Brendan, 28, who captained UCD to the their first Dublin SFC title in 28 years back in 2002, is to continue his work in Grenoble, France, after recently receiving his doctorate in electronic engineering.

Dara, 24, is bound for Asia, Australia and New Zealand on a year-out travelling after finishing off his masters degree in recent weeks.

Wicklow manager Hugh Kenny, whose side were pitted with neighbours Carlow in tonight's draw for the first round of the Leinster SFC, will be boosted in 2006 by the return of diminutive Rathnew forward Tommy Gill, who sat out last year's campaign.

The free-scoring plumber was the Garden county's top scorer in 2003 and 2004.