Casey O Brien has brought back many of the counties more experienced campaigners but he has also given youth its chance with his first 30 man selection to face Meath in tonights Kehoe Cup clash under lights in Bray.

Many of the players who were not involved in the squad last year are now back to add experience to the many young players who carried the Wicklow cause proudly and that blend can only be a huge cause for optimism for the 2023 campaign.

Aughrim’s Dylan Byrne and Carnews Tommy Collins are down to man the corner back positions with the two being very bright prospects and pace will not be a problem and there’s a young but very experienced head at number 3 in the form of Kiltegans Bryan Kearney to man the small square.

The half back line is very much a line of power and panache with the Glenealy man mountain Matthew Traynor anchoring the defence with his club mate Sam O Dowd captaining the side on his flank and the skilful sideline specialist from Kiltegan, Brandon Ryan on the other flank.

The midfield engine room won’t lack for fuel or drive with a Carnew man and a Glenealy man combining and when the two have surnames like Doran and Manley that are steeped in Wicklow Hurling folklore you know you’re not going to have any worries and Padraig and Ronan will keep the Meath Midfield honest.

The half forward line is interesting with Kiltegans Padraig O Toole having played Dublin for the Senior Footballers last night is named to start for the hurler’s tonight so who says a dual star is no longer a thing! The one and only County Andy is back as County Andy and that spells nightmares for every opposition defender for 2023 and it’s a real boost to all hurling supporters to have him back in the squad and his hunger should drive Wicklows scoring power while another County stalwart is on his flank in the shape of Jack Doyle the no nonsense Carnew man who will get through mountains of work and knows where the posts are.

The inside line is speed personified with the Majestic Mikey Lee from Bray Emmets in the corner who’s skill speaks for itself and despite not featuring with Bray Emmets he will no doubt be back with a bang in 2023 and his presence is great to see while the 14 jersey is taken by Kiltegans sharpshooter extraordinaire Seanie Germaine who is as lethal from open play as he is from the dead ball and he always carries a very live goal threat when he gets a bit of space. The last berth on the starting team is secured by Avondale Dynamo Torna Mulconry who has outrageous skill levels, pace and no doubt he’s good at everything else but what he lacks in size is more than accounted for in what he can do when he gets possession and he is very much a player who can really develop in the coming years.

The subs bench is probably as strong as we have seen in many years with a rich combination of experience and youth once again and there’s huge cause for optimism when you read the names that have made themselves available to Casey with a few names still to add back in and the excitement for 2023 is palpable. We wish Casey and the lads the very best tonight and for 2023