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Replying To tearintom: " Replying To Pikeman96: "To me, one very noticeable thing is what's going on in Under-12 Div. 1 hurling this year - https://wexfordgaa.ie/competitions/table/?compid=238761 linkBlackwater and Ballyhogue beating all around them against "traditional" hurling clubs - Rathnure, Glynn-Barntown, Naomh Eanna, St. Martin's, Faythe Harriers, and Oulart-The Ballagh. And winning many of those matches well. I'd love to know what exactly they're doing with the younger age groups in those places! It's not yet translating into Under-14 and above (Ballyhogue have lost all seven in Div. 1, and Blackwater lost all seven in Div. 2), but if they can keep up that good work with this year's Under-12s and the younger lads following behind as well, then there might be a real changing of the guard in hurling in ten or fifteen years time." To be fair to Ballyhougue and to a an extent Blacwater they are also competing well at other age groups (bar one maybe) and have been improving steadily for a few years. For example Ballyhougue u16 and minors are unbeaten in their respective championships and I note from resukts Ballyhogue just this week beat Moguegeen Gaels in their quarter final game. The thing is they seem to be struggling to pull it through to adult yet. I know a couple of lads out there and they're good lads but they're simply putting in the hard work and the hours needed and will tell you that themselves. For example i believe Ballyhougue this weekend are hosting a mega blitz of football for u8, u10s and u12 with teams like Na Fianna, Ballymun, Naas and others from up the country. There's serious work in the likes of that across the entire club really. One other thing to note it isn't just hurling though, they're also doing the same if not better at football so playing and excelling at both doesn't seem to be an issue there with nit huge populations likewise in other areas like Castletown, Kilanerin or example where doing both doesn't pose a problem, quite the opposite."
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16922 - 20/08/2025 10:21:23
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Replying To Formertownie: " Replying To ElGranSenor: "[quote=Pikeman96: "To me, one very noticeable thing is what's going on in Under-12 Div. 1 hurling this year - https://wexfordgaa.ie/competitions/table/?compid=238761 linkBlackwater and Ballyhogue beating all around them against "traditional" hurling clubs - Rathnure, Glynn-Barntown, Naomh Eanna, St. Martin's, Faythe Harriers, and Oulart-The Ballagh. And winning many of those matches well. I'd love to know what exactly they're doing with the younger age groups in those places! It's not yet translating into Under-14 and above (Ballyhogue have lost all seven in Div. 1, and Blackwater lost all seven in Div. 2), but if they can keep up that good work with this year's Under-12s and the younger lads following behind as well, then there might be a real changing of the guard in hurling in ten or fifteen years time." Think Castletown could end up playing Senior Hurling in a few years time, people might laugh at the very idea but I've cousins there and their under-age teams have huge numbers, might end up with such a big pick at Senior level (If enough of them keep on progressing) that they're able to compete in both Senior Hurling and Senior Football"
Now Castletown ballyhogue oilgate St annes rathgarogue cushionstown , ballinstrw gaels . Have the numbers in their catchment areas coincided with their improvement too .
The only fear would be that traditional football teams previously like hurling dominant clubs . Discourage the participation in the opposite code .
I do think some of above clubs would have the potential to rise to senior but is the desire there much like the desire fur football in for example st martins .
The football teams in some of above clubs seem to have a higher level of fitness than a lot of hurling clubs is this why they are competing so well at their level .
But their hurling ability may not make them as competitive as it could be if concentrated more on hurling .
Long winded but in the long run is it good for wexford hurling if football clubs are becoming ma lot more prevalent in the hurling.
Hoping these clubs at least give it equal attention god we all know we need new blood, physicality /fotness level competition for places and a fresh direction with new faces to enhance our prospects . And less egos ."]At underage those clubs are putting a massive effort into hurling. I don't believe for 1 second an u14 footballer is any fitter than an u14 hurler. Most u14s in the county play both in any case, and most to within a division at the same level.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16922 - 20/08/2025 10:24:01
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Replying To tearintom: " Replying To Formertownie: "[quote=ElGranSenor: "[quote=Pikeman96: "To me, one very noticeable thing is what's going on in Under-12 Div. 1 hurling this year - https://wexfordgaa.ie/competitions/table/?compid=238761 linkBlackwater and Ballyhogue beating all around them against "traditional" hurling clubs - Rathnure, Glynn-Barntown, Naomh Eanna, St. Martin's, Faythe Harriers, and Oulart-The Ballagh. And winning many of those matches well. I'd love to know what exactly they're doing with the younger age groups in those places! It's not yet translating into Under-14 and above (Ballyhogue have lost all seven in Div. 1, and Blackwater lost all seven in Div. 2), but if they can keep up that good work with this year's Under-12s and the younger lads following behind as well, then there might be a real changing of the guard in hurling in ten or fifteen years time." Think Castletown could end up playing Senior Hurling in a few years time, people might laugh at the very idea but I've cousins there and their under-age teams have huge numbers, might end up with such a big pick at Senior level (If enough of them keep on progressing) that they're able to compete in both Senior Hurling and Senior Football"
Now Castletown ballyhogue oilgate St annes rathgarogue cushionstown , ballinstrw gaels . Have the numbers in their catchment areas coincided with their improvement too .
The only fear would be that traditional football teams previously like hurling dominant clubs . Discourage the participation in the opposite code .
I do think some of above clubs would have the potential to rise to senior but is the desire there much like the desire fur football in for example st martins .
The football teams in some of above clubs seem to have a higher level of fitness than a lot of hurling clubs is this why they are competing so well at their level .
But their hurling ability may not make them as competitive as it could be if concentrated more on hurling .
Long winded but in the long run is it good for wexford hurling if football clubs are becoming ma lot more prevalent in the hurling.
Hoping these clubs at least give it equal attention god we all know we need new blood, physicality /fotness level competition for places and a fresh direction with new faces to enhance our prospects . And less egos ."]I don't get what you're trying to say really?
Why would it not be good for wexford hurling if more and more clubs who are promoting hurking and football equally are producing better hurlers than they previously have and as it seems in a lot for cases producing better hurlers than those who don't promote both equally?"]That's like whats been happeneing for years they concentrated mostly on the clubs dominant code .
I think its great for hurling in the county long may it continue that more clubs are improving as hurling strongholds spread accross thecwhole county where it may not hsve be previously
I Just fear the fact some of those clubs are football first and like oulart will drop other code readily only the opposite or reduce time invested .
At underage county niw its hurling or football. Are we shooting ourselves in the foot not accommodating dual players until its absolutely necessary.
If players choose football are they gone forever and lose out on years of quality coaching and games never to be able to catch up hurling wise but physically/S&C wise as good .or bettef , and vice versa
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 423 - 20/08/2025 11:41:36
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Formertownie- our county development squads train at the same time, hurling and football. Saturday mornings mainly. If a lad does both for the county then he's only getting half the coaching in either.
Also there are trials every year. If a fella is on a Hurling squad but decides he'd rather concentrate on Football, or vice versa, he can the following year.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16922 - 20/08/2025 12:08:06
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Replying To Viking66: "Formertownie- our county development squads train at the same time, hurling and football. Saturday mornings mainly. If a lad does both for the county then he's only getting half the coaching in either.
Also there are trials every year. If a fella is on a Hurling squad but decides he'd rather concentrate on Football, or vice versa, he can the following year." Thats fair enough but they could alternate weeks . I m just fearing both codes are losing out . Especially if they are doing roughly same s&c programmes .
Are nt all these boys training with club and school too at deal if they wish .
I suppose I m really hinting that football missing out as 80% or more would choose hurling dev squads of 45 plus players than football dev squad . Even though realistically only 20 to 25 of them will make 1st team dev squad . Going forward maybe average of 2 might make iit to senior . But could make football day squad easier and get that chance to play at higher level /tempo/intensity which is good for their development at both codes .think back how many of leinster winning team of 2019 played underage county football first or as dual .
Then tell me I m wrong if thry had choosen footbal dev squad only, would they have ever emerged as co senior hurlers . Its a question that cant be answered realistically but still a viable question .
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 423 - 20/08/2025 12:41:30
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Replying To Formertownie: "Thats fair enough but they could alternate weeks . I m just fearing both codes are losing out . Especially if they are doing roughly same s&c programmes .
Are nt all these boys training with club and school too at deal if they wish .
I suppose I m really hinting that football missing out as 80% or more would choose hurling dev squads of 45 plus players than football dev squad . Even though realistically only 20 to 25 of them will make 1st team dev squad . Going forward maybe average of 2 might make iit to senior . But could make football day squad easier and get that chance to play at higher level /tempo/intensity which is good for their development at both codes .think back how many of leinster winning team of 2019 played underage county football first or as dual .
Then tell me I m wrong if thry had choosen footbal dev squad only, would they have ever emerged as co senior hurlers . Its a question that cant be answered realistically but still a viable question ." If you alternated the weeks to suit a few dual players the majority, the single code lads, would be getting only half the contacts they currently are. That would surely affect their standard.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16922 - 20/08/2025 13:44:58
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Replying To Formertownie: "Thats fair enough but they could alternate weeks . I m just fearing both codes are losing out . Especially if they are doing roughly same s&c programmes .
Are nt all these boys training with club and school too at deal if they wish .
I suppose I m really hinting that football missing out as 80% or more would choose hurling dev squads of 45 plus players than football dev squad . Even though realistically only 20 to 25 of them will make 1st team dev squad . Going forward maybe average of 2 might make iit to senior . But could make football day squad easier and get that chance to play at higher level /tempo/intensity which is good for their development at both codes .think back how many of leinster winning team of 2019 played underage county football first or as dual .
Then tell me I m wrong if thry had choosen footbal dev squad only, would they have ever emerged as co senior hurlers . Its a question that cant be answered realistically but still a viable question ." As regards the choosing by players of which to play for the county, of our current u14s, and we are a dual club that would traditionally have leaned more towards Football, 4 went for Hurling trials, and only 1 went for Football trials. Noone went for both.
Maybe that will change this year with the next group of u14s, but I'd still say there will be lads who will go for 1 or the other and not both.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16922 - 20/08/2025 13:48:41
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Replying To Viking66: "As regards the choosing by players of which to play for the county, of our current u14s, and we are a dual club that would traditionally have leaned more towards Football, 4 went for Hurling trials, and only 1 went for Football trials. Noone went for both.
Maybe that will change this year with the next group of u14s, but I'd still say there will be lads who will go for 1 or the other and not both." We're any successful and in ur opinion could they have been capable in both or been better going for the other code instead . Reason I say this is if unsuccessful if they only tried out one code are they missing out on the opportunity to train or play at higher level where more resources than club for s&c and programmes are available.
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 423 - 20/08/2025 14:25:37
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Replying To Formertownie: "We're any successful and in ur opinion could they have been capable in both or been better going for the other code instead . Reason I say this is if unsuccessful if they only tried out one code are they missing out on the opportunity to train or play at higher level where more resources than club for s&c and programmes are available." 1 got on each. The other 3 lads who went for the hurling didn't want to play Football. 1 doesn't even play Football for us.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16922 - 20/08/2025 15:36:28
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Replying To Viking66: "1 got on each. The other 3 lads who went for the hurling didn't want to play Football. 1 doesn't even play Football for us." Hope it goes well for them on either squad
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 423 - 20/08/2025 16:16:52
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Replying To Formertownie: "Hope it goes well for them on either squad" Thanks lad
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16922 - 20/08/2025 17:34:20
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Wexford people also need to forget the delusion that you can play both games equally and reach the top. The county is big enough with enough playing resources to have competitive teams in both codes, but the day where players are playing both equally and reaching the top in both is over.
This is something Wexford as a county has to accept and get over. The one code development squad is a start.
Lets face it, Lee Chin would never have become the hurler he is if he hadn't focused on one code. He would have been an equally good footballer, I have no doubt. But doing both just can't be done.
There is enough clubs for the county to be doing better. Alas I don't have the answer to how you square the circle to get players playing more of a single code once each game is given equal billing.
ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1466 - 21/08/2025 12:39:11
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Replying To ExiledInWex: "Wexford people also need to forget the delusion that you can play both games equally and reach the top. The county is big enough with enough playing resources to have competitive teams in both codes, but the day where players are playing both equally and reaching the top in both is over.
This is something Wexford as a county has to accept and get over. The one code development squad is a start.
Lets face it, Lee Chin would never have become the hurler he is if he hadn't focused on one code. He would have been an equally good footballer, I have no doubt. But doing both just can't be done.
There is enough clubs for the county to be doing better. Alas I don't have the answer to how you square the circle to get players playing more of a single code once each game is given equal billing." Just on the chin thing he kicked for wexford first.
And yet he is our most influential hurler at present how can that be if he did nt commit 100% to hurling from day one.
Played soccer for wex fc too i think . If he had been discarded for these issues where would he be now .
Football orientated clubs have made more progress in hurling than hurling orientated clubs on the whole of late .
I just don't understand that or why.
can someone tell me .
Are the football clubs more professional in their approach rather than old school hurling ones still doing same old same old approach .
3 hurlng strongholds relegated 2 regrouped 1 in contention .at senior 1 in relegation battle 1 languishing in intermediate .
Focusing on one has nt exactly worked for them .
Loughmore/castleinney buck the trend .
Maybe your right but I can't but admire and be in awe of Loughmore coupe all ireland hurling medals too this year .
If and big if . If young kads were starting to lean towards footbal dev squads first ie some of best hurlers underage would the . One code only be revisited .
U can pick one only as long as its hurling first and then we decide if u are good enough .
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 423 - 21/08/2025 13:14:56
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Replying To ExiledInWex: "Wexford people also need to forget the delusion that you can play both games equally and reach the top. The county is big enough with enough playing resources to have competitive teams in both codes, but the day where players are playing both equally and reaching the top in both is over.
This is something Wexford as a county has to accept and get over. The one code development squad is a start.
Lets face it, Lee Chin would never have become the hurler he is if he hadn't focused on one code. He would have been an equally good footballer, I have no doubt. But doing both just can't be done.
There is enough clubs for the county to be doing better. Alas I don't have the answer to how you square the circle to get players playing more of a single code once each game is given equal billing." I've been banging that drum for 20 years.
The biggest problem for us is soccer though. The Wexford league as absolutely huge and unfortunately loads of young lads in town are choosing it.
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3896 - 21/08/2025 13:32:15
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Replying To ExiledInWex: "Wexford people also need to forget the delusion that you can play both games equally and reach the top. The county is big enough with enough playing resources to have competitive teams in both codes, but the day where players are playing both equally and reaching the top in both is over.
This is something Wexford as a county has to accept and get over. The one code development squad is a start.
Lets face it, Lee Chin would never have become the hurler he is if he hadn't focused on one code. He would have been an equally good footballer, I have no doubt. But doing both just can't be done.
There is enough clubs for the county to be doing better. Alas I don't have the answer to how you square the circle to get players playing more of a single code once each game is given equal billing." At the same time you will find 80%+ of the players want to play both codes and for them winning a county championship in Hurling is the same as Football. So we may not be winning All Irelands but neither are we GAA snobs who look down at one code or the other. There is nothing to suggest that if we got every single player to play Hurling only we would have a better team and likewise with Football. The lads playing Hurling at county level decided some time ago that was going to be their main sport and likewise in Football. Size and Physicality are perhaps the two biggest challenges we face, look at the football team and ask would any of the lads who are playing there have made a difference - no. Everyone and in particular the Hurling only crew wants to believe that if we only played Hurling we would be winning All Irelands, there is no factual basis for saying that. We are not Kilkenny, or Cork or Galway and there are a lot of counties in Ireland more like us than not. Is it genetics then - blame 1798 for killing all the big men perhaps - who knows.
zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 2052 - 21/08/2025 14:03:36
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Replying To zinny: "At the same time you will find 80%+ of the players want to play both codes and for them winning a county championship in Hurling is the same as Football. So we may not be winning All Irelands but neither are we GAA snobs who look down at one code or the other. There is nothing to suggest that if we got every single player to play Hurling only we would have a better team and likewise with Football. The lads playing Hurling at county level decided some time ago that was going to be their main sport and likewise in Football. Size and Physicality are perhaps the two biggest challenges we face, look at the football team and ask would any of the lads who are playing there have made a difference - no. Everyone and in particular the Hurling only crew wants to believe that if we only played Hurling we would be winning All Irelands, there is no factual basis for saying that. We are not Kilkenny, or Cork or Galway and there are a lot of counties in Ireland more like us than not. Is it genetics then - blame 1798 for killing all the big men perhaps - who knows." I'd argue it's as much to do with culture as genetics.
Your growth plates are open while reaching maturity, for men usually between 14-18 you'll produce the most growth hormone. This can be optimised through diet and stretching. Look at what basketball players do as teens.
Strength training, calories and protein build muscle. This isn't complicated at all. Are we doing enough? The schools nutrition program is a good start.
Look back to our teams of 50s-80s. We've produced some very physical teams.
We can do that again if we plan it properly.
Then on the genetics side I do wonder whether we should focus our attention on bigger lads and improve their hurling or try and build the better hurlers physically? I don't know, but these are questions we should be asking.
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3896 - 21/08/2025 23:16:54
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Replying To ExiledInWex: "Wexford people also need to forget the delusion that you can play both games equally and reach the top. The county is big enough with enough playing resources to have competitive teams in both codes, but the day where players are playing both equally and reaching the top in both is over.
This is something Wexford as a county has to accept and get over. The one code development squad is a start.
Lets face it, Lee Chin would never have become the hurler he is if he hadn't focused on one code. He would have been an equally good footballer, I have no doubt. But doing both just can't be done.
There is enough clubs for the county to be doing better. Alas I don't have the answer to how you square the circle to get players playing more of a single code once each game is given equal billing." You do know is Lee Chin spent a considerable amount of time playing both football and hurling?
On your overall point of players playing at the very top level and competing at county level, yeah that's over, and more the pity for me personally. But playing the other sport doesn't stop you being top class either, it's a fallacy, ask the Mc Graths in Tipperary.
And looking at underage performances in wexford it seems does that those doing both are the ones thriving.
tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1557 - 22/08/2025 09:47:27
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Replying To tearintom: "You do know is Lee Chin spent a considerable amount of time playing both football and hurling?
On your overall point of players playing at the very top level and competing at county level, yeah that's over, and more the pity for me personally. But playing the other sport doesn't stop you being top class either, it's a fallacy, ask the Mc Graths in Tipperary.
And looking at underage performances in wexford it seems does that those doing both are the ones thriving." Top young sportspeople will excel at all the sports, hurling, football, soccer and rugby and others.
Lee Chin gave up Football because of trying to minimise injuries and play hurling at the top level for longer. He was already one of the top hurlers in the county when this happened. I'm not sure he's any better at hurling now, but at least he's still playing. Which he might not be had he continued playing Football also. Rory O Connor the same. Damien and Shane Reck still play club 1st team Football, as do Kevin Foley, Conall Flood, Simon Donohue, Conor Hearne, Seamus Casey, Cian Byrne, and most of the rest of the Senior Hurling panel.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16922 - 22/08/2025 10:58:56
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The football v hurling thing is laughable .
Only one benefiting are other sports especially soccer .
Yiu need to concentrate on one or the other we are saying yet .
Wexford fc you sign a contract and cant play gaa or certainly too many barriers put into place to hinder participation ie training one night's as championship matches . No train no olay . Selling the impossible dream of premiership soccer . And they hoping they get a big payday if by chsnce anyone makes it .
Where realistically the percentage is so low its negligible.
Once thry stop hurling they are almost certainly gone from any chance of hurling at highest level they may ve able play football as there would be some ovelaping skills . But put down that hurl for any lenght of time ie 6mths year its hard to catch up .
It's hard enough to recruit and retain without influential people in our own organisation pushing their own agenda of hurling only .
Is it money led by paid coaches and managers justifying their fees and needing success to do so regardless of consequences . Certainly to a degree this is the case .
It is just treating resentment within our own organisation clubs and gaa people.
Would imagine the opposite is the case in football dominated counties .
Civil war in gaa
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 423 - 22/08/2025 11:04:17
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Replying To Formertownie: "The football v hurling thing is laughable .
Only one benefiting are other sports especially soccer .
Yiu need to concentrate on one or the other we are saying yet .
Wexford fc you sign a contract and cant play gaa or certainly too many barriers put into place to hinder participation ie training one night's as championship matches . No train no olay . Selling the impossible dream of premiership soccer . And they hoping they get a big payday if by chsnce anyone makes it .
Where realistically the percentage is so low its negligible.
Once thry stop hurling they are almost certainly gone from any chance of hurling at highest level they may ve able play football as there would be some ovelaping skills . But put down that hurl for any lenght of time ie 6mths year its hard to catch up .
It's hard enough to recruit and retain without influential people in our own organisation pushing their own agenda of hurling only .
Is it money led by paid coaches and managers justifying their fees and needing success to do so regardless of consequences . Certainly to a degree this is the case .
It is just treating resentment within our own organisation clubs and gaa people.
Would imagine the opposite is the case in football dominated counties .
Civil war in gaa" I know you are mistaken about Wexford FC underage contracts forbidding GAA being played.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16922 - 22/08/2025 15:55:17
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