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Wexford Hurling 2025

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "Well deserved victory for Kilkenny in the under 20. Thought we played around with the ball way too much in the middle third given the conditions . In fairness the lads kept battling away even though it always looked like Kilkenny had the upper hand . Hopefully we can get Rowley and Byrne back to strengthen our team although it doesn't sound likely with Rowley"
Thought we fought hard but kk were much superior and we were lucky with the goal.How on earth we decided to play with a sweeper in the first half ill never know with a driving wind in our backs didnt make sence.Played too many short passes when we had the wind and needed to be much more direct.That Kilkenny team has some mighty big men up close compared to our lads but management need to look at their game plan for the first half especially.Only the first round robin game a few to come back so not all doom and gloom but need to be smarter on the line.

Tiger1 (Wexford) - Posts: 312 - 29/03/2025 14:40:34    2599245

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Replying To Tiger1:  "Thought we fought hard but kk were much superior and we were lucky with the goal.How on earth we decided to play with a sweeper in the first half ill never know with a driving wind in our backs didnt make sence.Played too many short passes when we had the wind and needed to be much more direct.That Kilkenny team has some mighty big men up close compared to our lads but management need to look at their game plan for the first half especially.Only the first round robin game a few to come back so not all doom and gloom but need to be smarter on the line."
Hard luck to the lads, felt for them. It was however a disappointing and dispiriting game and result with a muted atmosphere throughout (the crowd didn't exactly lift them). Wexford we're doing ok in the first half, probably as others have said could have been more direct but were ahead, however with the strength of the wind was deceptive in the stand (only realized how strong and bitterly cold it was on the way out of the Park after) so really needed to be a few more ahead at the break.

Kilkenny really took over from the resumption and once they got the goal it was starting to look and feel very much inevitable - you were hoping someone would take it be the scruff though.

You keep looking for signs of a corner turned, that we're on the rise, that brighter days are ahead and as they say its 'the hope that kills you.' These teams could meet again later the result could be different but agree with Tiger, we need to be smarter and play in a pattern that suits our players, easier said than done I'm sure but I remain hopeful. Up Wexford.

wexford2012 (Wexford) - Posts: 90 - 29/03/2025 15:02:43    2599248

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Replying To wexford2012:  "Hard luck to the lads, felt for them. It was however a disappointing and dispiriting game and result with a muted atmosphere throughout (the crowd didn't exactly lift them). Wexford we're doing ok in the first half, probably as others have said could have been more direct but were ahead, however with the strength of the wind was deceptive in the stand (only realized how strong and bitterly cold it was on the way out of the Park after) so really needed to be a few more ahead at the break.

Kilkenny really took over from the resumption and once they got the goal it was starting to look and feel very much inevitable - you were hoping someone would take it be the scruff though.

You keep looking for signs of a corner turned, that we're on the rise, that brighter days are ahead and as they say its 'the hope that kills you.' These teams could meet again later the result could be different but agree with Tiger, we need to be smarter and play in a pattern that suits our players, easier said than done I'm sure but I remain hopeful. Up Wexford."
To be fair, how many of the lads were up to the age, I thought the team had a lot of 18yos and 19yos starting

Realistically, we had three lads all up to the age play in the league and only one of them was available, hard to lose players of that ability and not be weakened

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 412 - 29/03/2025 17:46:16    2599291

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Replying To Tiger1:  "Thought we fought hard but kk were much superior and we were lucky with the goal.How on earth we decided to play with a sweeper in the first half ill never know with a driving wind in our backs didnt make sence.Played too many short passes when we had the wind and needed to be much more direct.That Kilkenny team has some mighty big men up close compared to our lads but management need to look at their game plan for the first half especially.Only the first round robin game a few to come back so not all doom and gloom but need to be smarter on the line."
No green shoots at moment, what way were we trying to play? We kept on passing the ball in crowded area's, moving crossways until ball is intercepted. Someone said in front of me that all the players first instinct to do is look for someone to hand pass the ball to but it's as crowded as a phone booth. Lot in that, we were passing the ball for the sake of it,no end product. As mentioned before what were we doing bringing back someone playing with the wind??when we needed scores, unfortunately only Management would be able to answer that. We didn't play the elements and surely Management would of known what KK brings to every game, Physicality ,that alone stood out a mile but we kept passing ball in packed area's, with the wind and against the wind. There was a lot of talk last year our losses were all down to poor management, wonder who will be the scapegoat this year? Anyone that are switched on in the county know that the root of the issue lays much deeper. Do we need a change of Hurling Director? Or are they in a job that they are unanswerable to no one? How many years are they in position?
Best of Luck to all our teams this year, it is still early.

Tox73 (Wexford) - Posts: 174 - 29/03/2025 19:52:04    2599323

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "To be fair, how many of the lads were up to the age, I thought the team had a lot of 18yos and 19yos starting

Realistically, we had three lads all up to the age play in the league and only one of them was available, hard to lose players of that ability and not be weakened"
We only had 4 up to the age. Maybe the selectors could've looked to start a few more, but 3 obvious ones would be Byrne, Rowley and Furlong, and they were all injured. Of the youngest lads I thought Quigley and Hughes looked pretty good overall. We shouldve been a little more direct, but Fanning when he came on was the only one of the lads who played inside who seemed to spend his time on the pitch making runs out into space. Kilkenny were at full strength, especially when Murphy, Bergin, and Kelly came on in the 2nd half. If we play them again and have a full team out ourselves the game will be closer to 50/50.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15252 - 29/03/2025 22:45:40    2599371

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Replying To hunting:  "One of the worst displays I have ever sent by a wexford team, my god. That management team have alot to answer for as well."
Fairly harsh assessment.

It was an awful result and an absolutely terrible plan.

Kilkenny were sharper and more confident in what they were doing.

We didn't use the wind at all and just constantly over played the ball given the conditions.

That side are much better than they showed yesterday.

There's plenty of hurling to do yet

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3461 - 30/03/2025 07:51:45    2599387

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Replying To Tox73:  "No green shoots at moment, what way were we trying to play? We kept on passing the ball in crowded area's, moving crossways until ball is intercepted. Someone said in front of me that all the players first instinct to do is look for someone to hand pass the ball to but it's as crowded as a phone booth. Lot in that, we were passing the ball for the sake of it,no end product. As mentioned before what were we doing bringing back someone playing with the wind??when we needed scores, unfortunately only Management would be able to answer that. We didn't play the elements and surely Management would of known what KK brings to every game, Physicality ,that alone stood out a mile but we kept passing ball in packed area's, with the wind and against the wind. There was a lot of talk last year our losses were all down to poor management, wonder who will be the scapegoat this year? Anyone that are switched on in the county know that the root of the issue lays much deeper. Do we need a change of Hurling Director? Or are they in a job that they are unanswerable to no one? How many years are they in position?
Best of Luck to all our teams this year, it is still early."
How many of the Kilkenny panel do you think between the age of 5 and 12 years old spend 50% of their time playing Gaelic football and 50% of their time playing hurling in their clubs and schools?

Past hurler (None) - Posts: 883 - 30/03/2025 08:13:57    2599391

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Replying To Tox73:  "No green shoots at moment, what way were we trying to play? We kept on passing the ball in crowded area's, moving crossways until ball is intercepted. Someone said in front of me that all the players first instinct to do is look for someone to hand pass the ball to but it's as crowded as a phone booth. Lot in that, we were passing the ball for the sake of it,no end product. As mentioned before what were we doing bringing back someone playing with the wind??when we needed scores, unfortunately only Management would be able to answer that. We didn't play the elements and surely Management would of known what KK brings to every game, Physicality ,that alone stood out a mile but we kept passing ball in packed area's, with the wind and against the wind. There was a lot of talk last year our losses were all down to poor management, wonder who will be the scapegoat this year? Anyone that are switched on in the county know that the root of the issue lays much deeper. Do we need a change of Hurling Director? Or are they in a job that they are unanswerable to no one? How many years are they in position?
Best of Luck to all our teams this year, it is still early."
That's game management though. I can only assume the players are doing what they're instructed to do.

In terms of technical skills there was no real difference between the teams.

I'm not making excuses for what was a bad day. I'm just saying these aren't the same problems we were dealing with 20 years ago.

There's no longer a skills gap that there was in the past.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3461 - 30/03/2025 08:22:10    2599392

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The scoreline flattered us really, I'll echo others thoughts on how we set up, can't get my head around it.

But again I'm watching a wexford team that's been physically dominated, and this seems to be a constant theme.

We got a lucky goal that kept us in it but I'm still trying to figure out what our approach and game plan was here which is a worry, when I saw these lads earlier in the year you could see a definite style and game plan, not yesterday though.

tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1466 - 30/03/2025 09:32:02    2599400

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Replying To Past hurler:  "How many of the Kilkenny panel do you think between the age of 5 and 12 years old spend 50% of their time playing Gaelic football and 50% of their time playing hurling in their clubs and schools?"
They all play football, probably a pretty even amount of games as in county board/games development arranged, but they mostly do far more hurling training, and challenge games.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15252 - 30/03/2025 10:52:53    2599410

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Replying To tearintom:  "The scoreline flattered us really, I'll echo others thoughts on how we set up, can't get my head around it.

But again I'm watching a wexford team that's been physically dominated, and this seems to be a constant theme.

We got a lucky goal that kept us in it but I'm still trying to figure out what our approach and game plan was here which is a worry, when I saw these lads earlier in the year you could see a definite style and game plan, not yesterday though."
Not hard to see why we were physically dominated when maybe a little over a quarter of the team is likely still 18, and around a quarter still 17.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15252 - 30/03/2025 10:54:55    2599411

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Replying To tearintom:  "The scoreline flattered us really, I'll echo others thoughts on how we set up, can't get my head around it.

But again I'm watching a wexford team that's been physically dominated, and this seems to be a constant theme.

We got a lucky goal that kept us in it but I'm still trying to figure out what our approach and game plan was here which is a worry, when I saw these lads earlier in the year you could see a definite style and game plan, not yesterday though."
They had a bit of a loss the last day before yesterday, maybe that knocked their confidence a bit, especially with the age profile of the team. Most of that team haven't played club adult either, while most of the Kilkenny lads have.
The missing lads would add a bit of physical strength also, along with that experience. Finally the weather didn't suit the style of play either.
We were much better set up than we were last year against Kilkenny I think, just maybe not brave enough on the ball, or aggressive enough when they had it.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15252 - 30/03/2025 11:46:52    2599424

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Replying To Past hurler:  "How many of the Kilkenny panel do you think between the age of 5 and 12 years old spend 50% of their time playing Gaelic football and 50% of their time playing hurling in their clubs and schools?"
That damn football causing us to lose.

beano (Wexford) - Posts: 1472 - 30/03/2025 14:34:05    2599451

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Replying To Viking66:  "They had a bit of a loss the last day before yesterday, maybe that knocked their confidence a bit, especially with the age profile of the team. Most of that team haven't played club adult either, while most of the Kilkenny lads have.
The missing lads would add a bit of physical strength also, along with that experience. Finally the weather didn't suit the style of play either.
We were much better set up than we were last year against Kilkenny I think, just maybe not brave enough on the ball, or aggressive enough when they had it."
Who was the loss against viking?Are we likely to see Rowley and Byrne back for the knockout

hunting (Wexford) - Posts: 1079 - 30/03/2025 15:15:16    2599461

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "That's game management though. I can only assume the players are doing what they're instructed to do.

In terms of technical skills there was no real difference between the teams.

I'm not making excuses for what was a bad day. I'm just saying these aren't the same problems we were dealing with 20 years ago.

There's no longer a skills gap that there was in the past."
I would think there would be a better quality hurler coming out of KK though. At Schools level KK would have the upper hand, players would have played at a higher level before going onto college. They also much bigger physically, that's why you would be wondering why are we taking the ball into tackle just to hand pass to a guy who is being marked,we gaining no ground, getting killed in the rucks and the tight middle where we coughed up ball many times. Repeat the same thing 3 mins later? Everyone knows KK are going to be physical but our plan was to run/pass through them? In both halves? Why have an extra man with the wind at the back in a game where we needed to put up a score on them? KK had a big spine&played a very simple gameplan. 1st half Our Goal was a gift, 4 points,3 from play with the wind and 2nd half we got 1point from a free at 10mins and no score for 23 mins until Dylan Purcell point 3 mins into injury time. Our halfback line was destroyed. Dylan Purcell was playing his 3rd year at U20, which is a serious feat in itself,last 2 years played mainly in 1/2 backline. If we had 3 Sean Rowleys & 2 Cillian Byrne's it couldn't overturn a defeat like that playing the way we did….Thank God Marty Murphy and Sean Bergin only played for part of the game. Eoghan Lyng is an absolute Superstar at Centre back.

Tox73 (Wexford) - Posts: 174 - 30/03/2025 18:03:49    2599505

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Replying To Viking66:  "They had a bit of a loss the last day before yesterday, maybe that knocked their confidence a bit, especially with the age profile of the team. Most of that team haven't played club adult either, while most of the Kilkenny lads have.
The missing lads would add a bit of physical strength also, along with that experience. Finally the weather didn't suit the style of play either.
We were much better set up than we were last year against Kilkenny I think, just maybe not brave enough on the ball, or aggressive enough when they had it."
"We were much better set up than we were last year against Kilkenny I think,"
Ah now We were well beaten in both games to be fair, last year we ended with a better team and could have had more goals. Molloy from Fethard cut KK open a few times, Rowley scored a great goal. We were well beaten but at least we had a scoring threat going forward. This year our attack dosent look strong. Our Full back line looks weak.Last year Eoin Whelan missed a lot of the year. This year who we have to stop Marty Murphy? Also what is our style of play?? Weather is a non issue. We playing at home, 4pts from play, 1 score from play came in injury time. Nearly 35 mins without score from play in second half. there was no style of play. I presume Dylan Purcell moved up to strengthen our forwards? It is not a good sign.
Paidi Doyle dosent seem to have improved, His younger brother looks a better prospect. Hopefully Cillian can get back? A win next day would really

Tox73 (Wexford) - Posts: 174 - 30/03/2025 21:39:25    2599564

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It's worrying times when we don't have stand out players that can step up eventually. Rowley and Byrne yes possibly . Younger Doyle chap good prospect too with bit size about him . Roche good hurler too big step up in physicality at senior though. But if o brien does nt progress as we hope going forward hard to see seniors improving or holding their own when established leaders retire which won't be long .
Hopefully I m off the mark .
I ve read hear so many times that our s&c is improving but don't see evidence as of yet anyway .
We tend to be smaller than most teams why is that have we picked dev players on skill alone and club dominant players ie( stand out ) in u12 /14 instead of developing the bigger less co ordinated lads at young ages who take more time to master the skills .
But are dismissed as not good enough and don't develop like they possibly could .
I thought new policy was they do more scientific measuring anll aspects and projection analysis on players has that been the case or us it still who u are and where you are from . Unless you stand out

Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 348 - 31/03/2025 10:30:17    2599626

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Replying To Formertownie:  "It's worrying times when we don't have stand out players that can step up eventually. Rowley and Byrne yes possibly . Younger Doyle chap good prospect too with bit size about him . Roche good hurler too big step up in physicality at senior though. But if o brien does nt progress as we hope going forward hard to see seniors improving or holding their own when established leaders retire which won't be long .
Hopefully I m off the mark .
I ve read hear so many times that our s&c is improving but don't see evidence as of yet anyway .
We tend to be smaller than most teams why is that have we picked dev players on skill alone and club dominant players ie( stand out ) in u12 /14 instead of developing the bigger less co ordinated lads at young ages who take more time to master the skills .
But are dismissed as not good enough and don't develop like they possibly could .
I thought new policy was they do more scientific measuring anll aspects and projection analysis on players has that been the case or us it still who u are and where you are from . Unless you stand out"
S&C won't make lads taller. Nothing wrong with our s&c we have the guy over sports science that is over the sports science degrees and master degrees in TU Carloow. I really don't think s&c is a problem for us. If it was we'd be getting pushed around like boys against men and that's just simply not true.

Galway a huge team, we lost because we hit too many wides. Limerick a huge team.....never physically bettered us.

We can't be blaming s&c for poor result ls when we have the best lads involved as possible.

Also our s&c now for school teams is top class. They also have opportunities to do summer s&c in Ferns.

I really don't think it's a problem.

WEXILE (Wexford) - Posts: 323 - 31/03/2025 10:59:27    2599640

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Replying To WEXILE:  "S&C won't make lads taller. Nothing wrong with our s&c we have the guy over sports science that is over the sports science degrees and master degrees in TU Carloow. I really don't think s&c is a problem for us. If it was we'd be getting pushed around like boys against men and that's just simply not true.

Galway a huge team, we lost because we hit too many wides. Limerick a huge team.....never physically bettered us.

We can't be blaming s&c for poor result ls when we have the best lads involved as possible.

Also our s&c now for school teams is top class. They also have opportunities to do summer s&c in Ferns.

I really don't think it's a problem."
Fair enough if you think is OK but if we are smaller than most teams we hsve to find a way to make us stronger . I'm aware of the efforts just questioning the type of player we are developing .
My main point was are we not brining enough physically bigger and taller iads through the dev squads and trying to improve them As touch hurlers whilst still having a rawness that's hard to stop . They need to be patient and give them that extra bit of time/ work to develop .
There's a case for any player that's good enough but every team needs physically imposing players. I just feel the balance in wexford is more towards smaller touch hurlers. You need ball winners too .
Yes we did nt get physically bullied v Limerick but there thats an exception rather than the rule .

Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 348 - 31/03/2025 11:57:41    2599661

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Replying To WEXILE:  "S&C won't make lads taller. Nothing wrong with our s&c we have the guy over sports science that is over the sports science degrees and master degrees in TU Carloow. I really don't think s&c is a problem for us. If it was we'd be getting pushed around like boys against men and that's just simply not true.

Galway a huge team, we lost because we hit too many wides. Limerick a huge team.....never physically bettered us.

We can't be blaming s&c for poor result ls when we have the best lads involved as possible.

Also our s&c now for school teams is top class. They also have opportunities to do summer s&c in Ferns.

I really don't think it's a problem."
Agreee on the S+C thing, but I don't think we can really tell if that will have beared fruits or not until the last few mins of a championship game if we're out on our feet or able to go the distance, it would be ideal if we had a few taller lads on both the seniors and U20s but we have to play the hand we're dealt for the Summer now.

OpenStandWall (Wexford) - Posts: 220 - 31/03/2025 12:17:32    2599671

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