Wexford Club Hurling Championships 2023

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Replying To Viking66: "I was woeful with the Senior predictions last week only 2 right! Senior- Gorey Martins Anne's Rapps Ferns Shels Intermediate- Bunclody v Rocks- Bunclody just about- Bunclody looked sharp at the start of the last game and JJ Doyle will have had them working hard during the week. Conor Devitt will quarterback the Rocks team and Curtis, Kinsella, Hughes and Co will be full of running so I'd be expecting it to be close. Adamstown v Askamore- Askamore by plenty- Adamstown are badly hit by injuries although PJ a big loss for Askamore if he's still out. Jimmy's v Taghmon- Taghmon by 1 or 2- Taghmon started poorly but then improved as the game went on against Bunclody. Matthew a big loss for the Jimmys though they have 2 quick, scoring forwards in O Grady and Shane Murphy who will be dangerous, along with a solid back 8. Fethard v Blackwater- Fethard by a couple- forwards surely couldn't be as bad as the last day, and Cian Byrne will never miss as many frees in a game as the last day if he plays til he's 40, and the short passing game will have improved with another weeks training. Hard to see where Blackwater are going to score enough from. Horeswood v Buffers Alley- the Alley by a good few. Horeswood missing too many players and while this year might be a year or 2 too soon for the Alley to go up they should have enough even with Kenny out again. Gusserane v Cloughbawn- Cloughbawn but might be closer than lads think. Gusserane have power and pace aplenty and the lads who haven't held a hurl for the last 7 or 8 months will be getting sharper week on week." Senior Rapperees by 3 Shels x 4 Ferns x 3 Gorey x 5 St Annes x 3 St Martins x 2 Intermediate Bunclody x 2 Buffers Alley x 10 Gusserane x 5 St James x 2 Blackwater x 2 Askamore x 4 hurlorhurley (Wexford) - Posts: 1660 - 06/07/2023 14:45:40 2492676 Link
Replying To Viking66: "MLR won a Leinster club championship. You still don't get it. If MLR and St Mullins were playing in our championship they might very well win it. They regularly beat Kiljenny Senior clubs in challenge games the last few years. Carlow are less successful than us because they have way less Senior and Intermediate clubs, not because those clubs are of a worse standard. Another example. Antrim clubs have a better AI club record overall than ours, Tipps, Clares, Limericks, Waterfords and Dublins, giving 1 point for an AI final appearance and 2 for an AI win. Dunloy gave Ballyhale their strongest challenge all year. Club hurling success isn't related to Senior intercounty success neccessarily. To answer your question a club can be successful without many Senior intercounty players. Ferns is the proof of it though they had 5 players I saw play for Wexford this year maybe you didn't go to too many games? They have a few former intercounty players also. Rapps won it with just 2 also. 3 if you include Pepper. Isn't it better that our Senior club championship is no longer dominated by 1 or 2 clubs? When Oulart had 7, 8, 9, lads on our intercounty team in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, did it do us any good? Has Ballygunners dominance done Waterford any good? Though they don't have many on the Waterfird 1st team either. NaP and Kilmallock are dominating in Limerick. Not too many of their players on their county teams either. Not too many Ballyea players on Clares team either. I don't really understand any of your post tbh." I mad my point badly and was away for the last few days. If you ask me, the success of the county team has no real link to the success of the clubs feeding it. For example, look at the successes of Cuala and Crokes. There is no link to it and Dublin's successes (or lack of it) and a club team can easily build up a head of steam which can bring them a long way. But, I would have no doubt that the best club hurling championships are undeniably linked to successful county teams, and to me this is undeniable. And when I say best I don't mean the closest (because Wexford do well in this count), what I mean is in terms of how they are structured, and the number of games. There is no doubt to me that Wexford playing a club championship groups over 6 weeks and then the same for football is serving nobody. There's 40+ weeks of the year where there is no club hurling of note in Wexford, who does that serve? Rugby and soccer? I would love to see Wexford invest in a number of 4G pitches, and even an indoor facility like that in Mayo. This then means many football matches especially could be played indoors later in to the year (before I am accused of a slight on football, I mean this because I don't know if hurling can be played in these facilities due to the height a hurling ball travels relative to a football). Forget then about Leinster club championships and give players more games, over a longer period. You could even play the football championship right up to Christmas if they could be played indoors or on 4G pitches outdoors weather permitting. There would be a world apart from playing a club championship indoors or on 4G pitches versus a mucky grassless pitch, and to me this makes the product better overall. What has gone on and how the championships are structured, in my view is not in serving Wexford GAA, the club players and in particular the county teams at all. Is successful county teams not what Wexford people want? Trying to propose solutions, now let the problem finders and "it won't work because" begin. But if you say "it won't work", then propose what will. ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1635 - 07/07/2023 09:01:39 2492783 Link
Replying To ExiledInWex: "I mad my point badly and was away for the last few days. If you ask me, the success of the county team has no real link to the success of the clubs feeding it. For example, look at the successes of Cuala and Crokes. There is no link to it and Dublin's successes (or lack of it) and a club team can easily build up a head of steam which can bring them a long way. But, I would have no doubt that the best club hurling championships are undeniably linked to successful county teams, and to me this is undeniable. And when I say best I don't mean the closest (because Wexford do well in this count), what I mean is in terms of how they are structured, and the number of games. There is no doubt to me that Wexford playing a club championship groups over 6 weeks and then the same for football is serving nobody. There's 40+ weeks of the year where there is no club hurling of note in Wexford, who does that serve? Rugby and soccer? I would love to see Wexford invest in a number of 4G pitches, and even an indoor facility like that in Mayo. This then means many football matches especially could be played indoors later in to the year (before I am accused of a slight on football, I mean this because I don't know if hurling can be played in these facilities due to the height a hurling ball travels relative to a football). Forget then about Leinster club championships and give players more games, over a longer period. You could even play the football championship right up to Christmas if they could be played indoors or on 4G pitches outdoors weather permitting. There would be a world apart from playing a club championship indoors or on 4G pitches versus a mucky grassless pitch, and to me this makes the product better overall. What has gone on and how the championships are structured, in my view is not in serving Wexford GAA, the club players and in particular the county teams at all. Is successful county teams not what Wexford people want? Trying to propose solutions, now let the problem finders and "it won't work because" begin. But if you say "it won't work", then propose what will." In fairness there are now more underage club games in Wexford than there ever were before, and that's where any improvement in player development has to start. There are indoor astros in Kilmore, Buffers Alley, Rathnure and no doubt other clubs too. Probably more in Wexford than most other clubs in other counties have. As regards other suggestions myself and other posters have suggested more direct coaching by proper county board appointed coaches in schools and clubs, coaching hurling and football skills and not just playing fun games, although some of these games that help hand eye coordination have their uses especially at u6 and u8. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20706 - 07/07/2023 11:13:21 2492838 Link
Replying To ExiledInWex: "I mad my point badly and was away for the last few days. If you ask me, the success of the county team has no real link to the success of the clubs feeding it. For example, look at the successes of Cuala and Crokes. There is no link to it and Dublin's successes (or lack of it) and a club team can easily build up a head of steam which can bring them a long way. But, I would have no doubt that the best club hurling championships are undeniably linked to successful county teams, and to me this is undeniable. And when I say best I don't mean the closest (because Wexford do well in this count), what I mean is in terms of how they are structured, and the number of games. There is no doubt to me that Wexford playing a club championship groups over 6 weeks and then the same for football is serving nobody. There's 40+ weeks of the year where there is no club hurling of note in Wexford, who does that serve? Rugby and soccer? I would love to see Wexford invest in a number of 4G pitches, and even an indoor facility like that in Mayo. This then means many football matches especially could be played indoors later in to the year (before I am accused of a slight on football, I mean this because I don't know if hurling can be played in these facilities due to the height a hurling ball travels relative to a football). Forget then about Leinster club championships and give players more games, over a longer period. You could even play the football championship right up to Christmas if they could be played indoors or on 4G pitches outdoors weather permitting. There would be a world apart from playing a club championship indoors or on 4G pitches versus a mucky grassless pitch, and to me this makes the product better overall. What has gone on and how the championships are structured, in my view is not in serving Wexford GAA, the club players and in particular the county teams at all. Is successful county teams not what Wexford people want? Trying to propose solutions, now let the problem finders and "it won't work because" begin. But if you say "it won't work", then propose what will." The best way for a club to be best served is for clubs to play away without county players. That day may not be far away as it is. Intercounty players are very similar to premier league players who then go to play with their international team. 4G indoor arenas like the one in Mayo which is owned by Connaught GAA and not anyone county cost millions and is used by five different counties. Moving football to the slop in the winter would be of no benefit to anyone only single code hurling clubs. The huge majority in Wexford play both sports and a county medal in hurling is worth the same as a county medal in football. Would a league/championship structure in Wexford, where you play everyone from your championship in the league that runs from Early February to Mid July with 11 games in hurling and 11 games in football, the top two play in the league finals. In both codes in every grade. County players can play whenever released back to their clubs. Then seedings based from this, split every grade into groups of 3 with the seedings 1-4 top seed in each group, 5-8 2nd seeds in each group 9-12th in the league 3rd seeds. Everyone plays each other twice in your group home and away with all county players back with clubs. After the fours games in your group the top two teams progress to the quarter finals and the bottom team in each group into relegation semi-finals. Every club player would get a minimum 15 games per season, and minimum 30 games if they are dual players. We could sit down 15 different times and come up with a different format and structure and everyone of them have pros and cons. But for me leaving club players in the lurch while county players are away are the real killer. The county players are training like professional athletes. hurlorhurley (Wexford) - Posts: 1660 - 07/07/2023 11:58:47 2492860 Link
Replying To Viking66: "In fairness there are now more underage club games in Wexford than there ever were before, and that's where any improvement in player development has to start. There are indoor astros in Kilmore, Buffers Alley, Rathnure and no doubt other clubs too. Probably more in Wexford than most other clubs in other counties have. As regards other suggestions myself and other posters have suggested more direct coaching by proper county board appointed coaches in schools and clubs, coaching hurling and football skills and not just playing fun games, although some of these games that help hand eye coordination have their uses especially at u6 and u8." Indoor arenas, mean nothing only a place to train when the pitches are in bad condition. Unless the coaching is of a high standard in an indoor arena they may as well be training on a raft of the beach in Curracloe. hurlorhurley (Wexford) - Posts: 1660 - 07/07/2023 12:04:34 2492864 Link
Replying To hurlorhurley: "Indoor arenas, mean nothing only a place to train when the pitches are in bad condition. Unless the coaching is of a high standard in an indoor arena they may as well be training on a raft of the beach in Curracloe." Got to agree .. and for me the quality of coaching is fairly pitiful currently .. We have all this 'coaching' for development squads but if your club hasn't a GPO then Wexford GAA offer very very little to individual clubs with regards to coaching or coach development. Everything is aimed at development squads .. This isn't helping smaller clubs or clubs with late developers. The coaching been offered in our primary schools is poor - had been pretty decent but is farcical currently in my opinion. Cúl Camps is very little 'coaching' now also .. once upon a time it was specific hurling and football camps .. now it is everything but hurling camp!! .. The quality coaches aren't available currently .. that said the level of pay is pretty poor too so not really enticing people onboard MyOhMi (Wexford) - Posts: 367 - 07/07/2023 12:59:02 2492888 Link
Replying To hurlorhurley: "Indoor arenas, mean nothing only a place to train when the pitches are in bad condition. Unless the coaching is of a high standard in an indoor arena they may as well be training on a raft of the beach in Curracloe." That was my point. We probably have more indoor arenas than most other counties as it is. We need better coaching. JJ Doyle gave an excellent session for our coaches a while back. There needs to be more of this kind of thing. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20706 - 07/07/2023 13:33:40 2492918 Link
Anyone go to the race night? Good craic. I'd say they got a decent few Bob too. Let's hope it's put to good use Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4674 - 07/07/2023 22:33:20 2493032 Link
Harriers v Gorey- Think Harriers have plenty of scope for improvement if they make a few positional changes and don't have such a conservative approach but still think Gorey will edge a tight game. The switch of Cullen and Mcguckin worked really well last week, big year for Gorey, think they've underachieved on the back of their success in 2018, every year they seem to go out tamely enough in whatever knockout game it is. Oilgate v Annes- Looks a tight one, reckon there's a good chance Dee will be available and overall think Annes will just get over the line, would be surprised if Damien Reck lines out in the forwards, he was far more effective after moving to half back last week. Martins v Glynn- Strangely the Martins defeat last week makes me more confident they'll win this as their need will be great too, a loss would have them under pressure. Glynn competed well last week but I suspect their player turnover could still make things difficult for them over the campaign. Rathnure v Shels- Big game for both after defeats last week, Shels seemed to have evolved their team a bit with stalwarts like Aidan Cash, Conor Walsh and Andre O'Brien lining out with their Intermediate A side and the move of Ross Banville to centre back. Only saw the 2nd half of Rathnure's game last week but by all accounts the introduction of of AJ Redmond improved their fortunes alot, fancy Shels by 5 or 6 Crossabeg v Rapps- Rapps look like a side very comfortable in their system with Ryan Mahon slotting seamlessly into the sweeper role and players Jack Kelly, Peare etc. all over the pitch going about their jobs without little fuss, think Crossabeg are probably relying a bit of a few key players and expect Rapps to win comfortably enough. Ferns v Oulart- Ferns based on last week are working off the same core 20-21 players as last year and impressed considering the few injury worries they had, if Oulart were at full strength it would be hard to see them getting a result but if Shaun Murphy who was doing well by all reports last week is missing its even less likely. Fethard v Blackwater- Fethard scoring only 8 points last week would be a worry but still expect them to have enough here B Alley v Horeswood- Alley comfortable win Cloughbawn v Gusserane- Cloughbawn Adamstown v Askamore- Askamore Bunclody v Tara Rocks- Draw Taghmon v James- Taghmon TerribleFootwork (Wexford) - Posts: 1760 - 08/07/2023 00:29:26 2493038 Link
Hardly got one prediction right last week, 4/4 so far after todays senior matches. Didn't make any game, heavy defeats for Faythe Harriers and Rathnure. Crossabeg competed well enough as did Oulart. Tomorrows games will tell a lot WexMurph (Wexford) - Posts: 369 - 08/07/2023 17:21:13 2493151 Link
Having been at the Ferns-Oulart game, my main takeway is this: a fourth official is a fourth official and not a referee. That's something that everyone should bear in mind. I don't think the Rapps ever got out of third gear against Crossabeg, had some nice passages of hurling but seemed to slacken in the second half even with a seven/eight point lead with the aid of the breeze. Ferns were relatively similar to the Rapps, were 1-05 to 0-00 up after just five minutes and then kind of only ever did enough from there on in. I think this Championship has been a bit drab so far, I think the current format makes some teams think they are already qualified, hence the lack of intensity. ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1530 - 09/07/2023 12:11:36 2493308 Link
In bellefield yesterday for the games,harrier v Gorey was really a game of 2 halves!!! Harriers with the wind in the first half absolutely dominating in all areas of the field moving the around and creating loads of chances,they should have been at least 10 up at half time!!! Lots of easy chances hit wide!!! Harriers had a game plane and got match ups right but it all came undone when harriers wing back got the line!!! Gorey used the spare man at there ease got loads of scores from of scores from out the field,while the harriers continued to deploy a sweeper!!! Poor effort from the harriers from there on in to be honest, simply hadn't the numbers up front to even get scores!!! The Doyle's very good,jack Cullen very good in the air and long range frees,the molloys all very good to!!! For the harriers josh sheil, Alex lynch and Richie kehoe did an outstanding man marking job on McDonald kept him scoreless he was the harriers best man,chin kept quiet!!! Harriers look under pressure now and simply by the way they set up up front,playing one inside not ideal!!! Gorey are have good hurlers everywhere and will be dangerous theboys (Wexford) - Posts: 310 - 09/07/2023 16:43:42 2493350 Link
Replying To ElGranSenor: "Having been at the Ferns-Oulart game, my main takeway is this: a fourth official is a fourth official and not a referee. That's something that everyone should bear in mind. I don't think the Rapps ever got out of third gear against Crossabeg, had some nice passages of hurling but seemed to slacken in the second half even with a seven/eight point lead with the aid of the breeze. Ferns were relatively similar to the Rapps, were 1-05 to 0-00 up after just five minutes and then kind of only ever did enough from there on in. I think this Championship has been a bit drab so far, I think the current format makes some teams think they are already qualified, hence the lack of intensity." On your first point, I would agree entirely with the tweet that was doing the rounds earlier critcising him. There is definitely a power trip at play, tries too hard to get involved in trivial things. I have a friend who was sat in the 'technical area' last year that leapt up to appeal for a penalty, that happens in every ground in the country, and he was accused of abusing the referee by the fourth official (probably the same lad in question- wasn't at the game yesterday). beano (Wexford) - Posts: 1570 - 09/07/2023 16:43:49 2493351 Link
Was in Kennedy Park but didn't make the 1st game. Taghmon v Jimmys was full blooded hurling played with great intensity. For the Jimmys the 2 Barrons and Darragh Glynn were excellent, while Shane Murphy was faultless on the frees. For Taghmon Adam and Luke Sinnott, Barry and Stephen O Gorman, Cathal Doyle, Ian Carty and Conor Murphy were all very good. If ever there was a game that proved that goals win games this was it, as Jimmys won most of the broken ball around the middle 3rd. Taghmons subs all had good games too, and like the last day they probably finished with a stronger team than they started with. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20706 - 09/07/2023 23:14:55 2493467 Link
Rapps, Shels and Ferns certs to qualify from their group, with a mini league between Oulart, Crossabeg and Rathnure for the final spot and also in the relegation scrap. On the opening two rounds one might suggest Crossabeg will get over the line into the q-finals and Rathnure will face another relegation decider. Rathnure simply know they have to win the next game against Crossbeg, while Crossabeg know a win or draw almost certainly keeps them safe. Imagine a last round cliff hanger between Rathnure and Oulart to decide who finishes bottom. Gorey, St Martins, St Annes will all qualify, then its another dogfight between Harriers, Glynn and Oylgate. Oylgate have performed well in two games so far and should be good enough to grab the fourth position, however its the results against those around them that will count most and they have two of those games to come. It will be wide open from the quarter final stage onwards. I now think 6 maybe 7 teams could win it. Ferns could easily go back to back, they know the system and they hurl it well. Rapps in cruising mode so far. St Martins are strong but there the obvious will they or won't they scenario with the men from Piercestown. After two rounds I am saying Rapps to win it and Rathnure to make the drop. hurlorhurley (Wexford) - Posts: 1660 - 10/07/2023 09:56:39 2493500 Link
Replying To hurlorhurley: "Rapps, Shels and Ferns certs to qualify from their group, with a mini league between Oulart, Crossabeg and Rathnure for the final spot and also in the relegation scrap. On the opening two rounds one might suggest Crossabeg will get over the line into the q-finals and Rathnure will face another relegation decider. Rathnure simply know they have to win the next game against Crossbeg, while Crossabeg know a win or draw almost certainly keeps them safe. Imagine a last round cliff hanger between Rathnure and Oulart to decide who finishes bottom. Gorey, St Martins, St Annes will all qualify, then its another dogfight between Harriers, Glynn and Oylgate. Oylgate have performed well in two games so far and should be good enough to grab the fourth position, however its the results against those around them that will count most and they have two of those games to come. It will be wide open from the quarter final stage onwards. I now think 6 maybe 7 teams could win it. Ferns could easily go back to back, they know the system and they hurl it well. Rapps in cruising mode so far. St Martins are strong but there the obvious will they or won't they scenario with the men from Piercestown. After two rounds I am saying Rapps to win it and Rathnure to make the drop." What could be a factor is teams already through by round 4 or 5 going down the gears and taking on teams with everything on the line, for example in round 4 last year Gorey who had 3 wins from 3 lost to Crossabeg who were fighting both for avoiding relegation and trying to get a QF spot, Rapps 1st 15 is strong but based on strength of panel I'd have Gorey and Martins as frontrunners at the moment but its as wide open as ever with 6-7 teams all with a realistic chance. TerribleFootwork (Wexford) - Posts: 1760 - 10/07/2023 12:12:54 2493536 Link
Bit unfortunate that already one group appears to be a good bit weaker but sure what can you do. Still plenty of hurling to be played and likes of Gorey were flying early last year too. Any players standing out so far as possible county options? Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 603 - 10/07/2023 16:17:48 2493633 Link
Replying To Viking66: "Was in Kennedy Park but didn't make the 1st game. Taghmon v Jimmys was full blooded hurling played with great intensity. For the Jimmys the 2 Barrons and Darragh Glynn were excellent, while Shane Murphy was faultless on the frees. For Taghmon Adam and Luke Sinnott, Barry and Stephen O Gorman, Cathal Doyle, Ian Carty and Conor Murphy were all very good. If ever there was a game that proved that goals win games this was it, as Jimmys won most of the broken ball around the middle 3rd. Taghmons subs all had good games too, and like the last day they probably finished with a stronger team than they started with." Was at two intermediate matches myself. Tara Rocks flying it- their fitness really told in the second half and apart from Nolan getting a goal near the end and the pressure that brought, they were comfortable winners. Their county footballers led the way- Dean O'Toole was excellent in midfield, Niall Hughes had a very big second half and Scholsey hit two points off the bench. It looks like Bunclody's decision not to enter the league and instead focus on challenge games have left them under-cooked. Askamore looked good against a dreadful Adamstown side. I believe there was a bit of turmoil in the camp mid-week and it told. Tucker was good again, especially in the second half, and James Byrne scored a tonne as well. I'd be very surprised if Adamstown don't end up in the relegation play-off again, their game vs Bunclody is must-win. Furlong went off hurt and heard one of the Frenchs is off travelling now too. beano (Wexford) - Posts: 1570 - 10/07/2023 18:41:35 2493658 Link
Replying To Timbertony: "Bit unfortunate that already one group appears to be a good bit weaker but sure what can you do. Still plenty of hurling to be played and likes of Gorey were flying early last year too. Any players standing out so far as possible county options?" Jack Cullen and cian molloy would for me be good addition if we could get them on board Also if paudie Foley was around hunting (Wexford) - Posts: 1235 - 10/07/2023 20:58:35 2493684 Link
Replying To Timbertony: "Bit unfortunate that already one group appears to be a good bit weaker but sure what can you do. Still plenty of hurling to be played and likes of Gorey were flying early last year too. Any players standing out so far as possible county options?" I've seen each team at least once so far and to be honest there's a notable jump in quality from the lads who have been involved with county senior set ups in the past and those looking to break in. I think once we get into the later rounds and knockout games a few lads might put their hand up. If I was to pick one from each club so far that might be worth a look in a training panel after two rounds it would probably be the following- Naomh Eanna - Jack Cullen St. Martins - Kyle Firman St. Annes - Liam Schokman Oylegate - Seamus Casey Harriers - Conal Clancy Glynn - Ger Dempsey Ferns - Eoin Murphy Rapparees - Anto Larkin Shelmaliers - Sean Keane Carroll Oulart - Darragh Hayes Crossabeg - Mark Byrne Rathnure - Stephen Martin Obviously some of these won't have what it takes to play at a higher level and two games is very little time to tell who's going to stand out over the course of a championship but from what I've seen of each team that's who I'd be bringing in for a look. Would love to hear other thoughts and opinions on this Benchwarmer03 (Wexford) - Posts: 5 - 11/07/2023 08:33:22 2493707 Link

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Wexford Club Hurling Championships 2023