Magee was ‘gutted’ for u-21s
NETWATCH Cullen Park and Abbotstown are on standby for tonight’s (Wednesday) Leinster Under-21 Football Championship clash between Wicklow and Louth which was called off at very short notice last Wendesday night in Baltinglass.
The west Wicklow venue was playable on the night but the referee was concerned that the game might not finish and there were also difficulties with some pitch markings not being visible and so the game was called off with 10 minutes to go to throw in.
Wicklow Under-21 boss Johnny Magee said that he was gutted for his team who have put in a huge effort over the last four weeks and who are showing real improvement now that they have enjoyed more time together with the conclusion of the Wicklow Schools adventure in the Leinster championship.
“I was gutted for the lads, they’ve put in huge work leading up to this. The last four weeks we’ve had our strongest team together and sionce we’ve had the full compliment they’ve been doing really well. Over the last three weeks we’ve had three tough challenge matchs and we’ve won the three of them. We played DIT freshers, Down and Kilmacud and we had the strongest teams out in the three of them games.
“To have it (the game against Louth) called off at the last minute was tough but we didn’t get beaten and we’re still in the championship,” he added.
Magee is full of praise for his talented side and he feels that it is with this team that Wicklow are seeing the results of the hard work being done at underage over the last number of years.
“Most of those young lads have come up through the ranks from 12 years of age in terms of development. And it’s a huge credit to the lads who have been involved (in the coaching). It’s good to see these lads coming through but we need to hold on to these players. It’s crucial to get the transition from underage to adult,” he said.
The Louth challenge is a serious one with Magee warning of the potential of Ryan Byrnes as justone of the dangers that will be presented by the Wee County.
“Their main player is Ryan Byrnes and he’s a serious footballer. He’s setting the league alight in Division 3, he’s causing senior adult teams problems.
“But look, we have good players too and if we stick to our game plan, if we play to our potential, we’re good enough to beat anybody in Leinster.
“These are a great bunch of lads and I’m delighted with the way their attitude and application,” he said.
The calling off of the game last Wednesday night came up for discussion at Monday night’s County Board meeting in Ballinakill.
Avondale delegate Victor O’Shaughnessy inquired of Martin Coleman as to what the situation was regarding the late notice.
“The pitch was looked at at 5pm and it was playable. The referee arrived at 6pm and said it was ok. He drank tea until 10 past 7 and went out then and he said he was going to start it and he decided then that, “no, if I start have to call it off”. That’s where it was,” said Martin Coleman.
Victor O’Shaughnessy said that surely there was someone in Wicklow who could have called the game earlier in the day.
“The pitch was looked at at 5pm, Victor, it was deemed to be playable,” replied Martin Coleman. “What else do you want me to do about it. I looked at it twice that day, at 9 O’Clock and 2 O’Clock,” he added.
Baltinglass delegate Con Murphy said that he had also been up aty the pitch earlier in the day and that it was playable.
“I was up there at half 11 and it was playable. It was going to be mucky but it was playable as in there wasn’t water lying on it. We knew it going to be touch and go but what do you do, do you ring up people, it’s a difficult decision to make but we felt it was playable aroundhalf 4 or 5 O’Clock. The ref came and drank tea until 10 past 7, that was the major problem I think, where he could have came on out at 6 O’Clock when he arrived and made his decision then it would have been a bit better,” said Con Murphy.
The Baltinglass delegate also welcomed anyone who was willing to come up to the venue in the next day or two to inspect the venue and make that decision.
“The forecastis brutal for Wednesday morning, what do we do, do we say it now, “we’re not going to hold it”, and then the forecast is wrong, the match could go ahead. It’s not black and white,” he said.
The suggestion of a Leinster referee to inspect the venue was also suggested.
A decision on the venue was due to be made Tuesday evening.