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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Have to remember that Dublin didn't have Eoin O'Donnell this year, Danny Sutcliffe also got injured, and Dónal Burke wasn't really back to his best and yet they still reached an AISF
The likes of Conor Foley, Cian Byrne, Cian Molloy, CBD, Richie Lawlor, and Darragh Carley have some experience at inter-county level and the likes of Simon Roche, Seán Rowley, Cillian Byrne, Eoin Whelan, and Jack Redmond should gain some experience this year, need them to step up, no real point in making excuses or bemoaning our luck" Other lads who might make the step up this year include Niall Murphy, James Byrne, Dara Kehoe, David Codd, Darren Codd, Mike Kelly and Tucker maybe. Conor Firman worth a call who was in before, and Brian Quigley who was on that same good u21 panel in 2018.
Lads to have a first look in the Walsh Cup might include Cathal Parker, Eamon Wickham, Luke Codd, the 2 O'Learys, Michael Dundon, Jake Molloy who is out with a knee atm depending how they might be going in training.
Definitely others I'm not thinking of right now at this time of night too :-)
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17879 - 24/12/2025 00:35:07
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Might make sense for us to use a sweeper in 2026, not many options in the full-forward line and bar Chin, they lack size so could just play a two-man full-forward line and look to hit the corners
A good few Senior clubs in the county play a sweeper so players would still be familiar with it, might help to shore up our spine too which has been a bit weak in recent years, should really be playing Molloy at 6 anyway but we need to find our next 3 and if we're to have an inexperienced spine, a sweeper would help them out
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 749 - 24/12/2025 10:51:22
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Yesterday's teams wouldn't fill you with confidence. On the other hand, it's a good opportunity for new leaders to emerge. Let's hope plenty of lads get a chance during the Walsh cup now.
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4108 - 02/01/2026 08:06:39
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Replying To Doylerwex: "Yesterday's teams wouldn't fill you with confidence. On the other hand, it's a good opportunity for new leaders to emerge. Let's hope plenty of lads get a chance during the Walsh cup now." I know Ill see you in Rathdowney and there will be a good few players who played very little or not at all yesterday who will play up there. It was billed as an Exhibition game and thats what we got.
Several new players didnt look like theyd look out of place starting a Walsh Cup game all the same, and for a lad who still isnt even in 6th year Sean O Brien was one of them.
Another thing I noticed was that the Rathnure lads definitely had a great understanding of eachothers play, what way they'd break, run etc, and their link up play was very good at times.
A real pet hate of mine was also on show plenty of times. Why do so many lads trap the ball on the hurl before taking it in hand when it was a catchable pass in the first place? That takes split seconds of time even when it works out, but in a better intensity League or Championship game it might not, as you won't have the same amount of time. You increase the chances of getting turned over. You are also slowing down your own movement of the ball forwards. Its a coaching failure all the way up from u14 that lads on an adult intercounty panel are still doing this in their 20s and even 30s.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17879 - 02/01/2026 12:08:56
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Replying To Viking66: "I know Ill see you in Rathdowney and there will be a good few players who played very little or not at all yesterday who will play up there. It was billed as an Exhibition game and thats what we got.
Several new players didnt look like theyd look out of place starting a Walsh Cup game all the same, and for a lad who still isnt even in 6th year Sean O Brien was one of them.
Another thing I noticed was that the Rathnure lads definitely had a great understanding of eachothers play, what way they'd break, run etc, and their link up play was very good at times.
A real pet hate of mine was also on show plenty of times. Why do so many lads trap the ball on the hurl before taking it in hand when it was a catchable pass in the first place? That takes split seconds of time even when it works out, but in a better intensity League or Championship game it might not, as you won't have the same amount of time. You increase the chances of getting turned over. You are also slowing down your own movement of the ball forwards. Its a coaching failure all the way up from u14 that lads on an adult intercounty panel are still doing this in their 20s and even 30s." From the roughly 50 players listed on the team sheet, yesterday, I would say say around 8 would be on my idea of our strongest XV and around 15 would be my idea of our strongest matchday 26
Of course, that's making a few assumptions about some of the players not listed but with a Walsh Cup game on Sunday (And then potentially another one mid-week), I don't know if there's too much point in reading a lot into the teams names
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 749 - 02/01/2026 12:50:07
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Replying To Viking66: "I know Ill see you in Rathdowney and there will be a good few players who played very little or not at all yesterday who will play up there. It was billed as an Exhibition game and thats what we got.
Several new players didnt look like theyd look out of place starting a Walsh Cup game all the same, and for a lad who still isnt even in 6th year Sean O Brien was one of them.
Another thing I noticed was that the Rathnure lads definitely had a great understanding of eachothers play, what way they'd break, run etc, and their link up play was very good at times.
A real pet hate of mine was also on show plenty of times. Why do so many lads trap the ball on the hurl before taking it in hand when it was a catchable pass in the first place? That takes split seconds of time even when it works out, but in a better intensity League or Championship game it might not, as you won't have the same amount of time. You increase the chances of getting turned over. You are also slowing down your own movement of the ball forwards. Its a coaching failure all the way up from u14 that lads on an adult intercounty panel are still doing this in their 20s and even 30s." Anyone show well yesterday Viking66? Even though it was an exhibition game. is Sean O'Brien hurling senior this year?
alwaysasub (Wexford) - Posts: 577 - 02/01/2026 13:14:36
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Replying To Viking66: "I know Ill see you in Rathdowney and there will be a good few players who played very little or not at all yesterday who will play up there. It was billed as an Exhibition game and thats what we got.
Several new players didnt look like theyd look out of place starting a Walsh Cup game all the same, and for a lad who still isnt even in 6th year Sean O Brien was one of them.
Another thing I noticed was that the Rathnure lads definitely had a great understanding of eachothers play, what way they'd break, run etc, and their link up play was very good at times.
A real pet hate of mine was also on show plenty of times. Why do so many lads trap the ball on the hurl before taking it in hand when it was a catchable pass in the first place? That takes split seconds of time even when it works out, but in a better intensity League or Championship game it might not, as you won't have the same amount of time. You increase the chances of getting turned over. You are also slowing down your own movement of the ball forwards. Its a coaching failure all the way up from u14 that lads on an adult intercounty panel are still doing this in their 20s and even 30s." From coaching myself its one of my pet hates too no matter how many times yiu try explain the reasoning behind hand first not hurl if watchable either high low or receiving handpass . Not like years ago when lads be trying maim you .with shorter hurls nowadays you are most likely out of opponent's reach .
One reason is lads hands soft cold etc afraid to put hand up .
Even explaingv its minimum of 1 good touch and then a catch anyway .
Where get hand out its no touch and yiu get extra all be it minimal time extra .
Ball in the hand surely worth more than 2 in a ruck
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 514 - 02/01/2026 13:47:00
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We're up and running again after a lengthy time gap.
Players will be rusty and will be keen to shake off the cobwebs.
The Walsh Cup will give lads the opportunity to stake a claim for inclusion on the senior panel.
This tournament is not the most prestigious competition but can be the first step on the hurling ladder for those who are committed and willing to give it a real go.
The big challenge will be during the league, especially against Clare and Dublin.it will allow management to experiment before the championship gets going.
To be honest I'm not overly optimistic about our chances for this year but Tipperary were no doubt saying the same when they made a tame exit in 2024, and look what happened in 2025.
Hopefully Jippo and Mac will commit this year.
Rory will be a huge loss but it will be up to the backroom to plug the caps created by their absence.
It will be tough going but if the attitude is right then progress can be made.
Magpie2 (Wexford) - Posts: 577 - 02/01/2026 17:58:34
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Replying To Magpie2: "We're up and running again after a lengthy time gap.
Players will be rusty and will be keen to shake off the cobwebs.
The Walsh Cup will give lads the opportunity to stake a claim for inclusion on the senior panel.
This tournament is not the most prestigious competition but can be the first step on the hurling ladder for those who are committed and willing to give it a real go.
The big challenge will be during the league, especially against Clare and Dublin.it will allow management to experiment before the championship gets going.
To be honest I'm not overly optimistic about our chances for this year but Tipperary were no doubt saying the same when they made a tame exit in 2024, and look what happened in 2025.
Hopefully Jippo and Mac will commit this year.
Rory will be a huge loss but it will be up to the backroom to plug the caps created by their absence.
It will be tough going but if the attitude is right then progress can be made." Not feeling too optimistic myself which is rather unusual.
Trying to be as objective as possible... I good group of players finished 4th in Leinster last year playing below themselves in 25. Can a slightly weaker group finish 3rd in Leinster by playing above themselves? With a bit of luck I don't see why not.
Am I betting on it? No.... Is it possible if things go right? Absolutely.
Regardless I'll be following them anyway. Please God we'll have a few good days. Some of my best times following Wexford have been when expectation is at rock bottom.
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4108 - 02/01/2026 23:04:49
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