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Wexford Hurling Thread

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Replying To PolPeist:  "I can tell you with 100% certainty we are at worst equal to all the other top Counties now at S & C from U13 all the way to this year's Minors."
Wexford or Westmeath?

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 962 - 10/03/2026 16:54:10    2660828

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I think S&C is one thing but I also think there's a need to produce taller hurlers

Not every players needs to be a skyscraper but we're a bit too small atm and most of our best players coming through are on the smaller side

Some of these younger players like Darragh Carley, Conor Foley, and Simon Roche look to have good S&C work some but while we can make them stronger and more athletic, we can't make the any taller

Suppose that's where biobanding should help, need to make sure that the smaller players at underage level are persisted with (They might be better in time than players who are taller than them at a young age) but equally, need to work on improving the skill level and speed of the taller players so that when the smaller players catch up on them physically, they're still getting better because they have improved their skill levels and speed

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 962 - 10/03/2026 17:00:49    2660830

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Replying To PolPeist:  "I can tell you with 100% certainty we are at worst equal to all the other top Counties now at S & C from U13 all the way to this year's Minors."
That was questioned earlier and someone posted that the u20s were put on a specific S+C program. It would seem a bit late for that if true. That was all I was saying.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 71 - 10/03/2026 17:06:15    2660832

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "Thats interesting Viking. What happens if the squad member is in a school outside the county such as Carnew in Wicklow which I think pulls in lads from Kilanerin , Askamore and Craanford? Good to here Kinnerk and McGeehan are happy with something we already have in place"
They are held in 7 schools in the county. If you dont attend 1 of the 7 you have to travel to the nearest of them.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18724 - 10/03/2026 17:12:20    2660834

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Replying To wexford2012:  "Fair points but we've had so many plans and initiatives over 20 + years now and non have really moved the dial and as I said a lack of success is eroding the player pool so the issue is urgent.

"A GPO told me that he reckoned close to half the kids in primary schools in wexford town aren't affiliated to any GAA clubs, we need to get them kids in the gate by any means necessary and not just by one means only."

Very interesting point, which points to a problem and opportunity, but arguably not an easy one to address but massively important that we do, otherwise what is the point in the GPO in schools model? There have to be targets and incentives for clubs to get into the schools. Should the door be opened to clubs adjacent t to the towns to get involved if the town clubs are failing to pick these potential players up?"
To be fair the town of wexfords pick is smaller than you think . . Certainly could be better participation . But u can't drag them out .
The point re clubs on outskirts of town allowed in they are already able to come in.as far as the hospital white rock and drinagh /coolballow and wexford bridge . Any new estates where young family's relocating and based are already in the those teams catchment areas .
And tgey gave huge picks znd numbers already and in my opinion underacheived for the numbers they gave had . As well as the drop off from those clubs is prob worse that in town even if you check the facts .
I believe towns team have lost players to some of those clubs let's say enticement/approach in past couple of years . As if they dod nt already gave enough players .

Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 547 - 10/03/2026 19:53:53    2660847

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Replying To Formertownie:  "To be fair the town of wexfords pick is smaller than you think . . Certainly could be better participation . But u can't drag them out .
The point re clubs on outskirts of town allowed in they are already able to come in.as far as the hospital white rock and drinagh /coolballow and wexford bridge . Any new estates where young family's relocating and based are already in the those teams catchment areas .
And tgey gave huge picks znd numbers already and in my opinion underacheived for the numbers they gave had . As well as the drop off from those clubs is prob worse that in town even if you check the facts .
I believe towns team have lost players to some of those clubs let's say enticement/approach in past couple of years . As if they dod nt already gave enough players ."
We would have at least 50 kids at most age groups, then totally collapses at minor.

You're right about what you're saying though. There are kids in town schools playing for shells, Martin's and barntown. Not to mention a number of former club members who have moved out of town in the last decade or so who's kids are playing for those areas now. It's a major bone of contention.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4317 - 10/03/2026 20:37:24    2660851

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Replying To Formertownie:  "To be fair the town of wexfords pick is smaller than you think . . Certainly could be better participation . But u can't drag them out .
The point re clubs on outskirts of town allowed in they are already able to come in.as far as the hospital white rock and drinagh /coolballow and wexford bridge . Any new estates where young family's relocating and based are already in the those teams catchment areas .
And tgey gave huge picks znd numbers already and in my opinion underacheived for the numbers they gave had . As well as the drop off from those clubs is prob worse that in town even if you check the facts .
I believe towns team have lost players to some of those clubs let's say enticement/approach in past couple of years . As if they dod nt already gave enough players ."
I heard that the Harriers only have 4 players up to the age at minor this year but yes had over 40 when under 10. Every club has a falloff but that is more than worrying for the club I'm sure.

Paull (Wexford) - Posts: 241 - 10/03/2026 21:19:26    2660856

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U20 hurling fixtures

2 groups of 4; top team goes straight to the SFs, 2nd plays 3rd from the other group in the QFs (Big improvement in the format if you ask me)

Looks like our group will be a lot stronger than the opposition group going by Minor results from three years ago

Home to Galway on April 2nd or April 4th
Away to Kilkenny on April 11th or April 12th
Away to one of Meath/Antrim/Kildare/Kerry/Carlow/Westmeath

Very weird format for the Minor Hurling though

Looks like two groups of three but you don't play any teams from your group, instead you play all three teams from the other group and then the top two teams from each group play in the Leinster SFs

We're in a group with Galway and one other qualifier, means we have to play Dublin, Kilkenny, and the other qualifier

Minor format looks like a recipe for disaster tbh, U20 format looks very good but the groups are imbalanced

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 962 - 10/03/2026 21:26:44    2660858

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Would like to see something like the following against Kildare....

Mark Fanning

Conor Foley
Philip Dempsey
Darragh Carley

Damien Reck
Richie Lawlor
Diarmuid O'Leary

Conor Hearne
Corey Byrne-Dunbar

Lee Chin
Simon Roche
Jack Redmond

Kevin Foley
Seán Rowley
Rory Higgins

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 962 - 10/03/2026 22:11:47    2660861

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "U20 hurling fixtures

2 groups of 4; top team goes straight to the SFs, 2nd plays 3rd from the other group in the QFs (Big improvement in the format if you ask me)

Looks like our group will be a lot stronger than the opposition group going by Minor results from three years ago

Home to Galway on April 2nd or April 4th
Away to Kilkenny on April 11th or April 12th
Away to one of Meath/Antrim/Kildare/Kerry/Carlow/Westmeath

Very weird format for the Minor Hurling though

Looks like two groups of three but you don't play any teams from your group, instead you play all three teams from the other group and then the top two teams from each group play in the Leinster SFs

We're in a group with Galway and one other qualifier, means we have to play Dublin, Kilkenny, and the other qualifier

Minor format looks like a recipe for disaster tbh, U20 format looks very good but the groups are imbalanced"
That "cross play" thing across the groups in Minor Hurling makes no sense to me. I remember somebody suggested something similar here for our club championships a while ago, and I pointed out an obvious flaw with it. Unlikely to happen here since two of the teams will be qualifiers from the second tier, but hypothetically -

Say Group 1 has three teams: Team A, Team B, and Team C.
They each play the three teams from Group 2: Team D, Team E, and Team F.

A, B and C all beat D, E and F.

Now all the teams in Group 1 have full points, but one of them goes out of the championship anyway.
Meanwhile, the teams in Group 2 don't have a single point between them, but two of them go through anyway.

It's nonsense.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3387 - 11/03/2026 10:33:54    2660882

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Would like to see something like the following against Kildare....

Mark Fanning

Conor Foley
Philip Dempsey
Darragh Carley

Damien Reck
Richie Lawlor
Diarmuid O'Leary

Conor Hearne
Corey Byrne-Dunbar

Lee Chin
Simon Roche
Jack Redmond

Kevin Foley
Seán Rowley
Rory Higgins"
Jack Redmond needs a big game seen very little of him this year. Looking forward to seeing what Rowley can offer can see him pushing to start midfield come championship. Would try to get James Byrne in there thought he showed well in Clare plays with his head up and brings a good intensity.
Hate being negative but I would worry if that was our starting team come. I think we desperately need the likes of Jippo, Cian Molloy, Simon Donohoe and Jacko back fully fit to strengthen the team for championship.

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 931 - 11/03/2026 10:51:43    2660889

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I saw one of our nailed on starters try strike a ball against clare and hit the ball with the handle of his hurl.

Waltermitty2 (Wexford) - Posts: 298 - 11/03/2026 11:22:50    2660899

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "U20 hurling fixtures

2 groups of 4; top team goes straight to the SFs, 2nd plays 3rd from the other group in the QFs (Big improvement in the format if you ask me)

Looks like our group will be a lot stronger than the opposition group going by Minor results from three years ago

Home to Galway on April 2nd or April 4th
Away to Kilkenny on April 11th or April 12th
Away to one of Meath/Antrim/Kildare/Kerry/Carlow/Westmeath

Very weird format for the Minor Hurling though

Looks like two groups of three but you don't play any teams from your group, instead you play all three teams from the other group and then the top two teams from each group play in the Leinster SFs

We're in a group with Galway and one other qualifier, means we have to play Dublin, Kilkenny, and the other qualifier

Minor format looks like a recipe for disaster tbh, U20 format looks very good but the groups are imbalanced"
That minor format is pretty fair and is used for the Martin Storey competition, its not that unusual, all the teams in both groups play exactly the same teams. It gives teams an extra game too.
The u20 groups do seem pretty unbalanced OK.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18724 - 11/03/2026 11:26:22    2660900

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "Jack Redmond needs a big game seen very little of him this year. Looking forward to seeing what Rowley can offer can see him pushing to start midfield come championship. Would try to get James Byrne in there thought he showed well in Clare plays with his head up and brings a good intensity.
Hate being negative but I would worry if that was our starting team come. I think we desperately need the likes of Jippo, Cian Molloy, Simon Donohoe and Jacko back fully fit to strengthen the team for championship."
I think Jack has been carrying an injury. He was very good in the opening 3 games and showed great leadership and composure.

Lads seem to be forgetting Cian Byrne too. Very potent attacker.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4317 - 11/03/2026 11:39:05    2660902

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "Jack Redmond needs a big game seen very little of him this year. Looking forward to seeing what Rowley can offer can see him pushing to start midfield come championship. Would try to get James Byrne in there thought he showed well in Clare plays with his head up and brings a good intensity.
Hate being negative but I would worry if that was our starting team come. I think we desperately need the likes of Jippo, Cian Molloy, Simon Donohoe and Jacko back fully fit to strengthen the team for championship."
Don't think we need to be showing our full hand v Kildare really, so we could leave Kevin Foley or Chin out. Maybe Foley at 7. CBD was disappointing when he came on v Clare. A lot of aimless running with the ball. Might have got a soft free or two but you would be expecting a bit more out of him at this stage. Think Jack Redmond and Cian Byrne could do with game time for sure. Not really sure what's going on there. Jippo and Molloy at least on the bench would be a boost, back in training anyway.

Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 534 - 11/03/2026 11:49:37    2660903

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "I think Jack has been carrying an injury. He was very good in the opening 3 games and showed great leadership and composure.

Lads seem to be forgetting Cian Byrne too. Very potent attacker."
I would have loved to have seen what Jack could do V Dublin and Clare I agree with you he has looked good when on the pitch. I agree on Cian Byrne , conditions in the league never seem to suit him given his size but he has been very prolific for us in championship since his debut

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 931 - 11/03/2026 11:52:17    2660906

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Replying To Paull:  "I heard that the Harriers only have 4 players up to the age at minor this year but yes had over 40 when under 10. Every club has a falloff but that is more than worrying for the club I'm sure."
Could nt tell you that I was only referring to a post where by clubs on outskirts should have access to towns . That already happens due to parish rules was my point . Where the town parish boundaries dont encompass the new estates inside say the roundabouts and on outskirts of the town .
The clubs on outskirts already have massive picks and catchment areas . Doesn't seem to have improved their fortunes hugely maybe bar st martins . And that's only recently come to bare .
Maybe the teams on outskirts who can't accommodate everyone should let the overflow join town clubs instead . Especially in football there are 4 football only clubs . And 2 of 3 on outskirts dont really care for the big ball . If you dont hurl u are almost cast aside . Certainly not given same level of coaching or commitment from the said clubs .
Let them join a different football only club instead especially if yiu dont commit to them as a club .

Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 547 - 11/03/2026 11:52:23    2660907

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "I think Jack has been carrying an injury. He was very good in the opening 3 games and showed great leadership and composure.

Lads seem to be forgetting Cian Byrne too. Very potent attacker."
I left him out because I thought he was injured, would like to see him starting in the Championship alright but am trying to work out why he has got such little game time in the league

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 962 - 11/03/2026 12:06:25    2660910

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Replying To Viking66:  "That minor format is pretty fair and is used for the Martin Storey competition, its not that unusual, all the teams in both groups play exactly the same teams. It gives teams an extra game too.
The u20 groups do seem pretty unbalanced OK."
That "cross play" format might be used in some other places too but to me, it's still a nonsense, and could make a mockery of any competition. Am going to give an example with this year's Leinster Minor Hurling. Let's say the two qualifiers are Offaly and Laois, and that Offaly in particular are relatively strong.

Group 1 - Dublin, Kilkenny, Offaly
Group 2 - Wexford, Galway, Laois

In Round 1 - Wexford beat Dublin, Kilkenny beat Galway, Offaly beat Laois
In Round 2 - Dublin beat Galway, Kilkenny beat Laois, Offaly beat Wexford
In Round 3 - Dublin beat Laois, Kilkenny beat Wexford, Galway beat Offaly

All those results could happen. None of them would be an earth-shattering surprise. So, the final points tallies would be:
Group 1 - Kilkenny 6, Dublin 4, Offaly 4
Group 2 - Galway 2, Wexford 2, Laois 0

Either Dublin or Offaly would go out despite winning two matches and having four points.
Both Galway and Wexford would go through despite only winning one match and only having two points.

Don't know about you, but that'd be nonsense to me.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3387 - 11/03/2026 13:45:24    2660919

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Replying To Viking66:  "That minor format is pretty fair and is used for the Martin Storey competition, its not that unusual, all the teams in both groups play exactly the same teams. It gives teams an extra game too.
The u20 groups do seem pretty unbalanced OK."
Its very silly format IMO .
I can tell you now barring huge upsets we will play Galway in one semi final and Dublin will play Kilkenny in the other.

Paull (Wexford) - Posts: 241 - 11/03/2026 14:49:09    2660931

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