Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1820 - 11/08/2025 17:56:57    2631184

Albundy19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 108 - 11/08/2025 21:04:32    2631207

Rathnew and St Pats will be still in the championship when AGB are long gone.
AGB don't have what it takes. For anyone still struggling to figure it out, these 2 teams were already in knock out stages.
Kerry losing to Meath would spring to mind.
Pats will go very close this year !

willielee (Wicklow) - Posts: 46 - 11/08/2025 21:11:05    2631208

kodak13 (Wicklow) - Posts: 97 - 11/08/2025 21:49:22    2631219

Thoughts on the 1/4 draws?

Senior:

Rathnew vs Carnew - I think Rathnew are there for the taking based on their last performance. Carnew have grown into the senior ranks well after a good display against An Tochar. Great draw for Carnew, great chance for a semi final spot

Baltinglass vs Kiltegan - A familiar local derby here and there's never much between these sides. Kiltegan have been knocking on the door for a while and this could be a good chance to knock out Baltinglass who I would consider the strongest team in this championship based on form.

Pats vs Tinahely - Pats coming in off the back of a heavy defeat to Kiltegan but you could argue they didn't need to win the game so it'll be interesting to see what Tinahely put up to them. The defending champions are slowly growing into the championship coming in off a convincing win over Blessington.

An Tochar vs AGB - Too young teams with tonnes of footballing ability. It should make for a cracking game but An Tochar are yet to show what they're about. AGB will be ready to take the game to An Tochar with the quality they have. Two fast paced teams, on paper it should set up to be the game not to miss.

Intermediate:

Annacurra vs Hollywood - Two teams that would be very familiar with each other in this championship. There's never a whole lot between them and both sides have been there or there abouts in terms of getting the break up to senior.

Aughrim vs Newtown - This will be an interesting one for me, aughrim have a lot of talent and are by no means out of place after their promotion. Newtown with a good win over the billies was enough to get them through. Youth vs Experience here, could set up to be a cracker.

Laragh vs Coolkenno - Again two very evenly matched teams. Laragh slightly struggling to keep get brilliant league form going but have done just enough to qualify for the 1/4 final. Coolkenno showing a bit of character after a good win against Hollywood. Another very close game.

Donard vs Avondale - Avondale have scored 97 points from their 3 opening games. They have a lot of scoring power which should be enough to get them through. Donard have a lot of their own quality but they will be biting at the chance to knock out the championship favourites.

Annonymous54 (Wicklow) - Posts: 3 - 13/08/2025 11:33:15    2631592

I'll only comment on the senior draw as I haven't seen any of the intermediate championship.

Senior:

Rathnew vs Carnew - Do Carnew have the belief that they can beat Rathnew? Losing by 30 points regardless of whether they were through to the quarter final or not wouldn't have happened to Rathnew previously. I don't know if Carnew can do it against them but the first team Rathnew play with belief will beat them as will to win can only get you so far.

Baltinglass vs Kiltegan - Kiltegan are dark horses but can they beat Baltinglass? I've seen Baltinglass a few times and I continue to expect them to lose but they still do enough to advance. Baltinglass to make the semi-final.

Pats vs Tinahely - A bit like Rathnew, Pats lost heavily last time out which worries me. These defeat do have an impact on a team. Tinahely seem to be growing in confidence and as defending champions, I pick them to beat Pats.

An Tochar vs AGB - An Tochar have the players but until they get over the line and win a tight game I wouldn't pick them. AGB are currently showing good form and I pick them to advance to the semi-finals.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2127 - 13/08/2025 14:29:28    2631676

My semi finalists.
Kiltegan to shade Balto.
Tinahely to come good against Pats
Carnew are tenacious and hardy enough to not be intimidated against a weakened Rathnew.
Tochair are just too unreliable and inconsistent and so
on last weeks form this has to be Arklow. Could have them all wrong but that's the beauty of this years championship being so open. It's a two week break, so we may wait.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1820 - 13/08/2025 19:05:16    2631741

I'll throw my hat into this one. My semi finalists

Carnew
Pats
Arklow
Kiltegan

Given my luck with predictions all of the above will probably be knocked out!

stringfellohawk (Wicklow) - Posts: 141 - 13/08/2025 21:53:13    2631763

On the hurling front I notice that Glenealy are quietly undergoing a renewal. Looking at the team, they have a nice blend of new and older players and all are pretty decent hurlers. . Maybe a year early for them. Bray are still tops in my book but I'm expecting Carnew to make them work for it this year.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1820 - 16/08/2025 10:20:07    2632085

Colm O'Rourke's article in today's Sunday Independent makes for interesting reading. His key points are - there is a lot of talk in the media about manager and his management team's influence in the modern game but at the end of the day results are achieved predominantly by the quality of a county or indeed a club's players. Secondly, he referenced how physically tired Donegal players looked in All Ireland final's second half due to the amount of running they were doing and probably due to the weather. I'd agree with him on both these points - with the change in the rules, the team that can kick pass and score from outside the arc are at an advantage. Two-pointers can stretch out a lead and even a superbly conditioned team like Donegal can be exposed by moving the ball quick which is easier by kicking. I think it was important to keep our current management team at intercounty level but it would be naïve to think that a manager can overcoming a lack of quality players especially scoring forwards and tight marking defenders.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2127 - 17/08/2025 17:39:44    2632277

Wicklow Senior Championship Predictions

Rathnew
St Pats
Baltinglass
An Tochar into the the Semi Finals.

While the group stages are great for the excitement the real champ starts now.

Rathnew - will re group and get stronger. Carnew have been the team of the championship however their hurling exploits will scupper their football ambitions.

St Pats - experience and finishing will be enough to get over the line.
Tinahely - getting the momentum at the right time just too late?

Baltinglass - consistently getting it done. Big players from 1 to 15. Rightly just ahead of Rathnew in the betting offices.
Kiltegan - hurling again will distract away but on their day can beat anyone.

An Tochar - the sleeping Giant with Danger all over the pitch. They will have too much in the forwards for AGB to contain.
AGBs walk in the park the last day will catch them off guard against this young, potentially championship winning
Team.

willielee (Wicklow) - Posts: 46 - 19/08/2025 09:51:32    2632597

Big talking point at U17 football level lately is the rapid emergence of Kiltegan as a major force in this years competition. Where did they spring from ? They are giving all and sundry a proper hiding in the A division.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1820 - 19/08/2025 18:02:47    2632735

Albundy19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 108 - 19/08/2025 20:24:33    2632743

liam500 (Wicklow) - Posts: 211 - 19/08/2025 22:37:35    2632760

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1820 - 19/08/2025 23:35:17    2632770