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Replying To Pikeman96: "I've asked here before, and didn't get an answer. When you look at Joe Fortune's record in his one and only stint in senior inter-county management, how many people genuinely think he has the pedigree to bring Wexford to a better place?
People here tend to be blindsided by the two shock results Westmeath got against Wexford. But outside of that, in his three years with them:
2022: League - won three and lost two in the third tier. Championship - drew with Wexford but lost by average of 16 points to Galway/Kilkenny/Dublin. Stayed up by virtue of beating a Laois team that were possibly worst ever since championship moved to a group stage (Laois played five, lost five, score difference -92).
2023: League - played five and lost five in Div. 1A, and stayed up just by beating that same Laois team. Championship - shock massive comeback victory after Wexford went to sleep, but don't forget they were 17 points down at one stage. Lost by average 23 points to Galway/Kilkenny/Dublin. Followed up their win over Wexford by losing by 14 points to Antrim and being relegated.
2024: League - Relegated after only beating Antrim and losing other four games by average 12 points. Championship - finished fourth out of six in McDonagh Cup, after beating only Meath (who everybody else beat as well) and a Laois team who'd now got their act together, who'd already qualified for the final before playing Westmeath in the final round, and who therefore put out a weakened team for that match.
So again - if people were to consider that record overall, how many would genuinely feel he's the man to improve our lot?" While Im not sure Joe is the man for the job you are leaving out the fact that that he won div2 with Westmeath in 2022. Westmeath didnt just win 3 games, they won the semifinal and final also. So 5 games including 2 knockout ones. And as regards their form in the 2024 Joe Mac, they havent done any better since he left. In 2025 they only won 2 games in the Joe Mac, and got relegated from div 1b in the League winning only 1 game.
He also won a Dublin Senior club title with a team that wasnt favourite to do so that year. They won 3 of 3 in the group stages, including beating Cuala. They beat St Vincents in the SF and Crokes in the final. Cuala were the current 2 in a row AI Champions that year, while Crokes had lost to them in the 2 previous Dublin finals by only a score.
He also WON Leinster minor and u21 titles managing Dublin. He didnt just reach finals.
He'd have alot more experience than Keith or Derek Lyng overall.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19649 - 18/05/2026 06:48:28
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Replying To Pikeman96: "I've asked here before, and didn't get an answer. When you look at Joe Fortune's record in his one and only stint in senior inter-county management, how many people genuinely think he has the pedigree to bring Wexford to a better place?
People here tend to be blindsided by the two shock results Westmeath got against Wexford. But outside of that, in his three years with them:
2022: League - won three and lost two in the third tier. Championship - drew with Wexford but lost by average of 16 points to Galway/Kilkenny/Dublin. Stayed up by virtue of beating a Laois team that were possibly worst ever since championship moved to a group stage (Laois played five, lost five, score difference -92).
2023: League - played five and lost five in Div. 1A, and stayed up just by beating that same Laois team. Championship - shock massive comeback victory after Wexford went to sleep, but don't forget they were 17 points down at one stage. Lost by average 23 points to Galway/Kilkenny/Dublin. Followed up their win over Wexford by losing by 14 points to Antrim and being relegated.
2024: League - Relegated after only beating Antrim and losing other four games by average 12 points. Championship - finished fourth out of six in McDonagh Cup, after beating only Meath (who everybody else beat as well) and a Laois team who'd now got their act together, who'd already qualified for the final before playing Westmeath in the final round, and who therefore put out a weakened team for that match.
So again - if people were to consider that record overall, how many would genuinely feel he's the man to improve our lot?" While Im not sure Joe is the man for the job you are leaving out the fact that that he won div2 with Westmeath in 2022. Westmeath didnt just win 3 games, they won the semifinal and final also. So 5 games including 2 knockout ones. And as regards their form in the 2024 Joe Mac, they havent done any better since he left. In 2025 they only won 2 games in the Joe Mac, and got relegated from div 1b in the League winning only 1 game.
He also won a Dublin Senior club title with a team that wasnt favourite to do so that year. They won 3 of 3 in the group stages, including beating Cuala. They beat St Vincents in the SF and Crokes in the final. Cuala were the current 2 in a row AI Champions that year, while Crokes had lost to them in the 2 previous Dublin finals by only a score.
He also WON Leinster minor and u21 titles managing Dublin. He didnt just reach finals.
He'd have alot more experience than Keith or Derek Lyng overall.
And neither John Kiely nor Paul Kinnerk had great intercounty hurling playing careers, they were more known as intercounty footballers. Jason Ryan, Michael O'Donohue, Neill O'Ceallachain and Derek Mcgrath werent successful intercounty hurlers either.
Personally I wouldn't be too hung up on a fellas playing career when considering their managerial credentials.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19649 - 18/05/2026 07:08:31
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Joe fotune is absolutley mad for the job,after listening to the wexford hurling pod,it was like an interview for the job!!! He will put up some miles calling to lads house for next year!!!
theboys (Wexford) - Posts: 305 - 18/05/2026 07:09:50
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Replying To WEXILE: "Our next manager can't be a gamble.
I'd be very weary about appointing him. Not done an awful lot at senior intercounty. I absolutely think there's a role for him in the county 100% but not the main job. I don't think he's done enough.
And his appearance on the podcast is a pure PR pitch. Theres a touch of the Davy populism about this fella. Talking about what it means to be "Wexford men" etc. Give him more microphone time and he'd be singing Boolavogue.
Maybe in the future but he hasnto excel at Gorey or whatever role he has to get the main gig surely.
Also I'm not sure how much respect he'll get as he never played to any real level as opposed to Skippy who did play to high level.and who got a good deal of progress into Rathnure. Not sure how much respect Joe will get but maybe thats just small.town nonsense and maybe its time to forget all that.
I just think theres an element of risk here and I don't think the time is right for gambling, we need to get this right" 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.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19649 - 18/05/2026 07:27:10
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Replying To Pikeman96: "I've asked here before, and didn't get an answer. When you look at Joe Fortune's record in his one and only stint in senior inter-county management, how many people genuinely think he has the pedigree to bring Wexford to a better place?
People here tend to be blindsided by the two shock results Westmeath got against Wexford. But outside of that, in his three years with them:
2022: League - won three and lost two in the third tier. Championship - drew with Wexford but lost by average of 16 points to Galway/Kilkenny/Dublin. Stayed up by virtue of beating a Laois team that were possibly worst ever since championship moved to a group stage (Laois played five, lost five, score difference -92).
2023: League - played five and lost five in Div. 1A, and stayed up just by beating that same Laois team. Championship - shock massive comeback victory after Wexford went to sleep, but don't forget they were 17 points down at one stage. Lost by average 23 points to Galway/Kilkenny/Dublin. Followed up their win over Wexford by losing by 14 points to Antrim and being relegated.
2024: League - Relegated after only beating Antrim and losing other four games by average 12 points. Championship - finished fourth out of six in McDonagh Cup, after beating only Meath (who everybody else beat as well) and a Laois team who'd now got their act together, who'd already qualified for the final before playing Westmeath in the final round, and who therefore put out a weakened team for that match.
So again - if people were to consider that record overall, how many would genuinely feel he's the man to improve our lot?" Its a fair point.
Dare I say, maybe our next manager needs to someone, a "name" who gets bums back on seats?
Not really sure if that manager is out there any more though.
tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1658 - 18/05/2026 07:31:11
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "They hardly have him lined up already?" They dont afaik
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19649 - 18/05/2026 07:33:02
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "They hardly have him lined up already?" They dont afaik.
There will be an end of season review, and it hasnt even ended yet. Keith's 3 year term is up after that, I'm not even sure if he will want another, but Im definitely not sure he should get one even if he does. Hes ticked some boxes along the way, achieved 1a status in his 1st year and nearly kept us there in his second, and was a puck of a ball away in the games against Clare and Dublin of returning us there. The negatives for me are his team selections, team motivation and players opting out.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19649 - 18/05/2026 07:37:48
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "They hardly have him lined up already?" They dont afaik.
There will be an end of season review, and it hasnt even ended yet. Keith's 3 year term is up after that, I'm not even sure if he will want another, but Im definitely not sure he should get one even if he does. Hes ticked some boxes along the way, achieved 1a status in his 1st year and nearly kept us there in his second, and was a puck of a ball away in the games against Clare and Dublin of returning us there. The negatives for me are his team selections, team motivation, tactical set up and players opting out.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19649 - 18/05/2026 07:38:28
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Replying To 96andproud: "All fair points but it was with Westmeath he cut his teeth with not a top tier county! But as you said he brought them from Div 2 to Div 1 in his first year and kept them there. In all those results in year two in division 1 they were beaten by Limerick Cork and Tipperary by less than 5/6 points which was huge for them and with what? We couldn't beat them in championship on two occasions. Two years later Westmeath have only beaten London…
He beat us at minor and u20 levels also while winning two Leinster titles along with winning a Dublin championship with Ballyboden. I'm not sure they have won one since. It's a lot more than what Keith had or Darragh Egan for that matter. I couldn't see him take it, not travelling from Dublin. But I personally would love to see him part of it along with Skippy Ruth." Joe would come from New York to manage Wexford never mind driving from Dublin to Ferns.
Just going to be the fly in the ointment....Skippy and Joseph Fortune won't be part of the same management group.
WEXILE (Wexford) - Posts: 507 - 18/05/2026 08:01:35
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Replying To 96andproud: "All fair points but it was with Westmeath he cut his teeth with not a top tier county! But as you said he brought them from Div 2 to Div 1 in his first year and kept them there. In all those results in year two in division 1 they were beaten by Limerick Cork and Tipperary by less than 5/6 points which was huge for them and with what? We couldn't beat them in championship on two occasions. Two years later Westmeath have only beaten London…
He beat us at minor and u20 levels also while winning two Leinster titles along with winning a Dublin championship with Ballyboden. I'm not sure they have won one since. It's a lot more than what Keith had or Darragh Egan for that matter. I couldn't see him take it, not travelling from Dublin. But I personally would love to see him part of it along with Skippy Ruth." 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
MyOhMi (Wexford) - Posts: 312 - 18/05/2026 08:59:14
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Replying To 96andproud: "All fair points but it was with Westmeath he cut his teeth with not a top tier county! But as you said he brought them from Div 2 to Div 1 in his first year and kept them there. In all those results in year two in division 1 they were beaten by Limerick Cork and Tipperary by less than 5/6 points which was huge for them and with what? We couldn't beat them in championship on two occasions. Two years later Westmeath have only beaten London…
He beat us at minor and u20 levels also while winning two Leinster titles along with winning a Dublin championship with Ballyboden. I'm not sure they have won one since. It's a lot more than what Keith had or Darragh Egan for that matter. I couldn't see him take it, not travelling from Dublin. But I personally would love to see him part of it along with Skippy Ruth." 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?
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3634 - 18/05/2026 09:23:41
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Replying To Pikeman96: "I've asked here before, and didn't get an answer. When you look at Joe Fortune's record in his one and only stint in senior inter-county management, how many people genuinely think he has the pedigree to bring Wexford to a better place?
People here tend to be blindsided by the two shock results Westmeath got against Wexford. But outside of that, in his three years with them:
2022: League - won three and lost two in the third tier. Championship - drew with Wexford but lost by average of 16 points to Galway/Kilkenny/Dublin. Stayed up by virtue of beating a Laois team that were possibly worst ever since championship moved to a group stage (Laois played five, lost five, score difference -92).
2023: League - played five and lost five in Div. 1A, and stayed up just by beating that same Laois team. Championship - shock massive comeback victory after Wexford went to sleep, but don't forget they were 17 points down at one stage. Lost by average 23 points to Galway/Kilkenny/Dublin. Followed up their win over Wexford by losing by 14 points to Antrim and being relegated.
2024: League - Relegated after only beating Antrim and losing other four games by average 12 points. Championship - finished fourth out of six in McDonagh Cup, after beating only Meath (who everybody else beat as well) and a Laois team who'd now got their act together, who'd already qualified for the final before playing Westmeath in the final round, and who therefore put out a weakened team for that match.
So again - if people were to consider that record overall, how many would genuinely feel he's the man to improve our lot?" You do realise that you are talking about Westmeath here?
I dont know much about him but that's a decent enough record for a Westmeath manager. Maybe a poor one for a Wexford manager but decent for WM. Who is out there that's available?
Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 410 - 18/05/2026 09:30:21
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Replying To 96andproud: "All fair points but it was with Westmeath he cut his teeth with not a top tier county! But as you said he brought them from Div 2 to Div 1 in his first year and kept them there. In all those results in year two in division 1 they were beaten by Limerick Cork and Tipperary by less than 5/6 points which was huge for them and with what? We couldn't beat them in championship on two occasions. Two years later Westmeath have only beaten London…
He beat us at minor and u20 levels also while winning two Leinster titles along with winning a Dublin championship with Ballyboden. I'm not sure they have won one since. It's a lot more than what Keith had or Darragh Egan for that matter. I couldn't see him take it, not travelling from Dublin. But I personally would love to see him part of it along with Skippy Ruth." I suppose the argument in his defence was that Westmeath's job was to stay up and anything beyond that was a bonus
I'd have him as an option, he wouldn't be my #1 option though and I don't see why we'd already have him lined up
Are the Hurling Advisory Committee the ones who make the decision here? Who's on that committee as well? Think Adrian Fenlon is the head?
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1256 - 18/05/2026 09:48:34
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Replying To Viking66: "Here are some of the issues I think need addressed. In no particular order-
1- our tactical set up and coaching at Senior was poor. We are taking too many passes to work the ball out from the back because we are starting too far back the pitch, on our 21. We have a keeper who can't ping the ball into a teammates hand while he is running for the ball 45- 60 metres up the pitch with an opponent a few steps behind him. So we are conceding more turnovers when trying to play a short game.
And we dont look like we have put enough time into practicing long puckouts, ours or our opponents, there are basic fundamentals like getting lads on the quarters for the breaks which just arent happening.
So we have little chance of winning and retaining primary possession.
2- We seem hung up on putting round pegs in square holes when it comes to team selection.
3- No other county has as many lads under 32 that actually left the panel when they were a championship starter on it.
4- Alot of our better prospects haven't fully committed, or havent committed at all.
5- There have been numerous rumours of bad man management.
6- There has been a chronic lack of public support for our Intercounty hurlers for many years now.
7- We were hampered by minors not playing club adult, which hindered their development. At least this problem is now rectified going forwards.
8- we need to convince more of our best young players to concentrate on hurling, rather than playing 3 or 4 sports and ending up not hurling at all, or burning themselves out by the time they are 20, if not younger.
9- we have no local college, which doesn't help get younger lads to commit to intercounty due to the excessive travelling it involves. Hopefully SETU Wexford gets expanded and gets its new campus sooner rather than later.
10- some of our clubs and most of our schools just arent providing enough coaching contacts, and in some cases quality of coaching is a big issue.
11- we arent getting enough top coaches involved with our county teams at all levels.
Its actually a miracle we werent beaten by larger margins this year. And some of those issues will continue to hold us back regardless of who our management team will be next year." 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.
wexfordwin (Wexford) - Posts: 202 - 18/05/2026 10:05:29
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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.
Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 577 - 18/05/2026 10:05:30
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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…" It is the same guy...
Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 577 - 18/05/2026 10:06:44
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "I suppose the argument in his defence was that Westmeath's job was to stay up and anything beyond that was a bonus
I'd have him as an option, he wouldn't be my #1 option though and I don't see why we'd already have him lined up
Are the Hurling Advisory Committee the ones who make the decision here? Who's on that committee as well? Think Adrian Fenlon is the head?" 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.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3634 - 18/05/2026 10:18:16
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Replying To WEXILE: "Joe would come from New York to manage Wexford never mind driving from Dublin to Ferns.
Just going to be the fly in the ointment....Skippy and Joseph Fortune won't be part of the same management group." I was about to say the same thing.
Skippy and Joe Fortune definitely won't be happening!!
tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1658 - 18/05/2026 10:18:18
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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?" 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.
96andproud (Wexford) - Posts: 36 - 18/05/2026 10:43:16
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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.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3634 - 18/05/2026 10:48:46
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