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Replying To Tadhg2020: "Of the list of candidates mentioned here i would go for Tom Mullally. Hes about developing players and teams and performances. It says a lot about him that he's not well known outside of core hurling circles and that's what Wexford need right now imo.
Above all though Wexford hurling needs investment. You need all of the best available talent committed to the project and a sponsor and CB that is fully invested too. These athletes are putting their life on hold to play this game at the highest available level. They need to be treated accordingly. I mean above and beyond. Think about the current situation ( which is probably decent) and go much much further. These lads need to be looked after like professionals and then some. Thats what happens elsewhere and it ensures commitment. Success is relative but you simply must look after the talent. They must be the best looked after athletes in Wexford and it shouldn't even be close and that applies to all teams." I agree with you.
We have focused on facilities for the last 10 years to the detriment of coaching and coaches in our schools.
I agree with the development of a 4G pitch because it might help the U20 championships not to be played in a big in November, but we need to stop thinking about facilities and start thinking about coaching and supports for players to get them playing for Wexford. Be that Wexford GAA scholarships or whatever.
What do our players need to keep them playing? What is the reason players won't commit, and how do we overcome these issues if we can?
StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 2074 - 26/05/2026 13:54:21
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Replying To OpenStandWall: "I think it's a long shot, but I think it's the only way you get lads on the fence about whether to commit/stay on or not to row in and in turn give us a full hand. I think if he came in at least 3 out of Fanning Jippo Foley Jack and Chin would be back, but agree on the tactics bit, it's a relatively simple game and would sometimes appear he is trying to outsmart even himself.
Another thing is, how much better was the panel that he inherited in 2016 to the one from this year? When he took over then the biggest draw has to have been the players from u21 in 13-15 coming through." Some good lads from before that 3 in a row too too. Morris, DoK, Mogie, MoH, etc.
At the same time there are good lads coming up from the u20s this year, the only team that beat them was Galway, and good lads who only lost to Galway at u20 in 2018, that after ET in knockout too, same as this year. Galway didnt play in Leinster in the 3 in a row years. And while I know challenge games arent the same, this years u20s beat all 4 of the Munster counties they played too, although they also lost 1 of their 2 games with Cork.
And not forgetting the lads from 2022 and 2023 that only narrowly lost Leinster finals.
If we get a new manager and they can get lads to commit again, there's plenty of development of young lads possible as well.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19816 - 26/05/2026 14:24:51
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Replying To Formertownie: "That shouldbe the case but how many of our starters were doing the hard slog in November .
Think about that.
if we only had this fella and that fella back from injury or make themselves available again .
Easy come back after the really hard slog is done . How many of the starters had full pre season fitness and s&c done" I dont think it would be beneficial to older lads like Chin and Jippo to be back in November but the rest of the lads should have been then I would imagine
Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 1096 - 26/05/2026 14:29:21
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Replying To StoreysTash: "I agree with you.
We have focused on facilities for the last 10 years to the detriment of coaching and coaches in our schools.
I agree with the development of a 4G pitch because it might help the U20 championships not to be played in a big in November, but we need to stop thinking about facilities and start thinking about coaching and supports for players to get them playing for Wexford. Be that Wexford GAA scholarships or whatever.
What do our players need to keep them playing? What is the reason players won't commit, and how do we overcome these issues if we can?" Agree with you 100% the Centre of excellence and Wexford Park are excellent facilities . I believe they are adding more dressing room and a 4g pitch in the centre of excellence but I agree that coaching and player development has to be our number 1 objective
Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 1096 - 26/05/2026 14:33:13
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Replying To StoreysTash: "I agree with you.
We have focused on facilities for the last 10 years to the detriment of coaching and coaches in our schools.
I agree with the development of a 4G pitch because it might help the U20 championships not to be played in a big in November, but we need to stop thinking about facilities and start thinking about coaching and supports for players to get them playing for Wexford. Be that Wexford GAA scholarships or whatever.
What do our players need to keep them playing? What is the reason players won't commit, and how do we overcome these issues if we can?" The thing about facilities v coaching or scholarships is that we need facilities as well, and there are financial obligations that come with that.
For example, there's some €3.5 million of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Funding grant (a "Lotto grant") sitting there, waiting to be used on the Centre of Excellence. But for every such grant you get, you have to provide matching funding, sometimes up to 50%. Wexford GAA needs to find a couple of million of its own in order to be able to use that €3.5 million grant. If they decide "ah no, we'll take some of our own money and spend it on coaching and other things instead", then they'd stand to lose the grant.
Or here's a thought, that might tick both boxes -
Maybe top-class facilities is one of the things that would attract and retain players in the first place. I was in Kerry's COE a few years ago and was blown away by the place. It puts ours in a very dark shade.
Don't know if you've ever been in the COE in Ferns when there are several squads in the place, but among the issues:
- most or all squads using the gym like to pump loud music. Makes it difficult for any other squad trying to have a meeting in the room next door. There's no other meeting room.
- that meeting room also doubles up as a canteen. But if it's actually being used for a meeting by anyone, meals are served in the lobby area downstairs instead, and players don't even have a table to sit at while eating.
- worst of all is seven pitches means could be up to 14 squads there at any one time, but there are only four proper dressing rooms. Others have to tog off in what's basically half a portacabin.
Anyway, just a thought. But if the COE itself was as attractive as possible, might be a step in the direction you're looking for. Would help avoid a situation where players think "ah no, I'll have to listen to that shaggin' music again while I'm eating", or "here we go again, togging off in a portacabin when I come to county training....even the U12s in the club get better than this".
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3705 - 26/05/2026 14:48:52
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Replying To StoreysTash: "I'm with here. Fitness for a club hurler is a non-negotiable, for an inter county player it is a given.
What did Wexford do for 4-5 days in Portugal or Spain, sunbathe or get ready to hurl in conditions like Sunday by all accounts?
You could see in players all year though, we were leggy and lethargic in the games v Kilkenny and Dublin. Second to every ball, out battled and out hurled.
We can't sugar coat it, it was a complete failure of a year on every front." We faded badly in the 2nd half in Ballycran too. And Croke Park.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19816 - 26/05/2026 15:13:03
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Replying To Pikeman96: "The thing about facilities v coaching or scholarships is that we need facilities as well, and there are financial obligations that come with that.
For example, there's some €3.5 million of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Funding grant (a "Lotto grant") sitting there, waiting to be used on the Centre of Excellence. But for every such grant you get, you have to provide matching funding, sometimes up to 50%. Wexford GAA needs to find a couple of million of its own in order to be able to use that €3.5 million grant. If they decide "ah no, we'll take some of our own money and spend it on coaching and other things instead", then they'd stand to lose the grant.
Or here's a thought, that might tick both boxes -
Maybe top-class facilities is one of the things that would attract and retain players in the first place. I was in Kerry's COE a few years ago and was blown away by the place. It puts ours in a very dark shade.
Don't know if you've ever been in the COE in Ferns when there are several squads in the place, but among the issues:
- most or all squads using the gym like to pump loud music. Makes it difficult for any other squad trying to have a meeting in the room next door. There's no other meeting room.
- that meeting room also doubles up as a canteen. But if it's actually being used for a meeting by anyone, meals are served in the lobby area downstairs instead, and players don't even have a table to sit at while eating.
- worst of all is seven pitches means could be up to 14 squads there at any one time, but there are only four proper dressing rooms. Others have to tog off in what's basically half a portacabin.
Anyway, just a thought. But if the COE itself was as attractive as possible, might be a step in the direction you're looking for. Would help avoid a situation where players think "ah no, I'll have to listen to that shaggin' music again while I'm eating", or "here we go again, togging off in a portacabin when I come to county training....even the U12s in the club get better than this"." Think its "only" 1.4 million we need to expand the dressing rooms etc, and get the 4g pitch in, along with the grant. Still tough to raise that.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19816 - 26/05/2026 15:16:33
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Replying To Pikeman96: "The thing about facilities v coaching or scholarships is that we need facilities as well, and there are financial obligations that come with that.
For example, there's some €3.5 million of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Funding grant (a "Lotto grant") sitting there, waiting to be used on the Centre of Excellence. But for every such grant you get, you have to provide matching funding, sometimes up to 50%. Wexford GAA needs to find a couple of million of its own in order to be able to use that €3.5 million grant. If they decide "ah no, we'll take some of our own money and spend it on coaching and other things instead", then they'd stand to lose the grant.
Or here's a thought, that might tick both boxes -
Maybe top-class facilities is one of the things that would attract and retain players in the first place. I was in Kerry's COE a few years ago and was blown away by the place. It puts ours in a very dark shade.
Don't know if you've ever been in the COE in Ferns when there are several squads in the place, but among the issues:
- most or all squads using the gym like to pump loud music. Makes it difficult for any other squad trying to have a meeting in the room next door. There's no other meeting room.
- that meeting room also doubles up as a canteen. But if it's actually being used for a meeting by anyone, meals are served in the lobby area downstairs instead, and players don't even have a table to sit at while eating.
- worst of all is seven pitches means could be up to 14 squads there at any one time, but there are only four proper dressing rooms. Others have to tog off in what's basically half a portacabin.
Anyway, just a thought. But if the COE itself was as attractive as possible, might be a step in the direction you're looking for. Would help avoid a situation where players think "ah no, I'll have to listen to that shaggin' music again while I'm eating", or "here we go again, togging off in a portacabin when I come to county training....even the U12s in the club get better than this"." Interesting points regarding the grant that has to be used if thats the case. On your last point I doubt our senior hurlers or footballers are sent to tog out in the portacabin id say its more so the underage teams
Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 1096 - 26/05/2026 15:17:42
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Wexford have won 1 Senior All Ireland since 1968. It will be 31 years next year since we reached a Final. Not 100percent sure on next stat but i think only 6 Semi Final appearances since in 31 years. 96/ 97 / 01/ 03/ 04/19. If im wrong correct me. Last won National hurling league in 1973 so 54 years next year. Only 4 Leinster titles in 31 years 96 /97 / 04/ 19/ since 1977. No minor all ireland since 1968 no final appearance since 1985 and only 1 leinster title in 42 years. No U20/21 All Ireland since 1965 and only 4 leinster titles since year 2000. Peters havent won an All Ireland since early 80s. Thats Wexford hurling and its not pretty reading when u look at the facts so where we currently are is no surprise and nothing being done to address this but nothing has been done for 50 years so maybe what is currently happening is a good think as its so close now to rock bottom that surely something will happen. Sick of the false positive stuff its getting us no where
Bryson (Wexford) - Posts: 53 - 26/05/2026 15:24:22
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Replying To Pikeman96: "Have been down a rabbit hole of looking back on U21 results from 2013 to 2015, and comparing them to the corresponding U20 results of more recent years, and in some ways, it could actually be argued they're not that much different at all. That's despite one era having three Leinster titles and the other having none at all.
Davy got the senior management job in 2017 and the U21 years in question are 2013, 2014, and 2015. For whoever gets the job for 2027, then allowing for the change from U21 to U20, the corresponding years for players of the same age would be 2022, 2023, and 2024.
In two of those years, we reached Leinster Finals, only to be beaten by just a puck of a ball (one point v Kilkenny in 2022, two points v Offaly in 2023). Kilkenny went on to win the All-Ireland, and while Offaly didn't, chances are our lads would have put up as good a show against Cork in the final as Offaly did.
Granted, 2024 was poor - beat Kilkenny the first day out all right, but then lost to Dublin by two, before being knocked out when losing to Laois by six.
So how does that compare to three Leinster title wins from 2013 to 2015?
People tend to forget that the first of them wasn't exactly vintage. Unconvincing wins over Westmeath (five points) and Carlow (six points) to make the final. One good performance against Kilkenny in the final, where for once we got the break at the end of the match with a goal to win it. But then lost to Antrim in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Also, Galway weren't yet in the Leinster underage championships in those years. If they had been, they might have stopped our gallop once or more.
The 2013 to 2015 era is undoubtedly still better overall. But when you drill into it, it's not as clearcut as a first glance of "three Leinster titles versus none at all" would suggest." I agree but the problem is that people see the headline results and think we're not winning anything so we mustn't be going well at underage, that's the view people have not just outside of the county but also inside
And I think that internal view had fed through to the players, Offaly are hyped up and have a lot of belief in themselves whereas we don't even though we only lost by 2 points to them in 2023
History only remembers winners and even though we had good U20 teams in 2022 and 2023, I think the fact we didn't win was a setback because there's so much negativity in the county that we needed a team to break through and they didn't quite do the job
2013-2015 teams mightn't have been actually any better but the actually won (Weaker) Leinster Championships and the fact they won helped drive positivity in the county
People only see the wins
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1325 - 26/05/2026 15:35:12
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Replying To Pikeman96: "The thing about facilities v coaching or scholarships is that we need facilities as well, and there are financial obligations that come with that.
For example, there's some €3.5 million of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Funding grant (a "Lotto grant") sitting there, waiting to be used on the Centre of Excellence. But for every such grant you get, you have to provide matching funding, sometimes up to 50%. Wexford GAA needs to find a couple of million of its own in order to be able to use that €3.5 million grant. If they decide "ah no, we'll take some of our own money and spend it on coaching and other things instead", then they'd stand to lose the grant.
Or here's a thought, that might tick both boxes -
Maybe top-class facilities is one of the things that would attract and retain players in the first place. I was in Kerry's COE a few years ago and was blown away by the place. It puts ours in a very dark shade.
Don't know if you've ever been in the COE in Ferns when there are several squads in the place, but among the issues:
- most or all squads using the gym like to pump loud music. Makes it difficult for any other squad trying to have a meeting in the room next door. There's no other meeting room.
- that meeting room also doubles up as a canteen. But if it's actually being used for a meeting by anyone, meals are served in the lobby area downstairs instead, and players don't even have a table to sit at while eating.
- worst of all is seven pitches means could be up to 14 squads there at any one time, but there are only four proper dressing rooms. Others have to tog off in what's basically half a portacabin.
Anyway, just a thought. But if the COE itself was as attractive as possible, might be a step in the direction you're looking for. Would help avoid a situation where players think "ah no, I'll have to listen to that shaggin' music again while I'm eating", or "here we go again, togging off in a portacabin when I come to county training....even the U12s in the club get better than this"." Are they doing anything about building new dressing rooms in the COE?
I know someone on the extended panel for the camogie and she said the gym in the COE wasn't that great and they went elsewhere instead, think it might have been Bunclody
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1325 - 26/05/2026 15:54:20
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "I agree but the problem is that people see the headline results and think we're not winning anything so we mustn't be going well at underage, that's the view people have not just outside of the county but also inside
And I think that internal view had fed through to the players, Offaly are hyped up and have a lot of belief in themselves whereas we don't even though we only lost by 2 points to them in 2023
History only remembers winners and even though we had good U20 teams in 2022 and 2023, I think the fact we didn't win was a setback because there's so much negativity in the county that we needed a team to break through and they didn't quite do the job
2013-2015 teams mightn't have been actually any better but the actually won (Weaker) Leinster Championships and the fact they won helped drive positivity in the county
People only see the wins" I agree with you it could have really changed things as regards confidence and positivity in the county if we had got over the line in those u20 finals of 22 and 23 . We really left them behind us. Its been the story of Wexford hurling the last number of years left so many games behind us
Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 1096 - 26/05/2026 16:17:36
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "I agree but the problem is that people see the headline results and think we're not winning anything so we mustn't be going well at underage, that's the view people have not just outside of the county but also inside
And I think that internal view had fed through to the players, Offaly are hyped up and have a lot of belief in themselves whereas we don't even though we only lost by 2 points to them in 2023
History only remembers winners and even though we had good U20 teams in 2022 and 2023, I think the fact we didn't win was a setback because there's so much negativity in the county that we needed a team to break through and they didn't quite do the job
2013-2015 teams mightn't have been actually any better but the actually won (Weaker) Leinster Championships and the fact they won helped drive positivity in the county
People only see the wins" It's not even that, and understand that both finals were lost by virtually a puck of a ball.
Agreed on your last paragraph. Granted how good Limerick and Clare were - Maybe the AI losses showed the true level of that panel in 14 and 15 Leinster and in particular KK were fairly average during that time at u21.
Probably worded what I was trying to say wrong - Question is was the panel then when he took over in Oct 2016 better than what it would be if he took over now? And bear in mind that season and the year before were pretty poor.
OpenStandWall (Wexford) - Posts: 363 - 26/05/2026 16:42:19
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Replying To Bryson: "Wexford have won 1 Senior All Ireland since 1968. It will be 31 years next year since we reached a Final. Not 100percent sure on next stat but i think only 6 Semi Final appearances since in 31 years. 96/ 97 / 01/ 03/ 04/19. If im wrong correct me. Last won National hurling league in 1973 so 54 years next year. Only 4 Leinster titles in 31 years 96 /97 / 04/ 19/ since 1977. No minor all ireland since 1968 no final appearance since 1985 and only 1 leinster title in 42 years. No U20/21 All Ireland since 1965 and only 4 leinster titles since year 2000. Peters havent won an All Ireland since early 80s. Thats Wexford hurling and its not pretty reading when u look at the facts so where we currently are is no surprise and nothing being done to address this but nothing has been done for 50 years so maybe what is currently happening is a good think as its so close now to rock bottom that surely something will happen. Sick of the false positive stuff its getting us no where" "False positive stuff" isn't the reason we're going nowhere, lack of structures, lack of quality coaches, lack of full-stop, lack of contact time across clubs, primary schools, secondary schools, and development squads, and lack of culture are a much bigger reason why we are where we are right now
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1325 - 26/05/2026 16:53:09
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Replying To Viking66: "Think its "only" 1.4 million we need to expand the dressing rooms etc, and get the 4g pitch in, along with the grant. Still tough to raise that." Much like another post I'm about to write, I stand to be corrected on this, because I don't know all the ins and outs about the COE. But I think that €1.4 million referred to what Wexford GAA would have to find from its own coffers after Wexford LGFA and Wexford Camogie Associations paid their contributions to the project.
Would still have been up to Wexford GAA to find "a couple of million" in the first place. Having the MOA in place with the other two Associations helped them along the way.
Probably the case too that projected costs have increased since those figures were announced a couple of years ago. I don't know for sure.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3705 - 26/05/2026 17:04:06
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Replying To Afinestick96: "Interesting points regarding the grant that has to be used if thats the case. On your last point I doubt our senior hurlers or footballers are sent to tog out in the portacabin id say its more so the underage teams" You're right - woud be unlikely for senior squads to be sent to the portacabins. But the Tash lad seems to be talking more about what can be done for players around the U20 mark, and it wouldn't be unheard of for them to be assigned the portacabins on any given evening.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3705 - 26/05/2026 17:06:08
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Are they doing anything about building new dressing rooms in the COE?
I know someone on the extended panel for the camogie and she said the gym in the COE wasn't that great and they went elsewhere instead, think it might have been Bunclody" Yes but its on hold until the new bit of land is finalised.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19816 - 26/05/2026 17:08:37
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Are they doing anything about building new dressing rooms in the COE?
I know someone on the extended panel for the camogie and she said the gym in the COE wasn't that great and they went elsewhere instead, think it might have been Bunclody" This is the one where I also stand to be corrected, because again, I don't all the ins and outs of the COE. But to the best of my knowledge -
There were plans drawn up and they were more or less all set to go before the adjoining land came up for sale last year. They bought somewhere around 10 acres of it and then went back to the drawing board to make best use of what would be the new space.
But there's some sort of legal or probate issue holding up the transfer of ownership of the land from the vendors, and so any development at the COE is on hold until that's sorted out.
The deal is not in doubt, or anything. Just delayed.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3705 - 26/05/2026 17:09:59
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "I agree but the problem is that people see the headline results and think we're not winning anything so we mustn't be going well at underage, that's the view people have not just outside of the county but also inside
And I think that internal view had fed through to the players, Offaly are hyped up and have a lot of belief in themselves whereas we don't even though we only lost by 2 points to them in 2023
History only remembers winners and even though we had good U20 teams in 2022 and 2023, I think the fact we didn't win was a setback because there's so much negativity in the county that we needed a team to break through and they didn't quite do the job
2013-2015 teams mightn't have been actually any better but the actually won (Weaker) Leinster Championships and the fact they won helped drive positivity in the county
People only see the wins" People only see the wins because they are whats important. If Wexford hurling was producing the players this conversation wouldn't be happening.
Your reality is that you aren't producing enough quality players and too many of those that you do produce dont commit long term.
Facilities dont overly interest players. Yes they want them etc but its how you treat them both individually and collectively is the key to keeping them. Obviously success helps but that's relative. The players in your academy must be made feel like elite athletes and the most important and well looked after sports men in the county for their age group. That includes food, gear, coaches, physio, pre and post match pampering etc etc. They need to see the seniors being treated even better than them. You are starting from a low ebb in a very competitive environment. Player treatment is a key area in the battle for their hearts and minds.
Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 454 - 26/05/2026 17:43:21
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Replying To Bryson: "Wexford have won 1 Senior All Ireland since 1968. It will be 31 years next year since we reached a Final. Not 100percent sure on next stat but i think only 6 Semi Final appearances since in 31 years. 96/ 97 / 01/ 03/ 04/19. If im wrong correct me. Last won National hurling league in 1973 so 54 years next year. Only 4 Leinster titles in 31 years 96 /97 / 04/ 19/ since 1977. No minor all ireland since 1968 no final appearance since 1985 and only 1 leinster title in 42 years. No U20/21 All Ireland since 1965 and only 4 leinster titles since year 2000. Peters havent won an All Ireland since early 80s. Thats Wexford hurling and its not pretty reading when u look at the facts so where we currently are is no surprise and nothing being done to address this but nothing has been done for 50 years so maybe what is currently happening is a good think as its so close now to rock bottom that surely something will happen. Sick of the false positive stuff its getting us no where" You missed semi final in 07 but correct other than that
I think you're missing a Leinster 21 since 2001 as well but none of this damages the point you're making.
We could do more, but it's not correct to say nothing is being done.
I think there's a misunderstanding between being positive to fuel improvement or being positive and taking that as acceptable. They're not the same thing.
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4536 - 26/05/2026 18:09:06
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