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Wexford Hurling thread 2024

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Replying To TerribleFootwork:  "1 positive today I forgot to mention is we really troubled Kilkenny at times when we ran at them."
Sure the dogs on the street knew that would be the case. We just didn't have enough men around the halfback line/midfield to take short puckouts and do it consistently. We kept getting turned over on account of this, and didnt have enough lads there to win the breaking ball off the longer puckouts.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15068 - 31/03/2024 09:40:28    2534752

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I'd love to be able to go back to my post in December regards O'Connor. How did it happen. Very poor full forwards and half back line. Maybe hurlers not there.

countyman2022 (Wexford) - Posts: 782 - 31/03/2024 09:59:33    2534754

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Replying To countyman2022:  "I'd love to be able to go back to my post in December regards O'Connor. How did it happen. Very poor full forwards and half back line. Maybe hurlers not there."
He has our best forward playing in midfield and few injured lads would make a bit of a difference but wouldn't be surprised if Laois beat us tbh.

hunting (Wexford) - Posts: 1068 - 31/03/2024 10:44:07    2534764

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Seen a post above about the hurlers not being there.

Think there's an element of truth to that unfortunately.

I do think they are better than they showed yesterday to be fair but ultimately I think we are where we are in terms of pulling players through from underage. It's not easy and even harder to do it consistently.

I think this team will regroup, will beat Laois but ultimately I don't see us pushing and beating the bigger teams this year

There's plenty of work gone into the team, big backroom team have done a lot of work with them and they are prepared, have wanted for nothing. Could we have been a bit more proactive from the sideline, yeah we could have but ultimately I think we just don't have the players unfortunately.

tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1457 - 31/03/2024 11:21:42    2534768

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I think there are good hurlers on this U20 team (Doesn't help that two of the better 20yos are injured), most of whom happen to be either 18 or 19, but the tail of the team is very weak

This is a very good Kilkenny team and Leinster looks very strong for once this year but I don't think the difference in quality between their best five hurlers (And 6th-10th best) and our best five hurlers (And 6th-10th best) is as stark as the gulf between their 11th-20th best and our 11th-20th best

Every one on their team could hurl and they were bringing on subs who were doing huge damage, we had a few subs who did well but we had too many non-contributors on the fringes of our team

This is not to say that all is rosy and that we can beat Kilkenny at this level, it's just that I think reducing the narrative down to "We don't have the hurlers" is both a bit reductive and misleading

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 398 - 31/03/2024 11:31:33    2534771

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "I think there are good hurlers on this U20 team (Doesn't help that two of the better 20yos are injured), most of whom happen to be either 18 or 19, but the tail of the team is very weak

This is a very good Kilkenny team and Leinster looks very strong for once this year but I don't think the difference in quality between their best five hurlers (And 6th-10th best) and our best five hurlers (And 6th-10th best) is as stark as the gulf between their 11th-20th best and our 11th-20th best

Every one on their team could hurl and they were bringing on subs who were doing huge damage, we had a few subs who did well but we had too many non-contributors on the fringes of our team

This is not to say that all is rosy and that we can beat Kilkenny at this level, it's just that I think reducing the narrative down to "We don't have the hurlers" is both a bit reductive and misleading"
I think that's a very fair way of putting it,even before yesterday's game with Offaly, Galway and Kilkenny there this year you couldn't see this team being in the mix to win Leinster but you'd be hoping they make a Leinster semi final and once again it would be fantastic to be proved wrong on that, ultimately is there players on the panel with potential to make an impact at Senior down the line, I think there is.

TerribleFootwork (Wexford) - Posts: 1760 - 31/03/2024 12:10:51    2534775

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "I think there are good hurlers on this U20 team (Doesn't help that two of the better 20yos are injured), most of whom happen to be either 18 or 19, but the tail of the team is very weak

This is a very good Kilkenny team and Leinster looks very strong for once this year but I don't think the difference in quality between their best five hurlers (And 6th-10th best) and our best five hurlers (And 6th-10th best) is as stark as the gulf between their 11th-20th best and our 11th-20th best

Every one on their team could hurl and they were bringing on subs who were doing huge damage, we had a few subs who did well but we had too many non-contributors on the fringes of our team

This is not to say that all is rosy and that we can beat Kilkenny at this level, it's just that I think reducing the narrative down to "We don't have the hurlers" is both a bit reductive and misleading"
That's a good summary and is not disrespectful to any player. Last years 20s team had 5/6 players like Byrne, Foley, Dunbar, Carley and a few others that looked like they could go straight into a senior panel and they have done that. Of the players up to the age I think only two can go straight in and maybe another 2 or 3 can develop into senior players.

As someone mentioned there is another cohort that are U20 again next year that definitely can play senior with obvious ones such as Byrne, Doyle, Rowley and Roche. Unfortunately we seem to be always reliant on a players from a younger age stepping up to have a competitive team. Last year was a bit of an exception.

wexfordwin (Wexford) - Posts: 188 - 31/03/2024 16:40:32    2534816

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Replying To wexfordwin:  "That's a good summary and is not disrespectful to any player. Last years 20s team had 5/6 players like Byrne, Foley, Dunbar, Carley and a few others that looked like they could go straight into a senior panel and they have done that. Of the players up to the age I think only two can go straight in and maybe another 2 or 3 can develop into senior players.

As someone mentioned there is another cohort that are U20 again next year that definitely can play senior with obvious ones such as Byrne, Doyle, Rowley and Roche. Unfortunately we seem to be always reliant on a players from a younger age stepping up to have a competitive team. Last year was a bit of an exception."
From last years team we still have Roche, Whelan, Kehoe, O Tuama, Byrne, Rowley, Purcell, Farrell, Luke Murphy, and Darby Purcell I think came on also. Only around half the team were up to the age. Clares u20 team that walloped us in a challenge game have a good few of last years minors on it, and most of the core of this years Offaly team will be u20 next year also.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15068 - 31/03/2024 21:40:44    2534889

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Replying To Viking66:  "From last years team we still have Roche, Whelan, Kehoe, O Tuama, Byrne, Rowley, Purcell, Farrell, Luke Murphy, and Darby Purcell I think came on also. Only around half the team were up to the age. Clares u20 team that walloped us in a challenge game have a good few of last years minors on it, and most of the core of this years Offaly team will be u20 next year also."
I think our 20yos look weak enough this year though and our 19yos look strong enough which is funny given we lost the Minor Final in 2021 to Kilkenny by two points but then were beaten by (a strong) Laois team in the 2022 Minor QFs

I feel like a good few of the now 20yos haven't progressed since Minor whereas some of the 19yos seems to have come on leaps and bounds

If we're talking about making the Senior panel, I think the only 20yos you'd really be looking at would be Eoin Whelan, Cian Doyle, Darragh Kehoe, Cian Ó Tuama and even some of those are more hopeful than realistic
I'm guessing Farrell is a 20yo and while I definitely think he should be starting right now, I don't really see a Senior hurler in the making there (Although would prefer to be proven wrong)

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 398 - 01/04/2024 00:13:03    2534919

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "I think our 20yos look weak enough this year though and our 19yos look strong enough which is funny given we lost the Minor Final in 2021 to Kilkenny by two points but then were beaten by (a strong) Laois team in the 2022 Minor QFs

I feel like a good few of the now 20yos haven't progressed since Minor whereas some of the 19yos seems to have come on leaps and bounds

If we're talking about making the Senior panel, I think the only 20yos you'd really be looking at would be Eoin Whelan, Cian Doyle, Darragh Kehoe, Cian Ó Tuama and even some of those are more hopeful than realistic
I'm guessing Farrell is a 20yo and while I definitely think he should be starting right now, I don't really see a Senior hurler in the making there (Although would prefer to be proven wrong)"
Are you talking about next year? Or down the line?

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15068 - 01/04/2024 11:12:53    2534951

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "I think our 20yos look weak enough this year though and our 19yos look strong enough which is funny given we lost the Minor Final in 2021 to Kilkenny by two points but then were beaten by (a strong) Laois team in the 2022 Minor QFs

I feel like a good few of the now 20yos haven't progressed since Minor whereas some of the 19yos seems to have come on leaps and bounds

If we're talking about making the Senior panel, I think the only 20yos you'd really be looking at would be Eoin Whelan, Cian Doyle, Darragh Kehoe, Cian Ó Tuama and even some of those are more hopeful than realistic
I'm guessing Farrell is a 20yo and while I definitely think he should be starting right now, I don't really see a Senior hurler in the making there (Although would prefer to be proven wrong)"
Good few of the lads u19 now were on the u17 team in 2021 as 16 yo's, Robbie Chapman, Dylan Purcell, Paidi Doyle, Sean Rowley, Cillian Byrne and Simon Roche all started the Leinster Final in 2021.

TerribleFootwork (Wexford) - Posts: 1760 - 01/04/2024 12:10:15    2534965

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Replying To Viking66:  "Are you talking about next year? Or down the line?"
Just in general

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 398 - 01/04/2024 14:54:36    2534997

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Replying To TerribleFootwork:  "Good few of the lads u19 now were on the u17 team in 2021 as 16 yo's, Robbie Chapman, Dylan Purcell, Paidi Doyle, Sean Rowley, Cillian Byrne and Simon Roche all started the Leinster Final in 2021."
Chapman still currently injured but hopefully will be back for the knockout stages.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15068 - 01/04/2024 15:32:02    2535005

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Just in general"
I think if we could get 2 starters from each u20 team by the time they are 23 that would be OK. And would keep a good Senior team on the pitch. 4 or 5 would be exceptional.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15068 - 01/04/2024 18:46:04    2535048

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Replying To Viking66:  "I think if we could get 2 starters from each u20 team by the time they are 23 that would be OK. And would keep a good Senior team on the pitch. 4 or 5 would be exceptional."
wexford underage system is not bringing through quality players in the numbers needed to compete with the top counties on a regular basis , u21 three in a row now seems along time ago and we will struggle to fill the big void when these lads retire over the following few years,
willie clearly tried to implement the club school county model a number of years ago, just reading an article in the irish times yesterday by Matt Williams who stated that the investment by in irfu/lenister in their academy and importantly the schools is the reason a small country like ireland can compete, I have allways said club and schools is the way forward, great competition in primary with the rachard league but then stops, in secondary schools we have every boy from 13 to 19 with no exception, every boy allowed to develop at their own pace from skill to sc over 6years, st peters enniscorty gcc gorey fcj cbs's and all the vocational schools, this has to be worth a major investment in respect ,as the current academy system is a total failure , it may be professional in the fact that coaches are full time and paid but other wise very amateur

wexfordminor92 (Wexford) - Posts: 75 - 01/04/2024 19:19:10    2535054

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Replying To Viking66:  "I think if we could get 2 starters from each u20 team by the time they are 23 that would be OK. And would keep a good Senior team on the pitch. 4 or 5 would be exceptional."
Yeah, I agree there, I think there are a few 20yos who could end up doing that so it's not all doom and gloom

I remember being at Nowlan Park in June 2012 for a Leinster SF when Wexford lost to KK by something like 3-21 to 4-06. Funny thing is that a lot of the players that day would go on to be regulars for the Senior side, think Mark Fanning, Willie Devereux, MOH, Aidan Nolan, Dee, Chin, Liam Óg, and Jack Guiney all would have started

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 398 - 01/04/2024 19:24:57    2535057

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Replying To wexfordminor92:  "wexford underage system is not bringing through quality players in the numbers needed to compete with the top counties on a regular basis , u21 three in a row now seems along time ago and we will struggle to fill the big void when these lads retire over the following few years,
willie clearly tried to implement the club school county model a number of years ago, just reading an article in the irish times yesterday by Matt Williams who stated that the investment by in irfu/lenister in their academy and importantly the schools is the reason a small country like ireland can compete, I have allways said club and schools is the way forward, great competition in primary with the rachard league but then stops, in secondary schools we have every boy from 13 to 19 with no exception, every boy allowed to develop at their own pace from skill to sc over 6years, st peters enniscorty gcc gorey fcj cbs's and all the vocational schools, this has to be worth a major investment in respect ,as the current academy system is a total failure , it may be professional in the fact that coaches are full time and paid but other wise very amateur"
the squad system in ferns on its own is not enough, too many boys fall through the cracks , be that from late bloomers or just bad gaa politics in selection, not a major fan of upper class rugby but their investment in academy/school system is well worth exploring, club school and then county, before too long not only our county standard will impove but more importantly the standard of the club player
wexford abu

wexfordminor92 (Wexford) - Posts: 75 - 01/04/2024 19:45:18    2535058

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Yeah, I agree there, I think there are a few 20yos who could end up doing that so it's not all doom and gloom

I remember being at Nowlan Park in June 2012 for a Leinster SF when Wexford lost to KK by something like 3-21 to 4-06. Funny thing is that a lot of the players that day would go on to be regulars for the Senior side, think Mark Fanning, Willie Devereux, MOH, Aidan Nolan, Dee, Chin, Liam Óg, and Jack Guiney all would have started"
It's a strange thing success at that grade. Of the starting 15 in the Park the following year which won the title after an extra time win over Kilkenny only Mac and Chin turned out to be regular starters over many years. Kenny and Guiney started for a couple of years also. And Nolan on and off who was also on the panel.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15068 - 01/04/2024 20:41:24    2535067

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Replying To Viking66:  "It's a strange thing success at that grade. Of the starting 15 in the Park the following year which won the title after an extra time win over Kilkenny only Mac and Chin turned out to be regular starters over many years. Kenny and Guiney started for a couple of years also. And Nolan on and off who was also on the panel."
Yeah, looking back on it, I would've thought that the 2012 U21 team would have been a good bit more talented than the 2013 team but I suppose Kilkenny were much stronger in 2012 than in 2013 and we flopped on the day in 2012

And out of all the good U20/U21 sides we have had, the best one in theory should have been the 2016 U21 team and yet they were knocked out by Dublin in Wexford Park by around seven points in a Leinster QF

Although for as much as funny results can happen at U20/U21 level, it's always been a decent enough indicator of the talent coming through, a lot moreso than Minor

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 398 - 01/04/2024 21:00:47    2535071

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Yeah, I agree there, I think there are a few 20yos who could end up doing that so it's not all doom and gloom

I remember being at Nowlan Park in June 2012 for a Leinster SF when Wexford lost to KK by something like 3-21 to 4-06. Funny thing is that a lot of the players that day would go on to be regulars for the Senior side, think Mark Fanning, Willie Devereux, MOH, Aidan Nolan, Dee, Chin, Liam Óg, and Jack Guiney all would have started"
Your right there and its a game I think of too, same the Kilkenny team that lost to Westmeath in u21 in 2016 had Darren Brennan, Conor Delaney, Huw Lawlor, Paddy Deegan, Conor Browne, Liam Blanchfield, Billy Ryan and Alan Murphy.

TerribleFootwork (Wexford) - Posts: 1760 - 01/04/2024 22:19:14    2535082

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