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Wexford SFC 2024

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Replying To MyOhMi:  "I'd have to also agree with that suggestion - Clubs will serve their best interests and not think of the wider consequences of their actions or votes. For my own club we felt that the changes Adrian Fenlon suggested about the hurling championship suited us best. We were not overly worried how / if it affected other clubs.
Personally i was amazed that not one football club / dual club had any sort of complaint or objection to the hurling championship changing or the split season been removed. There current setup does not suit football or is not going to improve the standard of football in the county. The split season guaranteed that clubs concentrated fully on Football for 6-8 weeks but the current setup now means hurling takes priority and the football is threw in for 15 mins at the end of training."
Plenty of clubs including ours wanted the split season to continue. For that to happen we needed the other proposals to get defeated. A good majority voted for alternate blocks, the system we now have.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13329 - 12/09/2024 14:22:32    2569566

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Replying To Viking66:  "Plenty of clubs including ours wanted the split season to continue. For that to happen we needed the other proposals to get defeated. A good majority voted for alternate blocks, the system we now have."
The "good majority" was at least 80%, and maybe 90%. I was surprised it was so high. Didn't surprise that the vote was to get rid of the split season, but I'd expected the vote would be relatively close, after the previous year's vote had a majority of just one vote in favour of keeping it for that year.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2460 - 12/09/2024 17:12:24    2569599

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Shelmaliers v Sarsfields
Shels - While they may not start some first team players they will want to win this and if in trouble will use them knowing they have no game next weekend - will have too much for the Sarsfields
St James' v Gusserane
I will go for Gusserane, overall better team, do they want to win it - of course after losing last weekend they need to get back to winning before any QF
Bunclody v Gorey
Hard one to call but rather than go for a draw, I will go with Gorey by 1.

Barntown v Crossabeg
I will go with Crossabeg who must be really annoyed with themselves losing to the Annes last weekend, a brutal game of football -perhaps they didn't prepare for that type of game as they have the footballers. Barntown have stuttered since losing to Castletown and in fairness there was not much in that either. Could be Crossabeg win and Barntown still get the last spot
St Anne's v Kilanerin
Time for Kilanerin to show up.
Castletown v Starlights
Castletown want to be top of the group despite the Starlights last showing Castletown I think will come out on top.

zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 1859 - 12/09/2024 19:16:34    2569618

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "The "good majority" was at least 80%, and maybe 90%. I was surprised it was so high. Didn't surprise that the vote was to get rid of the split season, but I'd expected the vote would be relatively close, after the previous year's vote had a majority of just one vote in favour of keeping it for that year."
Looked about 3/4s. A good majority ok.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13329 - 13/09/2024 08:13:14    2569655

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Replying To Viking66:  "Looked about 3/4s. A good majority ok."
Let's just say somewhere between 75% and 85% then. :)

Fairly decisive anyway.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2460 - 13/09/2024 10:25:41    2569675

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Predictions
Sarsfields v Shels: Shels should have enough but Sarsfields seem to have improved overall. Shels by 5
Gusserane v St James: St James very unlucky to be still in relegation but hard to see them beating Gusserane. Gusserane by 3
Naomh Eanna v Bunclody: Huge game think Gorey will win by 2 points.

St Anne's v Kilanerin: Anne's good win the last day but Kilanerin should win this by 3
Crossabeg v Glynn: Both teams disappointing the last day think this could be a draw
Castletown V Starlights: Starlights showing there not to be discounted yet but think Castletown will win by 4

WexMurph (Wexford) - Posts: 216 - 13/09/2024 21:09:19    2569768

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Group stages done and dusted in the football. Hard on Annes finishing bottom on 4 points and ending up in a relegation play off. More clearcut in Intermediate where both teams in the relegation final won no games.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13329 - 16/09/2024 06:16:10    2570047

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "Let's just say somewhere between 75% and 85% then. :)

Fairly decisive anyway."
Just out of interest do you feel the end of the split season was partly responsible for the lowering of interest in the group stages, especially in the early stages and also especially from the media? It seems like both championships have been going on a long time now, and we are only now at the business stages of both of them.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13329 - 16/09/2024 07:24:08    2570048

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Replying To Viking66:  "Just out of interest do you feel the end of the split season was partly responsible for the lowering of interest in the group stages, especially in the early stages and also especially from the media? It seems like both championships have been going on a long time now, and we are only now at the business stages of both of them."
I don't think the end of the split season made any difference that way. I do think the new format in the hurling was responsible for a general lowering of interest in it. Whether you think the format was worth a shot or not, fact is that it meant there was nowhere near as much riding on the group games as there used to be, so only natural that there'd be at least some fall-off in interest.

As regards the football, it's another fact that there's just less interest in it overall. But I'm not convinced it was any less this year than any other year.

By the way, not the first time you've claimed lack of interest in the media. I presume you mean the local paper. I think that's both inaccurate and unfair. There were still 10 pages in last week's paper of Round 4 football match reports, and 10 pages the week before of Round 5 hurling match reports. Every single match in the top three grades was covered, and match reports on a couple of games from the two Junior grades in both weeks too.

Ten pages is a significant number when you consider the papers were only 80 pages overall anyway, and a large number of people wouldn't even look at any part of the sports section, never mind the GAA match reports.

Yes, they're missing some junior matches, but I'm guessing that's down to a couple of harsh realities of the local newspaper industry these days:

- Lack of reporters or "stringers" due to staff & budget cutbacks. There could be matches on at six different venues at the same time. Hard to have six people available to go to them all.

- Probably having to keep the overall size of the paper down, so there's only so many pages available for any one thing, like GAA match reports. Adding in Junior & Junior 'A' match reports would involve putting another four pages on to the paper. Adding four pages on to an existing 80 would mean a 5% increase in cost of your basic raw material that week, and the bean counters would hardly go for that, for the sake of a few matches where (let's face it) attendance would normally be counted in dozens.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2460 - 16/09/2024 10:26:02    2570084

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "I don't think the end of the split season made any difference that way. I do think the new format in the hurling was responsible for a general lowering of interest in it. Whether you think the format was worth a shot or not, fact is that it meant there was nowhere near as much riding on the group games as there used to be, so only natural that there'd be at least some fall-off in interest.

As regards the football, it's another fact that there's just less interest in it overall. But I'm not convinced it was any less this year than any other year.

By the way, not the first time you've claimed lack of interest in the media. I presume you mean the local paper. I think that's both inaccurate and unfair. There were still 10 pages in last week's paper of Round 4 football match reports, and 10 pages the week before of Round 5 hurling match reports. Every single match in the top three grades was covered, and match reports on a couple of games from the two Junior grades in both weeks too.

Ten pages is a significant number when you consider the papers were only 80 pages overall anyway, and a large number of people wouldn't even look at any part of the sports section, never mind the GAA match reports.

Yes, they're missing some junior matches, but I'm guessing that's down to a couple of harsh realities of the local newspaper industry these days:

- Lack of reporters or "stringers" due to staff & budget cutbacks. There could be matches on at six different venues at the same time. Hard to have six people available to go to them all.

- Probably having to keep the overall size of the paper down, so there's only so many pages available for any one thing, like GAA match reports. Adding in Junior & Junior 'A' match reports would involve putting another four pages on to the paper. Adding four pages on to an existing 80 would mean a 5% increase in cost of your basic raw material that week, and the bean counters would hardly go for that, for the sake of a few matches where (let's face it) attendance would normally be counted in dozens."
That's a fair assessment of the media I think they do as much as possible whilst trying to balance out the financial and paper sales interest .
In reality in modern times if you have an interest you will have heard, seen, been informed of the games u have that interest in .
Throw in the interest of most people in general sport.
The coverage on tv Internet etc . Several subscription social media sites . Its hard to believe they can still cover so much gaa with the comoetion and lack of paper sales .
the curious interest in football is especially waning the negativity around it at present does not help either .
I just think people are doing different things too and won't put themselves out to attend games anymore .

Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 263 - 16/09/2024 11:27:47    2570097

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "I don't think the end of the split season made any difference that way. I do think the new format in the hurling was responsible for a general lowering of interest in it. Whether you think the format was worth a shot or not, fact is that it meant there was nowhere near as much riding on the group games as there used to be, so only natural that there'd be at least some fall-off in interest.

As regards the football, it's another fact that there's just less interest in it overall. But I'm not convinced it was any less this year than any other year.

By the way, not the first time you've claimed lack of interest in the media. I presume you mean the local paper. I think that's both inaccurate and unfair. There were still 10 pages in last week's paper of Round 4 football match reports, and 10 pages the week before of Round 5 hurling match reports. Every single match in the top three grades was covered, and match reports on a couple of games from the two Junior grades in both weeks too.

Ten pages is a significant number when you consider the papers were only 80 pages overall anyway, and a large number of people wouldn't even look at any part of the sports section, never mind the GAA match reports.

Yes, they're missing some junior matches, but I'm guessing that's down to a couple of harsh realities of the local newspaper industry these days:

- Lack of reporters or "stringers" due to staff & budget cutbacks. There could be matches on at six different venues at the same time. Hard to have six people available to go to them all.

- Probably having to keep the overall size of the paper down, so there's only so many pages available for any one thing, like GAA match reports. Adding in Junior & Junior 'A' match reports would involve putting another four pages on to the paper. Adding four pages on to an existing 80 would mean a 5% increase in cost of your basic raw material that week, and the bean counters would hardly go for that, for the sake of a few matches where (let's face it) attendance would normally be counted in dozens."
I agree the last few weeks has seen media coverage improve but there were Intermediate games with no newspaper report at all earlier in the group stages. That's the question I was asking- was the early lack of interest partly to do with the fact that with the split season gone the business end just seemed so far away?
As regards "nowhere near as much riding" on the group games in the hurling that's not true either. If you finished 1st or 2nd you went straight into a quarter final, and for clubs at the other end noone wanted to finish 5th or 6th. We certainly didn't anyway, but that's where we ended up.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13329 - 16/09/2024 11:30:46    2570098

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Replying To Viking66:  "I agree the last few weeks has seen media coverage improve but there were Intermediate games with no newspaper report at all earlier in the group stages. That's the question I was asking- was the early lack of interest partly to do with the fact that with the split season gone the business end just seemed so far away?
As regards "nowhere near as much riding" on the group games in the hurling that's not true either. If you finished 1st or 2nd you went straight into a quarter final, and for clubs at the other end noone wanted to finish 5th or 6th. We certainly didn't anyway, but that's where we ended up."
Ah Viking, there really was nowhere near as much riding on the hurling group games this year as there was in other years.

This year, no matter how badly you did, you'd still go through to the knockouts and still have a chance (no matter how unlikely) of winning a county title. And if you finished in one of the potential relegation places, you'd have two chances to avoid the drop, not just one.

There were none of the "all or nothing" Round 5 crunch ties like we had in the football this weekend. Instead of it being "we could be out of the championship if we lose today", it was "sure we'll still be in the championship anyway, but maybe not in the position we'd like".

Don't tell me there's not a lot more riding on the first of those than there is on the second.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2460 - 16/09/2024 12:10:14    2570109

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "Ah Viking, there really was nowhere near as much riding on the hurling group games this year as there was in other years.

This year, no matter how badly you did, you'd still go through to the knockouts and still have a chance (no matter how unlikely) of winning a county title. And if you finished in one of the potential relegation places, you'd have two chances to avoid the drop, not just one.

There were none of the "all or nothing" Round 5 crunch ties like we had in the football this weekend. Instead of it being "we could be out of the championship if we lose today", it was "sure we'll still be in the championship anyway, but maybe not in the position we'd like".

Don't tell me there's not a lot more riding on the first of those than there is on the second."
Totally agree! There was some nervous people checking results elsewhere in Wexford Park yesterday evening

btwex90 (Wexford) - Posts: 25 - 16/09/2024 12:34:04    2570117

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "Ah Viking, there really was nowhere near as much riding on the hurling group games this year as there was in other years.

This year, no matter how badly you did, you'd still go through to the knockouts and still have a chance (no matter how unlikely) of winning a county title. And if you finished in one of the potential relegation places, you'd have two chances to avoid the drop, not just one.

There were none of the "all or nothing" Round 5 crunch ties like we had in the football this weekend. Instead of it being "we could be out of the championship if we lose today", it was "sure we'll still be in the championship anyway, but maybe not in the position we'd like".

Don't tell me there's not a lot more riding on the first of those than there is on the second."
There is. But we now have a new round, the preliminary QFs, which will have all that particular drama to look forward to in. Which we didn't have before.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13329 - 16/09/2024 16:14:43    2570196

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Replying To Viking66:  "There is. But we now have a new round, the preliminary QFs, which will have all that particular drama to look forward to in. Which we didn't have before."
Of course. But they're obviously not part of the group games. And my whole point all along has been that there wasn't as much riding on the group games as there was in other years, so only natural if there wasn't the same level of interest in them.

Interest levels, drama, and "do or die" efforts will ramp up considerably from next weekend onwards!

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2460 - 16/09/2024 23:34:02    2570272

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Will the 5th 6th preliminarys be more don't lose at any cost or we are I'm serious relegation trouble . Or be viewed as a 2nd chance and we can go on and win it .
Whilst loser of 3rd and 4th is out abd surely would feel aggrieved of not getting a 1/4 final proper .
Tweak it even 5th 6th relaxation semis
Or both 6ths in relegation final 4th 5th in preliminary
Will never agree 6th should be still in championship regardless of amount points they finish on

Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 263 - 17/09/2024 07:48:13    2570283

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Replying To Formertownie:  "Will the 5th 6th preliminarys be more don't lose at any cost or we are I'm serious relegation trouble . Or be viewed as a 2nd chance and we can go on and win it .
Whilst loser of 3rd and 4th is out abd surely would feel aggrieved of not getting a 1/4 final proper .
Tweak it even 5th 6th relaxation semis
Or both 6ths in relegation final 4th 5th in preliminary
Will never agree 6th should be still in championship regardless of amount points they finish on"
Whilst I'd somewhat agree, you only have to look at St Annes in the football in a relegation final after winning 2 games and very unlucky to lose out in a 3 way tie break.

james2011 (Wexford) - Posts: 604 - 17/09/2024 09:53:54    2570299

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Replying To james2011:  "Whilst I'd somewhat agree, you only have to look at St Annes in the football in a relegation final after winning 2 games and very unlucky to lose out in a 3 way tie break."
A poor start to the campaign cost them big time .
you could argue . St james were even more unlucky as were sarlights finishing 5th and out where no threat of relegatio would nt it be interesting to see 2 preliminary 1/4 finals between 4th 5th .
James v glynn starlights v sarsfields . Even more so if they then ended up in relegation semi final or 1/4 final proper. Format is different in hurling don't know if it would help football . Say it would mean less playing until latter stages if hurling their number 1 code .

Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 263 - 17/09/2024 10:46:00    2570316

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The hurling format is terrible this year. No team should be in a position to win the championship after losing 5 out of 5 group games. Pointless. I don't think there's a perfect solution to the schedule (split season or not) but I would be more in favour of last year's format. I doubt the majority of clubs would vote for football first so I'd imagine if it went back to that format it would be exactly like last year, hurling first followed by football. I don't get the argument that we need to arrange the format to suit the eventual winners and a Leinster campaign (one team at each level). Improve the format and the standard for all of the clubs in the county and Leinster will look after itself in time.

SunnySouthEast (Wexford) - Posts: 16 - 17/09/2024 11:47:24    2570337

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Replying To SunnySouthEast:  "The hurling format is terrible this year. No team should be in a position to win the championship after losing 5 out of 5 group games. Pointless. I don't think there's a perfect solution to the schedule (split season or not) but I would be more in favour of last year's format. I doubt the majority of clubs would vote for football first so I'd imagine if it went back to that format it would be exactly like last year, hurling first followed by football. I don't get the argument that we need to arrange the format to suit the eventual winners and a Leinster campaign (one team at each level). Improve the format and the standard for all of the clubs in the county and Leinster will look after itself in time."
I agree. The split season was way more exciting as there weren't huge gaps between games in either code. It seems like both county championships have been going on forever now, and all that's been achieved so far in Senior and Intermediate is that 4 clubs have finished up at football. 10 clubs if you include all the Junior grades above Junior B.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13329 - 17/09/2024 14:13:40    2570389

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