This Weekend's SFC/IFC Semi-Final Predictions:

SFC - AGB vs Carnew

Carnew have came into this championship all guns blazing and have not looked out of place by any stretch. They're a solid team and have played some great football in their campaign so far. Their first year back up to senior since 2013 and they've gotten straight into a semi final. With the addition of Ben Brosnan, the players seem to have gotten a pep in their step with the Wexford star pulling the strings and doing a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of scoring. They also have some talented players in Sean Murphy and Conall McCrea who wouldn't be shy when it comes to getting involved in the game.

AGB will know that if they can eliminate Brosnan and the threat he possesses, they will have plenty quality of their own to put in a performance. I've watched AGB's last two games and they've played exceptionally well with the quality of football and speed that they move. Some fantastic individual players in Darragh Fitzgerald and Paidi Kavanagh, two real live wires that will ask questions of the Carnew defenders.

I think if Carnew can stay in the game for the 60 minutes they might just edge it, but if the Gers play like they have been, they will have too much and will look to put the game to bed as early as possible. AGB by 4.

Baltinglass vs Tinahely

A replay of last year's county final sets up to be an interesting game. Tinahely defending champions will look to continue their winning ways after finding good form recently. Some serious scoring power here from Eoin Darcy and Matthew Ging racking up high individual scores for Tinahely. They will need these guys firing at 100% and the likes of Rory Stokes and Cillian McDonald who are great carriers of the ball.

Baltinglass might find themselves relieved to be in this game after knocking out neighbours Kiltegan on penalties. They won't want to have to do this in back to back games so I think if they are to win they will want to do it early doors. For me, they're the most complete team 1-15. They will always put in a performance and rarely lose a game by more than the bare minimum. With the obvious threat that Mark Jackson possesses from the dead ball, Tinahely will have to look to cut out all frees in their half (especially with the aughrim breeze). They also have some quality sharpshooters up top in the likes of Tommy Keogh, Adam McHugh and John McGrath. Arun Daly Danne carries the ball well for them too.

I think Tinahely will come through this game on top by 2/3 points but I wouldn't be surprised seeing extra time or Balto edging it out. Tough game to call.

IFC - Avondale vs Laragh

Avondale will definitely find themselves lucky after being given a lifeline beating Donard in the 1/4 final. 2 last minute normal time goals to send the game to extra time is definitely not an ideal way to win a game but they won't care. Again, a lot of talent in this Avondale team in Oisin McGraynor, Conor Byrne, Zach Cullen and a few others. On their day, they could put it up to the majority of senior teams but they will have to show up for this local derby and cannot let Laragh pull away from them.

Laragh coming in off the back of a good win against Coolkenno who are always there/thereabouts in this championship. Laragh have had a good championship campaign so far with the exception of a slip up against Valleymount. Some quality players here also with the return of Mark and David Miley who are a big addition. They have accurate deadball players in Erin Olohan and John Nolan. A team with a lot of potential and they will be looking to push on to the county final.

I think the dales will learn after their encounter with Donard and will look to put this game to bed as early as possible. Too much quality on this Avondale team to not win this game, but then again anything can happen in a semi final. Avondale by 6.

Hollywood vs Aughrim

Similar to Carnew in the senior, Aughrim have come flying up into intermediate from Junior A and have not looked out of place at all. A very young but talented team. Some quality individual players in Joe McGuckian and Alex Kavanagh. Conor Phelan seems to be clinical from frees so Aughrim will look to exploit these as much as possible.

Hollywood are no strangers when it comes to semi finals in this competition. Beaten finalists last year after a replay would put fire in their belly and they'll be looking to get back up to senior ranks. They're a solid team with a good 1-15 similar to baltinglass, lots of players who can get the job done with some talented individuals like Matthew Kelly, Rob Houlihan and Mikey Healy commanding from the back.

I wouldn't be surprised seeing this game going to extra time. I can see Hollywood edging it out by 1 or 2 points.

Annonymous54 (Wicklow) - Posts: 5 - 08/09/2025 02:49:05    2635260

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1858 - 08/09/2025 09:47:03    2635274

Wicklow GAA getting serious at last.

sponger (Wicklow) - Posts: 2957 - 09/09/2025 13:53:29    2635455

Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 173 - 09/09/2025 14:13:56    2635459

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1858 - 09/09/2025 14:32:32    2635465

Bans between 3 and 5 years handed out to 5 players I believe.

sponger (Wicklow) - Posts: 2957 - 09/09/2025 16:46:11    2635485

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1858 - 09/09/2025 18:26:55    2635493

kodak13 (Wicklow) - Posts: 104 - 09/09/2025 19:13:44    2635496

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1858 - 09/09/2025 20:36:47    2635506

I think what happened here is that Croker told the county board to tidy themselves up or the tap will be turned off.

Otherwise they would have done what they always do, which is nowt much.

sponger (Wicklow) - Posts: 2957 - 10/09/2025 08:53:29    2635529

As others have alluded to , the real question is how many of these players will still be banned when next years championship kicks off?

We've seen this approach to discipline enforcement before in Wicklow. Great optics and tough talk at the time but then, when the dust settles and the bureaucratic appeals processes runs it's course, several months later you'll learn that bans were overturned/fines quashed or reduced etc.

I hope this isn't the case this time around and a line is finally drawn in the sand that you can't get away with this carry on.

Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 173 - 10/09/2025 14:21:59    2635592

Correct, this is Wicklow. There were several examples during championship this year where players got straight red cards, it was appealed, and they were back playing the following week. Even this week where all eyes were on this board in change of suspensions, they let players off who had been straight red carded in their last championship match.

So yes, there is little hope those suspensions are actually real. There is a reason why we are in the bottom 3 counties in Ireland at GAA.

AGB should win easy enough at weekend. Take the 38-year-old non wicklow native out of the carnew team and they would be in relegation this year. Not taking anything away from Carnews achievements this year as they have been brilliant, but Brosnan is the best club player in this county which doesn't say alot for us. Even when not on the ball he is so good, creates so much space. Carnew got a bit of luck (although they made this luck themselves) by not having to play hurling last weekend. If they had to play hurling last weekend there would have been essentially no football training in preparation for this match, maybe only 1 session the Thursday before the semi.

Baltinglass are not very good on paper and dont really have any outfield county players, but they are Baltinglass, they just have something. Again this is not good for our county team but they are a very solid outfit. Tinahealy are not as good as last year but they know how to win now and have a few good forwards. Draw - Extra time - Penalties. So its anyone's game.

Tank (Wicklow) - Posts: 14 - 12/09/2025 09:31:24    2635796

Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 173 - 12/09/2025 14:18:20    2635875

The senior football relegation battle just got very interesting after Bray Emmets beat Dunlavin tonight. From what I can make out (maybe I'm wrong), if Dunlavin beat Blessington by two points in the next game, all three teams will be level on points won and score difference. How will the county board decide who gets relegated in that scenario? All teams to play each other again?

TheChampion (Wicklow) - Posts: 25 - 13/09/2025 00:37:44    2635940

Oisin has called Brosnan up to Wicklow next year. will be a big addition.

KerryAllIrelandChampions2025 (Kerry) - Posts: 21 - 13/09/2025 13:28:00    2635979

TheChampion (Wicklow) - Posts: 25 - 13/09/2025 14:23:27    2635992

liam500 (Wicklow) - Posts: 213 - 13/09/2025 14:29:55    2635994

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1858 - 13/09/2025 14:50:25    2635997

Fair dues to carnew footballers. They got a huge lead at halftime and never panicked. AGB are again a team of bottlers. They must wait another year but somehow I don't think they will win a senior championship.

kodak13 (Wicklow) - Posts: 104 - 13/09/2025 19:41:38    2636021

Dunlavin4Miley (Wicklow) - Posts: 34 - 13/09/2025 20:32:27    2636027