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Wexford Hurling Thread

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Replying To Formertownie:  "Was a strange game Saturday . Even attending the match i found it hard to actually focus fully on it might have been the bigger stadium and where I was seated . Mid pitch but high up .
Great to get a result disappointed not to see it out .
Put ot down to confidence and maybe caught up in not so sure how to finish it out our first 2 wins came from us chasing the game .
Good to see lads putto f their hands up .
3 of dublin goals were definitely caused more by ourselves than creativity by dublin . 2 defenders not getting touch on the ball and caught on wrong side . For penalty it was a misplaced handpass trying work ball out that caught us out and first touch let us down in that breakdown too .
Certainly more positive than earlier in league but we all know championship is a different prospect.
I ll take 2 good solid performances in last 2 games and hopefully at least 1 win .
Things that can be improved on. Certainly
First touch
Catching rather than trapping on hurl getting us in needless trouble at times. .
Better awareness on ge pitch when not on possession we tend to get caught bs watching .
Opposition puck outs just need to have lads better strategically positioned to stop other teams working it too easily through our hf forward line to midfield . Puts our full back line under too much pressure if ball coming is from players with time to pick out their spot . We can't go chasing every pick out but we can position ourselves where rgey dont have an easy uncontested work out.
Thought O Donnell done a number on chin . But even at that having him on the field makes space for other forwards. Hats off to Kevin Foley been our best player all league by a country mile .
Roche hearn Wickham Reck chin fanning next
Lawlor foley banville donohoe been OK
Doubts over carley kinsella james byrne darren and David codd . Dempsey
Not seen enough of cian byrne cillizn byrne jack redmond niall murphy and a few more to know where their form is at ..
Lotto of positives and will need to keep progressing .
I think the draw in hindsight will give lads some confidence . Losing the game in the circumstances on Saturday would have hurt and ser us way back .
Building resilience in tough situations has neen the most pleasing aspect yo me . Something that's been missing in Wexfird teams in recent years.
Just my opinion but I m not overly awaiting jacko to return . Only if he puts in the same effort he did v na fianna every day he goes out . I dint mean scoring 5 6 pts I m talking wirkrate and effort .
Would be nice to have Rory back but even if he is we need to keep blooding new lads too asno guarantee he be up to speedcafter few months away . Build for the future .
Looking forward with more optimism than earlier in year .
Well dkne to Rossi management and the team /panel"
Im a fair man for the long posts myself, but I started reading that one thinking there's bound to be something I can disagree with here.
But I couldn't. Sums up where I think we are at pretty well too.
Looking forward to the trip to Ennis now. Next game up. As of now its a must win game, though that could change after the weekend.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18539 - 24/02/2026 14:21:21    2658363

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Replying To Magpie2:  "The Clare game will tell us a lot as to where we are at the moment.
Lohan will no doubt be going all out for a win and build consistency in his team as it's getting very close to the real business of the championship.
We on the other hand will be going to Ennis hoping to cut out the mistakes we made in the Dublin game.
I know he's only just back training but it wouldn't surprise me to see Jippo starting or maybe coming on at half time. What a boost that would give us.
If he does play it would mean that we would then have regulars Kevin Foley, Damien Reck, Lee Chin,
Simon Donoghoe, Conor Hearne, Richie Lawlor Conor Foley, Mark Fanning and Liam Ryan ??
Hopefully Jack Redmond and Cian Molloy will be available in two weeks time.
I still think we have a big problem at centre back.
Richie is a forward out and out and he should be played there.
I know it's been said before but I feel that putting Chinner in at centre back would strengthen our defence hugely."
Problem with putting Chin at centre-back is whether we have enough scoring power up front

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 918 - 24/02/2026 14:53:00    2658377

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Replying To Magpie2:  "The Clare game will tell us a lot as to where we are at the moment.
Lohan will no doubt be going all out for a win and build consistency in his team as it's getting very close to the real business of the championship.
We on the other hand will be going to Ennis hoping to cut out the mistakes we made in the Dublin game.
I know he's only just back training but it wouldn't surprise me to see Jippo starting or maybe coming on at half time. What a boost that would give us.
If he does play it would mean that we would then have regulars Kevin Foley, Damien Reck, Lee Chin,
Simon Donoghoe, Conor Hearne, Richie Lawlor Conor Foley, Mark Fanning and Liam Ryan ??
Hopefully Jack Redmond and Cian Molloy will be available in two weeks time.
I still think we have a big problem at centre back.
Richie is a forward out and out and he should be played there.
I know it's been said before but I feel that putting Chinner in at centre back would strengthen our defence hugely."
I don't think Liam Ryan will be starting, he has a whole pre season to do. Hes only just back from New Zealand.
Richie did well at 11 for his college, but would he make the team as a forward at Senior Intercounty?
Lee is 33, it would be asking alot of him physically to play 6 now. You are right though it would strengthen our defence, but it would also weaken our forwards hugely.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18539 - 24/02/2026 15:52:25    2658394

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Replying To Viking66:  "Im a fair man for the long posts myself, but I started reading that one thinking there's bound to be something I can disagree with here.
But I couldn't. Sums up where I think we are at pretty well too.
Looking forward to the trip to Ennis now. Next game up. As of now its a must win game, though that could change after the weekend."
A must win game if we are really wanting to be in 1a next year .
A good championship much oire relevant if we are good enough to get promoted I ll take it but not too hung up on it . I d wait for kildare game to give jippo game tine but only if he is close to full fitness . Another year in 1b would nt be the end of the world . Where we can blood new talent or continue to develop those introduced .
I d hopecwe can make 3rd position In leinster that should be our goal anything else is bonus territory.
Starting from last Saturday focus should be totally on championship now getting our best team available on the pitch for the first round game .

Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 540 - 24/02/2026 15:56:45    2658395

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Replying To Formertownie:  "A must win game if we are really wanting to be in 1a next year .
A good championship much oire relevant if we are good enough to get promoted I ll take it but not too hung up on it . I d wait for kildare game to give jippo game tine but only if he is close to full fitness . Another year in 1b would nt be the end of the world . Where we can blood new talent or continue to develop those introduced .
I d hopecwe can make 3rd position In leinster that should be our goal anything else is bonus territory.
Starting from last Saturday focus should be totally on championship now getting our best team available on the pitch for the first round game ."
Leinster should be, and is, the focus every year. But as regards the current competition we are in our next game might be must win, depending on the results the coming weekend, in order to go up. While not going up won't be a disaster, being up in 1a would be great for the younger players. Next level.
Agree 100% about Ryan.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18539 - 24/02/2026 16:36:33    2658404

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Replying To Magpie2:  "The Clare game will tell us a lot as to where we are at the moment.
Lohan will no doubt be going all out for a win and build consistency in his team as it's getting very close to the real business of the championship.
We on the other hand will be going to Ennis hoping to cut out the mistakes we made in the Dublin game.
I know he's only just back training but it wouldn't surprise me to see Jippo starting or maybe coming on at half time. What a boost that would give us.
If he does play it would mean that we would then have regulars Kevin Foley, Damien Reck, Lee Chin,
Simon Donoghoe, Conor Hearne, Richie Lawlor Conor Foley, Mark Fanning and Liam Ryan ??
Hopefully Jack Redmond and Cian Molloy will be available in two weeks time.
I still think we have a big problem at centre back.
Richie is a forward out and out and he should be played there.
I know it's been said before but I feel that putting Chinner in at centre back would strengthen our defence hugely."
I get what you mean but this is potentially jippos last hurrah. I would take absolutely zero risks with him.

I also think Chin is an excellent 6 but for me it's a fairly simple equation. We have loads of good defenders with some of the best prospects yet to return.

We don't have loads of ball winning forwards. He's just too important up front.

I do actually agree about Richie. He's a forward. A very good technical hurler. I know him, and admire him a lot, but his defensive instincts aren't great which we saw for 2 goals on Saturday.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4283 - 24/02/2026 18:18:16    2658430

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Replying To Viking66:  "I don't think Liam Ryan will be starting, he has a whole pre season to do. Hes only just back from New Zealand.
Richie did well at 11 for his college, but would he make the team as a forward at Senior Intercounty?
Lee is 33, it would be asking alot of him physically to play 6 now. You are right though it would strengthen our defence, but it would also weaken our forwards hugely."
Yes Viking if Chin was centre back it would weaken our attack but we must realise that there will be a time in the near future that we won't have him.
So maybe it's the right time to drop him back to centre back. I think he still has a good engine and would add stability. We certainly don't have strength or know how in our defence.
It would be a brave move to play him there but I believe if it means conceding less on the scoreboard and with the newer guys improving all the time in our forwards we should become more competitive throughout the field.
Hard to be sure the above would work but maybe it's worth giving it a go.

Magpie2 (Wexford) - Posts: 616 - 24/02/2026 18:21:05    2658432

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Paper says Sean Rowley is available for Ennis. Patsy isnt. No mention of Jippo but Id assume he isnt either.
Keith Rossiter spoke very well.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18539 - 24/02/2026 18:42:10    2658440

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Problem with putting Chin at centre-back is whether we have enough scoring power up front"
We'd have very little physicality or aerial threat up top without Chinner

WEXILE (Wexford) - Posts: 466 - 24/02/2026 19:49:47    2658451

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "I get what you mean but this is potentially jippos last hurrah. I would take absolutely zero risks with him.

I also think Chin is an excellent 6 but for me it's a fairly simple equation. We have loads of good defenders with some of the best prospects yet to return.

We don't have loads of ball winning forwards. He's just too important up front.

I do actually agree about Richie. He's a forward. A very good technical hurler. I know him, and admire him a lot, but his defensive instincts aren't great which we saw for 2 goals on Saturday."
I think he's better facing play than with his back to play, seems to do his best work when running at the opposition

Don't think he really brings scoring power to the table, think you'd nearly have to use him as a workhorse wing-forward if you were to play him up there

I'd like to see him in midfield again, feel like he's done well there in the past (Clare in the 2024 league, Galway in the 2024 Championship)

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 918 - 24/02/2026 20:55:39    2658458

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Replying To Viking66:  "Paper says Sean Rowley is available for Ennis. Patsy isnt. No mention of Jippo but Id assume he isnt either.
Keith Rossiter spoke very well."
I like him a lot as a hurler, was a bit raw a few years ago but has looked to improve his hurling, could be a very good player if he continues on that trajectory

Can't teach the natural speed Rowley has, could be a very useful option off the bench this year

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 918 - 24/02/2026 20:57:21    2658459

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Listened to some of the Hurling Podcast. Rory Jacob is the guest and has made some very good points so far. The only one Id disagree with is that he said Darragh Carley is excellent as a spare man. Ive never been at a training session Carley has been involved in, and Ive heard he is an excellent trainer. But I have seen him play as a spare man for his college and for his club a good few times, and he just hasn't played well in that role. He doesn't seem to know where to be on the pitch, the games just passed him by and he didnt get anywhere near enough possessions for a player in that role, and he hasn't used the ball in a positive way when he has got on it. Usually passed it off short, and often backwards.
He definitely seems to play better when hes given a more defined role to play.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18539 - 25/02/2026 11:15:15    2658515

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Replying To Viking66:  "Listened to some of the Hurling Podcast. Rory Jacob is the guest and has made some very good points so far. The only one Id disagree with is that he said Darragh Carley is excellent as a spare man. Ive never been at a training session Carley has been involved in, and Ive heard he is an excellent trainer. But I have seen him play as a spare man for his college and for his club a good few times, and he just hasn't played well in that role. He doesn't seem to know where to be on the pitch, the games just passed him by and he didnt get anywhere near enough possessions for a player in that role, and he hasn't used the ball in a positive way when he has got on it. Usually passed it off short, and often backwards.
He definitely seems to play better when hes given a more defined role to play."
Havent seen much of Carley playing spare man enough to comment myself but thought his comments on management teams finding it impossible to get messages into players were spot on. He said they couldnt get the message into Carley in Carlow at the Leinster U20 final when we were leading and with a man up. They wanted Carley to be the free man but couldnt get the message in due to the rules . It also may have been difficult to get the message across in croker on Saturday. Agree with him on the last free we should have hit it down into one corner and squeezed our men up to win possession there or Fanning should have taken it and either hit it dead or in the house with Lee inside

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 895 - 25/02/2026 11:50:20    2658523

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Agree with Rory Jacobs pick of hurler of the week too, massive impact from Rory Higgins.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18539 - 25/02/2026 12:33:21    2658538

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Replying To WEXILE:  "We'd have very little physicality or aerial threat up top without Chinner"
We have little of it at the back either as seen for the Dublin goals. Badly miss the likes of a fully fit Liam Ryan and Shane Reck back there. It extended John Conlan's career moving him back to 6. Kind of thing we would want to be testing in Ennis if serious about it.

Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 516 - 25/02/2026 12:41:17    2658543

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Replying To Timbertony:  "We have little of it at the back either as seen for the Dublin goals. Badly miss the likes of a fully fit Liam Ryan and Shane Reck back there. It extended John Conlan's career moving him back to 6. Kind of thing we would want to be testing in Ennis if serious about it."
Personally like to see Chin stay in the forwards. Im hoping having Cian Molloy and and Jippo back come championship can help shore up our defence. With a bit of luck both lads can stay fit. Good to hear Sean Rowley will be available for the Clare game. He's another young player id like to see get minutes before the end of the league along with Eoin Whelan and Darragh Kehoe. What team would you start in Clare lads? I would go with the same team as Croke park. I know Rory Higgins made a huge impact but that's what we need off the bench too. Any idea why Jack Redmond didnt get on? He seems to be picking up niggling injuries which I think may be holding him back he has big potential

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 895 - 25/02/2026 13:07:01    2658546

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "I get what you mean but this is potentially jippos last hurrah. I would take absolutely zero risks with him.

I also think Chin is an excellent 6 but for me it's a fairly simple equation. We have loads of good defenders with some of the best prospects yet to return.

We don't have loads of ball winning forwards. He's just too important up front.

I do actually agree about Richie. He's a forward. A very good technical hurler. I know him, and admire him a lot, but his defensive instincts aren't great which we saw for 2 goals on Saturday."
I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't see Jippo until the Kilkenny game in Nowlan Park tbh or even vs Dublin 3rd round

OpenStandWall (Wexford) - Posts: 339 - 25/02/2026 15:15:34    2658581

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Replying To OpenStandWall:  "I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't see Jippo until the Kilkenny game in Nowlan Park tbh or even vs Dublin 3rd round"
He's back in training now. I think the Kildare game is just under 8 weeks away so I would be hoping we can get him fit for that game. He will have to be managed carefully though if he's not 100% right I wouldnt risk him

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 895 - 25/02/2026 16:40:06    2658610

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "Personally like to see Chin stay in the forwards. Im hoping having Cian Molloy and and Jippo back come championship can help shore up our defence. With a bit of luck both lads can stay fit. Good to hear Sean Rowley will be available for the Clare game. He's another young player id like to see get minutes before the end of the league along with Eoin Whelan and Darragh Kehoe. What team would you start in Clare lads? I would go with the same team as Croke park. I know Rory Higgins made a huge impact but that's what we need off the bench too. Any idea why Jack Redmond didnt get on? He seems to be picking up niggling injuries which I think may be holding him back he has big potential"
Agree about Jack Redmond. He scored 3 from play both the last 2 days. Hopefully he gets his chance in Ennis.
Im not sure how matchfit Whelan is, Id maybe start him wingback if hes fully fit and up to speed.
Not sure how match ready Kehoe is either.
Cillian Byrne would be another Id be wanting to look at in a game before the championship, but not sure how ready he is after his layoff either.
Assuming the 3 of them arent ready -
Fanning
______ Donohue C Foley
Lawlor Reck _______
______ Hearne
Darren Codd Chin Redmond
K Foley Roche Cian Byrne

Bring on Rory Higgins and Tucker last 20 minutes when the game opens up. But definitely give them both at least 20 minutes, like a rugby pre arranged substitution, maybe leave them in the dressing room after half time for a proper warm up, bit of contact, bit of fast stickers etc along with the usual stretching, finish off their warm up on the line for a couple minutes running, with 10 seconds sprinting intervals mixed in. Try have them as game ready as possible before they come on.
The 2 free slots in the backs between Dempsey, Carley, Wickham, O'Leary. Not sure which 2 without seeing them in training during the week before. Its not critical as regards position these days as that will depend on match ups anyway.
Rowley, David Codd, James Byrne, Banville or Wickham in the empty midfield slot. Again, whoever looks best in training next week.
Its very encouraging that its getting hard as a supporter to name a best team right now. Competition for places must be savage, and must be driving up the intensity during training. Some of the new coaching practices adopted this year seem to be helping that way too. The lads didnt seem to lack for fight up in Croke Park the last day.
All great things for Keith to have going on in the camp in the run up to Championship.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18539 - 25/02/2026 18:13:45    2658629

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Replying To OpenStandWall:  "I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't see Jippo until the Kilkenny game in Nowlan Park tbh or even vs Dublin 3rd round"
If hes not 100% ready I wouldn't rush him back.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18539 - 25/02/2026 18:17:31    2658633

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