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Wicklow GAA thread

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Great result today for Jonathan and the hurlers. Meath have never been easy for Wicklow to get the better of. Well done to all.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2050 - 18/01/2026 16:27:58    2651632

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Fair play to Bosco and the hurlers. As has always been the case, the hurling family in Wicklow continues to get on with their business often out of sight, out of mind and with the minimum of resources & help but will always wear the jersey with pride and achieve results you'd think they'd have no right to. Hopefully they can bring that momentum into the league.

I don't know what the big deal is about the U20s playing the Carlow game. Makes total sense to me. The seniors had already got two games in during the O'Byrne cup . The U20 competitions won't be long starting, so why not let them use this as a valuable game to help their management see how they are set. These are the same competitions the GAA themselves seen fit to scrap altogether last year, so there's certainly no sense of prestige in these competitions from the authorities.

Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 183 - 18/01/2026 19:15:50    2651687

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Replying To Hawkeye2:  "Fair play to Bosco and the hurlers. As has always been the case, the hurling family in Wicklow continues to get on with their business often out of sight, out of mind and with the minimum of resources & help but will always wear the jersey with pride and achieve results you'd think they'd have no right to. Hopefully they can bring that momentum into the league.

I don't know what the big deal is about the U20s playing the Carlow game. Makes total sense to me. The seniors had already got two games in during the O'Byrne cup . The U20 competitions won't be long starting, so why not let them use this as a valuable game to help their management see how they are set. These are the same competitions the GAA themselves seen fit to scrap altogether last year, so there's certainly no sense of prestige in these competitions from the authorities."
From Oisín's interviews, it's obvious these games are being treated as nothing more than challenge matches, not genuine competition. pitting fully developed inter-county players against far less physical U20 players is irresponsible, in my view. While some of the U20s are playing adult football, they are not in permanent starters or play prominent positions for their clubs. The mismatch is dangerous, and the U20s were lucky there were no serious injuries.

StrandedinWW (Wicklow) - Posts: 56 - 19/01/2026 10:06:03    2651797

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Replying To StrandedinWW:  "From Oisín's interviews, it's obvious these games are being treated as nothing more than challenge matches, not genuine competition. pitting fully developed inter-county players against far less physical U20 players is irresponsible, in my view. While some of the U20s are playing adult football, they are not in permanent starters or play prominent positions for their clubs. The mismatch is dangerous, and the U20s were lucky there were no serious injuries."
Have to agree with you on this. When you look at the results in the O'Byrne cup, it's doubtful if any county fielded a "full" team - particularly the big guns. I think Meath had 1 regular against us in the first round. Not so much on the u 20s. Most of those guys would be playing senior with their clubs - or at least with their clubs first team, whatever grade that is. Sunday week against Carlow will be interesting. I would be wary of this Carlow team.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2050 - 19/01/2026 10:58:14    2651818

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I see the hurling fixture is still down for Hyde Park on Sunday, does anyone know if this is still the case or if it will end up in Athleague as usual?

FrankieJoe (Wicklow) - Posts: 105 - 21/01/2026 09:34:47    2652243

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On Sunday next, Wicklow begin their quest for promotion from Division 4 when they play Leitrim at home. We have three home games: Leitrim, London and Tipperary and four away games: Carlow, Waterford, Antrim and Longford. The two fixtures I think will be our toughest on paper are away to Carlow and Antrim; Wicklow always find it hard to win in both these locations. Defeat on the opening day of last year's league campaign against London ultimately cost us promotion. The team begin with a game against one of the demoted team from division three, in Leitrim. Relegated teams are normally favourites for promotion but looking at the fixtures, I think this year's league is a real opportunity for this team and its management to win promotion. We have to build on last year. There haven't been much change in terms of the squad. Patrick O'Keane will be a loss but nowadays, players go travelling so it is difficult to have a full squad available from year to year. Anyway, best of luck to the players and management on Sunday against Leitrim. I hope we can begin with a win especially with home advantage.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2158 - 21/01/2026 10:01:43    2652250

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "On Sunday next, Wicklow begin their quest for promotion from Division 4 when they play Leitrim at home. We have three home games: Leitrim, London and Tipperary and four away games: Carlow, Waterford, Antrim and Longford. The two fixtures I think will be our toughest on paper are away to Carlow and Antrim; Wicklow always find it hard to win in both these locations. Defeat on the opening day of last year's league campaign against London ultimately cost us promotion. The team begin with a game against one of the demoted team from division three, in Leitrim. Relegated teams are normally favourites for promotion but looking at the fixtures, I think this year's league is a real opportunity for this team and its management to win promotion. We have to build on last year. There haven't been much change in terms of the squad. Patrick O'Keane will be a loss but nowadays, players go travelling so it is difficult to have a full squad available from year to year. Anyway, best of luck to the players and management on Sunday against Leitrim. I hope we can begin with a win especially with home advantage."
Im really looking forward to the start of the league. I feel we have a great chance this year of promotion. However we have to hit the ground running next weekend and we must win comfortably if we are to progress against the strongrr teams in the division. Leitrim have great supporters a nd many travel the length and breadth of the country giving their players plenty of vocal support. I agree that Carlow Antrim and Tipp will pose stern challenges and the Carlow match is a real 4 pointer. The squad have a real chance to prove themselves this year as most of them have been together for a few seasons now so their conditioning has improved and their interplay should also show a better understanding. The important strategy is to get the ball in early to our inside lines and break quickly from defence. I know the Longford squad was very young and lacked experience but we had à better spread of scorers and more confidence in taking shots. Hopefully this can continue next weekend and we can come away wuth the points. Best of luck to the management and players

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - Posts: 141 - 21/01/2026 17:39:34    2652369

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I think RTE sports have given Wicklow the kiss of death. Ranked us as no 1 to be promoted.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2050 - 22/01/2026 15:04:43    2652516

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Replying To Freethinker:  "I think RTE sports have given Wicklow the kiss of death. Ranked us as no 1 to be promoted."
In a way I can understand why a pundit would make us one of the favourites for promotion but if a pundit dug below the surface, there are some flaws which the team will need to overcome to turn a prediction into a tangible outcome. I never read too much into pre season competitions as I think other teams are trying out players and don't have their full team available in most cases. However, there was encouragement with the spread of scores from the team and we scored goals. IF the team can reproduce a similar scoring rate in the league then we have a chance of promotion. I'm still concerned that Mark Jackson scores most of our two pointers.

There is no stand out team in the division which makes it a level playing field. Looking at the team Oisin picked; I wonder if playing Padraig O'Toole at centre forward is an indication that we intend to kick the ball long? There is a big difference in size between playing Eoin Darcy at centre forward and Padraig O'Toole. As another contribution pointed out, how we play the ball into our forwards will be key to us getting scores, all types of scores. I thought the players moved the ball too slowly last year which cost us in certain games. I hope we begin with a win tomorrow and start the campaign on the right foot.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2158 - 24/01/2026 15:46:56    2652910

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A win is a win and Leitrim are never an easy team to beat but, did today raise more questions than answers ?? Goalkeeper top scorer? Young Darcy played his part, but of the other starting forwards managing 2 pts between them. Dean as usual makes the score board. As I said, a win is a win but, the trip to Carlow next week seems fraught with danger now, even if it wasn't before. They had a good win over Antrim.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2050 - 25/01/2026 16:36:22    2653112

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A win is a win I know but did today ask more questions than it answered ? Goalkeeper the leading scorer ? Of our starting 6 forwards, only Darcy showed what he can do. The team seemed a little all over the shop regards positions. Leitrim are never an easy nut for us to crack and this division will be sticky as ever to get out of. Next week v Carlow is huge now for the lads. I feel we will need to up our game considerably to come out of that with anything.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2050 - 25/01/2026 18:53:15    2653146

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Not a great performance today but we dug in and got the win, we played a lot better is some games last year and lost so no compliants. Big game next week V Carlow, they won today aswell so you'd imagine they will be favourites?

stringfellohawk (Wicklow) - Posts: 144 - 25/01/2026 18:59:40    2653147

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Great start to the league campaign today in Aughrim, battled hard and finished strong . The first day out is never easy as we have shown before.

Albundy19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 125 - 25/01/2026 22:29:05    2653215

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A great servant of Wicklow once said to me
many years ago that you would want a sound heart if you follow Wicklow. Yesterday added further proof to that statement as we won with only 2 forwards scoring from play and our hero Jackson the real saviour with 9 points and coud easoly havr been 11 with his huge effort fom the hand just falling short.
A win is a win but a performance like yesterday reveals the major issues that need addressing.Past issues are still there. Unfortunately we have no commanding personnel in our defence and ĥeight and physical presence is a real issue when it comes to winning the high ball, the fifty fifty ball or the "dirty"ball. Our defenders mark space but still leave the wings wide open. Leitrims number 12 destroyed us but management didnt put a man marker on him even though it was obvious that almost every scoring opportunity was going to come through him
We still havent found any scoring forwards and that is a real worry for the games ahead. The ball was delivered somewhat faster yesterday but we seemed to lack pace and hunger. I know conditions were poor but we looked tired and disjointed.
Hopefully the rivalry with Carlow will energie the team and Carlow will gave an air of confidence and a swagger after yesterdays away win. This is a crucial game but one i think we can still win . It is a game which will have a major ímpact ón each teams target for promotion. Beat wishes to Oisin , management and players next weekend.

Optimisticobserver (Wicklow) - Posts: 141 - 26/01/2026 13:11:15    2653318

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What are the opinions on the Carlow match? I would be wary of them. Never an easy team to beat, and after beating Antrim ( another difficult team to overcome) with a bit to spare at the weekend, I think they would be favs on Saturday?

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2050 - 26/01/2026 13:22:21    2653323

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Replying To Freethinker:  "What are the opinions on the Carlow match? I would be wary of them. Never an easy team to beat, and after beating Antrim ( another difficult team to overcome) with a bit to spare at the weekend, I think they would be favs on Saturday?"
Personally I'd have Carlow as favourites for this one, they had a good win up in Antrim, they appear to attack at pace and looking at Leitrim against us yesterday, their quick attacking opened us up a good few times, will Stone and Quinn be back for this weekend?

stringfellohawk (Wicklow) - Posts: 144 - 26/01/2026 20:08:12    2653436

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Replying To stringfellohawk:  "Personally I'd have Carlow as favourites for this one, they had a good win up in Antrim, they appear to attack at pace and looking at Leitrim against us yesterday, their quick attacking opened us up a good few times, will Stone and Quinn be back for this weekend?"
That's my view of the game also. Plus we, for whatever reason, never seem to have a settled team. Can't be easy for players to develop a pattern of play if the format is constantly changing. I think that Mark Jackson and Dean are the only settled positions.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2050 - 27/01/2026 10:22:17    2653489

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