progresses. The manager seems to be getting a response from the players who are becoming more comfortable with how he wants yo play. If we want to be promoted then these games at home are a must win. I can't see too many changes as management seem to have settled on their team and substitutes; maybe a couple of players are interchangable on any given day but that is about it. wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1909 - 03/03/2023 16:24:51 2461643 Link 0 |
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I'll be in Aughrim for what I think is a winnable and also a must win game for both sides. Whoever wins has a great shot at promotion. Whoever loses is out. Add into that that both teams are probably as good as each other and it makes for what could be a cracker of a match. This game could make or break both teams seasons. leitrim4sam (Leitrim) - Posts: 644 - 03/03/2023 20:56:29 2461684 Link 0 |
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Hopefully it will be a good game. Wicklow / Leitrim games usually are. We are similar in many ways except population. I have always admired Leitrim's ability to turn out competitive teams despite their population. As regards tomorrows game, while hoping we can swing it, I keep thinking of our first two games. Gifting two goals and failing to hold out against 14 and then going a.w.o.l against Sligo in the second half. On that basis alone, I would be very slow to put any money on us tomorrow. I hope I'm wrong.
Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 990 - 04/03/2023 12:09:49 2461736 Link 0 |
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Great win for Wicklow today. Kicked the last 6 points to win it. Alas our draw with Carlow will probably haunt us. In our now quest for promotion! An extra man in Dr Cullen Park and we couldn't seal the deal. No complaints about the loss to Sligo. We need Leitrim at-home to beat either or both of Laois and Sligo. Slight chance they might win or draw one of the games. Maybe Carlow might do us a favour v Sligo. For me Laois are home and hosed. Wicklow need to beat Wexford and Laois both away. No certainty there. Wexford will fancy scalping us. Sligo aren't certain to beat Carlow or Leitrim. They are favourites to take the 2nd spot though unfortunately. Regardless of what happens nice to see a bit more steel in a Wicklow team. Wicklowman (Wicklow) - Posts: 1138 - 05/03/2023 15:58:02 2461966 Link 0 |
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I again wasn't able to make the game but followed each score. Whatever about promotion, Oisin seems to be building something here and has given or brought out a bit of steel or backbone in the lads. Fitness doesn't seem to be a problem anymore as it appeared to be against Carlow and possibly Sligo. Wexford were being well beaten by Sligo but rallied and could prove a tough nut to crack - as they often have before. On a tangent, I have taken to following the comments on our opponents forums. Great banter, insights and general thoughts on every game and their opponents. Mostly constructive, sometimes humorous. Then I compare these forums to ours and lament what has become of it. Many fine contributors now silent. Have they all been bullied off by some nasty contributors or just disillusioned ? Hopefully, this bunch of players and management plus the exploits of our u20s might tempt some of them back. Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 990 - 05/03/2023 16:00:26 2461970 Link 0 |
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Correction our last two games are against Wexford and Waterford, both away. Wicklowman (Wicklow) - Posts: 1138 - 05/03/2023 16:08:08 2461981 Link 0 |
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Obviously it would be disappointing if we don't get promoted. I would imagine Oisin will say, win your last two games and see where it leaves us. For me the difference between now and when Wicklow played Carlow at the start of the league is - Wicklow are playing to a plan and they have been training hard as their fitness levels appear to be improving. The graph is going upwards which is great to see. I don't think it would be a disaster if we weren't promoted so I would just take it one game and at a time and try to keep improving. A great win by the under20s yesterday. Things are looking promising on the football front. I agree, I would like to see some of the posters return to the forum, even the ones that I disagreed with. Different perspectives are always welcome. Hopefully some might be encouraged to return as the season progresses.
wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1909 - 05/03/2023 16:39:32 2462000 Link 0 |
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I have to say I was very impressed with the final quarter that the lads put in today...I thought that after the goal the heads would drop and it would be lights out but the lads really stayed cool and ground out a win. There will still be some twists and turns in this league as the top 4/5 teams can beat each other on any given day but we are right in the middle of the battle which no one would have predicted after the second half v Sligo...plus a really strong win for the u20 on Saturday so all in all a good weekend for Wicklow football...is there a bit of buzz growing?! stringfellohawk (Wicklow) - Posts: 124 - 05/03/2023 18:54:45 2462061 Link 1 |