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I was at the Carnew game. I think Carnew are just about ready to end their drought. They looked sharp and hungry. Some very good hurling. Glenealy have a young team but are a year or two away from challenging. Didn't see the Bray Avondale game, probably Bray will improve. I think they will need to.
Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1830 - 24/08/2025 22:04:51 2633420 Link 0 |
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Is anyone concerned about the decline (from relatively high standards at least for Wicklow) in hurling standards over the last 15-20 years??. Perhaps Carnew have unearthed a few younger players but I was at the senior final last year and there was a huge gap between both teams even if it wasn't fully reflected on scoreboard. From what I can see the reality is that it is brays to lose and realistically only Carnew (maybe kiltegan ) on good day will challenge them??, I think it will be a generation before glenealy win it again, I think they are only starting a cycle that Carnew are in. Great to see western Gaels and Aughrim get stronger but standards are lower and arguably it is a max 1-2 team senior championship and will be for at least the short term future
Wonderingnow (Wicklow) - Posts: 8 - 26/08/2025 22:49:52 2633728 Link 0 |
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Some interesting points. In my opinion, hurling has declined in standard over the last fifty yrs or so. Counties that we could hold our own with have left us in their wake - Carlow, Kerry and others. Now we struggle against Derry, Mayo, and Donegal. As regards the current situation re Bray, Carnew and Glenealy, it can be argued that there has only been one dominant team at a time for almost 30 yrs. Kiltegan were dominant for a while, Carnew had their moments, then Glenealy held sway for years and then Bray fought their way to the top of the pile and are now going for 7? again, in my opinion, Bray are showing signs of a loosening grip on the title. Carnew have been threatening for a few yrs now and this could be their year. Looking at their team and the age profile, I couldn't see them remaining at the top for an extended period - providing they get there. Kiltegan indeed are threatening but they have been for a few years now. I'm not sure they are ready yet. Glenealy are rebuilding and are better than Carnew made them look on Saturday. Still, they are 2/3 yrs away from being challengers, I think.
Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1830 - 27/08/2025 09:42:52 2633752 Link 0 |
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Could we say the same about football in the county? While it is great to see Blessington and Tinahely win senior championships in recent years, our clubs are no longer feared in the Leinster club championship since Baltinglass and Rathnew came back to the pack. This is reflected in our inability as a county to be promoted out of division four and to be able to stay out of the bottom division for any longer than one season. Equally, we still haven't reached a Leinster final even though Leinster is no longer the strong province it was previously. Louth could do it, why can't Wicklow? I think our problems start at home - coaching and player development is behind the majority of other counties in both hurling and football. This isn't meant as a criticism of the people giving up their time to do a job as volunteers but more a lack of vision at county level who fail to train these same people so they can development players at a local level who can if they wish compete with other counties at intercounty and provincial level. As the saying goes - it is a sign of madness to do the same things in the same way and expect different outcomes.
wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2129 - 27/08/2025 10:44:34 2633759 Link 0 |