GAA: Wicklow face selection worries

Wicklow manager Mosie Coffey is facing a major selection crisis as the

Garden County's Leinster Football Championship clash with Carlow in

Newbridge draws ever closer.

At least half a dozen regulars have been on the treatment table ahead of

the first round meeting, resulting in the drafting in of a number of

non-regulars and notable club players, with Gary Jameson of Wicklow town's

St Patrick's club and Coolkenno's Stevie Cush both making their full

Championship debuts.

However, Coffey is still sweating over the fitness of four of his panel,

after two passed fitness tests last night.

As a result, the left corner-forward position has been left vacant, and

will not be filled until the Sunday morning of the match itself.

Team mentor Pat Mitchell - like the manager, a member of five-in-a-row

County Champions Rathnew - is in philosophical mood going into the game.

"You just have to live with these things and go out and do the best you

can," Mitchell said last night.

Five of his fellow Rathnew clubmen make the starting fifteen, including

four relatives of manager Coffey - sons Ronan (centre forward) and Darren

(midfield) line up with nephews Mark Coffey (corner back) and goalkeeper

Tommy Murphy.

Wicklow team:

1 Tommy Murphy

2 Mark Coffey

3 Gary Jameson

4 Thomas Burke

5 Stevie Cush

6 Barry O'Donovan

7 Brendan Ó hAnnaidh

8 Darren Coffey

9 Barry Sheehan

10 Shane O'Neill

11 Ronan Coffey

12 Thomas Harney

13 Keith Byrne

14 Tommy Gill

15 AN Other