Hyland joins McGrath in retirement as old guard make way

WICKLOW’S corner-back king, Ciaran Hyland has confirmed that he is hanging up his inter-county boots after an outstanding career in the Garden County jersey.

Hyland’s departure follows in the wake of the recent retirement of John McGrath and these two might well be just the start of an exodus from the county squad.

The AGB man endured a difficult club championship campaign this year due to injury and his tenacity and commitment for the county team will never be forgotten by Wicklow GAA supporters.

‘Ciaran has given many, many years of service to Wicklow,’ said Wicklow manager John Evans. ‘He was nominated to be an All-Star at corner back and right up to last year he showed what a brilliant, brilliant corner back he was. He was tenacious, he was competitive and a really, really strong man both in body and in mind.’

It is understood that there are doubts as to whether a number of senior players will commit for another season while Conor Ffrench is away travelling after his Senior football championship heroics in the St Patrick’s jersey.

However, the squad is set to be bolstered by the inclusion of a number of players from across the county that include at least three AGB footballers, Cormac O’Shea, Tom Maher and Chris O’Brien, Oisin and Conor McGraynor from Avondale, Blessington’s Paul and Anthony McLoughlin, Carnew’s Michael Rock and Glenealy and Rathnew dual star Warren Kavanagh.

John Evans, who put his plan for the year ahead to club delegates at last week’s fixtures forum in Ballinakill, said that he is hoping his team can improve in 2019.

‘I certainly wasn’t happy with 2018. I’m certainly looking forward to 2019 and that’s the way that any manager should be. I’m unhappy with what has been achieved but hoping to achieve a lot more in 2019.’

Full interview inside.