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Wicklow GAA thread

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Replying To broco58:  "How would they know"
They might have an idea how good the u20s might be, according to a little birdie.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 999 - 14/03/2024 21:55:29    2531183

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Replying To Freethinker:  "They might have an idea how good the u20s might be, according to a little birdie."
The U20s beat the seniors in a challenge match???

TopDrawer (Wicklow) - Posts: 52 - 15/03/2024 12:21:16    2531241

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Replying To TopDrawer:  "The U20s beat the seniors in a challenge match???"
Little birdie would suggest so, comprehensively. Might only be a rumour. Who knows anything anymore in this old county of ours.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 999 - 15/03/2024 18:36:11    2531286

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Anyone at the game today? Seemed from updates that it was very heavy going

stringfellohawk (Wicklow) - Posts: 124 - 16/03/2024 18:40:49    2531467

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Ironically after such a disappointing campaign there's still a remote chance of staying up going into the final game. At least it attaches some importance to the Antrim game (at least for us) rather than a complete dead rubber. Win it and pray for a miracle from Limerick in Offaly.

FearThoir (Wicklow) - Posts: 9 - 16/03/2024 21:02:34    2531524

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Replying To FearThoir:  "Ironically after such a disappointing campaign there's still a remote chance of staying up going into the final game. At least it attaches some importance to the Antrim game (at least for us) rather than a complete dead rubber. Win it and pray for a miracle from Limerick in Offaly."
If we were to win on Antrim would we not stay up on the head to head as both Wicklow and Antrim would finish on 4pts?

stringfellohawk (Wicklow) - Posts: 124 - 16/03/2024 21:15:38    2531531

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Actually I'm forgetting, I'm fairly sure head to head takes precedence in a two way tie. So scrap the above Antrim v Wicklow is massive for both. Just hope Offaly don't draw with Limerick though, that would scupper us even with a win in Antrim.

FearThoir (Wicklow) - Posts: 9 - 16/03/2024 21:21:54    2531539

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This is a great chance for these young lads to stake a claim. A cup final in all but name. Only problem is that our northern brethren have an aversion to losing to southern teams- particularly from "weaker" counties. Nothing will be easy. To win it, the guys will have to bring their A game with them, and then some. It will be interesting to see who starts. Squad rotation seems to be pivotal with this management.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 999 - 16/03/2024 23:42:12    2531575

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There's very little chance this group get a result in Belfast.

FrankieJoe (Wicklow) - Posts: 71 - 17/03/2024 21:04:36    2531796

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Replying To FrankieJoe:  "There's very little chance this group get a result in Belfast."
Let's be upbeat. Antrim are no world beaters either. If this team click they could do it. There has to be one game in them when all the parts come together. The game itself will be a baptism of fire for this young team. Everything will have to go right for them - including fair play from officials. It wouldn't be the first Wicklow team to come back across the border feeling hard done by. They will know they were in a battle if they can pull it off.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 999 - 17/03/2024 21:25:52    2531803

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Perhaps unexpectedly given how things have gone to date , after Sat the Antrim match has become really important and could be a pivotal point for this group. If after a pretty tough Division 3 campaign we could somehow stay up and then maybe get another 2/3 through from U20 into the panel for next year , then we could have something of a platform to consolidate & move forward.

On a separate note , I see our coaching diaspora haven't exactly created a football revolution down in Tipperary!!!!

Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 121 - 18/03/2024 16:47:33    2531947

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Replying To Hawkeye2:  "Perhaps unexpectedly given how things have gone to date , after Sat the Antrim match has become really important and could be a pivotal point for this group. If after a pretty tough Division 3 campaign we could somehow stay up and then maybe get another 2/3 through from U20 into the panel for next year , then we could have something of a platform to consolidate & move forward.

On a separate note , I see our coaching diaspora haven't exactly created a football revolution down in Tipperary!!!!"
I'll get roasted here by their cheerleaders but I didn't expect they would. In all fairness, how have they improved the football situation in Wicklow ? What were Tipperary expecting of them . Arguably we are at our lowest level in twenty years when it comes to Leinster club football. Seesawing between Div 3 and 4 during that time and longer.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 999 - 18/03/2024 18:00:52    2531967

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Replying To Freethinker:  "I'll get roasted here by their cheerleaders but I didn't expect they would. In all fairness, how have they improved the football situation in Wicklow ? What were Tipperary expecting of them . Arguably we are at our lowest level in twenty years when it comes to Leinster club football. Seesawing between Div 3 and 4 during that time and longer."
I think the current results are a reflection of the thirty plus years I've been following county football. In that time, aside from Micko bring some respectability to the county; this is very much the same trend. Predominantly residing in Division 4, temporary release to Division 3 before a swift return to Division 4 for another prolonged period of time. No real progress at underage aside from a rare and brief ray of hope which goes out rather quickly. As you allude to, the standard of club football has deteriorated in last twenty years due to the decline in Baltinglass and Rathnew teams. There seems to be no sign that this is changing presently; no outstanding club team seems to be emerging to fill this void. Competitive senior championship with a number of mediocre teams at the same level. Intermediate and Junior below average standard. I don't expect us to get a result in Antrim and stay up based upon what I've seen during the league to date. Of course, I hope I am wrong and that we do manage to stay in Division 3 as this would help to develop these young footballers much more than returning to Division 4 which is a dreadful division. Looking ahead to the Leinster championship, playing Westmeath will probably result in defeat. After that, it will be interesting to see how the management pick up the players and have a run in the Tailteann cup; there will be some strong sides in this competition this year so I would like to see the manager focus on this competition and try to give it a good go. This may be the only chance this team gets to play better teams until this time next year. Or maybe a number of players will go play in the States for the summer?

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1910 - 19/03/2024 13:06:45    2532124

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Has there ever been a worse Division 3 than this year ?

sponger (Wicklow) - Posts: 2897 - 20/03/2024 20:26:09    2532399

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Replying To sponger:  "Has there ever been a worse Division 3 than this year ?"
Maybe; i do think you have a point about the standard in division 3. I think Down are a county that have some potential but are nowhere near Down teams of the past. The rest of the teams are average which makes it even more depressing that we are struggling to compete in the division. I think the same applies to the province of leinster, in recent times. If Dublin are set aside, alot of the other counties have some of the worse teams in many years representing them.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1910 - 21/03/2024 20:08:46    2532562

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They seemed to completely calve while McConville was suspended after what you'd call a promising enough start. Did he end up missing the 3 after all? A huge thing is the capitulating after conceding a goal - something you'd hope will change with experience, but being back in the rot of division 4 could mean being back to square one again as regards management and playing pool.

FrankieJoe (Wicklow) - Posts: 71 - 22/03/2024 09:05:02    2532602

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Best of luck to the minor hurlers who begin their Leinster campaign tomorrow vs Westmeath. I hear we have a very good squad this year and lots of preparation has gone into it.

liam500 (Wicklow) - Posts: 175 - 22/03/2024 10:33:10    2532617

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Replying To FrankieJoe:  "They seemed to completely calve while McConville was suspended after what you'd call a promising enough start. Did he end up missing the 3 after all? A huge thing is the capitulating after conceding a goal - something you'd hope will change with experience, but being back in the rot of division 4 could mean being back to square one again as regards management and playing pool."
That would be my fear also. We have had too much of manager changes. I'm not sure how those young players would react to relegation. This conceding of goals is worrying. It seemed to magnify when Oisin was suspended. Really, we need to win on Sunday. Easier said than done but not impossible.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 999 - 22/03/2024 14:46:38    2532664

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Replying To Freethinker:  "That would be my fear also. We have had too much of manager changes. I'm not sure how those young players would react to relegation. This conceding of goals is worrying. It seemed to magnify when Oisin was suspended. Really, we need to win on Sunday. Easier said than done but not impossible."
I can't see it, weakest team in Ulster but Ulster at home at the end of the day. They'll be so much bigger and stronger.

FrankieJoe (Wicklow) - Posts: 71 - 22/03/2024 20:27:51    2532709

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Replying To FrankieJoe:  "I can't see it, weakest team in Ulster but Ulster at home at the end of the day. They'll be so much bigger and stronger."
Yes. An Ulster team at home is an intimidating prospect. There are several obstacles to be overcome, the opposing team being only one component. Like I said earlier, it will be a baptism of fire.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 999 - 22/03/2024 21:25:12    2532720

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