NFL - WICKLOW V. LONDON: Micko takes his troupes to London on Saturday for a match against the Exiles in the third round of the league.

Time was when this bi-annual excursion was no more than a trip for the boys; they were sure of two points, and a few drinks before getting back to the serious business of trying to beat Carlow or some other Division 4 team.

In those days the Celtic Tiger had levelled the playing field. John Bull had nothing to offer to the young Irish worker that he could not find at home.

That day is gone and more is the pity. The poor Celtic Tiger has passed away and now the Irish worker, and that includes our footballers, will go anywhere, any time if he have any chance on landing a job.

While London are not setting the world on fire at the moment that could change overnight.

Killian Phair was their top scorer last week against Waterford last Sunday so the corner-forward will have to be singled out for special attention. London lost that match 116 to 0-8 in Frahers Field.

Micko will be releasing his under-21 players, Paul Cunningham, Stephen Mann and Stephen Dillon who will be required by Tim Healy for duty against Longford on Sunday.

That will most likely mean more experimenting and probably a chance for more players to lay down a claim for a permanent spot on the team.

Wicklow will start favourites, that goes without saying but there is still no room for complacency. Most years London claim one big scalp in Ruislip - make sure that it is not Wicklow's turn this year.

U-21 FOOTBALL - WICKLOW V. LONGFORD (AUGHRIM)

Tim Healy's U-21 footballers take on Longford in the first round of the Leinster U-21 football championship at Aughrim on Sunday.

A year ago the sides met at the same stage in Longford when the Garden County boys put in a strong finish to win by two points - 1-11 to 2-6. However, Laois proved too strong for them in the second round.

About half of that team is still available so the team on Sunday should have a hard core of experience.

Ciarán Walshe (Baltinglass) was the top scorer last year and he is available again. Thomas Kelly, who scored the only goal against Laois is also underage again. Paul Cunningham had a strong game against Longford and got on the scoresheet.

A number of other players on the panel has seen service with Mick O'Dwyer's Seniors.

They include Stephen Mann and Robert Lambert (Aughrim); Mark Kenny (Ballymanus); Anthony McLoughlin and Dean Siney (Blessington); Paul Cunningham (Bray Emmets); Brian Osbourne (Carnew); Shane Carty (Dunlavin) and Stephen Dillon (Tinahely).

The team have prepared well this year. They took part in a tournament sponsored by Carlow and got to the final but were well beaten by Dublin (See Mark Kennedy's report).

In addition they had a number of practice matches.

However, they have been hard hit by injury and were seldom at full strength in any match.

Longford generally do well in underage football and will be no push over.

With home advantage Wicklow will be expecting to do as well as last year and get a win.

U-21 football panel: William Hender/Phillips; Stephen Mann, Robert Lambert, Christy Murphy, Ronan Phelan, Colm Coogan, Mark Kenny; Peadar Burke, Ciarán Walshe, Conor Foley, Anthony McLoughlin, Paul McLoughlin, Dean Siney, Brendan McGarr, Kevin Hanlon; Paul Cunningham, Brian Osbourne, Demot Daly, Niall Curran, Shane Carthy, Willie Doyle, Lorcan Treanor, Shaun Horan, Roddy Carroll, Johnny Wybrant, Seán Jameson, Marc Caplis, Brian Walsh, Stephen Dillon and Adam Merryman.

NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE

Casey O'Brien will be hoping to get off to a winning start in the hurling league when they take on Fingal at a Dublin venue on Sunday.

Wicklow got no win in the League in 2009, their best performance was a draw (1-19 to 2-16) against Meath in Navan.

They were relegated which means they play in a lower division this year. That does not mean that it will be any easier this time around.

Hurling in Dublin is on a high and Fingal will be no push over but after three good displays Wicklow should be well prepared for a hard battle.

Sunday's display against Armagh was very encouraging but still nothing to get carried away about.

Plenty of mistakes over the 70 minutes but the one thing that stood out was the spirit of the team.

A few of the young players like Billy Cuddihy, Seánie Kinsella, Tomás Doyle and Andy O'Brien showed great promise. And Casey has a few more like Jack Tanner, Christy Moorhouse, TJ Hennessy, Leon Brown and Barry Cremin still to come.

For the moment however he will have to depend on the tried and trusted players like Jonathan and Michael Anthony O'Neill (Glenealy) and Joe Murphy, The Kennedy brothers and the captain Willie Collins of Carnew.

Provided they don't take the opposition for granted Wicklow should do well in this group.

Footnote: How much has things changed in a year? When Wicklow and Armagh met in the League in Arklow a year ago the score was Armagh 1-15, Wicklow 2-11 - very close to the scoreline last Sunday - the missing link - Jonathan's goal.

- PETER KEOGH GAA Reporter