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Replying To StoreysTash: "How? Specifics please. What parts of coaching from u14 to u16 is nowhere near good enough. What competition structures need to be changed and how?
Have you refereed?" There are coaches reading out of books before they go to train these young lads. Coaches who have no knowledge of basic game tactics eg. going thru the lines to avoid sweepers. Don't have adequate skill set to train basic drills. Regards structures- at underage we have a set up that everyone wins. Whole way to minor we have div 5 shields. Everyone gets a medal or a final basically. No cut throat and no consequences to results. Drops standards. At adult- after 150 championship games the last 2 years, nobody was knocked out. Think about it. No jeopardy. Less intensity to the games. Again- no consequences to anything. Standard drops. This year- 10 teams will drop out after 150 games. I have not reffed, but have hurled at all levels. Go to Kk or Tipp and hurl a match. Actually play it. Complete different levels of intensity, pace and tackling. Hard tackling allowed. The amount of senior and inter championship games in Wexford in recent years that have become free taking competitions is beyond belief. Reffed softly. Non contact at times. This affects the standard and by time players get to inter county level, they are waiting for the free to be given. Then been cleaned. These things all add up.
countyman2022 (Wexford) - Posts: 1000 - 20/05/2026 15:04:58
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Yeah, the last part is my line of thinking, go back 10-20 years and Oulart were a top-class side and that was a result of the effort they put in at coaching underage sides but the problem was that no-one really replicated that elsewhere and therefor no-one was able to challenge them at Senior level, a bit like Ballygunner in Waterford now
You go to KK around the same time period however and they had a great team in Ballyhale but Loughlin's and the Village would always put it up to them, whoever won KK always had a great chance of winning Leinster and the AI, that was because their success was driven by multiple clubs rather than just one
Although it's not as if all clubs in KK drove their success. How many hurlers have Tullogher produced outside of Walter Walsh? It's not as if Mullinavat, Kilmacow, Mooncoin, Ballyragget, Cloneen, Barrow Rangers, Graiguenamanagh, Lisdowney, Blacks And Whites, Slieverue, or Windgap have been regularly suppliers to great KK teams this side of 1990
Would nearly said most great KK sides (At least since I've been alive) have been driven by Ballyhale, Loughlin's, Village, Carrickshock, and Tullaroan, with help from the likes of Glenmore, Danesfort, Fenians, Clara, Dunnamaggin, Graigue-Ballycallan, Young Irelands, and Dicksboro
Not all 40 clubs need to up their game for us to get a lot better as county (Although I'd love it to happen as we would dominate then)
But if we had 10+ clubs put in massive work like Oulart did back in the day, I'd say we'd see a big improvement" Population growth in the county will continue to be driven in the main 4-5 towns with rural depopulation continuing at pace. That's just demographics. Leaving New Ross aside for now which has been debated at length here, what state is hurling in Wexford, Enniscorthy and Gorey? Honest answers only.
Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 579 - 20/05/2026 15:08:05
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Replying To Viking66: "There's a small problem there though, not many clubs have Senior AI and Leinster winning players, who then went on to manage Senior and Intermediate Club winning teams at County and Leinster level willing and available to coach their u12s......" But I don't think playing background is all that important tbh, most important things really are drive, motivation, the will to drive the club forward, dedication, and energy, would say all of those things determine the quality of coaches, great players are made, not born and the same is true for coaches
Although that said, those with a history of success are more likely to be more motivated and driven IMO
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1281 - 20/05/2026 15:08:27
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Tbf, to play devil's advocate, children love playing games and they would practise a lot of the key skills in matches, might get better buy-in that way as much as other key skills might be neglected by not doing drills
A lot of coaches these days will talk about the importance of small-sided games so that they practise skills that are relevant to actual games
Would be much easier to oversee matches than come up with drills too
A bit simplistic but if every school in the county just did mini-matches one day a week and then across three different age groups, that would probably represent progress on what we're currently doing" Oh yes, children love games, and there needs to be an element of fun or a game to the drills they do. Something like "No Man's Land" or "Catch the Duck" (or the other names it goes by) are good in that regard.
But the problem with even small-sided mini games, particularly with younger children, is that two or three stronger players tend to dominate, and others get barely a touch of the ball at all. The sort of games-based drills at least give them plenty of contacts.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3661 - 20/05/2026 15:17:10
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Replying To countyman2022: "There are coaches reading out of books before they go to train these young lads. Coaches who have no knowledge of basic game tactics eg. going thru the lines to avoid sweepers. Don't have adequate skill set to train basic drills. Regards structures- at underage we have a set up that everyone wins. Whole way to minor we have div 5 shields. Everyone gets a medal or a final basically. No cut throat and no consequences to results. Drops standards. At adult- after 150 championship games the last 2 years, nobody was knocked out. Think about it. No jeopardy. Less intensity to the games. Again- no consequences to anything. Standard drops. This year- 10 teams will drop out after 150 games. I have not reffed, but have hurled at all levels. Go to Kk or Tipp and hurl a match. Actually play it. Complete different levels of intensity, pace and tackling. Hard tackling allowed. The amount of senior and inter championship games in Wexford in recent years that have become free taking competitions is beyond belief. Reffed softly. Non contact at times. This affects the standard and by time players get to inter county level, they are waiting for the free to be given. Then been cleaned. These things all add up." At underage age level though, shield competitions extend the playing season so more lads are playing hurling and footballer for longer, how do you propose on getting them to play the same number of months in the year without a shield competition?
And it also introduces more trophies and finals, that's what kids love to play in even if it is a Division 5 Shield, most of them won't end up being any good anyway regardless of whether there's a shield or not but at least they might look back on some sort of success they once had as a youngster if there's a shield competition
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1281 - 20/05/2026 15:22:13
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Replying To countyman2022: "There are coaches reading out of books before they go to train these young lads. Coaches who have no knowledge of basic game tactics eg. going thru the lines to avoid sweepers. Don't have adequate skill set to train basic drills. Regards structures- at underage we have a set up that everyone wins. Whole way to minor we have div 5 shields. Everyone gets a medal or a final basically. No cut throat and no consequences to results. Drops standards. At adult- after 150 championship games the last 2 years, nobody was knocked out. Think about it. No jeopardy. Less intensity to the games. Again- no consequences to anything. Standard drops. This year- 10 teams will drop out after 150 games. I have not reffed, but have hurled at all levels. Go to Kk or Tipp and hurl a match. Actually play it. Complete different levels of intensity, pace and tackling. Hard tackling allowed. The amount of senior and inter championship games in Wexford in recent years that have become free taking competitions is beyond belief. Reffed softly. Non contact at times. This affects the standard and by time players get to inter county level, they are waiting for the free to be given. Then been cleaned. These things all add up." First, a correction (albeit you'll call it one that doesn't make much difference to your overall view). In our current underage competition structures, everybody makes a semi-final of either a Cup or Shield. Not a final.
But here's another point -
Both the U16 & U18 championships can't start until the end of June, after the State Exams finish. If it wasn't for the Shield competitions, half of all teams would be gone by the end of August. Gone after playing just three hurling championship matches and/or three football championship matches. Does that sound like a way forward to you?
What are your proposals for "cut-throat" and "consequences to results" that would still give sufficient games to young players at such an important age?
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3661 - 20/05/2026 15:30:10
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "But I don't think playing background is all that important tbh, most important things really are drive, motivation, the will to drive the club forward, dedication, and energy, would say all of those things determine the quality of coaches, great players are made, not born and the same is true for coaches
Although that said, those with a history of success are more likely to be more motivated and driven IMO" Agree playing background isnt the be all and end all.
Some great players in all sports who were just naturally talented actually dont know why they were so good, and never really had to work on any specific deficiencies so can't explain what those were to others. Or what they did right.
Most of the better coaches I met werent top level players, but were reasonably successful and had to work really hard, and think really hard, at getting better. They are then able to pass this on better to make others better.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19710 - 20/05/2026 15:40:19
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Yeah, the last part is my line of thinking, go back 10-20 years and Oulart were a top-class side and that was a result of the effort they put in at coaching underage sides but the problem was that no-one really replicated that elsewhere and therefor no-one was able to challenge them at Senior level, a bit like Ballygunner in Waterford now
You go to KK around the same time period however and they had a great team in Ballyhale but Loughlin's and the Village would always put it up to them, whoever won KK always had a great chance of winning Leinster and the AI, that was because their success was driven by multiple clubs rather than just one
Although it's not as if all clubs in KK drove their success. How many hurlers have Tullogher produced outside of Walter Walsh? It's not as if Mullinavat, Kilmacow, Mooncoin, Ballyragget, Cloneen, Barrow Rangers, Graiguenamanagh, Lisdowney, Blacks And Whites, Slieverue, or Windgap have been regularly suppliers to great KK teams this side of 1990
Would nearly said most great KK sides (At least since I've been alive) have been driven by Ballyhale, Loughlin's, Village, Carrickshock, and Tullaroan, with help from the likes of Glenmore, Danesfort, Fenians, Clara, Dunnamaggin, Graigue-Ballycallan, Young Irelands, and Dicksboro
Not all 40 clubs need to up their game for us to get a lot better as county (Although I'd love it to happen as we would dominate then)
But if we had 10+ clubs put in massive work like Oulart did back in the day, I'd say we'd see a big improvement" When I spoke about KK I was referring to Kilcormak Killoughey not Kilkenny. One club / team is what is the engine behind Offalys resurgence. Nothing more. No secret coaching or development plans. Take that team out of the equation and Offaly would do well to stay in the Joe McDonagh.
Paull (Wexford) - Posts: 279 - 20/05/2026 15:41:17
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "At underage age level though, shield competitions extend the playing season so more lads are playing hurling and footballer for longer, how do you propose on getting them to play the same number of months in the year without a shield competition?
And it also introduces more trophies and finals, that's what kids love to play in even if it is a Division 5 Shield, most of them won't end up being any good anyway regardless of whether there's a shield or not but at least they might look back on some sort of success they once had as a youngster if there's a shield competition" That 1st paragraph was a point I made a couple of years ago. Alot of less successful clubs would just pack up for the year if there was nothing organised for them to play in. The clubs that would fill in that time by organising challenge games or tournaments are the ones which are therefore more likely to be successful anyway, and more likely to go far in the cuo competitions.
I get, and even agree with, countyman2022s point too though. Its a hard one to balance.
From a county point of view its important that a really good young lad who happens to be born into a parish who arent particularly strong doesn't fall through the cracks.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19710 - 20/05/2026 15:46:13
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Replying To Paull: "When I spoke about KK I was referring to Kilcormak Killoughey not Kilkenny. One club / team is what is the engine behind Offalys resurgence. Nothing more. No secret coaching or development plans. Take that team out of the equation and Offaly would do well to stay in the Joe McDonagh." I know you were referring to Kilcormac/Killoughey, was just using Kilkenny as an example because they've historically been the most successful county (Aren't right now) even though it's not as if all clubs contributed equally to Kilkenny's success
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1281 - 20/05/2026 15:52:43
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Replying To Viking66: "Kilkenny "rested" 2 players for the final against Galway that started against us. I know they were injured but I wouldnt want to spoil the Narrative......" NILAND or Rabbitte were not injured. You are the only one saying different. The Galway chap said that Niland was been spared for the Dublin Senior Game. You went on the Galway forum? That's a lot of balls you juggle....Gonna be so hard to pick a team up after last few weeks. Players probably know Rossiter is gone, maybe they knew long ago...Something wasn't right all year. We are not as bad as we showed, we are not wonderful but we are better than that. A team with a plan, a team with Pride, a team with heart and a team with leaders should stand up now....
Tox73 (Wexford) - Posts: 196 - 20/05/2026 15:59:03
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Replying To Pikeman96: "First, a correction (albeit you'll call it one that doesn't make much difference to your overall view). In our current underage competition structures, everybody makes a semi-final of either a Cup or Shield. Not a final.
But here's another point -
Both the U16 & U18 championships can't start until the end of June, after the State Exams finish. If it wasn't for the Shield competitions, half of all teams would be gone by the end of August. Gone after playing just three hurling championship matches and/or three football championship matches. Does that sound like a way forward to you?
What are your proposals for "cut-throat" and "consequences to results" that would still give sufficient games to young players at such an important age?" Well put it this way- it has done nothing to improve the standard of hurling in Wexford. Or our results. If people are happy just to give everyone a game and a medal at the countys detriment, thats fine. Look at all the players who were the backbone of the senior team who were born in 1990, 1991, 1992. As an example. Even the 3 in a row u-21 Leinster team. When these different groups played underage into senior hurling- there were no shields. There was no medal handouts. And there also wasn't an adult structure where everybody got thru the groups. All games had consequence. These groups all started hurling adult from 17 too dont forget. Another factor in our current demise- not allowing players play until 18/19.
countyman2022 (Wexford) - Posts: 1000 - 20/05/2026 16:11:09
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Replying To countyman2022: "Well put it this way- it has done nothing to improve the standard of hurling in Wexford. Or our results. If people are happy just to give everyone a game and a medal at the countys detriment, thats fine. Look at all the players who were the backbone of the senior team who were born in 1990, 1991, 1992. As an example. Even the 3 in a row u-21 Leinster team. When these different groups played underage into senior hurling- there were no shields. There was no medal handouts. And there also wasn't an adult structure where everybody got thru the groups. All games had consequence. These groups all started hurling adult from 17 too dont forget. Another factor in our current demise- not allowing players play until 18/19." I don't like our previous Championship structure although it must be said that KK have it too
We've changed the ruling on 18yos so the likes of Seán O'Brien will be able to hurl adult for his club this year
I do not think the introduction of Shield finals has done any harm, this is a weird hill to die on
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1281 - 20/05/2026 16:48:02
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Replying To Pikeman96: "First, a correction (albeit you'll call it one that doesn't make much difference to your overall view). In our current underage competition structures, everybody makes a semi-final of either a Cup or Shield. Not a final.
But here's another point -
Both the U16 & U18 championships can't start until the end of June, after the State Exams finish. If it wasn't for the Shield competitions, half of all teams would be gone by the end of August. Gone after playing just three hurling championship matches and/or three football championship matches. Does that sound like a way forward to you?
What are your proposals for "cut-throat" and "consequences to results" that would still give sufficient games to young players at such an important age?" Those championships used to be 8 teams per group. Now we have this league which is a complete waste of time, players take it as joke. Most games out 13 a side stuff. I can't understand why we can't we have proper championship matches for u16 and u18 before the leaving cert! And before someone say what about players with the county minor team? I'd say what about it. Why are minors having to train like adults? It hasn't brought us any more success at that level. I can't understand why we can't play championship matches in between those Wexford minor games. At least it would give each minor and U16 more meaningful games and not what we have now which is 3 games and then a quarter final of a championship. Could we start the minor/u16 earlier?? There has to be a better competition structure than the one that is there now
alwaysasub (Wexford) - Posts: 595 - 20/05/2026 16:48:21
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Replying To Tox73: "NILAND or Rabbitte were not injured. You are the only one saying different. The Galway chap said that Niland was been spared for the Dublin Senior Game. You went on the Galway forum? That's a lot of balls you juggle....Gonna be so hard to pick a team up after last few weeks. Players probably know Rossiter is gone, maybe they knew long ago...Something wasn't right all year. We are not as bad as we showed, we are not wonderful but we are better than that. A team with a plan, a team with Pride, a team with heart and a team with leaders should stand up now...." I would be very worried what Galway could do to us at the weekend to be honest confidence is on the floor and we havent looked like we have a plan all year. Im praying we can get a good management team in place to get things back moving in the right direction next year
Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 1078 - 20/05/2026 16:49:56
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