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Wicklow GAA thread

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Replying To kodak13:  "Who do you fancy to win the senior hurling after the weekend? Can Carnew finally win it? Glenealy aren't there yet."
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: 1842 - 24/08/2025 22:04:51    2633420

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Replying To Freethinker:  "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."
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

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Replying To Wonderingnow:  "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"
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: 1842 - 27/08/2025 09:42:52    2633752

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Replying To Wonderingnow:  "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"
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: 2130 - 27/08/2025 10:44:34    2633759

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I havent posted for quite a while because of how difficult it can be to get back into the website but maybe thats just me. An interesting line up for the senior quarterfinals. As i go to many matches i have a major gripe about saturdays fixtures as i would have liked to see all the matches but that cannot happen now with the time frame. I cant see why the Aughrim fixtures couldnt have been earlier or better still have a dounble header on sunday. Maybe somebody can shed some light on why .
Looking at the games ahead .
Rathnew v Carnew. Carnew must be proud of their progress as it is their first year back in senior ranks. Many thought they might be fightng relegation at this stage but their proud tradition has stood to them and they have improved with every game. I think their draw with Balto in the first round gave them the belief that they could make an impact and they are in the quarter finals on pure merit. Rathnew have regressed from their former greatness and it is difficult to understand their huge defeat in the last game despite having qualified. Two red cards suggest a lack of focus on the game. If they lack that focus at the weekend Carnew will take full advantage . Rathnew have unearhed some talented players in Adam Byrne and young Moorehouse but they still are lacking enough scoring forwards and their midfield lack mobility and pace. It is a difficult one to call. A slight nod to Rathnew on the basis that we all know the pride they have in the Village but if Carnew can remain composed and stay in the game up to the last quarter then Rathnews legs might lack the energy to see out the game.
St. Pats v Tinahely. I suppose Tinahely can consider themselves lucky to be in the quarter finals and they are discovering how difficult it is to put back to back titles...it just shows how goood the Balto and Rathnew teams of the past were. Pats like Rathnew have regressed and more worrying they havent been able to replace the great Paudge or Paul Earls. They over rely upon Tommy Kelly for most of their scores. I feel Tinahely are improving with each game and perhaps coming to form at the right time. Stokes (who should be playing for the county) Darcy and Ging pose a greater threat than the Pats forward line. Unless Kelly has an outstanding game and runs himself ragged i can see Tinahely winning tthis one.
An Tochar v AGB. For many this looks the most entertaining game of the round. Two footballing teams who play a fast open attacking brand of football. Yet both have failed to land Miley. Is AGBs chance gone and will an Tochar prevail? It promises to be a high scoring game with many talented players on both sides. Their desire to continue playing open attractive football instead of learning to close games down when ahead has cost both teams dearly in past sasons. It is something they will have to learn whoever makes the semifinal. I feel that AGB might just get their noses in front at the end.
Balto v Kiltegan. A real local derby here. Another difficult one to call. Balto can consider themselves lucky to have reached this stage after their draw against Carnew, an Tochar making a basic error to lose the game and Bray only losing by 4 points having to play without the aid of a strong wind in the second half which Balto had the aid of in the first half plus kicking some horrible wides. Kiltegan are playing a fast intense game and Seanie is looking a real threat as always. If Baltos full back line is isolated we could see plenty of goals. Kiltegan have a stronger bench and more passion and intensity in their play than Balto at present. Injuries to Doody, Kirwan and Jackson may be a deciding factor in this Derby. If Jackson and Kirwan are not fully fit or are not playing then Balto will find it very difficult to win possession around the middle and Paudge O Toole may cause havoc with his runs into the heart of the Balto rearguard. My nod is to Kiltegan considering Baltos injury worries and no Rogers in goal if Jackson fails to start

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - Posts: 137 - 29/08/2025 18:19:10    2634138

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Replying To Optimisticobserver:  "I havent posted for quite a while because of how difficult it can be to get back into the website but maybe thats just me. An interesting line up for the senior quarterfinals. As i go to many matches i have a major gripe about saturdays fixtures as i would have liked to see all the matches but that cannot happen now with the time frame. I cant see why the Aughrim fixtures couldnt have been earlier or better still have a dounble header on sunday. Maybe somebody can shed some light on why .
Looking at the games ahead .
Rathnew v Carnew. Carnew must be proud of their progress as it is their first year back in senior ranks. Many thought they might be fightng relegation at this stage but their proud tradition has stood to them and they have improved with every game. I think their draw with Balto in the first round gave them the belief that they could make an impact and they are in the quarter finals on pure merit. Rathnew have regressed from their former greatness and it is difficult to understand their huge defeat in the last game despite having qualified. Two red cards suggest a lack of focus on the game. If they lack that focus at the weekend Carnew will take full advantage . Rathnew have unearhed some talented players in Adam Byrne and young Moorehouse but they still are lacking enough scoring forwards and their midfield lack mobility and pace. It is a difficult one to call. A slight nod to Rathnew on the basis that we all know the pride they have in the Village but if Carnew can remain composed and stay in the game up to the last quarter then Rathnews legs might lack the energy to see out the game.
St. Pats v Tinahely. I suppose Tinahely can consider themselves lucky to be in the quarter finals and they are discovering how difficult it is to put back to back titles...it just shows how goood the Balto and Rathnew teams of the past were. Pats like Rathnew have regressed and more worrying they havent been able to replace the great Paudge or Paul Earls. They over rely upon Tommy Kelly for most of their scores. I feel Tinahely are improving with each game and perhaps coming to form at the right time. Stokes (who should be playing for the county) Darcy and Ging pose a greater threat than the Pats forward line. Unless Kelly has an outstanding game and runs himself ragged i can see Tinahely winning tthis one.
An Tochar v AGB. For many this looks the most entertaining game of the round. Two footballing teams who play a fast open attacking brand of football. Yet both have failed to land Miley. Is AGBs chance gone and will an Tochar prevail? It promises to be a high scoring game with many talented players on both sides. Their desire to continue playing open attractive football instead of learning to close games down when ahead has cost both teams dearly in past sasons. It is something they will have to learn whoever makes the semifinal. I feel that AGB might just get their noses in front at the end.
Balto v Kiltegan. A real local derby here. Another difficult one to call. Balto can consider themselves lucky to have reached this stage after their draw against Carnew, an Tochar making a basic error to lose the game and Bray only losing by 4 points having to play without the aid of a strong wind in the second half which Balto had the aid of in the first half plus kicking some horrible wides. Kiltegan are playing a fast intense game and Seanie is looking a real threat as always. If Baltos full back line is isolated we could see plenty of goals. Kiltegan have a stronger bench and more passion and intensity in their play than Balto at present. Injuries to Doody, Kirwan and Jackson may be a deciding factor in this Derby. If Jackson and Kirwan are not fully fit or are not playing then Balto will find it very difficult to win possession around the middle and Paudge O Toole may cause havoc with his runs into the heart of the Balto rearguard. My nod is to Kiltegan considering Baltos injury worries and no Rogers in goal if Jackson fails to start"
Great analysis and welcome back. I don't have any problem logging in but the amount of ads that keep dropping in can be a pain.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1842 - 29/08/2025 23:53:03    2634184

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The rain forecasted later could make the pitch in Aughrim bad. There are 4 games to be played on it

kodak13 (Wicklow) - Posts: 101 - 30/08/2025 09:22:48    2634206

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Replying To kodak13:  "The rain forecasted later could make the pitch in Aughrim bad. There are 4 games to be played on it"
Think there are only 2 ?? AGB v Tochair and the 2 " New's".

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1842 - 30/08/2025 12:00:54    2634216

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Replying To Freethinker:  "Think there are only 2 ?? AGB v Tochair and the 2 " New's"."
Yes correct but I was also adding the 2 games on Sunday. A lot of matches on the pitch in bad weather. Hopefully the pitch holds up.

kodak13 (Wicklow) - Posts: 101 - 30/08/2025 16:13:36    2634254

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Just in from Aughrim. No shocks for me anyway. I never bought that line that Rathnew would spring back from the AGB game. They were soundly beaten in that and in today's game. Carnew were dominant, good footballers and won't be intimidated. I think they will go a bit further - maybe all the way. The only danger is playing both codes at the business ends. Rathnew will need to take a long hard look at themselves - and their discipline. There were some disgraceful scenes towards the end of the game. AGB were well worth their win over An Tochair. They are a good outfit and this should be their year. I am not surprised at the Roundwood performance. They are a fair bit off winning Miley. The inter county experience for their players hasn't improved them. If anything they have gone backwards over the last few years. That's twice that they have been dumped out at the QF stage. I won't be able to make tomorrows games, unfortunately.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1842 - 30/08/2025 20:19:32    2634269

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Replying To Freethinker:  "I would imagine it is. I hear all kinds of rumours about how things are within that squad. One thing is certain, whoever draws them in the next round will need to be prepared for everything including the kitchen sink coming their way. Has the potential to be ugly if it isn't going well."
You weren't wrong on that one!

FearThoir (Wicklow) - Posts: 15 - 30/08/2025 21:39:13    2634275

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Long winter ahead in Rathnew. That's as poor a performance as I can remember from the Village. They've a lot of work to do to get anywhere near back to the level of their 2000s teams. Although you wouldn't bet against them.

Carnew full value for the win , Anthony Gray has them moving well.

Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 169 - 31/08/2025 01:31:12    2634290

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Replying To Hawkeye2:  "Long winter ahead in Rathnew. That's as poor a performance as I can remember from the Village. They've a lot of work to do to get anywhere near back to the level of their 2000s teams. Although you wouldn't bet against them.

Carnew full value for the win , Anthony Gray has them moving well."
Horrible reports ( including some video clips on social media) of some nasty stuff in .the Rathnew / carnew game, any reports or comments from anyone who was there ?

Yellaman (Wexford) - Posts: 185 - 31/08/2025 16:25:10    2634347

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Replying To Yellaman:  "Horrible reports ( including some video clips on social media) of some nasty stuff in .the Rathnew / carnew game, any reports or comments from anyone who was there ?"
Didn't see what started it as was in the stand. The ground improvements in the last few years and new lower fencing has made access to the pitch a lot easier than it used to be. I remember that such fencing was originally installed years ago partly due to unsavoury behaviour however that was primarily to keep supporters off the pitch rather than keep players on it which seems to have been the issue yesterday!!

Either the way , it's something the county board might have to look at it. Shouldn't have to be the case obviously but that's the reality in Wicklow.

Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 169 - 31/08/2025 18:40:19    2634367

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Replying To Yellaman:  "Horrible reports ( including some video clips on social media) of some nasty stuff in .the Rathnew / carnew game, any reports or comments from anyone who was there ?"
I was at it. I think the less said about it, the better. I saw a video as well and it tells its own story.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1842 - 31/08/2025 18:40:57    2634368

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A missed peno by Kiltegan prevented me having a clean sweep over the weekend. Going to have to have a little think before I nominate the semi winners.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1842 - 31/08/2025 18:44:54    2634370

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Replying To Freethinker:  "I was at it. I think the less said about it, the better. I saw a video as well and it tells its own story."
Yea, the brief clip that I watched didn't look good.

Yellaman (Wexford) - Posts: 185 - 31/08/2025 20:19:09    2634396

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Draw tonight will be interesting. Some people whose opinion I respect, tell me that Tinahely are looking really good. I didn't see that game yesterday so I can only go on others opinions. I think Balto have rode their luck a few times this year and I can't see that happen again. If Carnew can avoid Tinahely, they could make it to the final. Whoever they play in semi of final, they will make their opponents work. Tinahely and Arklow would be a great final - or Tinahely v Carnew, there would be some bite in that be it SF or final.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1842 - 01/09/2025 11:27:07    2634453

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Three form team: AGB, Tinahely and Carnew plus a battle hardened championship - Baltinglass came through over the weekend. Based upon what I've seen, I think Tinahely are timing their run plus the experience of winning the championship last year will make them favourites to win this year's competition. I have alot of sympathy for Kiltegan. They could easily be in the semi-final. I detest this notion that a championship game is decided using a penalty shootout when the county final probably won't be played until October. I disagree with a high fence being reinstalled around the county ground's pitch. I've followed GAA matches in Wicklow for over forty years; during this time one club has been involved in most of the unsavoury episodes. What happened on Saturday should be the final straw, severe punishment needs to be imposed on the culprits so these incidents stop.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2130 - 01/09/2025 18:22:51    2634533

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Replying To Freethinker:  "I was at it. I think the less said about it, the better. I saw a video as well and it tells its own story."
Depressing stuff, wasn't at the game so I can't say what started it but this should lead to serious sanctions but I think we all know it won't! Parents watching that won't send thier kids to the local gaa club looking at fully grown men beating the heads off each other!

stringfellohawk (Wicklow) - Posts: 142 - 01/09/2025 18:39:46    2634534

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