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Wicklow GAA thread

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Replying To wicklowsupport:  "I attended a couple of games over the weekend - Baltinglass versus Tinahely and Rathnew versus Dunlavin. Both were entertaining games but the standard of play was average in terms of quality. I understand why various counties including Wicklow use groups to give teams more games. I think it is the right way to go but it can result in some average games. I agree it is hard to gauge form at this early stage; it is only when we get to the knock out stages that teams will show their hand. Dunlavin will be disappointed with the way they gifted Rathnew a goal and you won't win many games scoring one point in the second half. Rathnew struggled up front and will need to improve their forward play if they want to go one further than last year. One worrying observation from that game - there was only one umpire for the whole game in one of the goals."
That's a worry, the county board need to incentivise umpiring with a free pass for the season maybe or something else.

Albundy19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 65 - 06/08/2024 16:01:45    2564050

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Round 3 Predictions
Accuracy on these has been very high up to this point

Tinahely vs St Patrick's
An Tochar vs Kiltegan
Bray Emmets vs Rathnew
Baltinglass vs Blessington
Barndarraig vs Dunlavin
Arklow vs Eire Og

Redzer99 (Waterford) - Posts: 75 - 06/08/2024 16:26:01    2564057

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Replying To Redzer99:  "Round 3 Predictions
Accuracy on these has been very high up to this point

Tinahely vs St Patrick's
An Tochar vs Kiltegan
Bray Emmets vs Rathnew
Baltinglass vs Blessington
Barndarraig vs Dunlavin
Arklow vs Eire Og"
Getting trickier now
Tinahely vs St Pats. Pats x 2
An Tochair v Kiltegan. Tochair by 4
Bray Emmets v Rathnew. Rathnew x 6
Baltlo v Blesso. Balto x 2
Barndarrig v Dunlavin. Dunlavin x 8
AGB v Eire Og. Draw. ( possible tie of the round ).

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1243 - 06/08/2024 19:03:58    2564078

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Haven't seen any of the senior football games as of yet, but my prediction based on what i've heard from folks and listening to the lads on Garden County Sport


Tinahely vs St Patrick's - Tinahely by 1/2
An Tochar vs Kiltegan - Draw
Bray Emmets vs Rathnew - Rathnew by 5+
Baltinglass vs Blessington - Baltinglass by 1/2
Barndarraig vs Dunlavin - Dunlavin by 2/3
Arklow vs Eire Og- Arklow by 3/4

Hawkeye2 (Wicklow) - Posts: 135 - 06/08/2024 20:40:27    2564097

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Replying To Redzer99:  "Round 3 Predictions
Accuracy on these has been very high up to this point

Tinahely vs St Patrick's
An Tochar vs Kiltegan
Bray Emmets vs Rathnew
Baltinglass vs Blessington
Barndarraig vs Dunlavin
Arklow vs Eire Og"
Tinahely vs St Patrick's Tinahely by 4
An Tochar vs Kiltegan An Tochar by 4
Bray Emmets vs Rathnew Rathnew by 5
Baltinglass vs Blessington Draw
Barndarraig vs Dunlavin Barndarrig by 2
Arklow vs Eire Og Arklow by 5

heavyheart19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 141 - 06/08/2024 23:49:55    2564111

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I was able to get to Roundwood last night to see the u17 game. I've been to a fair few of these now over the last few years and in fact, would nearly prefer to see one of these than what passes for football from some senior sides. . This grade is refreshing to watch. Two teams wanting to play football - and wanting to win. Open, fast paced and some great skills on show from both teams. U20 is great to watch also but u17s lads are a breath of fresh air - from all clubs, it must be said.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1243 - 07/08/2024 08:58:21    2564118

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Replying To Freethinker:  "I was able to get to Roundwood last night to see the u17 game. I've been to a fair few of these now over the last few years and in fact, would nearly prefer to see one of these than what passes for football from some senior sides. . This grade is refreshing to watch. Two teams wanting to play football - and wanting to win. Open, fast paced and some great skills on show from both teams. U20 is great to watch also but u17s lads are a breath of fresh air - from all clubs, it must be said."
I agree with you. Watching underage games in most counties is like watching a complete different game than watching how senior football is played. I read regularly about the high level of drop off when players finish playing underage football and it amazes me that some people wonder why these players stop playing. Watching senior football especially at intercounty level, I can't imagine that it is enjoyable to play. I do think there is a realisation that something has to change at senior level which is why Jarlath Burns appointed a group to review the rules. Recently, I switched from watching the All Ireland football final after fifteen minutes to watching the Olympics. Anyone I've spoken to since, said the same, it was a very poor spectacle.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2016 - 07/08/2024 10:44:56    2564131

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Tinahely vs St Patrick's - Pats by 2
An Tochar vs Kiltegan - Kiltegan by 1
Bray Emmets vs Rathnew - Rathnew by 11
Baltinglass vs Blessington - Baltonglass by 1
Barndarraig vs Dunlavin - Dunlavin by 1
Arklow vs Eire Og - Arklow by 8

willielee (Wicklow) - Posts: 41 - 07/08/2024 13:15:50    2564155

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Replying To Redzer99:  "Round 3 Predictions
Accuracy on these has been very high up to this point

Tinahely vs St Patrick's
An Tochar vs Kiltegan
Bray Emmets vs Rathnew
Baltinglass vs Blessington
Barndarraig vs Dunlavin
Arklow vs Eire Og"
Tinahely v Pats Draw
An Tochar v Kiltegan An tochar by 6
Bray v Rathnew Rathnew by 8
Baltinglass v Blesso Blesso by 1
Barndarrig v Dunlavin Dunlavin by 5
AGB v Eire Og Agb by 3

Dunlavin4Miley (Wicklow) - Posts: 10 - 09/08/2024 15:54:00    2564433

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I'm too late to do this weeks forecast but I'll have a go next time. I was intrigued to see the Garden County team of the week. A few anomolies, in my opinion. A heavy Blesso / Balto influence with 6, nearly all "household" names. I thought the team of the week might be AGB and they got I. Dunlavin ran Rathnew close, they got none and Rathnew got 3. Pats and Tochair played out a close, tense game and got 1 between them. Eire Og with 2 was fair and Barndarrig with 1 ?? Kiltegan deserved theirs. I suppose that's why they say doctors differ and patients die.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1243 - 09/08/2024 22:53:44    2564488

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The championship is hotting up now like the weather in Aughrim yesterday.
Brilliant Baltinglass looked rejuvenated and Resilient Eire Og sticking to their principles got the job done.
Blessington look tired and Agb didn't seem to have any clear gameplan or coherence.

willielee (Wicklow) - Posts: 41 - 11/08/2024 11:41:19    2564583

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Dunlavin look to be in a good position to battle for Miley 24. Cian O Sullivan to come back in the team would give the chances a big boost. Underdogs. Baltinglass look like they'll be hard knocked again this year.

WestWicklow14 (Wicklow) - Posts: 9 - 11/08/2024 17:39:13    2564618

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Replying To willielee:  "The championship is hotting up now like the weather in Aughrim yesterday.
Brilliant Baltinglass looked rejuvenated and Resilient Eire Og sticking to their principles got the job done.
Blessington look tired and Agb didn't seem to have any clear gameplan or coherence."
Baltinglass looked strong. Blessington a poor outfit. Greystones were very good. Arklow looked leaderless and Im worried for our chances to even progress from the group.. Didn't see any other games.

heavyheart19 (Wicklow) - Posts: 141 - 11/08/2024 19:27:11    2564639

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Replying To heavyheart19:  "Baltinglass looked strong. Blessington a poor outfit. Greystones were very good. Arklow looked leaderless and Im worried for our chances to even progress from the group.. Didn't see any other games."
I only made Aughrim yesterday. A fair old ding dong battle with Roundwood and Kiltegan. Once the lads from the hills got their noses in front they stayed there, but Kiltegan stuck in to the end. Is there much left in Seanie ? What a brave battler this latest Nolan is for Tochair. Tochair and Balto look like making the quarters. The other two spots are up for grabs with Kiltegan being slight favourites for one with the other too close to call. Could Blesso possibly not make it ?? The final 4 looks like it could be down to head to heads. The other group is going as I had thought it might, almost. Rathnew and Greystones were my picks with AGB and now dark horses Dunlavin are right there. As I said before, I didn't see Dunlavin being in the mix. It's hard to say which group might be going best. Possibly the Villagers slight favs to lift Miley ?

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1243 - 12/08/2024 08:37:37    2564692

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Replying To Freethinker:  "I'm too late to do this weeks forecast but I'll have a go next time. I was intrigued to see the Garden County team of the week. A few anomolies, in my opinion. A heavy Blesso / Balto influence with 6, nearly all "household" names. I thought the team of the week might be AGB and they got I. Dunlavin ran Rathnew close, they got none and Rathnew got 3. Pats and Tochair played out a close, tense game and got 1 between them. Eire Og with 2 was fair and Barndarrig with 1 ?? Kiltegan deserved theirs. I suppose that's why they say doctors differ and patients die."
Ah i wouldn't get too worried about who goes in these type of teams, good to get us all talking. In fairness when watching most games it is the unfortunately the house hold names that standout, Furlong, Mcloughlins, McGrath ect

Groundskeeper5 (Wicklow) - Posts: 23 - 12/08/2024 09:18:01    2564699

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Replying To Freethinker:  "I only made Aughrim yesterday. A fair old ding dong battle with Roundwood and Kiltegan. Once the lads from the hills got their noses in front they stayed there, but Kiltegan stuck in to the end. Is there much left in Seanie ? What a brave battler this latest Nolan is for Tochair. Tochair and Balto look like making the quarters. The other two spots are up for grabs with Kiltegan being slight favourites for one with the other too close to call. Could Blesso possibly not make it ?? The final 4 looks like it could be down to head to heads. The other group is going as I had thought it might, almost. Rathnew and Greystones were my picks with AGB and now dark horses Dunlavin are right there. As I said before, I didn't see Dunlavin being in the mix. It's hard to say which group might be going best. Possibly the Villagers slight favs to lift Miley ?"
Group 2 I think is done, bray and barndarrig wont make it. In fact if they had of been in separate groups I would have them both as being in the relegation play off, but I think it's on the bottom of each group that goes into that.

Group 1 is really open. An Tochar are safe may take foot of gas and blesso play them next and might pick points there. the next round game between kiltegan and tinahely is a knock out game I believe. If Pats beat baltinglass there back in it and if they do win, their last game with blesso will maybe a knock out game also.

Rathnew looking strong and never give in. An Tochar have some strength in depth now with two last years minors brought in and a few back also from injuries. Balto finding form. But blesso scraped through last year and won it. Things are hotting up.

StrandedinWW (Wicklow) - Posts: 37 - 12/08/2024 09:38:43    2564702

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Replying To Freethinker:  "I only made Aughrim yesterday. A fair old ding dong battle with Roundwood and Kiltegan. Once the lads from the hills got their noses in front they stayed there, but Kiltegan stuck in to the end. Is there much left in Seanie ? What a brave battler this latest Nolan is for Tochair. Tochair and Balto look like making the quarters. The other two spots are up for grabs with Kiltegan being slight favourites for one with the other too close to call. Could Blesso possibly not make it ?? The final 4 looks like it could be down to head to heads. The other group is going as I had thought it might, almost. Rathnew and Greystones were my picks with AGB and now dark horses Dunlavin are right there. As I said before, I didn't see Dunlavin being in the mix. It's hard to say which group might be going best. Possibly the Villagers slight favs to lift Miley ?"
Yes Group1 has been so tight, Past winless at the bottom but only on a score difference of -4, after 3 games. Last 2 county camps Pats and Blessington in contention to finish bottom of the group, but wouldn't write either off. If one of them did end up there. They should have too much in a relation play off, but i though the same about Avondale last year too. Rathnew and Roundwood pace seter, without setting world on fire. One has a question marks at the back the other going forward. Greystones and Baltinglass seemed to have been stronger in last 2 games after poor opener, so what is there real form? Arklow and Dunlavin surprise packages for different reasons. On Arklow i expect them in the last 8 and no one will want them as they have firepower to cause any team issues, IF they click. I think a banket could be put over most of the teams, with maybe Barndarrig finding it a step up to far and my favorites to go down but in some ways the most impressive club in the county to come from where they have, to be at the top table of Wicklow football.

Groundskeeper5 (Wicklow) - Posts: 23 - 12/08/2024 09:41:13    2564704

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Anyone following the intermediate championship results? Avondale and Carnew looking strong, but like most years, Hollywood, Donard, Annacurra, Coolkenno, Newtown all probably capable of winning it outright. Interested on opinions or any player that's in good form.

Wicklowmen (Wicklow) - Posts: 11 - 12/08/2024 11:52:55    2564738

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Replying To Wicklowmen:  "Anyone following the intermediate championship results? Avondale and Carnew looking strong, but like most years, Hollywood, Donard, Annacurra, Coolkenno, Newtown all probably capable of winning it outright. Interested on opinions or any player that's in good form."
Seems as is Mr Brosnan will have a big say in who wins the Intermediate out.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1243 - 12/08/2024 13:12:02    2564756

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Rathnew didn't look like world beaters yesterday however do they ever? Workman like in their victory over an improving Bray it has to be said.
Biggest praise for the weekend goes to the men of Roundwood. I questioned them earlier on this summer and with the internal struggle, the players have gained control of their own destiny, they gambled ousting their outside influences but what a performance yesterday.
They are playing with a freedom not seen for a few years. Great to see.
I have the Village as favourites but only just to An Tochar and Baltinglass.
Looking forward to the next round.

willielee (Wicklow) - Posts: 41 - 12/08/2024 14:05:17    2564769

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