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Replying To Viking66: "Keith played at the highest level and that didnt seem to do him any good as regards getting lads to return to the fold.
The main reason Id want Skippy to take the job would be to bring Neil O'Loughlin with him. If Neil wasnt coming in with Skippy Id prefer Tom Mullaly, though Jason Ryan might be a good appointment either." You'd imagine Waterford might have Jason Ryan lined up as Peter Queally's replacement
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1264 - 18/05/2026 10:56:31
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Replying To Spuds&GAA: "Carrying a knock on Wednesday and not risked for U20 But fit enough to start In the Round Robin with Galway's Seniors on Saturday. Jason Rabbitte made the Subs with U20s Wednesday but lined out for Seniors on Saturday. That's just the facts." Niland went off injured in that Senior game after only scoring 1 from play, and didnt seem to be moving 100%. Rabbitte could've started the u20s and would likely not have come on if the U20s management hadn't felt they needed him to. They obviously needed him to, as even with him on the field they needed to convert a tough 65 out on the sideline just to get to ET.
Bottom line is that whatever about any of that we went toe to toe with them and could have beaten them. Same with Kilkennys u20s in Nowlan Park, they needed a last minute free in injury time to get a draw with us also. I know that doesnt suit your narrative that we are nowhere at underage, but those are the facts.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19669 - 18/05/2026 11:01:39
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Replying To Viking66: "Hes already won a Senior club title, and that with a team that wasn't a favourite. He has won Leinster underage minor and u21 titles slso.
As regards Ben and Gary's podcast I think they invite guests, not the other way around." It's not unheard of for people to contact podcast producers and ask if they can come on to speak. And of course, the podcast people are often happy to have guests lining themselves up like that, rather than having to go out to look for them.
Might have happened that way here. Might not.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3640 - 18/05/2026 11:05:26
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Replying To Doylerwex: "Apparently Skippy has already said no. I'm not saying he's the right man. I'm just sharing what I've been told.
Personally I think we should do everything we can to try get Tom mulally." He would be my choice too if Skippy and Neil O'Loughlin dont want it, maybe first choice for me anyway, probably followed by Jason Ryan and then Joe Fortune.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19669 - 18/05/2026 11:05:46
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Replying To Spuds&GAA: "Is that the Soccer Coach Shane Keegan? or another man? He had been over Wexford Youths a number of years but hardly the same guy…" Yes. Hes head of coaching and games for Laois as his day job.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19669 - 18/05/2026 11:06:22
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Replying To MyOhMi: "According to Wexford Weekly, Rossiter is 'considering his future' .. not much to consider in my opinion.
The jury is still out on Joe Fortune - Come back and ask me in October after the club championship and lets see how he gets on with Gorey in 2026. I don't think he offers the same pedigree as Skippy Ruth / Neil O' Loughlain or Bear Hayes / Willie Cleary - either of those combinations are well ahead of Joe Fortune. I still think you need a top class coach with a top class manager .. and in my opinion I don't know which one of those roles Joe would consider himself to be.
Interesting result in ACHL Div 1 last night between Rathnure V Martins with Rathnure winning by 3 .. Pretty much dead rubber as Rathnure were already through and Martins couldn't qualify .. but according to reports both went at it hell for leather to lay down a marker in what was a very fiesty affair .. Darren Codd receiving a straight red in first half" Willie Cleary like Skippy said he wouldn't take on the lead coach job on account of having a young family. Not sure if he would change his mind if Hayes was going to be the manager.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19669 - 18/05/2026 11:09:56
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Replying To wexfordwin: "This is a good post.
Realistically points 10 and 11 are the ones that matter most long term. From being in Dublin and listening to people in Wexford the underage clubs and schools programme is way off. I have heard that is actually worse this year than previously and the fact that 3 full time people in leadership roles have left has left gaps.
From a senior point of view, The reality is that the role of a county senior manager is like a full time job. When Keith got the job there were very few who argued against it as the feeling was we needed a "Wexford man". Before that Davy was criticised becasue he didnt`t give young lads a run and played a sweeper, Egan was criticised because he was an outsider and even though players liked hom the public and media turned on him.
I think Keith did a decent job in his first couple of years and had Jason ryan and David Franks with him who both have a track record of winning all ireland club titles. This year for some reason they left and the backroom team he has looks very weak. The head coach is as important as the manager.
So if Keith leaves, Skippy is the obvious man but word is he won`t take it which is fair enough if his job doesn`t allow the time. I think we can perform better than we have this year with a strong manager and a top class coach. However, I cannot think of who that might be. Derek McGrath is one but he would get the same reaction Egan got.
The role of Bernard Dunne is something that nobody is asking about. It does not make sense because unless he gets in a sorts points 10 and 11 which I would imagine he knows little about then we ain`t moving on." Out of interest, when, when you say that "it is actually worse this year", what are you specifically referring to? Coaching situation in general, development squads, primary or secondary schools, coaching in clubs?
And which three people have left leadership roles and what specific roles were they in?
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1264 - 18/05/2026 11:10:01
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Replying To Pikeman96: "With respect, I think you're a real example of somebody being blindsided by a few results during his term that were the exception rather than the norm. Let's dig into those couple of 'plus points' that you point to -
2022 League - yes, won promotion from Div. 2 to a 12-team Division 1. But only won three matches out of five in doing so, against Meath, Kerry, and a Kildare side that was in the Christy Ring Cup at the time. Lost to Carlow and Down.
2023 League - this was the year they played Cork, and yes, only lost by six points. But also lost to Clare by 25, to Wexford by 11, to Limerick by 12, and to Galway by 24.
2024 League - yes, only lost to Limerick here by six points, and to Tipperary by seven. But lost to Dublin by 13 and lost to Galway by a whopping 29.
Over those two League campaigns, you can put a lot of pass on the three closer results if you like, but surely you should pay equal consideration to the six other ones where they lost by an average 19 points each.
His other achievements with and in Dublin (Leinster Minor 2007, Leinster U21 2016, Dublin SHC with Ballyboden in 2018) are a long time ago now in hurling terms.
And here's something else to consider: what's he been doing away since stepping away from Westmeath in 2024? I genuinely don't know. But what I do know is this -
No other county (top tier, middle tier, or lower tier) thought him worthy of a shot with their senior inter-county side for either 2025 or 2026. Is that in itself not an indication that maybe, just maybe, he might not be such an outstanding and obvious candidate for Wexford 2027 and beyond?" Just out of interest Pikeman do you know Fortune personally?
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19669 - 18/05/2026 11:12:28
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Replying To wexfordwin: "This is a good post.
Realistically points 10 and 11 are the ones that matter most long term. From being in Dublin and listening to people in Wexford the underage clubs and schools programme is way off. I have heard that is actually worse this year than previously and the fact that 3 full time people in leadership roles have left has left gaps.
From a senior point of view, The reality is that the role of a county senior manager is like a full time job. When Keith got the job there were very few who argued against it as the feeling was we needed a "Wexford man". Before that Davy was criticised becasue he didnt`t give young lads a run and played a sweeper, Egan was criticised because he was an outsider and even though players liked hom the public and media turned on him.
I think Keith did a decent job in his first couple of years and had Jason ryan and David Franks with him who both have a track record of winning all ireland club titles. This year for some reason they left and the backroom team he has looks very weak. The head coach is as important as the manager.
So if Keith leaves, Skippy is the obvious man but word is he won`t take it which is fair enough if his job doesn`t allow the time. I think we can perform better than we have this year with a strong manager and a top class coach. However, I cannot think of who that might be. Derek McGrath is one but he would get the same reaction Egan got.
The role of Bernard Dunne is something that nobody is asking about. It does not make sense because unless he gets in a sorts points 10 and 11 which I would imagine he knows little about then we ain`t moving on." Bernard Dunne's role is related to our benefactor though, would personally say that we'd be better off investing that in coaching instead but it's not our money to spend really
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1264 - 18/05/2026 11:14:40
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Replying To wexfordwin: "This is a good post.
Realistically points 10 and 11 are the ones that matter most long term. From being in Dublin and listening to people in Wexford the underage clubs and schools programme is way off. I have heard that is actually worse this year than previously and the fact that 3 full time people in leadership roles have left has left gaps.
From a senior point of view, The reality is that the role of a county senior manager is like a full time job. When Keith got the job there were very few who argued against it as the feeling was we needed a "Wexford man". Before that Davy was criticised becasue he didnt`t give young lads a run and played a sweeper, Egan was criticised because he was an outsider and even though players liked hom the public and media turned on him.
I think Keith did a decent job in his first couple of years and had Jason ryan and David Franks with him who both have a track record of winning all ireland club titles. This year for some reason they left and the backroom team he has looks very weak. The head coach is as important as the manager.
So if Keith leaves, Skippy is the obvious man but word is he won`t take it which is fair enough if his job doesn`t allow the time. I think we can perform better than we have this year with a strong manager and a top class coach. However, I cannot think of who that might be. Derek McGrath is one but he would get the same reaction Egan got.
The role of Bernard Dunne is something that nobody is asking about. It does not make sense because unless he gets in a sorts points 10 and 11 which I would imagine he knows little about then we ain`t moving on." Dunne IS involved with our u14s/u15s/u16s. Not sure about the schools, but they'd probably turn him away if he offered to go in anyway......
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19669 - 18/05/2026 11:14:42
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Replying To Timbertony: "Daithi Hayes would be in the mix too, never say die spirit with St Martins last year sadly lacking in the county team. Would like to see both Ruth and him put a bit of time into county underage teams like Rossi did before getting the main gig. Tom Mullaly and Pat Bennett have intercounty and local club experience." Pat Bennett is doing ok with Carlow so far. Was very good with Ferns.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19669 - 18/05/2026 11:15:22
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Replying To Pikeman96: "Suppose the main point I'm making re. Fortune is that in his three years with Westmeath, they didn't show any signs of sustained improvement or competitiveness. For every one good result they'd have, such as the shocks v Wexford or the narrower defeats in the League, you could nearly bet the house that they'd follow it up with two or three bad ones.
Greatest example of all is probably that win over Wexford. On a major high and going into a last round match against an Antrim side who were shellshocked after losing their two previous games by a total 36 points, on a day where the winners would avoid relegation....and Antrim won by 14 points.
Anyway, re. an appointment of a next manager - there's normally a dedicated committee set up for senior inter-county appointments. The HAC would have a strong voice on it all right, but it wouldn't be 100% up to them." Nor should it be
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19669 - 18/05/2026 11:15:56
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Replying To Pikeman96: "Just to note that I made a hames of this line in one of my posts above about Joe Fortune:
here's something else to consider: what's he been doing away since stepping away from Westmeath in 2024?
Obviously he has a coaching role with Naomh Éanna. What I was trying to ask was has he been doing anything on the inter-county scene in that time, i.e. any role at all with any squad in any county.
And the main point remains that if no other county had a role for him in 2025 or '26, then there has to be a question mark over whether he'd be such an "outstanding" or "obvious" candidate for Wexford in '27." Maybe he didnt apply for an intercounty role?
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19669 - 18/05/2026 11:16:38
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Replying To tearintom: "I was about to say the same thing.
Skippy and Joe Fortune definitely won't be happening!!" Its an Enniscorthy thing. I know both personally. Won't happen. I'm just going to leave it there
WEXILE (Wexford) - Posts: 507 - 18/05/2026 11:18:51
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Replying To Timbertony: "Daithi Hayes would be in the mix too, never say die spirit with St Martins last year sadly lacking in the county team. Would like to see both Ruth and him put a bit of time into county underage teams like Rossi did before getting the main gig. Tom Mullaly and Pat Bennett have intercounty and local club experience." Tom Mulally for me!
WEXILE (Wexford) - Posts: 507 - 18/05/2026 11:20:01
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "You'd imagine Waterford might have Jason Ryan lined up as Peter Queally's replacement" Maybe. Or maybe Bennett. Or maybe Derek Mcgrath. All 3 are from Waterford. Stephen Molumphy and a few other ex players have also started out in coaching and management careers. Paul Flynn, Ken Mcgrath, Dan Shanagher etc. They have a few internal options if they dont want to go for an outside manager.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19669 - 18/05/2026 11:20:45
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Replying To Viking66: "Maybe. Or maybe Bennett. Or maybe Derek Mcgrath. All 3 are from Waterford. Stephen Molumphy and a few other ex players have also started out in coaching and management careers. Paul Flynn, Ken Mcgrath, Dan Shanagher etc. They have a few internal options if they dont want to go for an outside manager." God himself as a new manager would not save this current group of hurlers. Talent just not there at the moment.
Yellowhelmet (Australia) - Posts: 184 - 18/05/2026 11:46:55
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Another tough day out on Saturday. In a way im happy the season is just about over its been so disappointing and im looking forward to the club championship and then getting to see what a new management set up can bring to the table. Listening to the Wexford hurling podcast it sounds like Joe Fortune would be desperate to take the job. Whoever it is they need to get the best possible management team in place and need to find a way to getting all of the best players in the county into the squad.
Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 1075 - 18/05/2026 11:47:45
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Replying To 96andproud: "I was only giving my opinion please don't term me blindsided. He was managing Westmeath for Jesus sake!! He has had more success than many other names being floated here. All have bad results. They all have results that went against them. Maybe it's a big name the players and supporters want. You are now saying his success's is too long ago! Give the man some respect. But you are right to as we need the absolute perfect fit. We will never find it. He was asked to take the Wexford 20s and didn't after Westmeath that I do know. That's why I don't see him taking it. He was with Gorey last year and is this year. No problem if we can't agree as it's only my opinion." Looks like we won't agree, and that's fair enough, because forums like this and life in general would be pretty boring if people agreed all the time.
And yes, it was Westmeath he was with, so we shouldn't set the bar too high. But:
- would be one thing to oversee signs of sustained and even slight improvement with them, and leave them in a better place than he found them.
- another thing to leave them no better and probably worse off. For every "up" they had along the way, they had two or three significant downs.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3640 - 18/05/2026 11:51:10
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Replying To WEXILE: "Tom Mulally for me!" I'd be inclined to go for Tom Mulally myself ahead of Joe Fortune and Skippy Ruth. Cant see a left field appointment like Darragh Egan happening again
Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 1075 - 18/05/2026 11:51:34
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