Ex Red Hughs man Jonny Carlin lands Wicklow IFC medal 

Jonny Carlin was instrumental at the weekend in helping Barndarrig to a 1-8 to 2-4 Wicklow IFC final win over Annacurra. 

The former Red Hughs man - who’d missed the previous year due to an ACL tear - converted from the spot six minutes into injury time to help land his club the title. 

Speaking to the Wicklow People after, Carlin explained just how his link-up with Barndarrig happened. 

“I came down last year, came in as a strength and conditioning coach and the rest is history,” said Carlin, who also picked up the ‘man of the match’ award after. 

“I done my ACL last year, October 21, 2022, and I’m back out today, October 21, the final today, one year today since I got my operation. It’s kind of written in the stars, I think.

“These boys have absolutely worked their socks off. Everything was thrown at them in training. We were back in December and then started (on the pitch) in January, and it’s just been all shoulders to the wheel. It’s unbelievable. Anything you throw at these boys at all, they just react, and they give you everything.

“I haven’t met a bunch like them. They just don’t know when to die. It’s just the belief and the spirit and drive in these boys. It’s unbelievable. I cannot put it into words.

“It’s the closest thing I’ll ever get to my home club. Those boys there, I see so many similarities to my mates back home.

“I honestly can’t believe it. I was lying on a bed, probably out of my head on painkillers around this time (one year ago) and now I’m standing here, a year to the day, collecting the man of the match (award) and winning an Intermediate football championship. It’s unbelievable”.