AN HISTORIC FIRST
Wicklow footballers form unique double bill in Aughrim
WICKLOW GAA and Wicklow LGFA have started their new year on a hugely positive note with news that the very first double header involving men’s and ladies football teams will take place in Aughrim in early February.
Wicklow ladies, operating out of Division 3 this season following their wonderful league campaign last year that saw them achieve promotion, will clash with their Down opponents on the same day that the Wicklow men host Limerick in Division 4 on February 10.
Leinster LGFA President and Newtown GAA Club member Dominic Leech said that it is a first for Wicklow and that the GAA are to be commended for showing such great support for the idea of a double header.
‘As Leinster President and member of national management of ladies football, we are encouraging counties to try and accommodate double bills as far as possible during the national football leagues, and we are delighted that Wicklow GAA County Board have shown their support and made this a reality in Aughrim in February.
‘They’ve taken this a step further and I know that the Wicklow ladies squad are very enthusiastic about the double bill and I hope that people will come out and support them on the day.
‘It’s a measure of the coopera- tion between the two organisations that these events can now be organised through encouragement between both groups.
‘It’s a first for Wicklow. There have been some in other counties but in general it is an exception rather than the rule. I will say that this year there have been more than any other year,’ he added.
However, there are early concerns for the double header should the weather turn bad.
Leech says that if that happens nobody should be blamed.
‘Wicklow GAA are to be commended for their efforts but they are not to be berated if the pitch is not playable come February due to the weather,’ he added.