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The jury is still out for me on whether grouping similar standard teams together actually improves their standard. There is a lot of talk about the Tailteann cup and how great it is that teams of a similar standard play against each other with a chance to win a national title. The question that should be asked is why is the gap widening between the top teams and so called weaker teams - is it related to money? There are realistically 2-3 teams that can win the All Ireland. Maybe this was always the case but for me there aren't 16 teams capable of playing for the All Ireland title and 16 teams not. A question that needs to asked and answered in Wicklow is who is responsibility for coaching and developing young players; is there a head of development? If so, the question should be asked: why are we continuously under achieving at u17 and u20 at a time when football in Leinster is at its weakest in decades. Outside Dublin and Kildare, we should be capable of competing and beating the rest of the counties and this should be stick we are measured against. Dublin and Kildare have won the u20 All Ireland in recent years, they are the only two counties from Leinster to progress to the All Ireland final. Meath are not achieving at this grade. So why is it that Wicklow can't even get to a Leinster final at either u17 or u20 grade? I don't expect us to win an All Ireland title at u17 or u20 grade but I would like to see us contest and possibly win a provincial title in either of these two grades. It will take hard work but surely that must be an achievable goal. wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1912 - 30/03/2024 09:45:58 2534571 Link 0 |
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Good show today by the minor hurlers. Anyone at the game and know the difference with last week? liam500 (Wicklow) - Posts: 175 - 30/03/2024 17:49:03 2534654 Link 0 |
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Also congrats to the u20 hurlers on their win in the all Ireland B championship liam500 (Wicklow) - Posts: 175 - 30/03/2024 17:57:28 2534656 Link 0 |
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I wasn't at either game but possibly stage fright last week ? 3/4 pts between Meath and Wicklow would be par for the course. Possibly Westmeath are that good ? The result against Tyrone ( in hurling) was possibly restoring what we would like to think - without being big headed - would be the natural order. I note that Michael Og from Glenealy was only used as a sub. It must be a strong team unless he is nursing an injury if he can be left on the bench. He is generally regarded as one of the brighter prospects in the county.
Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1001 - 30/03/2024 18:05:29 2534657 Link 0 |
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Fair play to everyone one of those minor hurlers today. Not easy to come out and go again after last week. Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 121 - 30/03/2024 19:11:05 2534682 Link 0 |
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Certainly would second that. A much more positive day for underage hurling today. Minors have 4 tough games in that group and won't really know where they stand at this level till all are complete but it has to be better for their development to be experiencing this grade. U 20s have Down next who are surely borderline to be competing at the higher tier 2 (best Armagh by 33pts today)., so a good test awaits them next time and one to look forward to. FearThoir (Wicklow) - Posts: 9 - 30/03/2024 20:31:51 2534695 Link 0 |
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Just looked at that minor team. A very strong half forward line with lads in it that have been stand out performers over the years. Not sure why we didn't line out like that in the first game. A puck out to that line and we are half way to a score. liam500 (Wicklow) - Posts: 175 - 31/03/2024 20:39:38 2534870 Link 0 |
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Was talking to a few connected with Meath hurling, that was a mostly second string team they put out against Wicklow. Meath play Westmeath this weekend in Navan so we'll see how true that was. Inaroundthehouse (Wicklow) - Posts: 8 - 02/04/2024 10:44:45 2535133 Link 0 |
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I suppose anything is possible but I don't recollect seeing Meath collecting too many trophies at underage hurling, anymore than ourselves, so I would take them sending a weakened team to anywhere with a pinch of salt. As you say, time will tell.
Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1001 - 02/04/2024 13:06:04 2535173 Link 0 |
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I believe that our 17s and 20s footballers are still without tracksuits and training gear,I'm sure there is a good reason for this but these squads are more or less together since last October last year. Good luck to both squads they've put in a huge effort and deserve to be treated right. Albundy19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 40 - 02/04/2024 20:33:39 2535256 Link 0 |
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U20s have done us proud tonight. Surely there is a few bob somewhere to kit them out - and u17s as well. Laois scraped over Wexford, as did Wicklow. Next week's game v Laois should be a cracker. Talking of money, I wonder if a few bob might be donated our match twitter reporter. I was able to follow score for score on the Carlow site. The Wicklow one was way behind all game. It was almost half time before anything showed - on my feed anyway. Perhaps I am doing someone an injustice. If I am, apologies.
Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1001 - 02/04/2024 21:10:55 2535263 Link 2 |
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Great convincing win for the U20s tonight in Carlow, I see Laois won too so we are through with a game to spare. Interesting to see how both counties approach the game next week as the winner will have what appears to be the harder of the quarter finals the following week! FearThoir (Wicklow) - Posts: 9 - 02/04/2024 21:30:10 2535269 Link 0 |
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Yeah. Win and you play the loser of Dublin and Meath, lose and you play one of Louth, Kildare, and Offaly. Did the rule about under 20s playing senior change at congress. Will the likes of Conor Fee be able to play on Sunday but that would then rule him out next Tuesday. Personally, I would keep them with the under 20s if there is a cup-tied issue. TopDrawer (Wicklow) - Posts: 52 - 03/04/2024 09:12:41 2535324 Link 0 |
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The score beo app is fairly up to date (I was looking at the score of the Laois vs. Wexford game while I was in Carlow) The matches are all streamed on Clubber too for €11.99. TopDrawer (Wicklow) - Posts: 52 - 03/04/2024 09:14:37 2535325 Link 0 |
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*Scór beo
TopDrawer (Wicklow) - Posts: 52 - 03/04/2024 09:45:34 2535328 Link 0 |
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I'm not too sure that the way our seniors set up suits the likes of Conor Fee anyway. From reports he scored a goal last night and had another disallowed. In my opinion there seems to be a difference in how u20 management and senior set out their game plan. The seniors have many forwards who score goals regularly for their clubs but our senior league games yielded no goals. Is this just a lack of opportunity and tighter marking or a result of how our seniors are set out ? Again, maybe I am talking rubbish. As regards who we play ? I would say - go for it. If we get Dublin or Meath, so be it. We would likely meet one or the other at some stage anyway if we keep progressing. Offaly beat Kildare, so there are no easy games. I would prefer to see how we get on against Dubs or Meath than Kildare or Offaly. But that's just my opinion.
Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1001 - 03/04/2024 10:05:18 2535333 Link 0 |
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That's a good Wicklow under 20 team you have lads. Some really nice players. Watched the game last night and our lads just could not match the intensity Wicklow brought. We have not had a really competitive minor / 20s team down here in years. You only ever need to blood a handful for senior. Best of luck going forward. EireOgAbu (Carlow) - Posts: 17 - 03/04/2024 10:05:59 2535334 Link 1 |
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Is there a reduction for OAPs or Senior Citizens on that app. Just joking.
Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1001 - 03/04/2024 10:07:25 2535336 Link 0 |
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I agree that certain players are more effective playing underage than senior. I prefer to watch underage games over senior games in recent years. Senior intercounty football is an eye sore; its been ruined by coaching that doesn't place emphasis on the basic skills of the game instead it is about big physical men with lots of stamina and a basic skill for handpassing. Players such as Conor Fee who is a very skilful player is blotted out at senior level by mass defences. He would be best suited to thirty years ago when forwards were allowed to express themselves and skilful players could demonstrate their great skills - players such as Mickey Linden, Colm Cooper etc. With regard to how we should approach our next game, we should try to win it. Play the game on its merit, go out and try to win. Regardless of who we play in the next round, we will have to beat good teams if we want to win this competition regardless of what round it will be in.
wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1912 - 03/04/2024 11:05:15 2535344 Link 0 |
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Over the last two games I'd say Conor Fee has gotten 10 kick passes out in front of him. I just don't think there is that space in the senior game - especially against the likes of Westmeath who pack the defence (like we do). Both evenings have had a greasy ball and I can only think of one time he didn't hold onto the ball. He is a great ball winner. He took the ball off a Carlow man for his goal so it was more an opportunist one than one you would say you could build a game plan around. Cathal Baker wasn't named the last day and he was taken off last night so I wonder is there an injury issue there. Him and Fee stood out as the two that look most ready for senior physically. I actually agree with you on the come-what-may in the next round. Winning builds momentum and it will be tough game regardless. TopDrawer (Wicklow) - Posts: 52 - 03/04/2024 11:27:54 2535347 Link 0 |