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Wexford Hurling Thread

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Replying To Magpie2:  "Another tight game against a lower ranked team.
Very good first half but the wheels came off the wagon in the 2nd half.
However they eventually came to grips with Down in the last few minutes and got the winning scores to snatch victory.
Never easy playing northern teams and Down have some very good hurlers.
We on the other hand have to be patient.
We are giving lads like Redmond, Breen, Wickham, Regan, Banville and Darren codd plenty of gametime. So important for the development of this team.
A win is a win and good to get but we are very much a work in progress but with guys like Chin, Shane Reck Molloy and maybe Jippo to return and provide much needed experience we may manage to get out of 1B.
It must be said though the Dublin and Clare games will undoubtedly be extremely tough and a win in both would be invaluable and bring the younger lads on in leaps and bounds.
Carlow next up and it might be our biggest challenge to date. Home advantage and a decent local support should see us over the line"
Hopefully we get a decent local support. Bad though we were in that 2nd half our support has been way worse the last good few years.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18641 - 01/02/2026 22:35:52    2654490

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Replying To Bryson:  "Wexford hurling is in some trouble lads yet another pathetic performance against a second rate team. God help us when we play top tier teams like Dublin and Clare. Only positive to take from first 2 games is we can compete with the Ulster teams."
Won't judge the Clare and Dublin games myself until after they are played.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18641 - 01/02/2026 22:37:17    2654493

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "Jaysus that was a tough tough game.

We were absolutely flying and just slow coming out in the second half.

Eamon Wickham was brilliant in the closing stages. Jack Redmond is starting to become a bit of a leader. A very important score again this week when the game was in the balance.

Conor hearne finished very strongly, and moving reck to 6 changed the game when we were in trouble.

We'll take the points and move on. Carlow will be no pushover next week."
Im sure you enjoyed page 6 of the programme Doyler?

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18641 - 01/02/2026 22:49:59    2654497

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Replying To Bryson:  "Wexford hurling is in some trouble lads yet another pathetic performance against a second rate team. God help us when we play top tier teams like Dublin and Clare. Only positive to take from first 2 games is we can compete with the Ulster teams."
Were you there or did you just see the score?

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4293 - 01/02/2026 23:35:25    2654506

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We played 12 or 13 lads against Antrim who never started a championship game aside from the dead rubber against Kilkenny last year. We did the same against Down and changed a couple of them to give more different lads gametime. Just did a count up, between the 2 games we gave gametime to 15 different lads who never started a championship game apart from the dead rubber against Kilkenny. Most of those actually never played in a League game before this year either. On top of that Lawlor, Foley and Byrne are only around 22, and Niall Murphy only started 1 or 2 Championship games for us. We have done exactly what we needed to do in the 2 games against those counties, give gametime to new lads, and picked up the points. These newer lads will be better for the experience. Some are already looking like they might make the Championship team this year.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18641 - 02/02/2026 07:57:26    2654523

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No need for lads like Chin, the 2 Recks, Jippo, Jacko etc to be starting games at this time of year on pitches like that. Donohue and Molloy out injured too. Still hoping Rory will be back for Championship as well.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18641 - 02/02/2026 08:03:46    2654526

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I won't engage in analysis of a match that I wasn't at or didn't see any of but from here alarm bells have to be ringing in so many ways.
I am sure all the players are giving 100%. And no more can be asked. But some players are making teams now because Wexford have gone backwards rather than them improving. I played against some of these lads and they are really good club hurlers but nothing special. Players are the product of a coaching system which is just not producing hurlers.
Our underage record is so bad. We've won nothing bar 1 minor title and we were hammered by Galway after it yet so many in Wexford wanted to talk about this for years afterwards in underage circles. One good day doesn't make a summer. Our schools are way off and being hammered.
The last Wexford player to completely arrive on to the scene to great fanfare was Rory. Everybody has heard of Sean O'Brien and hope he will make it but we had no player like that between. Our defenders need a sweeper to defend in every club game.
Its not good to be negative but my father who is closer to me is of the belief that there is "toxic positivity" throughout Wexford GAA. A sort of shoulder shrug to bad results. Dancing at the crossroads after we stay in the Liam McCarthy cup due to a disallowed goal having lost to Westmeath.
And now we're barely getting over Antrim, Down, and talking about hoping that we will beat Carlow and valid talk about whether we can beat Kildare.
Does this sound like Joe McDonagh level or when do the alarm bells start to become a blaring foghorn?

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1968 - 02/02/2026 10:07:06    2654539

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Who have we to come back bar Chin?

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1968 - 02/02/2026 10:07:29    2654540

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My last post was put up for some reason. I believe we are on our knees, not just because we have a lack of top level quality coming through for the last few years but because we can't seem to get all players to commit and for the most part it a personal reason, travel etc.. which is far enough but there also other things at play.
Just look at the players who we could/missing for one reason or another yesterday:
Cian Molly (rosslare)
Donohue ryan, s reck
C Molloy, p foley, E Ryan
Rowley, Dunbar
Jack, Chin, B O connor
Rory, Mac, O Foley
I haven't even included cillian byrne, Luke codd, Aj Redmond, Charlie etc...
There is plenty of hurlers between that team and some of the squad yesterday to make wexford very competitive. And viking, I am a massive wexford supporter and go to all the games and will continue to do so

hunting (Wexford) - Posts: 1178 - 02/02/2026 10:36:04    2654544

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "Who have we to come back bar Chin?"
Well, we could start Damien Reck, Cian Byrne, David Codd, Darren Codd, and Eoin Whelan

And then outside of Chin, we have Shane Reck, Simon Donohoe, Niall Murphy, Cian Molloy, Seán Rowley, CBD, and Jack O'Connor to come back

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 929 - 02/02/2026 11:03:23    2654551

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Replying To Viking66:  "We played 12 or 13 lads against Antrim who never started a championship game aside from the dead rubber against Kilkenny last year. We did the same against Down and changed a couple of them to give more different lads gametime. Just did a count up, between the 2 games we gave gametime to 15 different lads who never started a championship game apart from the dead rubber against Kilkenny. Most of those actually never played in a League game before this year either. On top of that Lawlor, Foley and Byrne are only around 22, and Niall Murphy only started 1 or 2 Championship games for us. We have done exactly what we needed to do in the 2 games against those counties, give gametime to new lads, and picked up the points. These newer lads will be better for the experience. Some are already looking like they might make the Championship team this year."
I agree that in theory it's job done; we've won the two games and we've given players a lot of experience

But while I can excuse last week because of the conditions, I'm not sure I can excuse a lack of intensity across the board in the second half against Down

We were lucky to get away with it and we must make sure it doesn't happen again going forward

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 929 - 02/02/2026 11:07:34    2654555

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@hunting how many of those will be back this year?
The life trajectory for most lads now is go to college, a year of work, live abroad and travel, then come back.
Wexford just isn't as appealing because the profile of an inter county hurler is not there in Wexford.
Because of that, you are seeing mid-late 20's players now playing but we have lost those crucial 2-3 years where the big physical and hurling development is made.
But Dublin, Kilkenny and Galway have the same issue. Leinster hurling is just in a downward spiral and this is a fact.

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1968 - 02/02/2026 11:13:09    2654557

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Well, we could start Damien Reck, Cian Byrne, David Codd, Darren Codd, and Eoin Whelan

And then outside of Chin, we have Shane Reck, Simon Donohoe, Niall Murphy, Cian Molloy, Seán Rowley, CBD, and Jack O'Connor to come back"
Yes, a good few to come back. Good.

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1968 - 02/02/2026 11:14:49    2654559

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "I won't engage in analysis of a match that I wasn't at or didn't see any of but from here alarm bells have to be ringing in so many ways.
I am sure all the players are giving 100%. And no more can be asked. But some players are making teams now because Wexford have gone backwards rather than them improving. I played against some of these lads and they are really good club hurlers but nothing special. Players are the product of a coaching system which is just not producing hurlers.
Our underage record is so bad. We've won nothing bar 1 minor title and we were hammered by Galway after it yet so many in Wexford wanted to talk about this for years afterwards in underage circles. One good day doesn't make a summer. Our schools are way off and being hammered.
The last Wexford player to completely arrive on to the scene to great fanfare was Rory. Everybody has heard of Sean O'Brien and hope he will make it but we had no player like that between. Our defenders need a sweeper to defend in every club game.
Its not good to be negative but my father who is closer to me is of the belief that there is "toxic positivity" throughout Wexford GAA. A sort of shoulder shrug to bad results. Dancing at the crossroads after we stay in the Liam McCarthy cup due to a disallowed goal having lost to Westmeath.
And now we're barely getting over Antrim, Down, and talking about hoping that we will beat Carlow and valid talk about whether we can beat Kildare.
Does this sound like Joe McDonagh level or when do the alarm bells start to become a blaring foghorn?"
Our underage results aren't Joe McDonagh level though; I'm not saying we're not in danger but the quality of hurling in Wexford is not as bad as some make it out to be

Now this is not to say everything is perfect; it's not and we need to be doing better at underage level. But our biggest issues right now are the number of good hurlers not playing for Wexford and then a general under-performance by those who are playing for Wexford

I think "toxic positivity" is a really inaccurate way of describing things; I don't think anyone is under any illusions about our lack of underage success (Hence the Kinnerk Report) and moreover, I don't see how you're supposed to win anything without being positive, there's a major lack of belief in this county and it's feeding through to the players, a negative mindset gets us nowhere

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 929 - 02/02/2026 11:15:14    2654560

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It might be dinosaur thinking but the decision to make underage players choose either hurling or football is a serious miscalculation in a dual county like ours.
How can the footballers be improving all be it from a low base and a determined effort within the county to downgrade and look down upon the big ball and every effort to ensure that the hurlers have anyone thst even smells of talent jumping on the hurling bandwagon.
At present the wheels are seriously wobbling on the bandwagon of hurling .
My point is how are the footballers improving with what most would say is a thin enough pick and certainly dont get the same backing or support be it county board or supporters
You can say they are playing at a lower grade yes as regards numbers. But how many counties actually take hurling serious bar 13 or 14 . Whilst football would be taken seriously in upwards of 25
But in comparison we are now worried about potentially losing to teams like Antrim , Down Carlow
,Kildare. Offaly (very worried). Would you rate most of those counties higher in football or hurling preference.
There seems to be a far higher physical presence in the footballers .
Thats just my opinion .
Breaks my heart to see us struggling at present. Times have changed I think we need to be at least competitive to attract players to put such commitment into the gaa . In a time of instant success we are at a very precarious crossroads .. .
We all are good at pointing out problems inc myself . What we dont have is one big solution . Think its time to think outside the box. It ll take change in small or big ways in all aspects of out thinking . Everyone needs to put the effort in to drag us out of this slump.
Drop our egos and delusion we are top table and build on any actual positive aspects we still possess. If we get best of what we have at present I still think we could potentially be in 3rd place in leinster .

Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 543 - 02/02/2026 12:11:12    2654574

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "I won't engage in analysis of a match that I wasn't at or didn't see any of but from here alarm bells have to be ringing in so many ways.
I am sure all the players are giving 100%. And no more can be asked. But some players are making teams now because Wexford have gone backwards rather than them improving. I played against some of these lads and they are really good club hurlers but nothing special. Players are the product of a coaching system which is just not producing hurlers.
Our underage record is so bad. We've won nothing bar 1 minor title and we were hammered by Galway after it yet so many in Wexford wanted to talk about this for years afterwards in underage circles. One good day doesn't make a summer. Our schools are way off and being hammered.
The last Wexford player to completely arrive on to the scene to great fanfare was Rory. Everybody has heard of Sean O'Brien and hope he will make it but we had no player like that between. Our defenders need a sweeper to defend in every club game.
Its not good to be negative but my father who is closer to me is of the belief that there is "toxic positivity" throughout Wexford GAA. A sort of shoulder shrug to bad results. Dancing at the crossroads after we stay in the Liam McCarthy cup due to a disallowed goal having lost to Westmeath.
And now we're barely getting over Antrim, Down, and talking about hoping that we will beat Carlow and valid talk about whether we can beat Kildare.
Does this sound like Joe McDonagh level or when do the alarm bells start to become a blaring foghorn?"
Underage results being bad and our schools being way off the pace just isn't objectively true.

Are there things that need to change? Absolutely. Are things as bad as they were from 09-12 ? Absolutely not.

We're in a difficult position that the likes of Ross Banville were overlooked for too long. But we have a decent group coming now that will need some time.

Like I said the other day, I'm not seeing any superstars there, but I think Roche, Redmond, CBD, Byrne can become that.

This year is going to be tough, but I wouldn't be writing an obituary just yet.

Finally on the dancing at the crossroads thing in 23. Even I thought that was too much, but it's difficult to describe the emotion in the park that day if you didn't feel it.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4293 - 02/02/2026 12:21:21    2654577

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Replying To Formertownie:  "It might be dinosaur thinking but the decision to make underage players choose either hurling or football is a serious miscalculation in a dual county like ours.
How can the footballers be improving all be it from a low base and a determined effort within the county to downgrade and look down upon the big ball and every effort to ensure that the hurlers have anyone thst even smells of talent jumping on the hurling bandwagon.
At present the wheels are seriously wobbling on the bandwagon of hurling .
My point is how are the footballers improving with what most would say is a thin enough pick and certainly dont get the same backing or support be it county board or supporters
You can say they are playing at a lower grade yes as regards numbers. But how many counties actually take hurling serious bar 13 or 14 . Whilst football would be taken seriously in upwards of 25
But in comparison we are now worried about potentially losing to teams like Antrim , Down Carlow
,Kildare. Offaly (very worried). Would you rate most of those counties higher in football or hurling preference.
There seems to be a far higher physical presence in the footballers .
Thats just my opinion .
Breaks my heart to see us struggling at present. Times have changed I think we need to be at least competitive to attract players to put such commitment into the gaa . In a time of instant success we are at a very precarious crossroads .. .
We all are good at pointing out problems inc myself . What we dont have is one big solution . Think its time to think outside the box. It ll take change in small or big ways in all aspects of out thinking . Everyone needs to put the effort in to drag us out of this slump.
Drop our egos and delusion we are top table and build on any actual positive aspects we still possess. If we get best of what we have at present I still think we could potentially be in 3rd place in leinster ."
The short answer to that is elite level hurling is just far more difficult.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4293 - 02/02/2026 12:25:01    2654578

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Just had a look at the team who beat Kilkenny in 2023

Out of the fifteen who started that day, one started yesterday and there were three others who stayed that day who are still in the panel; the 11 other starters aren't even in the panel

Of course, neither of the Recks played that day and Fanning wasn't in the panel then, think Foley and Hearne came off the bench and Richie Lawlor had started against Dublin but it just goes to show how much churn there has been in just under three years

Footballers seem to be going well and I think a big reason why is that they seem to have a settled enough squad and the churn isn't as bad as it used to be. It's impossible to win with a lot of churn in the squad, need to have a settled side and that takes time, what's really killing is right now is the lack of good players in their prime, the likes of Conor Foley, CBD, Cian Byrne, Cian Molloy, Darragh Carley, Richie Lawlor, and Simon Roche are still young and haven't really hit their prime, they've a lot of potential but it's only really in 2-3 years time that we'll see them in their prime

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 929 - 02/02/2026 12:48:31    2654582

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Replying To hunting:  "My last post was put up for some reason. I believe we are on our knees, not just because we have a lack of top level quality coming through for the last few years but because we can't seem to get all players to commit and for the most part it a personal reason, travel etc.. which is far enough but there also other things at play.
Just look at the players who we could/missing for one reason or another yesterday:
Cian Molly (rosslare)
Donohue ryan, s reck
C Molloy, p foley, E Ryan
Rowley, Dunbar
Jack, Chin, B O connor
Rory, Mac, O Foley
I haven't even included cillian byrne, Luke codd, Aj Redmond, Charlie etc...
There is plenty of hurlers between that team and some of the squad yesterday to make wexford very competitive. And viking, I am a massive wexford supporter and go to all the games and will continue to do so"
We need to move on from a number you have mentioned above. Lads who are continually injured and others who won't commit.

Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 520 - 02/02/2026 14:15:08    2654590

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Replying To hunting:  "My last post was put up for some reason. I believe we are on our knees, not just because we have a lack of top level quality coming through for the last few years but because we can't seem to get all players to commit and for the most part it a personal reason, travel etc.. which is far enough but there also other things at play.
Just look at the players who we could/missing for one reason or another yesterday:
Cian Molly (rosslare)
Donohue ryan, s reck
C Molloy, p foley, E Ryan
Rowley, Dunbar
Jack, Chin, B O connor
Rory, Mac, O Foley
I haven't even included cillian byrne, Luke codd, Aj Redmond, Charlie etc...
There is plenty of hurlers between that team and some of the squad yesterday to make wexford very competitive. And viking, I am a massive wexford supporter and go to all the games and will continue to do so"
Sound man, I was very tired when I got home. But tbh Im getting sick of all the negativity around.
Why would any of the good coaches and players in the county want to be involved with county teams at all?
We can't blame any particular individual managers, or current or former county chairman for these lads being not available. There have been 2 or 3 county chairmen, and 3 managers over the time that the lads you mention above who have dropped out have quit.
As regards the rest, hopefully they will be back for the last few games of the League, and/or the Leinster round robin.
Would be expecting to see Chin, the Recks, Jacko, Donohue, Rowley, Dara Kehoe and Cillian Byrne starting a game for Wexford by then, and hopefully Jippo and Patsy Molloy, although concussion is hard to get over. Eoin Whelan if he can get proper fit too.
And if we did well against Clare and Dublin in the League then hopefully Rory O'Connor by the Leinster round robin too. Wouldn't say any of the others will be back this year.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18641 - 02/02/2026 14:32:15    2654601

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