Wicklow still on right path despite Carlow defeat
Padraig O’Toole of Wicklow during the Tailteann Cup launch at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.
By John Harrington
Wicklow’s Tailteann Cup campaign started with a stumble on Sunday as they lit slip a lead of five points in the closing minutes to eventually lose by one to Carlow.
Certainly not the result they wanted, but Wicklow’s glass remains half-full according to midfielder Padraig O’Toole.
Promotion to Division 3 was achieved this year and Wicklow underage teams have been consistently competitive in recent years.
The five-year €1.5m joint sponsorship deal agreement with Echelon Data Centres and Beakonshaw inked last year that sees both companies become Player Development Partners of Wicklow GAA is another positive development.
“Things are starting to move and there is momentum in the county,” agrees O’Toole. “Kevin O’Brien would have managed the minors and U20s and we are starting to see the fruits of his work.
“Kevin Quinn would have been on that team and he has made the step up. Eoin Darcy, Tom Moran, players like this have come through so that has kick-started and we are still a very young squad and that is hugely promising for that word momentum going forward.
“Most of these guys are only 22, 23 or 21 so we have a lot of time if we can hold the panel together to really push forward. Off the field too there is so much work going in behind the scenes. The board are always busy and Echelon and Bekenshaw are our partners for the next five years so it is great to have that bit of support for development squads.
“They are so important in a county like Wicklow to know they are getting run right, and getting the funding and support they need because when it comes to minor level and U20s you're depending on the players who are there since U13 and U14 so its great to have their backing and support.”
In attendance, from left, are Wicklow football manager Oisín McConville, executive chairperson of Beakonshaw Niall Molloy, Chairman of Wicklow GAA Martin Fitzgerald and Wicklow hurling manager Casey O'Brien at the announcement in 2022 of the Wicklow GAA major sponsorship deal with the new Player Development Partners, Echelon Data Centres and Beakonshaw at The Glendalough Hotel in Glendalough, Wicklow. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Having a high-profile and respected manager like Oisín McConville helps too because it encourages a buy-in from the players which isn’t something you can take for granted in a county trying to climb the Gaelic Footballer ladder.
“Realistically one of the main challenges for Wicklow is player retention,” says O’Toole. “That comes with managers changing over the years. What we really need next year going into Division 3 is to keep together the panel we have this year along with a few more. We need to hold that core group of players together because it is very hard to make progress when you hold on to 15 players but you lose 10 and then a new 10 come in.
“So player retention is huge and if we continue with that panel and return with 90pc of the players we have I think we’d be in a good position to challenge in Division 3 and I suppose that’s the main goal next year.”
Losing to Carlow wasn’t part of the plan, but O’Toole views the Tailteann Cup as a huge opportunity for counties like Wicklow.
The chance to play a number of games at the height of the summer in a championship that’s winnable helps to persuade players it’s worth making the huge sacrifices required to be a senior inter-county footballer.
“It probably does make it easier, it’s better this year with the fact that there is three games to play that’ll give players chances to put their hands up and get more game time and play championship,” says O’Toole.
“It is far better than the old format where you might get one win in Leinster and then you’re playing the second day and one qualifier, two if you're lucky, and that’s it for the year players are maybe scratching their head wondering why am I doing this. So, yeah, the Tailteann is a good competition for that.”
Wicklow manager Oisín McConville watches the team warm-up before the Tailteann Cup Group 3 Round 1 match between Wicklow and Carlow at Echelon Park in Aughrim, Wicklow. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile.
Not that O’Toole himself needs to be persuaded to make the commitment required to play for his county.
Now in his fifth season with the Wicklow footballers, it’s something he does with a heart and a half.
“I love it I suppose,” says O’Toole. “I never once questioned it. I have very little other interests, I love every second I’m in there.
“From my point of view it’s probably one of the better times to be playing football with Wicklow. We’ve been promoted twice from division four since I started playing, we’ve had a couple of Leinster championship wins and the win against Laois last year.
“Before that there was probably a major drought in Wicklow, they were in Division 4 for a long time so I suppose it hasn’t been too bad and that has kept me motivated but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I find it hard to think about what I would do if I wasn’t playing, you know that sort of way? I don’t have many other interests!”
