The Irish Times was given full access to Oisín McConville’s side, team meeting, video session, in the gym and on the pitch as they prepared for this weekend’s Leinster quarter-final against Kildare
One night in Ballinakill: Behind the scenes at Wicklow training ahead of Kildare showdownThe Wicklow Centre of Excellence is not the sort of spot you find by accident. It’s in Ballinakill, a few back-road miles this side of Rathdrum, a few more that side of Glenealy. It’s six pitches and a clubhouse perched on a hill and if you get a decent evening, there mightn’t be a more gorgeous place in Ireland to prepare for a game.
“Did it get a bit chaotic at times, lads?” McConville asks. “I know we made a lot of changes in a short space of time in the second half — was that disruptive? Did the messages get on okay?” McConville stands up to talk. He only keeps them for three minutes, talking key messages for the week. Sunday was fantastic. Brilliant. Everyone should enjoy it. Even heard the kit man Eugene Dooley interviewing on the radio on the way down the road. Love that.
Wicklow's Kevin Quinn celebrates during the Leinster GAA Senior Football Championship Round 1 match against Westmeath. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho Doran takes them for a 12-minute game. Two juvenile goals, about 40m apart. Up and back, up and back. Wicklow’s Johnny Carlin: 'The league was good for us, even with the defeats.' Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
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