An Tóchar celebrate long-awaited return to Wicklow summit
Three decades after their last county senior football crown, a determined club has found its way back to the top. Years of underage coaching and volunteer effort helped transform a side that had slipped to junior level.
An Tóchar are celebrating their first Wicklow senior football title in 31 years, with a Leinster club championship quarter-final against Meath champions Wolfe Tones next on the agenda.
The victory marks a remarkable turnaround for the club, which dropped from senior to intermediate and then junior A after its 1995 triumph. An Tóchar returned to senior football three years ago and reached a semi-final in their first season back.
Chairperson Fergal Mulligan, who played on the 1995 winning team, told GAA News that years of work with young players had paid off. “There is super excitement,” he said. “We all thought we'd win another few, but 31 years passed by with no title.”
Mulligan praised parents who had coached players since nursery level and pointed to the club’s success in placing youngsters on county panels and development squads. Senior player Ger Byrne has lived through the journey, playing at every grade from senior down to junior A and back again.
Investment has also strengthened the club’s facilities, including its pitches, dressing rooms, indoor hall and gym. Mulligan said around 80 juvenile coaches work with girls and boys, backed by volunteers across the club.