Wicklow footballers travel to take on improving Longford side
Wednesday March 10 2010
GAA PREVIEW OF THE WEEKEND ACTION
NFL - WICKLOW V. LONGFORD WICKLOW FACE another big task on Sunday when they travel to Pierce Park to take on Longford in Division 4 of the league.
On paper this should present Micko's men with a great chance to go clear at the top of the table. Yes, we know they are on top already, but only on score difference
However, this could be the banana skin that every manager dreads. Longford have been doing badly and are well out of contention, even if they do get back the points from their controversial match against Limerick. But they are improving and got a draw away to Waterford last week On home ground they will be hard to beat,
While Wicklow won comfortably against Carlow they were not over impressive and still left plenty of room for improvements. Anyway the less read into that result the better.
If Wicklow are to figure in the promotion stakes a win on Sunday is a must. Their next two matches, Limerick at home and Waterford away, will be very tough.
On he face of it Wicklow's panel is improving in strength all the time and places are harder to get.
The six forwards who figured in that great run last year are all available while we now have Ciaran Jones, Rory Finn, the two Paul Cunninghams, Paddy Byrne and John McGrath, who has still to get a run, all pushing hard for places.
In defence we have Dara O'hAnnaidh fighting to get his place back while another of last year stars, Darren Hayden, is under pressure to hold on.
A win on Sunday would send us into the last three rounds with everything to play for.
NHL - WICKLOW V. SLIGO
Casey O'Brien's hurlers take on Sligo in Arklow and will be bidding to keep their winning streak.
A good display against Fingal with an under strength team in the first round following on the heels of the win over Armagh in the final of the Kehoe Shield has boosted confidence and supporters are now looking at this division as one that Wicklow are well capable of winning.
Players like John Connors, Andy O'Brien, Chris Kavanagh and Chris Moorhouse will be back and available for selection.
Two of the veterans, Jonathan O'Neill and Jeffrey Bermingham, are in sparkling form and playing out of their skins; Don Hyland is back while Michael Anthony O'Neill, Joe Murphy and Graham Keogh are also available.
Casey could certainly do with more of the young up and coming players, in particular from the Bray vlub to strengthen the panel.
A another win for Wicklow is on the cards.
SENIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE
A big round of matches in the new season Senior Football League, starting on Friday and continuing on Saturday and Sunday. See Fixtures
- PETER KEOGH
