Mick O'Dwyer's first game as Wicklow manager: Ian O'Riordandiscerns a mood of cautious optimism as the fabled coach begins his quest to end the title agony in the Garden County
A standard piece of GAA trivia is to name the only two counties yet to win a provincial football title (Wicklow and Fermanagh). This is not entirely true as Wicklow twice presented themselves as Leinster football champions, albeit over a century ago and in both instances for less than a week.
In 1889, Wicklow were represented by Bray, and after beating Newtown Blues of Drogheda claimed to have won the title after their final opponents never showed up. Four days later, however, the result was quashed, and the records show Laois as champions for that year.
Eight years later, Wicklow again briefly celebrated becoming Leinster champions when Dublin failed to show for the final because of heavy rain. The referee actually awarded the walkover to Wicklow, only for a rematch to be ordered, with Dublin winning that 1897 final by 1-9 to 0-3.
During the long years since, Wicklow football has been showered with narrow defeats and moral victories. Or as the Albert King song goes, if it weren't for bad luck, they'd have no luck at all. Lying in wait at their home ground in Aughrim for unsuspecting opposition remains their greatest trademark, along with their failure to make any impact at championship level.
All of which is part of the lead-in to this afternoon's O'Byrne Cup clash against Carlow at Aughrim. Usually this game would get a few paragraphs in the paper, and a similar number of supporters. Several thousand are expected this afternoon, with the live TV cameras already in place, along with a specially expanded press box. For the first time since his appointment as Wicklow manager the Mick O'Dwyer circus is in town.
When the 70-year-old O'Dwyer was introduced as manager at a Dublin hotel back in October it was like a reprise of his introduction to Laois five years ago, and Kildare before that. It didn't matter that Wicklow are ranked near the bottom of the intercounty football standings. The Messiah was coming to the Garden. All roads led to the Promised Land.
Not even the most ardent Wicklow supporter was about to predict O'Dwyer would to lead them to that provincial title, but if anyone could, then surely he was the man. And as first impressions go, O'Dwyer has certainly been the sensation so many in the county are hoping for, including, of course, the man promoting the circus - Roscommon businessman Seán Mulryan, owner of Ballymore Properties, who is sponsoring the county football team for the next three years.
It's far from a one-man show, however, and O'Dwyer's fine combing of the county in recent weeks has been aided by his two selectors and former long-serving Wicklow footballers Kevin O'Brien and Philip McGillicuddy, along with experienced Wicklow club manager Gerry Farrell and O'Dwyer's former cohort at Laois, Arthur French.
For O'Brien, the hype surrounding his native county is clearly something to be embraced. As the county's only football All Star, named at full forward in 1990, the thought of Wicklow challenging for honours at provincial level still gets his heart racing. (O'Brien, in fact, still does much of the training with the team, still playing the game he clearly loves into his 40s).
"The welcome we've got in every club around the county has been absolutely fantastic," he says. "And the turn-out in every training session has been fantastic as well. So Micko has certainly made a very big impression and impact from the start. He's been shaking hands with the young and old all over the county and that's been fantastic.
"But full credit must go to the players as well. We started with about 121 for the first few sessions, and we've taken that down to around 46 or 47. But look, win or lose this first game, we're still only putting the foundation in for the months and years ahead. I mean no matter how we play or what the result is here we'll be out training again on the Sunday morning."
O'Brien is also clearly embracing the chance to work with O'Dwyer, not that he didn't know what to expect: "I'd have talked with many players over the years that would have played under him, but I think his passion for the game is still enormous. And for a man of his age that's just incredible. It bounces off everything.
"I just think he's a real hands-on manager. But in ways I think the most important thing about Micko is he's a total players' man. And the boys pick up that energy off him, which is great. He's also been letting lads know exactly what it means to be an intercounty player, and how to act like one, both on and off the field."
Despite the early bursts of enthusiasm and commitment O'Brien knows it's a long road ahead. Wicklow have frequently produced individual talents, but one of the main challenges for O'Dwyer is raising the entire team to a more consistent level.
"It's still a bit early to say just how good the talent is within this squad," admits O'Brien. "Right now, we're just very happy with the total level of commitment we've been getting from the players. They've been working very hard on their fitness and their stamina, and Micko has introduced a lot of things in that regard.
"But we're still only starting out. I mean we've very little actual football at this stage, and this game against Carlow will probably tell us a little in that regard. They're under new management themselves and we don't know what kind of shape they're in, so we're certainly not expecting championship or even league pace here. Win or lose we'll just get back working towards a game the next week, in either the shield or the second round of the O'Byrne Cup."
O'Dwyer hasn't wiped the team slate clean and this afternoon's game features many of the regular Wicklow names such as Leighton Glynn, named at wing back, and Tommy Gill, named at centre forward.
Whether O'Dwyer does bring about the success the county so craves, the journey is clearly off to a good start. Wait for the scenes to prove it should they win today.
WICKLOW (SF v Carlow): J Bolger; C Hyland, J Cush, A Byrne; L Glynn, D Ó hAnnaidh, S Cush; J Stafford, B Sheehan; J Slattery, T Gill, JP Dalton; JP Kelly, P Earls, J Daniels.
