Wicklow champs will be no pushover for Blues

NEWTOWN Blues return to the provincial stage for the first time in four years when they host Wicklow champions Rathnew at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday (2.00).

Louth’s most successful club side domestically, the Newfoundwell outfit have yet to make a significant mark in Leinster, despite pushing Summerhill (2013) and Kilmacud Crokes (2008) all the way in their last two provincial campaigns.

The Wicklow champions will be no pushovers with former county stars Leighton Glynn and James Stafford still strutting their stuff at club level, while current county defenders James Snell and Ross O’Brien feature in a formidable back six.

The Village, as their known in the Garden County, regained the Wicklow title on the same day the Blues clinched the Louth crown, bagging 3-4 in the opening 13 minutes against Blessington.

Baltinglass - who bowed out to Sean O’Mahony’s at the same stage last year - were the reigning champions, but Rathnew won the previous three titles and are widely accepted to be the best team in Wicklow, despite last year’s lull.

They are managed by lifelong clubman Harry Murphy, who previously guided them to a nine-in-a-row and is also the former Wicklow manager.

As well as being the most talented side in Wicklow, his team also have a reputation for being able to ‘mix it’.

That said, the Blues will still fancy their chances of making it through to the quarter-finals where Dublin giants St Vincent’s or Ballymun Kickhams will be lying in wait.

The Leinster Championship will be a big step up for what is largely a young and inexperienced Blues’ team, but the young guns proved they have what it takes to perform on the big stage in last Sunday week’s clinical and composed victory over Dundalk Gaels.

Home advantage will see Ronan Phillips side installed as slight favourites to progress to the last eight, but their opponents are expected to travel to the Gaelic Grounds in large numbers on Sunday for what should be a cracking contest.