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Wexford Hurling Thread

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Replying To Viking66:  "Niall Furlong has potential also, might work out as a cornerback too.......
And I think Paddy Quigley should be in the Senior squad also.
Carleys mobility and workrate are much improved this year. If he keeps improving these at the same rate he will be a very good Senior player in a few years. Only other thing Id like to see him get better at is be more clinical when hes shooting.
Id like to see all the up to the age players off our u20s in the 60 odd lads in for the 1st part of the Senior season every year. That way they can all get a look at what's involved, and see is it for them. Those that like what they see are more likely to do the work to get to the next level. And likewise Senior management and backroom staff can get a look at all the lads also."
Always liked what Colm Collins used to do with the Clare footballers, used to bring in lads from outside of the panel for a few sessions here and there so they could familiarise themself with the set-up and know what standard they had to get to if they wanted to join the panel proper, also would've made players feel it's wasn't a closed shop and they'd get in there if their performances were good enough

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1248 - 17/05/2026 19:16:09    2673626

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Tbf, when you look at it, it's a minor miracle that they have 4 AIs to their name when you consider their population and the fact they're a lot closer to being a true dual county than ourselves (Things changing a bit now, I think, as Tullamore grows and numbers in their traditional hurling areas shrink)

If they've won 4, we really should have a lot more than 6 to our name because they have a lot more genuine excuses for lack of success than we do

At the same time, that 1980-2000 team was a bit of an anomaly, they've never been anywhere near AI-winning class outside of that (We had our golden period too but would've been more competitive than them outside of our golden period)"
They arent dual in the same way as us though. Nearly all their top hurling clubs are predominantly hurling or hurling only, and likewise with their top football clubs. Tullamore are usually their only dual Senior club, but got relegated at the end of 2024 and only got to stay Senior in the hurling last year as KK opted not to let their 2nd team go up to Senior. And in any case only Cillian Burke, Mike Fox and Cormac Egan played 1st team for both their Footballers and Hurlers.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19623 - 17/05/2026 19:47:18    2673636

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Did they've any lads on their Minor panel playing on the Celtic Challenge?

Didn't we have lads from the Minor extended panel on our Celtic Challenge team?"
We had the 1 panel of 42 afaik. Tipp had 36 on their minor panel and had 48 in their seperate Celtic Challenge panel, and fielded 2 teams.
But then Tipp have nearly double the number of clubs who play hurling that we have. 70 odds to 40 odds.
We did field 2 teams in it in years gone by, but I know a few lads who wouldn't commit to play in the celtic challenge, and no doubt there are many more.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19623 - 17/05/2026 19:58:09    2673638

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joe fortune on the hurling podcast last week, just listened to it there tonight. He like the job I say if keith is gone next year

hunting (Wexford) - Posts: 1223 - 17/05/2026 19:58:12    2673639

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Beat Galway in the 2014 U21 AISF in Thurles

About the only time I can ever remember a Wexford side beating Galway at Minor/U21 level"
Sorry my bad, forgot that one. But its the exception that proves the point really ;-)

We did beat Galway in a minor SF replay..... in 1980!
We lost by 10 points to Galway in 2002 at u21 in the AISF.
We lost the AIU21HSF to Cork in 97.
We lost the u21 final to Galway by 10 points in 96.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19623 - 17/05/2026 20:05:04    2673647

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Replying To hunting:  "joe fortune on the hurling podcast last week, just listened to it there tonight. He like the job I say if keith is gone next year"
I have already heard it's his.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4515 - 17/05/2026 20:51:59    2673662

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Beat Galway in the 2014 U21 AISF in Thurles

About the only time I can ever remember a Wexford side beating Galway at Minor/U21 level"
That was a right night actually. Jack guiney amazing

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4515 - 17/05/2026 20:54:14    2673663

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Yeah, get 120 lads in at U14, U15, and U16 and then maybe have six teams of 20 rather than four districts, play a round-robin series and then maybe a final so everyone would have six games, would give you a good indication of who the best players are, would also have lads hurling in winter when they weren't doing so previously, that cannot be a bad thing

Assuming they keep two development squads with 48 altogether, you could maybe cut the number of players from 120 down to 80 after that competition and then cut the 80 down to 48 after trials"
Just running the numbers on the sheer practicalities of that. Not arguing either for or against it.

For that to work (six squads of 20 lads each, at three different age groups, and playing that number of games), you'd need:
- Somewhere around 45 to 50 coaches, if you assume two or three with each squad.
- 360 young lads who aren't pushed about playing soccer or anything else at that time of year.
- Nine pitches every week there are matches to be played.

I'd love it if there was sufficient interest and eagerness for something like that to work, but realistically, I very much doubt that there is.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3625 - 17/05/2026 21:27:37    2673672

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "I have already heard it's his."
They hardly have him lined up already?

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1248 - 17/05/2026 21:46:46    2673676

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Replying To Viking66:  "They arent dual in the same way as us though. Nearly all their top hurling clubs are predominantly hurling or hurling only, and likewise with their top football clubs. Tullamore are usually their only dual Senior club, but got relegated at the end of 2024 and only got to stay Senior in the hurling last year as KK opted not to let their 2nd team go up to Senior. And in any case only Cillian Burke, Mike Fox and Cormac Egan played 1st team for both their Footballers and Hurlers."
I still don't think football is holding hurling back in Wexford, lots of clubs pay lip service to football

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1248 - 17/05/2026 21:48:13    2673677

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "I have already heard it's his."
I've asked here before, and didn't get an answer. When you look at Joe Fortune's record in his one and only stint in senior inter-county management, how many people genuinely think he has the pedigree to bring Wexford to a better place?

People here tend to be blindsided by the two shock results Westmeath got against Wexford. But outside of that, in his three years with them:

2022: League - won three and lost two in the third tier. Championship - drew with Wexford but lost by average of 16 points to Galway/Kilkenny/Dublin. Stayed up by virtue of beating a Laois team that were possibly worst ever since championship moved to a group stage (Laois played five, lost five, score difference -92).

2023: League - played five and lost five in Div. 1A, and stayed up just by beating that same Laois team. Championship - shock massive comeback victory after Wexford went to sleep, but don't forget they were 17 points down at one stage. Lost by average 23 points to Galway/Kilkenny/Dublin. Followed up their win over Wexford by losing by 14 points to Antrim and being relegated.

2024: League - Relegated after only beating Antrim and losing other four games by average 12 points. Championship - finished fourth out of six in McDonagh Cup, after beating only Meath (who everybody else beat as well) and a Laois team who'd now got their act together, who'd already qualified for the final before playing Westmeath in the final round, and who therefore put out a weakened team for that match.

So again - if people were to consider that record overall, how many would genuinely feel he's the man to improve our lot?

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3625 - 17/05/2026 21:52:00    2673678

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "I've asked here before, and didn't get an answer. When you look at Joe Fortune's record in his one and only stint in senior inter-county management, how many people genuinely think he has the pedigree to bring Wexford to a better place?

People here tend to be blindsided by the two shock results Westmeath got against Wexford. But outside of that, in his three years with them:

2022: League - won three and lost two in the third tier. Championship - drew with Wexford but lost by average of 16 points to Galway/Kilkenny/Dublin. Stayed up by virtue of beating a Laois team that were possibly worst ever since championship moved to a group stage (Laois played five, lost five, score difference -92).

2023: League - played five and lost five in Div. 1A, and stayed up just by beating that same Laois team. Championship - shock massive comeback victory after Wexford went to sleep, but don't forget they were 17 points down at one stage. Lost by average 23 points to Galway/Kilkenny/Dublin. Followed up their win over Wexford by losing by 14 points to Antrim and being relegated.

2024: League - Relegated after only beating Antrim and losing other four games by average 12 points. Championship - finished fourth out of six in McDonagh Cup, after beating only Meath (who everybody else beat as well) and a Laois team who'd now got their act together, who'd already qualified for the final before playing Westmeath in the final round, and who therefore put out a weakened team for that match.

So again - if people were to consider that record overall, how many would genuinely feel he's the man to improve our lot?"
Our next manager can't be a gamble.

I'd be very weary about appointing him. Not done an awful lot at senior intercounty. I absolutely think there's a role for him in the county 100% but not the main job. I don't think he's done enough.

And his appearance on the podcast is a pure PR pitch. Theres a touch of the Davy populism about this fella. Talking about what it means to be "Wexford men" etc. Give him more microphone time and he'd be singing Boolavogue.

Maybe in the future but he hasnto excel at Gorey or whatever role he has to get the main gig surely.

Also I'm not sure how much respect he'll get as he never played to any real level as opposed to Skippy who did play to high level.and who got a good deal of progress into Rathnure. Not sure how much respect Joe will get but maybe thats just small.town nonsense and maybe its time to forget all that.

I just think theres an element of risk here and I don't think the time is right for gambling, we need to get this right

WEXILE (Wexford) - Posts: 504 - 17/05/2026 22:17:36    2673684

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "I've asked here before, and didn't get an answer. When you look at Joe Fortune's record in his one and only stint in senior inter-county management, how many people genuinely think he has the pedigree to bring Wexford to a better place?

People here tend to be blindsided by the two shock results Westmeath got against Wexford. But outside of that, in his three years with them:

2022: League - won three and lost two in the third tier. Championship - drew with Wexford but lost by average of 16 points to Galway/Kilkenny/Dublin. Stayed up by virtue of beating a Laois team that were possibly worst ever since championship moved to a group stage (Laois played five, lost five, score difference -92).

2023: League - played five and lost five in Div. 1A, and stayed up just by beating that same Laois team. Championship - shock massive comeback victory after Wexford went to sleep, but don't forget they were 17 points down at one stage. Lost by average 23 points to Galway/Kilkenny/Dublin. Followed up their win over Wexford by losing by 14 points to Antrim and being relegated.

2024: League - Relegated after only beating Antrim and losing other four games by average 12 points. Championship - finished fourth out of six in McDonagh Cup, after beating only Meath (who everybody else beat as well) and a Laois team who'd now got their act together, who'd already qualified for the final before playing Westmeath in the final round, and who therefore put out a weakened team for that match.

So again - if people were to consider that record overall, how many would genuinely feel he's the man to improve our lot?"
All fair points but it was with Westmeath he cut his teeth with not a top tier county! But as you said he brought them from Div 2 to Div 1 in his first year and kept them there. In all those results in year two in division 1 they were beaten by Limerick Cork and Tipperary by less than 5/6 points which was huge for them and with what? We couldn't beat them in championship on two occasions. Two years later Westmeath have only beaten London…
He beat us at minor and u20 levels also while winning two Leinster titles along with winning a Dublin championship with Ballyboden. I'm not sure they have won one since. It's a lot more than what Keith had or Darragh Egan for that matter. I couldn't see him take it, not travelling from Dublin. But I personally would love to see him part of it along with Skippy Ruth.

96andproud (Wexford) - Posts: 35 - 17/05/2026 22:21:36    2673687

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