MICK O'DWYER, aiming to make a big assault in the Leinster championship in 2010, could not have hoped for a better draw than the one he got last week.

A place in the provincial final is very achievable in 2010 as Wicklow avoid all the perceived 'big guns' in their side of the draw.

With Leinster champions Dublin, together with Meath, Offaly, Laois and Wexford all in the other end, the biggest obstacle to Wicklow making the final is Kildare, opponents that we beat in 2008 and went close to repeating the victory this year.

In the first round we have drawn neighbours Carlow and it will be interesting to see if Thomas Walsh will line out with his native county now that he has returned to play with his home club of Fenagh.

Carlow have not been exactly setting the football world on fire in recent times but it is well to remember that very often the opponents you least expect to cause an upset are very often the ones who pose the biggest threat to your ambitions.

And we will be agonizingly aware that some of our most painful defeats in the Leinster championship have been at the hands of Carlow, who are sure to be fired up for revenge after the bitterness engendered by Thomas Walsh opting to play for Wicklow for the last three years

Wicklow, should they beat Carlow in the preliminary round, will face a beatable Westmeath in the quarterfinal.

Mick O'Dwyer agrees that we have a good chance of doing well in the Leinster championship in 2010 but warns that the players will have to put in the work in training if they are to achieve anything.

'The last time Wicklow met Carlow they beat us well and they are certainly going to be up for this game.'

'Yes we have a chance of doing well in Leinster in 2010 but it's always the games you expect to win that hold the biggest pitfalls.

'There will be no room for players dodging, they will have to work hard, put in the preparations in training if we are to achieve' he said.

Meanwhile, the Wicklow hurlers have been handed a difficult draw in the Christy Ring Cup, where they will face Mayo on May 8.

- MARK KENNEDY Sports Reporter