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Replying To Formertownie: "Surely good players playing in lower divisions with their clubs should make 2nd level college teams and get tested at a higher level.. even if in a or b championship they get better exposure to higher level . Is this the place where intercounty underage individuals should be judged more tgan local club chsmpionship . Rather than div 4 or 5 .
Are nt there trials for all clubs where they send their most promising and capable/committed and best attitude players needing a combination of all three to be successful .
And this shold be done every year for every player so that no player is guaranteed a place on an underage squad . So complacency and nepotism can be weeded out ." Of course there are trials. There is also data collected on all the lads who were previously involved with development squads. And lads who are standing out with their clubs usually get noticed too.
There seems to be an impression some lads on this forum have that a lad gets to be manager by accident, gives the selectors jobs to a couple of his buddies, and then picks a group of lads because he drinks with their fathers.
The truth of the matter is any 2 of us could watch the same game and pick out 3 different lads to eachother who impressed us. Exceptional lads like Chin, Reck, Rory etc will stand out to anyone, but there are never many of these at one time in any county, except for the odd golden generation.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19133 - 07/04/2026 15:03:18
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One thing for sure we need to start winning a few underage games soon.
hunting (Wexford) - Posts: 1195 - 07/04/2026 15:19:48
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Replying To bigladforage: "The sad reality is that when boys return to their junior clubs from underage county teams the vast majority are lost to senior county as their development is lost , senior clubs martins ratnure harriers shels rathangan and all senior and top inter clubs train to county level, and will still produce our senior intercounty adult players
All clubs need to step up and raise the bar
I really admire st annes not a big pool to pick from and most years their underage are playing in low grades but maintain a high level of senior club land have produced some great players to our county and underage teams
Ballyhale in kilkenny play under age in the lower grades but still maintain a serious senior level , players need to be devloped at their clubs and the best devlopment is at senior level just the sad reality" I think you make some fair points and it makes me think how do we help to bridge the gap between the stronger and weaker clubs
I suppose district sides work well in Kerry and Cork and give players at smaller clubs a helping hand when it comes to playing at the top level but given how many young players play both hurling and football in Wexford, district sides are unfortunately not a viable option
It's probably been said before but as much as Wexford as a county should have a development plan, clubs (and schools) should have their own development plans too. Unfortunately, I get the sense that a lot of clubs would think this is a load of nonsense; ironically, I also get the sense that those most receptive to the concept of a development plan would be ones least in need of it whilst the clubs who need it the most are the ones least likely to be interested in it
Clubs should really set out their targets across four timeframes: 1-2 years, 3-5 years, 6-10 years, and 10 years+ at both adult and underage level and once they have that done, they should be outlining the processes (technical, tactical, physical, and psychological) by which they hope to achieve those targets
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1036 - 07/04/2026 16:39:55
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Replying To Viking66: "Of course there are trials. There is also data collected on all the lads who were previously involved with development squads. And lads who are standing out with their clubs usually get noticed too.
There seems to be an impression some lads on this forum have that a lad gets to be manager by accident, gives the selectors jobs to a couple of his buddies, and then picks a group of lads because he drinks with their fathers.
The truth of the matter is any 2 of us could watch the same game and pick out 3 different lads to eachother who impressed us. Exceptional lads like Chin, Reck, Rory etc will stand out to anyone, but there are never many of these at one time in any county, except for the odd golden generation." Yes of course there are trials every year but its not a clean slate every year . No player should be guaranteed a place on dev squad year on year they need to be challenged on their progress
To keep progressing every child needs to prove they are improving year on year . . And if your not released with the carrot of returning when u prove yourself .
Stats are wonderful are measurements etc but you still need to have a ruthless streak too .
No one person should have the final say but if its true I m hearing one person seems to dictating a little too much and if you cross him you are most certainly going to be discarded either directly or constructively.
If that one person had only the betterment of hurling alone as his only agenda that woild nt be so bad but fear he us a little more self serving than that .
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 568 - 07/04/2026 17:15:07
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Replying To hunting: "One thing for sure we need to start winning a few underage games soon." Absolutely
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19133 - 07/04/2026 17:46:33
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Replying To bigladforage: "The sad reality is that when boys return to their junior clubs from underage county teams the vast majority are lost to senior county as their development is lost , senior clubs martins ratnure harriers shels rathangan and all senior and top inter clubs train to county level, and will still produce our senior intercounty adult players
All clubs need to step up and raise the bar
I really admire st annes not a big pool to pick from and most years their underage are playing in low grades but maintain a high level of senior club land have produced some great players to our county and underage teams
Ballyhale in kilkenny play under age in the lower grades but still maintain a serious senior level , players need to be devloped at their clubs and the best devlopment is at senior level just the sad reality" Most years Annes arent below div 2.
Ballyhale would start out at lower grades ok, as they havent the numbers.
Agree all the clubs need to step up, but there are Senior clubs who only coach their underage lads, at least at u12 and u14 and maybe older, once a week for large parts of each season , as they have the numbers to be competitive despite this.
There are other Senior clubs who only coach their lads for a shorter season, 2 only started back towards the end of April 2 years ago at u12 and u14, and finished up in September/October. Not sure what they are doing this year.
Just because a club is Senior at adult doesn't neccessarily mean they are perfect at underage.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19133 - 07/04/2026 17:53:21
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Replying To bigladforage: "You need the mixture of players, just look at gillane oneill english hegerty and even hayes of limerick last sunday, they are so strong fast and skillfull they do niot allow a ruck to develop, they run the ball and try to set up a scoring chance
Limerick cork and tipp last year have brought the game of hurling to a new level, if you dont keep up you will be left behind
So any one who thinks you build a game plan around rucks is old school now
You have to have all 3, skill speed and be strong but skill will allways be top" Podge Collins Draws Interesting Kilkenny Comparison With Limerick | Balls.ie https://share.google/8KrOBSXEl41bHpf8X
A good read. You need lads who can win their own ball. Be fast enough to get to it 1st, tall enough or just good in the air to catch it, or have the inner dog and strength to win contested ball on the ground. Some of the lads you have mentioned dont really excel at any of the ways to get a ball into your hand, never mind 2 or all 3 of them.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19133 - 07/04/2026 22:35:43
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Replying To Formertownie: "Yes of course there are trials every year but its not a clean slate every year . No player should be guaranteed a place on dev squad year on year they need to be challenged on their progress
To keep progressing every child needs to prove they are improving year on year . . And if your not released with the carrot of returning when u prove yourself .
Stats are wonderful are measurements etc but you still need to have a ruthless streak too .
No one person should have the final say but if its true I m hearing one person seems to dictating a little too much and if you cross him you are most certainly going to be discarded either directly or constructively.
If that one person had only the betterment of hurling alone as his only agenda that woild nt be so bad but fear he us a little more self serving than that ." Not sure who you mean there. But I know you are wrong about our development squads. A couple examples spring to mind. Last year 7 lads were brought into the u14 squad. 15 lads off last years u14s didnt make this years u15s, and a lad from our club who was on the u14s, and then didnt make the u15s, is back in now with the u15s.
Our squads are alot more fluid than you seem to think. And as far as I know no one lad has any great say in all the squads.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19133 - 07/04/2026 22:39:28
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Replying To Viking66: "Not sure who you mean there. But I know you are wrong about our development squads. A couple examples spring to mind. Last year 7 lads were brought into the u14 squad. 15 lads off last years u14s didnt make this years u15s, and a lad from our club who was on the u14s, and then didnt make the u15s, is back in now with the u15s.
Our squads are alot more fluid than you seem to think. And as far as I know no one lad has any great say in all the squads." Back in with the u16s that should read
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19133 - 07/04/2026 23:05:50
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Replying To Viking66: "Not sure who you mean there. But I know you are wrong about our development squads. A couple examples spring to mind. Last year 7 lads were brought into the u14 squad. 15 lads off last years u14s didnt make this years u15s, and a lad from our club who was on the u14s, and then didnt make the u15s, is back in now with the u15s.
Our squads are alot more fluid than you seem to think. And as far as I know no one lad has any great say in all the squads." I may not be 100% accurate on all points raised but I am entitled to post and reply on here with my opinion and not just with random judgements .
It may be getting better and certainly there would be 50 to 60% of the dev squad would definitely make it the following year . And it should be the case that's it's fluid where form.players can be introduced. Will kennedy cup hurlers be reintroduced to Tony forrustal squad if after soccer done they then stand out at club .
In your opinion should they be reintroduced or forgotten about until the following year's trials at u15.
If you read my post you will see i mean every year every player should have to go through the trials process it might just get lads thinking u know what I need to keep up my progress and not stagnate improving them by that 2 to 5% to make them more competitive . .
As regards the certain person I ve heard a few stories from coaches where by they have been dictated to or removed for not implementing or disagreeing on certain aspects . I ll leave it at that.
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 568 - 08/04/2026 10:10:06
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Replying To Formertownie: "I may not be 100% accurate on all points raised but I am entitled to post and reply on here with my opinion and not just with random judgements .
It may be getting better and certainly there would be 50 to 60% of the dev squad would definitely make it the following year . And it should be the case that's it's fluid where form.players can be introduced. Will kennedy cup hurlers be reintroduced to Tony forrustal squad if after soccer done they then stand out at club .
In your opinion should they be reintroduced or forgotten about until the following year's trials at u15.
If you read my post you will see i mean every year every player should have to go through the trials process it might just get lads thinking u know what I need to keep up my progress and not stagnate improving them by that 2 to 5% to make them more competitive . .
As regards the certain person I ve heard a few stories from coaches where by they have been dictated to or removed for not implementing or disagreeing on certain aspects . I ll leave it at that." Ah ok I didn't hear that myself.
As regards the 7 lads brought in last year to the u14s I think maybe they fell into that category. They definitely showed form for their club anyway.
This year all the u14s from last year including 1st teamers had to go for u15 trials. 1 of our lads was one of those first teamers, and he wasnt sure if hed make the u15 squad. He did in the end, but he wasnt given any indication that he would do. And I agree 100% that thats the way it should be. A development squad should only be seen as a stepping stone towards the ultimate objective. There are lads whose ambition is to make a development squad, when really their ambition should be to win a Senior AI for Wexford.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19133 - 08/04/2026 11:31:04
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Replying To Formertownie: "I may not be 100% accurate on all points raised but I am entitled to post and reply on here with my opinion and not just with random judgements .
It may be getting better and certainly there would be 50 to 60% of the dev squad would definitely make it the following year . And it should be the case that's it's fluid where form.players can be introduced. Will kennedy cup hurlers be reintroduced to Tony forrustal squad if after soccer done they then stand out at club .
In your opinion should they be reintroduced or forgotten about until the following year's trials at u15.
If you read my post you will see i mean every year every player should have to go through the trials process it might just get lads thinking u know what I need to keep up my progress and not stagnate improving them by that 2 to 5% to make them more competitive . .
As regards the certain person I ve heard a few stories from coaches where by they have been dictated to or removed for not implementing or disagreeing on certain aspects . I ll leave it at that." I've genuinely absolutely no idea either about what individual or what alleged incidents you might be referring to. But what does occur to me is this:
We often hear it said that we "need" somebody responsible for an overall coaching & development plan that oversees all squads.
Seems it might be the case that somebody is trying to do that, but getting pushback from individual coaches/mentors with some squads? And now that individual is being criticised for trying to implement the overall plan, instead of just allowing the other individuals to pick & choose from it and just implement the parts they want to, while ignoring other parts?
So why have this overall plan at all, or somebody to try implement it, if others push back against being guided by it in the first place?
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3470 - 08/04/2026 13:10:48
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Replying To Pikeman96: "I've genuinely absolutely no idea either about what individual or what alleged incidents you might be referring to. But what does occur to me is this:
We often hear it said that we "need" somebody responsible for an overall coaching & development plan that oversees all squads.
Seems it might be the case that somebody is trying to do that, but getting pushback from individual coaches/mentors with some squads? And now that individual is being criticised for trying to implement the overall plan, instead of just allowing the other individuals to pick & choose from it and just implement the parts they want to, while ignoring other parts?
So why have this overall plan at all, or somebody to try implement it, if others push back against being guided by it in the first place?" That was a key recommendation of the Kinnerk/Meehan report. And therefore of the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19133 - 08/04/2026 14:11:19
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Replying To hunting: "One thing for sure we need to start winning a few underage games soon." We do. Our U20s look to be off the pace, were last year, our minors last year were hammered by KK, school teams getting hammered.
People often say "sure you don't need to win underage", its true but there is no doubt those 3 x U21 winning teams, apart from having the hurlers, went out every day to say "who is this Kilkenny lad, we bet them 3 years in a row".
I feel like we have heard for 5-6 years now about good U14 teams yet we are a mile off the pace at minor and u20. This is going to bite us on the rear at senior level very soon.
I hate to say we might be going the same way as Offaly but it looks very like it. We desperately need a top minor team to get to an All-Ireland semi final and be close at least in it. Not winning Leinster and being hockeyed by Munster teams at the business end.
We have to start finding a way to win games one way or other. I fully know its not as easy as that but we have to play angry v KK in the U20, go out and fng beat into them and prove we are better than last weekend. Wexford don't tend to play with the sort of spite and viciousness of other counties. We need to start instilling this in to the game both club and county. Play on the edge. Leave one on somebody and if a player gets a free at least make him earn it not just a high arm.
We're too nice. Everyone loves Wexford which is the worst place to be. Sympathy vote. To hell with that, we need to start paddling our own canoe because the holes are gaping and I think we are closer to being under water than people think.
StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1986 - 08/04/2026 15:15:46
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Just an aside but its great to see 5 starters on the u19 team from Ross District. And also great to see 3 more named among the 9 subs. Thats a third of the matchday squad. Best of luck to the whole team against Laois.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19133 - 08/04/2026 15:58:44
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Replying To Viking66: "Ah ok I didn't hear that myself.
As regards the 7 lads brought in last year to the u14s I think maybe they fell into that category. They definitely showed form for their club anyway.
This year all the u14s from last year including 1st teamers had to go for u15 trials. 1 of our lads was one of those first teamers, and he wasnt sure if hed make the u15 squad. He did in the end, but he wasnt given any indication that he would do. And I agree 100% that thats the way it should be. A development squad should only be seen as a stepping stone towards the ultimate objective. There are lads whose ambition is to make a development squad, when really their ambition should be to win a Senior AI for Wexford." Every player should want to win a senior all Ireland with Wexford. Otherwise there's no point in doing it. I'm saying this for years
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4406 - 08/04/2026 17:54:57
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Anyone know how the senior practice game v Carlow in Bellefield went tonight
wexfordchic (Wexford) - Posts: 17 - 08/04/2026 20:39:00
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Just had a look at a few of our U19 sides from the last few years
2024
John Sunderland (Shels)
Paddy Redmond (Craanford)
Matthew Bishop (Crossabeg)
James Kenny (Gorey)
Vincent Higgins (Ballyfad)
Ciarán Doyle (Anne's)
Billy Redmond (Craanford)
David McCarthy (Crossabeg)
Darragh Browne (Harriers)
Evan Quigley (Marshalstown)
Matthew Murphy (Cushinstown)
Cian Carthy (Glynn)
Steven Walsh (Gusserane)
Thomas Cummins (Horeswood)
Eoghan Cassin (Harriers)
2025
Charlie Ellard (OLI)
Ian Reilly (Rathnure)
Jack Young (Ferns)
Ben Harpur (Oulart)
Paddy Keavey (Ballygarrett)
Vincent Higgins (Ballyfad)
Jamie Doyle (Shels)
Aaron Ennis (OLI)
Liam Cooney (Glynn)
Sean Denton (Shels)
Emmet Kennedy Power (OLI)
Robbie Quinn (Askamore)
Adam O'Connell Byrne (Askamore)
Peter Wickham (Oulart)
Darragh Browne (Harriers)
I stand to be corrected but as for pass-through from U19 to U20, Ciarán Doyle started at U20 level last year and on Saturday, David McCarthy started last year, Eoghan Cassin started a few times as well unless I'm mistaken
Ian Reilly, Vincent Higgins, and Jack Young were on the bench while Billy Redmond, Adam O'Connell Byrne, and Darragh Browne were on Saturday's extended panel (Tadhg Doyle and Bobby Codd were on the U19 subs last year and were on Saturday's extended panel while Jason Rossiter was on the bench for the U19s in 2024 and was on the bench on Saturday)
This isn't me saying that the U19 competition is a bad idea; on the contrary, I think it's a good idea as it acts as a bridge for those good enough to be on an U20 team in time but not good enough to be on one right now. But it's important to remember that it's developmental and I don't think the point of it is to realistically develop future senior inter-county hurlers (They'll probably be on the U20 team proper although you do maybe get exceptions like Ciarán Doyle who I think is a bright prospect)
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1036 - 08/04/2026 21:56:54
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Replying To StoreysTash: "We do. Our U20s look to be off the pace, were last year, our minors last year were hammered by KK, school teams getting hammered.
People often say "sure you don't need to win underage", its true but there is no doubt those 3 x U21 winning teams, apart from having the hurlers, went out every day to say "who is this Kilkenny lad, we bet them 3 years in a row".
I feel like we have heard for 5-6 years now about good U14 teams yet we are a mile off the pace at minor and u20. This is going to bite us on the rear at senior level very soon.
I hate to say we might be going the same way as Offaly but it looks very like it. We desperately need a top minor team to get to an All-Ireland semi final and be close at least in it. Not winning Leinster and being hockeyed by Munster teams at the business end.
We have to start finding a way to win games one way or other. I fully know its not as easy as that but we have to play angry v KK in the U20, go out and fng beat into them and prove we are better than last weekend. Wexford don't tend to play with the sort of spite and viciousness of other counties. We need to start instilling this in to the game both club and county. Play on the edge. Leave one on somebody and if a player gets a free at least make him earn it not just a high arm.
We're too nice. Everyone loves Wexford which is the worst place to be. Sympathy vote. To hell with that, we need to start paddling our own canoe because the holes are gaping and I think we are closer to being under water than people think." Agree that we are in general too nice. Some of that is due to the way our refs ref the games too. Bringing ingredients the young lads up to tournaments in Tipp and Kilkenny last year really opened our eyes to this, and reinforced something Ive been saying for years.
As regards our u14s we have had 2 good u14 teams in a row, hopefully this years will be a 3rd good team. We werent hectic before that at u14. We were OK, competitive, but didnt reach finals like we did the last 2 years. The current minor team were decent at u14 for example.
It would be great to get a group like Offaly did that wins all the way up, but thats hard to get. Every county is hoping to get that. And it doesn't always work out at minor anyway. The last group that were a bit like that from u14-u16 were Tipps minors of last year, and they never made it out of the Munster Minor Round Robin and lost all their games.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19133 - 09/04/2026 08:18:19
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Just had a look at a few of our U19 sides from the last few years
2024
John Sunderland (Shels)
Paddy Redmond (Craanford)
Matthew Bishop (Crossabeg)
James Kenny (Gorey)
Vincent Higgins (Ballyfad)
Ciarán Doyle (Anne's)
Billy Redmond (Craanford)
David McCarthy (Crossabeg)
Darragh Browne (Harriers)
Evan Quigley (Marshalstown)
Matthew Murphy (Cushinstown)
Cian Carthy (Glynn)
Steven Walsh (Gusserane)
Thomas Cummins (Horeswood)
Eoghan Cassin (Harriers)
2025
Charlie Ellard (OLI)
Ian Reilly (Rathnure)
Jack Young (Ferns)
Ben Harpur (Oulart)
Paddy Keavey (Ballygarrett)
Vincent Higgins (Ballyfad)
Jamie Doyle (Shels)
Aaron Ennis (OLI)
Liam Cooney (Glynn)
Sean Denton (Shels)
Emmet Kennedy Power (OLI)
Robbie Quinn (Askamore)
Adam O'Connell Byrne (Askamore)
Peter Wickham (Oulart)
Darragh Browne (Harriers)
I stand to be corrected but as for pass-through from U19 to U20, Ciarán Doyle started at U20 level last year and on Saturday, David McCarthy started last year, Eoghan Cassin started a few times as well unless I'm mistaken
Ian Reilly, Vincent Higgins, and Jack Young were on the bench while Billy Redmond, Adam O'Connell Byrne, and Darragh Browne were on Saturday's extended panel (Tadhg Doyle and Bobby Codd were on the U19 subs last year and were on Saturday's extended panel while Jason Rossiter was on the bench for the U19s in 2024 and was on the bench on Saturday)
This isn't me saying that the U19 competition is a bad idea; on the contrary, I think it's a good idea as it acts as a bridge for those good enough to be on an U20 team in time but not good enough to be on one right now. But it's important to remember that it's developmental and I don't think the point of it is to realistically develop future senior inter-county hurlers (They'll probably be on the U20 team proper although you do maybe get exceptions like Ciarán Doyle who I think is a bright prospect)" You would hope to get a few. Though Denton was the best of them for me from last years u19 team, and didnt opt in to u20.
And yes, any really outstanding minor, and therefore probably more likely to make it at Senior, should be making the u20 team out of minor.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19133 - 09/04/2026 08:23:52
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