An unusual spectacle had this reporter shaking his head in Croke Park, reflecting on the unbelievable denouement in a Wicklow contest at Portlaoise. There was a shared feeling of astonishment amongst the spectators at the conclusion of Wicklow’s game against Kildare.
Despite the fact that it may not receive much attention in the 2024 championship summary, it’s difficult to envisage another injury-time quite as extraordinary. Wicklow lagged behind by three points but managed to equalise thanks to Oisin McGraynor’s penalty – and they had two extra players for the remaining stoppage time.
Possession in midfield was seized from Kildare, controversially without a free being called. Next, Wicklow faced a three-on-two situation with an unguarded net. James Nolan, the wing back, fired a shot from the 45. The shot was off target. Suddenly, Kildare retaliated, with Jack Sargent snatching the triumph. This had all of us catching our breaths in a matter of roughly three minutes.
A general observer may not spend much time mulling over the results of a Leinster quarter-final between Division Three and Four players, especially when work commitments call. However, this observer had a personal desire for a Wicklow victory, without meaning any disrespect to the supporters of Kildare.
There’s more to it, though. GAA’s media environment has an embedded sense of dread; everyone is cautious about making a slip-up, hence the players are mainly shielded – unless there’s a sponsorship deal on offer, naturally. Yet, it was remarkable to see a team that had just managed to spring a surprise, opening themselves up to chase another upset.
The article was featured in Saturday’s publication and on The Irish Times’ digital platform. Interestingly, it received considerable attention and was second only to our content regarding the Leinster v La Rochelle match that day. It’s noteworthy to mention that this happened on an extremely busy Saturday with events such as the Masters, the Grand National, and the Premier League title pursuit all underway.
The spotlight however, was on the write-up about Wicklow’s football team. A team recently demoted to Division Four and has a history without consecutive victories in the Leinster Championship for three and a half decades. Their chances of scooping the All-Ireland are slim. They stand 12th in the race for the Tailteann Cup. Although the team’s coach, Oisín McConville, is renowned, the majority of the players are largely unknown except perhaps, Mark Jackson, the goalie who has attracted some attention for his attempt to break into the NFL.
So, it’s no mystery what drove such readership. It wasn’t merely about the fate of Wicklow team. The fact is, a vast number of GAA supporters have been deprived of insights into their favourite teams and players, especially over the past 15 or so years. The seemingly invincible barrier around county teams triggers curiosity for any inside scoop, regardless of the team in question.
To wrap up, I must admit, I was rooting for Wicklow to claim victory last Sunday. At the very least, I hoped they wouldn’t suffer a crushing defeat as they had in their previous three Leinster openers. Though an unlikely wish, it’s the kind that manages to linger in the sphere of the game.
The media guide for the championship was electronically dispatched to journalists last week from Croke Park. Up until 2020, the guides provided contact details for each intercounty manager, captain (including co-captains), county secretary, and PRO. Sadly, this tiny yet beneficial engagement with the media has become obsolete.
However, not all places can be painted with the same brush. Prior to the league, I contacted Ger Brennan, the manager of Louth, to see if an interview was possible. Not only did he agree, but he also offered to arrange a conversation with some of the players. Conveniently, he organised a Zoom meeting for us, which didn’t impact Louth at all – they remained in their position, they brought Kildare down a peg, and they are one match shy of their consecutive second Leinster final.
Unquestionably, all of this doesn’t signify much. The matches are still the same, the outcomes remain uninfluenced. But when we’re usually lamenting about the lack of accessibility in the GAA, it seems only fair to commend when the situation shifts positively.