When Wicklow and Fermanagh appointed new managers at the start of the 2012 season, both counties might secretly have harboured hopes of promotion to Division III of the Allianz Football League.That Fermanagh managed to do so while going through their Division IV campaign unbeaten under rookie boss Peter Canavan was quite remarkable - especially after the disastrous season they had endured in 2011.But what Harry Murphy has done with Wicklow is equally laudable. He has already achieved in his first season what his predecessor Mick O’Dwyer never managed in five years in charge of the Garden County.While O’Dwyer might have winked and reminded anyone listening that it’s all about the Championship, Murphy has a far more pragmatic approach to the league judging by his comments this week.
"Promotion was the first target but having achieved that, we'd love to win the final. Wicklow haven't won much silverware over the years, so we'd be happy to take any cup that comes along," said Murphy.
"The higher up you go, the better the teams you play and the better you become. We're delighted that we'll be in Division III next year. Division IV wasn't easy to get out of, especially the way we did it. But the lads showed great courage after we lost those two early games to Waterford and Fermanagh and put in a huge effort.”
Wicklow go into Saturday’s final having secured promotion and a place in Croke Park with a memorable 1-15 to 1-12 win over their chief rivals for second spot in the table, Clare, in the last game of the group stages. Wicklow’s feat is all the more remarkable given they had just two points on the board after Round 3 – and they came after a 3-25 to 1-1 defeat of lowly Kilkenny.
"Promotion was the first target but having achieved that, we'd love to win the final. Wicklow haven't won much silverware over the years, so we'd be happy to take any cup that comes along," said Murphy.
"The higher up you go, the better the teams you play and the better you become. We're delighted that we'll be in Division III next year. Division IV wasn't easy to get out of, especially the way we did it. But the lads showed great courage after we lost those two early games to Waterford and Fermanagh and put in a huge effort.”
Wicklow go into Saturday’s final having secured promotion and a place in Croke Park with a memorable 1-15 to 1-12 win over their chief rivals for second spot in the table, Clare, in the last game of the group stages. Wicklow’s feat is all the more remarkable given they had just two points on the board after Round 3 – and they came after a 3-25 to 1-1 defeat of lowly Kilkenny.