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Replying To ElGranSenor: "I don't think it's ideal that for the likes of Rathnure, yesterday was their only official Championship game in the space of about eight weeks
Played R4, then had to wait three weeks to play R5 (Which is normal tbf), and now I think they have to wait another five weeks to play their QF
I can understand that it allows them time to train whilst others spend most of the week recovering rather than training but the balance still seems off to me
Like the Preliminary QFs are basically adding another week to the Championship all to play two extra games in each grade between the 4th and 5th-placed teams
That sounds silly to me" The HAC are fixated on having more games, which only would work if the clubs involved didn't have Football in between. Which most do.
Modelling a championship format on another county's, when they play their Football Championship at a different time of year, and call their group stage their League, seems a bit bizarre tbh.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20540 - 24/08/2026 14:13:32
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I always feel that the hac in the back of their thinking is to somehow downgrade football and have it played at different time or reduced amount of games towards hurling allowing hurling to take prime spot year on year going forward say from our exit from intercounty until end sept or October.
Thus the reasoning imo for more hurling games to force the players into picking one or the other code as trying to overload the players with games and no time to recover in between . Whilst pursuing the agenda of oh u cant give the 2 codes equal effort .
75% of time at least lads would pick hurling or so they would think anyway
If they'reduce the amount of games in both codes it would help the dual player and dual club so I would imagine that wont happen if the hac has its way the fiotball championship will be downgraded if they had there way to knockout or 4 groups of 3 .
A few post back I did post a club championship structure for the top 2 tiers ie inter and senior that had a kind of half way group between senior and intermediate that could help the continuous progress of a club on the rise or a club in decline to improve .and play teams of similar ability they d get a chance to play in senior or intermediate knock out depending on where they finished in there senior development group stage.. top that group u are promoted..
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 677 - 24/08/2026 16:02:37
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Can't help but notice the HAC continue to get a lot of grief here for "being fixated on games for the sake of games".
So, I'll just throw out another reminder that the two groups of six structure was introduced all the way back in 2012. At the time, the HAC had barely even been formed, had a remit to do with underage hurling only, and had no role whatsoever in introducing that system.. And clubs have voted to keep that system every chance they've had since then. The only two years we didn't have it were the Covid years of 2020 and '21, when clubs didn't have a say in the matter.
I don't claim to speak for the HAC but I'm guessing their proposals start from a point of "right, no point in even proposing anything other than two groups of six, because every time somebody does that, it just gets shot down. So we'll just concentrate on how we could work things after the groups of six are already completed."
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3912 - 24/08/2026 22:15:38
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Having seen a lot of club hurling over the last 10 years, this year's senior championship has been the worst I've ever seen in terms of standard. It has been awful viewing so far. There are lads who have been in and out of the county panel showing nothing for their clubs. The under 20 county players as a bunch are only peripheral players for their clubs at best, even in the lower grades. Players who have played intercounty senior and under 20 over the last 5 years unable to perform the basic skills under pressure.
When I look at games from other counties who take hurling seriously there is a clear gulf in the pace of the game, the intensity of it and the skill level.
There was a proposal a few posts back to expand senior to 15 and have 3 groups of 5. I couldn't disagree more. There are scarcely 12 good enough to call themselves senior. I'd reduce it to 10 teams in each grade. 2 groups of 5...4 group games, each club has a break/bye week. Top team into county semi final, 2 v 3 in quarter finals, 4 finished and 5 in relegation final.
But regardless of what the format is, our systems are producing bang average players.
Onfor15 (Wexford) - Posts: 544 - 25/08/2026 09:14:11
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Replying To Pikeman96: "Can't help but notice the HAC continue to get a lot of grief here for "being fixated on games for the sake of games".
So, I'll just throw out another reminder that the two groups of six structure was introduced all the way back in 2012. At the time, the HAC had barely even been formed, had a remit to do with underage hurling only, and had no role whatsoever in introducing that system.. And clubs have voted to keep that system every chance they've had since then. The only two years we didn't have it were the Covid years of 2020 and '21, when clubs didn't have a say in the matter.
I don't claim to speak for the HAC but I'm guessing their proposals start from a point of "right, no point in even proposing anything other than two groups of six, because every time somebody does that, it just gets shot down. So we'll just concentrate on how we could work things after the groups of six are already completed."" Thats true I m not saying they are the people that introduced it .
The point i m trying to make is everyone knows some if not all on the hac would rather footballs were thrown in the ditch and they dont.try hide it . And when hurling is at its lowest level its an easy go to to blame it .
Most things they will try introduce/propose will have an element of that agenda .of anti football
So straightaway any person who likes the big ball will be suspicious of the underlying agenda of any of their proposals . The county would not be able to survive without the football and the money it generates and I dont mean gate receipts .
Wexford fc and soccer are draining a lot of talent from our underage teams from what i hear even if its only 3 or 4 a year at u14 they are the most athletic and have most potential . When lost to hurling at young age there is very little chance they can come back as talented hurlers might as footballers alright hurling no.
We are losing the battle for talented players to soccer and other professional sports . Football is not the reason we are struggling at hurling .
How many years are the dual players gone from dev squads .
Has it improved the quality of the hurling squads .
Or are there other factors more at play
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 677 - 25/08/2026 09:36:32
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Replying To Onfor15: "Having seen a lot of club hurling over the last 10 years, this year's senior championship has been the worst I've ever seen in terms of standard. It has been awful viewing so far. There are lads who have been in and out of the county panel showing nothing for their clubs. The under 20 county players as a bunch are only peripheral players for their clubs at best, even in the lower grades. Players who have played intercounty senior and under 20 over the last 5 years unable to perform the basic skills under pressure.
When I look at games from other counties who take hurling seriously there is a clear gulf in the pace of the game, the intensity of it and the skill level.
There was a proposal a few posts back to expand senior to 15 and have 3 groups of 5. I couldn't disagree more. There are scarcely 12 good enough to call themselves senior. I'd reduce it to 10 teams in each grade. 2 groups of 5...4 group games, each club has a break/bye week. Top team into county semi final, 2 v 3 in quarter finals, 4 finished and 5 in relegation final.
But regardless of what the format is, our systems are producing bang average players." Of our u20s that Ive seen playing this year who are u20 again next year I think Carley has done well enough for Barntown, Jamie Kennedy has done pretty well for Gorey, Reilly has had good games for Rathnure, Hyland has done better for Rapps than I thought he would tbh, Jack Nolan has started to hit form for Oylegate too. Oisin Moores been solid for Oulart. Think Jack Young is u20 again next year, and has been decent for Ferns. Is Marin Kisov u20 again next year? Connor Fanning was superb against Blackwater for Liam Mellows.
Others just out of u20 who are doing OK are Josh Roche and Sean Denton (who didnt commit to u20 this year) for Shels, Mooney has had good moments for Rathnure, Ciaran Doyle has improved for the Annes also. Don't think that Ferns are playing Roark in his best position every game. Niall Furlong ok for the Alley in what's been an unimpressive year so far for them. Ronan Shannon has worked hard to help James dog out their last few games. His county midfield partner Doran Daly O'Toole has been going well for Liam Mellows.
Overall as a panel they have all done OK, or better.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20540 - 25/08/2026 11:01:26
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Replying To Formertownie: " Replying To Pikeman96: "Can't help but notice the HAC continue to get a lot of grief here for "being fixated on games for the sake of games".
So, I'll just throw out another reminder that the two groups of six structure was introduced all the way back in 2012. At the time, the HAC had barely even been formed, had a remit to do with underage hurling only, and had no role whatsoever in introducing that system.. And clubs have voted to keep that system every chance they've had since then. The only two years we didn't have it were the Covid years of 2020 and '21, when clubs didn't have a say in the matter.
I don't claim to speak for the HAC but I'm guessing their proposals start from a point of "right, no point in even proposing anything other than two groups of six, because every time somebody does that, it just gets shot down. So we'll just concentrate on how we could work things <u>after</u> the groups of six are already completed.""</div>Thats true I m not saying they are the people that introduced it .
The point i m trying to make is everyone knows some if not all on the hac would rather footballs were thrown in the ditch and they dont.try hide it . And when hurling is at its lowest level its an easy go to to blame it .
Most things they will try introduce/propose will have an element of that agenda .of anti football
So straightaway any person who likes the big ball will be suspicious of the underlying agenda of any of their proposals . The county would not be able to survive without the football and the money it generates and I dont mean gate receipts .
Wexford fc and soccer are draining a lot of talent from our underage teams from what i hear even if its only 3 or 4 a year at u14 they are the most athletic and have most potential . When lost to hurling at young age there is very little chance they can come back as talented hurlers might as footballers alright hurling no.
We are losing the battle for talented players to soccer and other professional sports . Football is not the reason we are struggling at hurling .
How many years are the dual players gone from dev squads .
Has it improved the quality of the hurling squads .
Or are there other factors more at play" Completely agree. Its the age old wexford approach. Tried and tested to fail.
tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1687 - 25/08/2026 11:25:28
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Replying To Formertownie: " Replying To Pikeman96: "Can't help but notice the HAC continue to get a lot of grief here for "being fixated on games for the sake of games".
So, I'll just throw out another reminder that the two groups of six structure was introduced all the way back in 2012. At the time, the HAC had barely even been formed, had a remit to do with underage hurling only, and had no role whatsoever in introducing that system.. And clubs have voted to keep that system every chance they've had since then. The only two years we didn't have it were the Covid years of 2020 and '21, when clubs didn't have a say in the matter.
I don't claim to speak for the HAC but I'm guessing their proposals start from a point of "right, no point in even proposing anything other than two groups of six, because every time somebody does that, it just gets shot down. So we'll just concentrate on how we could work things <u>after</u> the groups of six are already completed.""</div>Thats true I m not saying they are the people that introduced it .
The point i m trying to make is everyone knows some if not all on the hac would rather footballs were thrown in the ditch and they dont.try hide it . And when hurling is at its lowest level its an easy go to to blame it .
Most things they will try introduce/propose will have an element of that agenda .of anti football
So straightaway any person who likes the big ball will be suspicious of the underlying agenda of any of their proposals . The county would not be able to survive without the football and the money it generates and I dont mean gate receipts .
Wexford fc and soccer are draining a lot of talent from our underage teams from what i hear even if its only 3 or 4 a year at u14 they are the most athletic and have most potential . When lost to hurling at young age there is very little chance they can come back as talented hurlers might as footballers alright hurling no.
We are losing the battle for talented players to soccer and other professional sports . Football is not the reason we are struggling at hurling .
How many years are the dual players gone from dev squads .
Has it improved the quality of the hurling squads .
Or are there other factors more at play" Its only 3 years we havent had dual players at u14. As regards the quality of the hurling squads its hard to say, but that wasnt why it was introduced in the 1st place. There were a number of factors, ranging from burnout to actual logistics, as in when to have training sessions so that dual players at development squad level could be accommodated. As it was they missed many Football and Hurling sessions every year because they clashed, or were one after another. I do also get that most of these lads are dual at club and school level anyway. Another thing about having no dual players that has benefitted our Footballers already, and that will benefit our hurlers down the line if they ever start doing it, is that you have your best players avaiable every session to work at on field team tactical and positional stuff.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20540 - 25/08/2026 12:00:37
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I 100% think the standard of club hurling in Wexford is just very very average and its a world apart from club hurling in Tipp and Kilkenny.
The final round of a 5 game group needs to be
1. Teams busting a gut to finish top two
2. Teams busting a gut to avoid relegation
3. Teams busting a gut to qualify.
Having 5 teams out of 6 going through just results in teams going through the motions once they are safe from relegation. Its just pure psychology, "we live to fight another day". I know the argument that you could be in relegation final on 4 points but so what? Its a results based game and you had 5 games to determine your fate.
A max of 4 should be coming out of the group, and would consider reducing it to 3. This is not Go-Games we're playing.
Knockout then is 1st v 2nd (Game1), 3rd v 4th (Game2), with losers of Game1's v winners of Game2 with the winners of that playing Game1 winners in county semi finals.
I just looked at the upcoming fixtures and I note Gorey, St. Martins and The Harriers playing Division 6 at U14, and Rapparees playing Division 3 at that age. You can't have a good group every year, but Division 6 is shocking for any team bar the smallest of clubs with a tiny pick. All those clubs have huge numbers, something is going wrong somewhere if that is their level?
Minor semi finalists are Rathgarogue-Cushinstown, Barntown, Monageer and Slaney Harriers. Of these 4, only Barntown were any force at underage and Bunclody on and off. There is great work going on in these clubs, but what has happened to the Martin's, Harriers, etc at this level? Oulart, Oylegate, Rapps and Gorey were the other premier competitors.
Buffers Alley have not done anything of note at underage for a very long time so its not much of a surprise to see them struggling to keep paces as other clubs have overtaken them.
StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 2165 - 25/08/2026 13:56:53
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Replying To StoreysTash: "I 100% think the standard of club hurling in Wexford is just very very average and its a world apart from club hurling in Tipp and Kilkenny.
The final round of a 5 game group needs to be
1. Teams busting a gut to finish top two
2. Teams busting a gut to avoid relegation
3. Teams busting a gut to qualify.
Having 5 teams out of 6 going through just results in teams going through the motions once they are safe from relegation. Its just pure psychology, "we live to fight another day". I know the argument that you could be in relegation final on 4 points but so what? Its a results based game and you had 5 games to determine your fate.
A max of 4 should be coming out of the group, and would consider reducing it to 3. This is not Go-Games we're playing.
Knockout then is 1st v 2nd (Game1), 3rd v 4th (Game2), with losers of Game1's v winners of Game2 with the winners of that playing Game1 winners in county semi finals.
I just looked at the upcoming fixtures and I note Gorey, St. Martins and The Harriers playing Division 6 at U14, and Rapparees playing Division 3 at that age. You can't have a good group every year, but Division 6 is shocking for any team bar the smallest of clubs with a tiny pick. All those clubs have huge numbers, something is going wrong somewhere if that is their level?
Minor semi finalists are Rathgarogue-Cushinstown, Barntown, Monageer and Slaney Harriers. Of these 4, only Barntown were any force at underage and Bunclody on and off. There is great work going on in these clubs, but what has happened to the Martin's, Harriers, etc at this level? Oulart, Oylegate, Rapps and Gorey were the other premier competitors.
Buffers Alley have not done anything of note at underage for a very long time so its not much of a surprise to see them struggling to keep paces as other clubs have overtaken them." "Gorey, St. Martins and The Harriers playing Division 6 at U14" - That's their B teams
All are in Division 1 or Division 2 at U14 level
However Harriers are poor at U12 / U10 currently - They played their final game of the Div 1 competition and pretty much fielded their B team as quite a few of their better lads were on holidays or playing soccer. Glynn Barntown have similiar issues. I defo wouldn't see Bunclody as a force in underage at either hurling or football. Monageer have done well last few years but are starting to struggle and are siding more towards football again. There was a prominent former hurler from Rathnure involved with their underage setup for last 10/12 years and you can see the strives they made there.
MyOhMi (Wexford) - Posts: 363 - 25/08/2026 14:21:33
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Replying To MyOhMi: ""Gorey, St. Martins and The Harriers playing Division 6 at U14" - That's their B teams
All are in Division 1 or Division 2 at U14 level
However Harriers are poor at U12 / U10 currently - They played their final game of the Div 1 competition and pretty much fielded their B team as quite a few of their better lads were on holidays or playing soccer. Glynn Barntown have similiar issues. I defo wouldn't see Bunclody as a force in underage at either hurling or football. Monageer have done well last few years but are starting to struggle and are siding more towards football again. There was a prominent former hurler from Rathnure involved with their underage setup for last 10/12 years and you can see the strives they made there." Yes, at U14 level, it's the "B" teams of those clubs who are playing at U14 level.
For me, the big shock in at Minor, where both St. Martin's and Rathnure are in Roinn 2. And when you consider there's a Premier grade in Minor, that means they're actually competing in the third tier (i.e. Premier, Roinn 1, Roinn 2).
To answer StoreysTash about the Harriers at Minor - they were in Roinn 1 but lost their quarter-final to Davidstown-Courtnacuddy by 3-16 to 4-12 in what was obviously a close one. They're down to play Buffers Alley in their Shield semi-final.
Meanwhile, looks like the Alley were hockeyed by Ferns in their own quarter-final: final score, 7-17 to 1-9.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3912 - 25/08/2026 15:17:41
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Replying To Onfor15: "Having seen a lot of club hurling over the last 10 years, this year's senior championship has been the worst I've ever seen in terms of standard. It has been awful viewing so far. There are lads who have been in and out of the county panel showing nothing for their clubs. The under 20 county players as a bunch are only peripheral players for their clubs at best, even in the lower grades. Players who have played intercounty senior and under 20 over the last 5 years unable to perform the basic skills under pressure.
When I look at games from other counties who take hurling seriously there is a clear gulf in the pace of the game, the intensity of it and the skill level.
There was a proposal a few posts back to expand senior to 15 and have 3 groups of 5. I couldn't disagree more. There are scarcely 12 good enough to call themselves senior. I'd reduce it to 10 teams in each grade. 2 groups of 5...4 group games, each club has a break/bye week. Top team into county semi final, 2 v 3 in quarter finals, 4 finished and 5 in relegation final.
But regardless of what the format is, our systems are producing bang average players." That was my proposal if u read it properly there were 2 groups of 5 of senior standard and 1 groups of 5 made up of 3 best imter tesms and 2 worst senior teams .
Top 2 in that group play 4th place of other 2 groups in preliminary 1/4 final . Thus the best teams are suppose to be in 2 top groups or 10 teams and next best 5 in group where top 2 go into senior preliminary 1/4 final 3rd 4th go back into intermediate 1/4 final . Might help the teams coming up stay and improve rather than go straight back diwn again .
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 677 - 25/08/2026 15:28:53
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Replying To StoreysTash: "I 100% think the standard of club hurling in Wexford is just very very average and its a world apart from club hurling in Tipp and Kilkenny.
The final round of a 5 game group needs to be
1. Teams busting a gut to finish top two
2. Teams busting a gut to avoid relegation
3. Teams busting a gut to qualify.
Having 5 teams out of 6 going through just results in teams going through the motions once they are safe from relegation. Its just pure psychology, "we live to fight another day". I know the argument that you could be in relegation final on 4 points but so what? Its a results based game and you had 5 games to determine your fate.
A max of 4 should be coming out of the group, and would consider reducing it to 3. This is not Go-Games we're playing.
Knockout then is 1st v 2nd (Game1), 3rd v 4th (Game2), with losers of Game1's v winners of Game2 with the winners of that playing Game1 winners in county semi finals.
I just looked at the upcoming fixtures and I note Gorey, St. Martins and The Harriers playing Division 6 at U14, and Rapparees playing Division 3 at that age. You can't have a good group every year, but Division 6 is shocking for any team bar the smallest of clubs with a tiny pick. All those clubs have huge numbers, something is going wrong somewhere if that is their level?
Minor semi finalists are Rathgarogue-Cushinstown, Barntown, Monageer and Slaney Harriers. Of these 4, only Barntown were any force at underage and Bunclody on and off. There is great work going on in these clubs, but what has happened to the Martin's, Harriers, etc at this level? Oulart, Oylegate, Rapps and Gorey were the other premier competitors.
Buffers Alley have not done anything of note at underage for a very long time so its not much of a surprise to see them struggling to keep paces as other clubs have overtaken them." Thats there 2nd teams
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 677 - 25/08/2026 15:33:04
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Replying To MyOhMi: ""Gorey, St. Martins and The Harriers playing Division 6 at U14" - That's their B teams
All are in Division 1 or Division 2 at U14 level
However Harriers are poor at U12 / U10 currently - They played their final game of the Div 1 competition and pretty much fielded their B team as quite a few of their better lads were on holidays or playing soccer. Glynn Barntown have similiar issues. I defo wouldn't see Bunclody as a force in underage at either hurling or football. Monageer have done well last few years but are starting to struggle and are siding more towards football again. There was a prominent former hurler from Rathnure involved with their underage setup for last 10/12 years and you can see the strives they made there." Soccer is draining the talent from hurling where we admit it or not . And not just confined to towns teams .we cant compete with the dreams of kids or their parents that are being sold end of .
Our national gsme is not attractive to most at present outside the big 6 ot 7 countie which we are not .
It's a national ptoblem the game us shrinking before our very eyes . Answers I don't know . But its not trying to downgrade our other national sport which seems to be growing in popularity .
Look at football kobe mac gone to professional Afl . He is the golden boy this year and what was here to hold him he may return he may not .. like all counties and all clubs young men are going travelling nothing to hold them here .
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 677 - 25/08/2026 15:41:55
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