Oisin McConville reveals wife's role in extending Wicklow GAA manager spell as he says ‘days of ticking boxes are over'
The All-Ireland winning Armagh legend will
remain
in the Garden County for another two years.
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Oisin McConville has extended his tenure as Wicklow manager for two years
Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
2
They suffered a heartbreaking loss to Limerick in the Tailteann Cup semi-finals
Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
McConville took over in 2022, with 2026 being his fourth season at the helm.
And he believes they are well placed to progress further after a campaign of near misses in 2025.
He told SunSport: "There was obviously a lot of
work
done the last three years. I think we are in a decent position and I think I probably know the landscape a bit better.
"This year, regardless of results, was probably a lot more positive in the fact that we have brought on a good group of players.
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"I had to decide after the
Limerick
game whether I was a part of the solution or part of the problem.
"It weighed heavily on me that we had done so much and we can do a wee bit more. That is what went into the decision."
2025 was a year in which
Wicklow
took one step forward and two
steps
back at times.
They narrowly missed out on promotion out of Division 4 by a single point after a costly opening day loss to
London
and draw with
Limerick
on March 16.
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Breaking
The Leinster SFC saw them beat Longford before a
Wins over
Laois
and
Waterford
saw them top their Tailteann Cup group and set up a quarter-final against inaugural winners
Westmeath
.
Watch RTE pundits' contrasting reaction to full-time whistle of Tipperary's epic win over Kilkenny
And on a historic afternoon in Aughrim, a last second buzzer beater score from the
evergreen
Dean Healy set up a last four clash against Limerick.
A Malachy Stone goal had Wicklow seven points up on the Treaty County with less than 15 minutes left at
Croke Park
.
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However, a rare error from goalscorer Mark Jackson allowed Rob Childs to put into the back of the net, while Oisin McGraynor was denied from the penalty spot by
Josh
Ryan.
Limerick goalie Ryan stepped up with 0-4 at the other end as Jimmy Lee's men snatched the
Frustrated by his side coming oh so near to glory without anything to show for it, McConville wants to right those wrongs in 2026.
The Crossmaglen
Rangers
man added: "I was disappointed with the year if I am honest.
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"The main thing for us last year was promotion. That didn't work out.
"Leinster
Championship
we had a tough one with the Dubs and we did okay.
"The days of doing okay and ticking boxes are well and truly gone with this group.
"The Tailteann Cup was very positive for us. It was a horrible way to end the year but on reflection, we done really well to get ourselves in the position we were in and the more we put ourselves in those positions, the better chance we have of winning.
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"For a team like this, we need to be operating in a higher division and that will be the main goal heading into
next
year."
FAMILY CALL
After the loss to Limerick, McConville admitted to needing to mull over his
future
with his
family
.
Since taking charge in 2022, the Armagh man has been commuting to Ballinakill and back for trainings and was weary of the sacrifices made at home.
But he revealed that when the topic was discussed with his wife Darina, she backed him to go again.
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He laughed: "I didn't do much of the talking, I was just listening.
"The family know what to expect. Darina knows what to expect from the fact that we have been through it for the past three years and we have made it work.
"She said there is no reason why we can't do that and make it work again.
"I suppose the fact that we know and everybody knows what it entails and the commitment it entails, everybody can get on board that little bit easier.
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"I wouldn't take it lightly the sacrifice that everybody else is making so I can go up and down to Wicklow.
"I have to be aware that there is massive sacrifice and that is why I said it after the game.
"It is quite a condensed season and when the season is on, it is all consuming so I have to try and make sure I don't bring a lot of that home.
"I have been trying my hardest in the last couple of years to make sure that doesn't happen."
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