The Leinster Championship is shaping up as we head into the quarter-finals, where Wicklow will host Dublin in Echelon Park, Aughrim.
The Garden County travelled to Carlow in the preliminary round, dispatching the Division 4 winners by 1-7 to 2-15, and securing their spot in the last eight, where they will repeat their 2025 Leinster Quarter-Final.
Last year, the Dubs pulled away with a 2-21 to 0-18 win over Wicklow, although the home team showed promising moments with some classy scorers from the seasoned players, such as Kevin Quinn and Dean Healy.
This year, Dublin faced relegation for the first time since 2022, losing five out of seven matches, and with Ger Brennan in the stands for 12 weeks, counties across Ireland will look to pounce on the Dubs in their moment of weakness.
In order to progress to the Leinster Semi-Final, Wicklow have three main duties to keep the 63 times winners at bay.
Create the two-point chances
Wicklow have taken major advantage of the two-point rule this year, with a plethora of shooters in their arsenal.
The main threat that Dublin faces is Mark Jackson, with the Baltinglass man scoring 13 two-point free kicks over the league and adding a score from play against Carlow in the preliminary round.
The Wicklow shot-stopper narrowly missed out on the NFL in 2024, but his misfortune has come back to haunt teams, and if Dublin struggles to keep disciplined in their own half, Jackson’s set pieces will keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Oisín McGraynor will look to lace his shooting boots from the forwards, with his left foot already causing havoc for opposing teams from the right-hand side.
His fellow forward Pádraig ‘Podge’ O’Toole kicked his first two-pointer against Carlow last week, having already scored 5-6 from play in 2026.
Kevin Quinn was Wicklow’s most dangerous threat in their 2025 Tailteann Cup Semi-Final run, and this year he has been no different.
Although he’s starting from the bench on Sunday, Quinn has knocked over three two-pointers this year, totalling 2-16 from full forward.
Win the Midfield Battle
With the Wicklow and Dublin squad announcements made, the teams know that the midfield is where the game could be won or lost.
Brian Howard started every game for Dublin in their disappointing league campaign, as he starts at number 8 beside Tom Lahiff of St. Jude’s, dropping Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne to the bench.
Howards has switched between 6 and 8 this year, with the Raheny man showing true leadership at Dublin’s core.
Dean Healy and Jack Kirwan will start side-by-side in the Wicklow midfield, as they look to disrupt the Dublin attack through the middle.
Wicklow have worked some terrific scores from kick-outs this year, with the midfield duo fielding footballs from Mark Jackson, and building the attack from the middle.
Healy has been a huge asset for Wicklow this year, towering above his markers to drive the team on, while young Kirwan has partnered the captain well.
In the matchup last year, Healy and Kirwan lined out together, with Healy scoring 0-4 from midfield, including a two-pointer.
Healy’s 0-9 from play this year is only the beginning, with the St. Pat’s man building on each performance, and although Kirwan hasn’t been a scoring threat this year, his powerful stride with the ball in hand will be tough for the Dublin defence to stop.
Stay Disciplined
It’s an easy point to say, but it is crucial that Wicklow keep their heads against their neighbouring county who they have never beaten before.
A penalty in last year’s game helped tip the scoreline for Dublin, with Con O’Callaghan scoring after pouncing on Jackson’s spot-kick save.
Speaking of O’Callaghan, it is tough to talk about Dublin’s scoring threats without mentioning his name, leading the attack from the front lines and scoring with both feet with ease.
Although playing with a weaker and younger Dublin side this year, Con’s name alone is a scary sound for any defender in Ireland.
Paddy Small is also set to appear in the full-forward line, already scoring 1-15 from play this year, and drawing fouls from treacherous positions.
Discipline has let Wicklow down slightly in the past, with the Tailteann Cup Semi-Final against Limerick being a prime example of that.
Having been so close at halftime with the Treaty County, Wicklow let the lead slip and gave away needless fouls in dangerous positions to allow Limerick to cruise to victory.
The game throws in at 3 pm on Sunday, the 19/4, with Wicklow looking to cause a huge upset against the Leinster giants.
After narrowly missing out on promotion this year, Oisín McConville’s side are looking to bounce back and make a strong run in the Championship.
Dublin is the ‘wounded dog’ of the country at the moment, and this may be the Garden’s best chance to conquer their neighbours, in what would be a Championship win for the ages.
