TOPTWEETS
Jonathan ‘Bosco’ O’Neill Snr and Jnr’s appearance in the Wicklow team during their clash with Louth certainly rippled a few waves on social media this week. The legendary Glenealy hurler may be the wrong side of 40 but, almost three years after retiring, he donned the Wicklow jersey once again and was joined by Jonathan Jnr in what must be a very rare event.
Armagh hurling goalkeeper Simon Doherty will be forced into a rewrite of a previous tweet but it will be one he’ll be delighted to do judging by his gushing praise for ‘Bosco’.
Doherty, 27/05/15: “Best wishes to @wicklowgaa Jonathan O’Neill aka Bosco in his inter county retirement - a serious player on the field and a gentleman off it!”
We’re not quite sure what exactly it is about O’Neill but he clearly has made an impression north of the border. Perhaps his son, Jonathan Jr, can follow suit but he certainly has plenty to live up to having shared the pitch with his father.
Ciaran MacSeain (Antrim hurler): “Watched ‘Bosco’ play numerous times over the years when my Auld boy was taking Armagh and Down! A class act and still proving that at this stage (‘perfect’ hand emoji) remarkable service from a guy who doesn’t get the recognition he deserves @wicklowgaa”
David Murray: “Father & Son Jonathan (Bosco) O’Neill snr & jnr lined out for Wicklow in the Keogh Cup v Louth yesterday. Is this unheard of. #rtegaa Jonathan Snr was man of the match with 1-06. Jnr came on as a second half sub.”
John Ryan (sports journalist): “What a showing by @wicklowgaa Jonathan O’Neill, 43yrs young and still hurling at senior inter-county. Hit 1-6 for good measure yesterday against Louth #respect #GAA”
With results not going to plan for Wicklow’s other hurlers or John Evans’ footballers, we’ll now turn our attention to Wicklow’s highest participation sport - albeit less revered - than the GAA; soccer. Bray Wanderers seemed to be on a one-way train to doom and gloom but a new manager and a quickly-assembled 14 man squad have turned Seagulls fans’ frowns upside down.
Garret Grimes: “Welcome back lads - we will all cheer & support you during the coming season - best of luck”.
Natalie Moloney: “Great to see local lads signing bacxk for the club and welcome to Dylan Hayes another local”.
Alan Spain: “Top athletes hope you’ve a tremendous (season) guys and get great reward from your work and your talent is rewarded”.
Caroline O’Brien: “Welcome Dyl delighted to see another one of our own playing for their town”.
Kathy Lee O’Toole: “Such a nice guy (Conor Kenna) to all young supporters and mascots, signing autographs etc and a brilliant player/captain too. Great news.”
James Doyle: “He’s one of our own, Gerry Pender he’s from Wolfe Tone”.