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Wexford Hurling 2025

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "Just finished watching, Kilkenny were just blown away by an excellent Tipp side.
I think its important to be realistic, Wexford are a mile off the pace. Laois knocked us out and Kilkenny still beat them well.
We need a team to come through and start breaking some of these glass ceilings for ourselves.
I hate talk about an "off day" because its just another excuse. Its a bit like "Wexford hate Thurles" like its a pitch with 2 goals. The problem we have is that we are not good enough to beat many teams who we play there I.e Munster counties.
Watching Brendan Cummins on the sideline this morning, he was absolutely up for it and I think Wexford are too calm in our sideline manner. I'm not promoting Davy antics but let the referee and linesman and 4th official know what you think.
But before that becomes a decider, we need to produce better players and that is the long and short of it."
Again we need to be looking at what's actually going wrong between 15 to minor to 20.

We're producing better than most up to then.

Personally I think it's a combination of time, nutrition and psychology.

We were a bit of a shambles this year.

There are good technical hurlers there. I won't accept anyone saying there isn't.

Everybody talks about s and c. The programmes are fine. You can do all the lifting you want, you won't get any bigger unless your macros are right.

Psychology point is more difficult. There's nearly a feeling from top to bottom that we can just take it or leave it. Can you teach lads to want it more? I don't know....

I'm sure they all want it, but are we teaching players to channel that in the right way?

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3681 - 01/06/2025 08:06:33    2613897

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "Just finished watching, Kilkenny were just blown away by an excellent Tipp side.
I think its important to be realistic, Wexford are a mile off the pace. Laois knocked us out and Kilkenny still beat them well.
We need a team to come through and start breaking some of these glass ceilings for ourselves.
I hate talk about an "off day" because its just another excuse. Its a bit like "Wexford hate Thurles" like its a pitch with 2 goals. The problem we have is that we are not good enough to beat many teams who we play there I.e Munster counties.
Watching Brendan Cummins on the sideline this morning, he was absolutely up for it and I think Wexford are too calm in our sideline manner. I'm not promoting Davy antics but let the referee and linesman and 4th official know what you think.
But before that becomes a decider, we need to produce better players and that is the long and short of it."
If you think that being in an officials face or complaining aggressively has any influence on them then you have never been one. If anything it has the opposite impact, it may make the manager feel good and I believe its all done for the players especially when its with opposing management teams. However the impact of seeing it on the TV is that it happens in club games all over the country and where the lads on the TV can hold their temper some at club do not. What I don't understand is why in Football the rules have changed to stamp out this behavior but it seems in Hurling its not a problem.

zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 1986 - 01/06/2025 09:57:10    2613926

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "I see what you did there LOL"
:) I think it soared past many heads.

ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1365 - 01/06/2025 12:54:19    2613972

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Replying To zinny:  "If you think that being in an officials face or complaining aggressively has any influence on them then you have never been one. If anything it has the opposite impact, it may make the manager feel good and I believe its all done for the players especially when its with opposing management teams. However the impact of seeing it on the TV is that it happens in club games all over the country and where the lads on the TV can hold their temper some at club do not. What I don't understand is why in Football the rules have changed to stamp out this behavior but it seems in Hurling its not a problem."
Referees are human, I don't believe in shouting and yelping on the line but I too believe if you look at Brian Lohan or Brian Cody on the line there is no way referees aren't a little afraid of them.
You have to channel it the right way I believe, but its no harm to plead your case from time to time. You might just get the next decision or buy one in your favour. I'm not saying its right but its the case.
It should not happen but you draw the line long before foul language, abusing players or appealing every decision.

ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1365 - 01/06/2025 13:01:11    2613973

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "Again we need to be looking at what's actually going wrong between 15 to minor to 20.

We're producing better than most up to then.

Personally I think it's a combination of time, nutrition and psychology.

We were a bit of a shambles this year.

There are good technical hurlers there. I won't accept anyone saying there isn't.

Everybody talks about s and c. The programmes are fine. You can do all the lifting you want, you won't get any bigger unless your macros are right.

Psychology point is more difficult. There's nearly a feeling from top to bottom that we can just take it or leave it. Can you teach lads to want it more? I don't know....

I'm sure they all want it, but are we teaching players to channel that in the right way?"
Soccer.

icehonesty (Wexford) - Posts: 2581 - 01/06/2025 13:25:05    2613981

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "Again we need to be looking at what's actually going wrong between 15 to minor to 20.

We're producing better than most up to then.

Personally I think it's a combination of time, nutrition and psychology.

We were a bit of a shambles this year.

There are good technical hurlers there. I won't accept anyone saying there isn't.

Everybody talks about s and c. The programmes are fine. You can do all the lifting you want, you won't get any bigger unless your macros are right.

Psychology point is more difficult. There's nearly a feeling from top to bottom that we can just take it or leave it. Can you teach lads to want it more? I don't know....

I'm sure they all want it, but are we teaching players to channel that in the right way?"
Yep there's something in it.

Genuinely in terms of ability we produce players as good as anyone, that's a fact. But there's something missing.

I do think things are too nice, like we have an obsession with games, just keep playing as many games as possible a d we don't care about the content of the games.

We are happy to play away h der no pressure, look at our county championship, no pressure, 2 months of hurling a little above all county league level, then when it comes to actual pressure games at intercounty and we fold, of course we do, we aren't used to it.

People will argue the county championship isn't the be all and end all and yes it's not, but it's a factor and it points to a mindset of lets make things as handy as possible for us, let's remove as much pressure as possible.

We don't want it as much cos there's always an excuse, always a second day or third day or 6th day in our case. It's a mindset.

tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1514 - 01/06/2025 15:38:52    2614015

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Replying To tearintom:  "Yep there's something in it.

Genuinely in terms of ability we produce players as good as anyone, that's a fact. But there's something missing.

I do think things are too nice, like we have an obsession with games, just keep playing as many games as possible a d we don't care about the content of the games.

We are happy to play away h der no pressure, look at our county championship, no pressure, 2 months of hurling a little above all county league level, then when it comes to actual pressure games at intercounty and we fold, of course we do, we aren't used to it.

People will argue the county championship isn't the be all and end all and yes it's not, but it's a factor and it points to a mindset of lets make things as handy as possible for us, let's remove as much pressure as possible.

We don't want it as much cos there's always an excuse, always a second day or third day or 6th day in our case. It's a mindset."
I am with you here, in Wexford I feel the mindset after any bad result is "We didn't need to win that game, this other one is more important". I think this is a cop-out from players, supporters and managers.
You need to be willing to burst your gut to win EVERY BALL let alone every game. Players are often too nice in Wexford. We need more of a fight in our players from corner forward back to the full back line. No ball should ever come out easy in an u12 match let alone a senior match.
I'm not advocating for dirty play now or anything but I do think the intensity across the board in Wexford is not what it needs to be and this is being borne out in our senior teams.

ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1365 - 03/06/2025 13:07:08    2614548

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Replying To ExiledInWex:  "I am with you here, in Wexford I feel the mindset after any bad result is "We didn't need to win that game, this other one is more important". I think this is a cop-out from players, supporters and managers.
You need to be willing to burst your gut to win EVERY BALL let alone every game. Players are often too nice in Wexford. We need more of a fight in our players from corner forward back to the full back line. No ball should ever come out easy in an u12 match let alone a senior match.
I'm not advocating for dirty play now or anything but I do think the intensity across the board in Wexford is not what it needs to be and this is being borne out in our senior teams."
Absolutely. For me there's no excuse for being out worked.

We did a much better job of that last year across the whole season and it gives a good indication of what we're capable of.

This year from the first night against Cork in the Park the attitude hasn't been great.

In fairness you could pick out a handful of individual exceptions.

It's too depressing to have no county team to follow until 2026......

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3681 - 03/06/2025 13:38:07    2614559

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Replying To ExiledInWex:  "I am with you here, in Wexford I feel the mindset after any bad result is "We didn't need to win that game, this other one is more important". I think this is a cop-out from players, supporters and managers.
You need to be willing to burst your gut to win EVERY BALL let alone every game. Players are often too nice in Wexford. We need more of a fight in our players from corner forward back to the full back line. No ball should ever come out easy in an u12 match let alone a senior match.
I'm not advocating for dirty play now or anything but I do think the intensity across the board in Wexford is not what it needs to be and this is being borne out in our senior teams."
That's what is wrong at all levels of club hurling from underage up to senior. Sure look at underage it's basically go games stuff
No incentive to drive lads on sure if we don't win co championship we have the shield
I said it before its embarrassing and does no club any good having a shield competition for u16 and up
As for adult competitions no intensity in group games as nearly everyone goes through
Then we expect co players to play with intensity and passion once they put on co jersey
We need change NOW

Spidey1 (Wicklow) - Posts: 19 - 03/06/2025 15:25:48    2614600

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Replying To Spidey1:  "That's what is wrong at all levels of club hurling from underage up to senior. Sure look at underage it's basically go games stuff
No incentive to drive lads on sure if we don't win co championship we have the shield
I said it before its embarrassing and does no club any good having a shield competition for u16 and up
As for adult competitions no intensity in group games as nearly everyone goes through
Then we expect co players to play with intensity and passion once they put on co jersey
We need change NOW"
There's a strong emphasis in Wexford to adhere to the GAA rules about inclusion and fun, that most other counties lose somewhat after u12. I could name a club where up to the age underage players are guaranteed at least a half a championship game regardless of ability or interest.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16103 - 03/06/2025 16:12:58    2614622

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Replying To Spidey1:  "That's what is wrong at all levels of club hurling from underage up to senior. Sure look at underage it's basically go games stuff
No incentive to drive lads on sure if we don't win co championship we have the shield
I said it before its embarrassing and does no club any good having a shield competition for u16 and up
As for adult competitions no intensity in group games as nearly everyone goes through
Then we expect co players to play with intensity and passion once they put on co jersey
We need change NOW"
Guaranteed half a game in every championship game.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16103 - 03/06/2025 16:22:29    2614627

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Replying To Viking66:  "There's a strong emphasis in Wexford to adhere to the GAA rules about inclusion and fun, that most other counties lose somewhat after u12. I could name a club where up to the age underage players are guaranteed at least a half a championship game regardless of ability or interest."
I have no problem with go games
The idea is great and every child should get game time
The point I'm making is from u16 up you are in a co championship . The best team wins.If your team doesn't get to a final surely the emphasis is on the team to try harder to improve to up their game for next year competition.
As far as I know there is no shield competition in soccer or rugby so why do we have it

Spidey1 (Wicklow) - Posts: 19 - 03/06/2025 22:37:32    2614691

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Fact of the matter is you can have too many games .
Rose sully ines that means very little .
A championship that is shorter less games and more at stake especially underage . Where losing has a price .
Have nt thought much of a structure for it .
But then possibly do inter county blitz or leagues in between .
County boards using their divisional rankings to organise between counties for every level even almalgamating to make stronger competitors from weaker clubs in any given year.
Possible groupings east waterford ,south kilkenny ; Carlow wiclow . Regional winners go on to . Leinster and possibly all Ireland
This way not too much travelling .
Hosted and run by clubs in conjunction with co board and central council
Would be good way to measure progress over the years and mix up the completion. Play Saturdays or sundays during summer .
Could even do it starting u13 u15 and u17 .
To keep the lads playing not up to the age in a given year .
Something similar to the sfai completion but each team guaranteed at least 3 games over the summer inter county.

Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 364 - 04/06/2025 09:27:53    2614738

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Replying To tearintom:  "Yep there's something in it.

Genuinely in terms of ability we produce players as good as anyone, that's a fact. But there's something missing.

I do think things are too nice, like we have an obsession with games, just keep playing as many games as possible a d we don't care about the content of the games.

We are happy to play away h der no pressure, look at our county championship, no pressure, 2 months of hurling a little above all county league level, then when it comes to actual pressure games at intercounty and we fold, of course we do, we aren't used to it.

People will argue the county championship isn't the be all and end all and yes it's not, but it's a factor and it points to a mindset of lets make things as handy as possible for us, let's remove as much pressure as possible.

We don't want it as much cos there's always an excuse, always a second day or third day or 6th day in our case. It's a mindset."
Fully agree with you . We need to go back to top 4 go through. 1st v 4th in quarter final. Bottom 2 teams in each group play relegation semi finals. There has to be something on the line in championship games how can we call it championship when the team who finishes bottom can still win the county final.
We also need to let our 18 year olds to be able to play adult hurling. That is really holding us back at u20 inter county and maybe even senior as they are losing a year where they could be playing against men.
Clubs need to think about the betterment of Wexford hurling and not just for themselves.

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 644 - 04/06/2025 10:24:18    2614750

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Replying To Spidey1:  "I have no problem with go games
The idea is great and every child should get game time
The point I'm making is from u16 up you are in a co championship . The best team wins.If your team doesn't get to a final surely the emphasis is on the team to try harder to improve to up their game for next year competition.
As far as I know there is no shield competition in soccer or rugby so why do we have it"
In soccer and rugby, leagues are the most important aspect and they run for the entire season and then they have a cup competition. We have all different types of structures, championship run on a league basis, straight knockout with a loosers competition etc.
However what is wrong with giving players extra games, if you have an 8 team group and the top 4 play in the Cup and bottom in the Shield what harm is it doing. The bottom 4 have perhaps taking a few heavy beatings from the top guys and know they are not good enough but they get a chance to play in the shield against their own standard. Do they think they are the best if they win it - no but is it some reward for the effort they may have put in over the year and it may encourage them to come back and be better the following year - yes. Do you think berating young lads and telling them they are no good is going to get them to be better. The amount of lads I grew up with who stopped playing the game in their early teens is unreal and I still see it happening today. Kids are being labled at 12/14/16 years of age, the game is going backwards not forwards. Yet at Senior level in Hurling everyone wants to stay in the Championship as long as possible. However just because its wrong at adult it doesn't mean it's not right at underage.

zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 1986 - 04/06/2025 11:26:32    2614770

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "Fully agree with you . We need to go back to top 4 go through. 1st v 4th in quarter final. Bottom 2 teams in each group play relegation semi finals. There has to be something on the line in championship games how can we call it championship when the team who finishes bottom can still win the county final.
We also need to let our 18 year olds to be able to play adult hurling. That is really holding us back at u20 inter county and maybe even senior as they are losing a year where they could be playing against men.
Clubs need to think about the betterment of Wexford hurling and not just for themselves."
Agree 100%

Loads of people disagree with me but the point of a club is to produce county players.

There's loads of other great benefits of course but we need to be all working together to produce the best county teams we can.

The knock on of that is if you produce loads of county players your club will be winning anyway.

Every young lads ambition should be walking up the steps of the Hogan in purple and gold. If it's not then we're doing it wrong.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3681 - 04/06/2025 11:45:34    2614780

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It should be the goal of every club to produce county players. It should be an item of great pride for every club to see players with their club named in a programme.
So why the hell do some underage coaches try to hold their players back from development squads, etc when they will be getting better coaching in there? Is it a sense that if the player makes it they can say "I made him" rather than "we all made him"?
I never understand the mindset.
Also, I started playing adult young enough and no amount of games would prepare you for 2nd or 3rd team hurling against hardened veterans. You invariably come up against an old warrior past his best with every trick in the book. It toughens players up no end.

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1852 - 04/06/2025 12:19:30    2614793

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "Agree 100%

Loads of people disagree with me but the point of a club is to produce county players.

There's loads of other great benefits of course but we need to be all working together to produce the best county teams we can.

The knock on of that is if you produce loads of county players your club will be winning anyway.

Every young lads ambition should be walking up the steps of the Hogan in purple and gold. If it's not then we're doing it wrong."
Clubs existed before county teams Doyler. Maybe the whole point to fielding successful county teams is to encourage young lads to take up hurling and football for their clubs? What do you think of that take Doyler ;-)

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16103 - 04/06/2025 13:05:14    2614813

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Replying To Viking66:  "Clubs existed before county teams Doyler. Maybe the whole point to fielding successful county teams is to encourage young lads to take up hurling and football for their clubs? What do you think of that take Doyler ;-)"
Absolutely they did, but our games have moved on and the pinnacle of achievement is to win an all Ireland with your county. That's the best of the best.

100% a successful county increases club numbers. The young lad/lady asks their parents on the way home from croke Park if they can do that when their older, the next stop is their club and the cycle starts again in an ideal world.

I loved Manchester United when I was young as well, but there was no thrill like bumping into Larry O Gorman :)

I recall my auld lad trying to get me to stay still on curracloe for a photograph with hanks and Spielberg and I saying "who are these nobody's?" George o Connor is standing over there :)

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3681 - 04/06/2025 13:49:45    2614840

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "Absolutely they did, but our games have moved on and the pinnacle of achievement is to win an all Ireland with your county. That's the best of the best.

100% a successful county increases club numbers. The young lad/lady asks their parents on the way home from croke Park if they can do that when their older, the next stop is their club and the cycle starts again in an ideal world.

I loved Manchester United when I was young as well, but there was no thrill like bumping into Larry O Gorman :)

I recall my auld lad trying to get me to stay still on curracloe for a photograph with hanks and Spielberg and I saying "who are these nobody's?" George o Connor is standing over there :)"
I agree the pinnacle of personal achievement in hurling is to bring Liam home to your county.
But it's not the be all and end all for the vast majority of players, who will never get to play Senior intercounty at all. And certainly as regards the GAA as an organisation, the aims are far more far reaching than some lads personal haul of celtic crosses.
Clubs have far more reasons to exist than merely supplying lads for intercounty games, and it's a sad fact that many former intercounty players put very little back into their clubs when they retire from playing. Granted some on account of not living where they are from and getting involved in new clubs, often with their kids.
What I absolutely agree with is that clubs should put more emphasis on the playing side of their affairs, from underage upwards, as this is what ultimately will encourage new members to join, and stay playing. Thus ensuring the continued existence and viability of the club. Success breeding success so to speak. The knock on effect of this, just as intercounty competition was the knock on effect of club activity all those years ago, is that our intercounty teams should be better.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16103 - 04/06/2025 14:20:30    2614857

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