Follow the hurlers up to Carlow!

IT’S a huge weekend for the Wicklow Senior footballers and hurlers as they face major championship challenges.

Ahead of the footballers’ clash with Louth we’ve an extensive preview inside this sports section but for now we’ll turn our attention to Seamus Murphy’s hurlers.

All the talking is done and what really matters now is what goes on in Netwatch Cullen Park Saturday at 3pm.

There is no doubting Wicklow management and officials were disappointed at how business was conducted in the deciding of the semi-final pairings but Carlow themselves have had a tricky enough route to the last four. Two fine wins over London and Kildare many felt was deserving of a reward with home venue for the Wicklow men. Others thought differently but we will park that for now.

Carlow’s first round defeat at home to Ring Cup favourites Antrim pitted them with a home draw and a facile win over Mayo in the loser’s section following their narrow defeat to the Glensmen. They then had to make the short trip to Newbridge in the quarter final where they had a decent tussle with a Kildare team still reeling from their narrow loss to Wicklow before progressing.

Colm Bonnar is just ten games in to his tenure as manager of Carlow and the Tipperary native looks to be getting his message across after some early season wobbles. They will start as the hottest of favourites after making strides in recent years. As with all neighbourly clashes nothing will come easy. Early season injuries to Seamus Murphy, Paul Coady and Craig Wall look to have cleared up at just the right time for Bonnar. The speed and skill of Marty Kavanagh and James Doyle will cause problems while Mt Leinster man Denis Murphy is up there with the best of them at punishing any indiscretions from placed balls.

The biggest obstacle to Wicklow may come in the shape of rumoured injuries to many key players.

For such an injury jinx to strike at this moment in time will test the resolve of the squad but Seamus Murphy and Mick Neary have proved on many occasions this year that they know how to get the best out of their players.

If there is one disappointment from the exploits of the hurlers in 2017 it is the lack of support they receive from the GAA public in Wicklow. Followers who have asked for a team worthy of backing have a dedicated bunch giving their all when they pull on the county jersey. We can complain all we like about draws and venues but at the end of the day Carlow is not too far to go to show some much needed and well deserved encouragement. Follow them up to Carlow on Saturday.