Evans looking forward as old guard make way
JOHN Evans will be hoping that out with the old and in with the new approach for Wicklow. With John McGrath and Ciaran Hyland confirming their retirement, and a few more mooted to follow, Evans will not be able to call upon the services of many of his stalwarts and warriors who have become synonymous with Wicklow football over the past decade.
Players like McGrath and Hyland only come around every so often and Wicklow have been blessed with two men so dedicated to Wicklow who had the skills to match their passion.
They’ll be sorely missed by the Joule Park faithful and indeed Evans himself who knows that he has lost two fantastic leaders from his team.
‘The first thing I’d say about John McGrath is that he showed great leadership qualities both on the field and in the dressing room. He was also a very dedicated player towards the GPA and he was very vocal in representing the players and to his eternal credit; he left the players wanting for nothing.
‘On a personal basis, I have huge admiration for John. What he came through with sickness and having had my own son go through something similar - I can fully appreciate John’s courage in coming through his sickness but to go further and get back onto the inter-county scene is something that has to be admired and respected beyond belief.
‘He will be a big loss. There’s a niche gone out of the dressing room that is going to be very, very difficult to fill. He commanded a lot of respect from the players and from management.
‘He has set a huge example with his dedication and it’s not like Wicklow were flying high but John strode with every stride to make Wicklow football better and he encouraged everybody to play inter-county football. I think he’s just a great example to everybody.
‘Ciaran has given many, many years of service to Wicklow. 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.’
The whispers will have you believe that a few more will follow Hyland and McGrath in hanging up the Garden County jersey but Evans wasn’t prepared to offer any clarity on the situation as of yet.
‘They’re the two retirements but we’re not fully back at training yet so I won’t be able to confirm the full panel for another couple of weeks.
‘There’ll be lads going on trials so we’ll be hoping to be able to add them so after a couple of games in December I hope to be able to finalise a panel. 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.’